DOXFORD HALL CH 3

As we stepped outside the car and I inhaled the stunning fresh clean Northumberland air, I knew I was home. Home to my beautiful an yet sad historical land of belonging. A place where I grew up a very unhappy child, but a place where I felt the most loved. For the next two days, no more bad air from the fumes of cars and of my new place of living, but the salted sea air. A man called Daniel, met us and gave us a guided tour around the beautiful house. Oh if you could go there you like me would fall in love with the place. It's not like a hotel, though it is a four star spa, it's home from home in a dream. As we walked past the restaurant passing the cocktail bar and library, we were shown the drawing room where Hub first brought me as his new bride three years ago. The happiest day of my life. The beautiful furniture framed the stunning hand crafted staircase, which one man made, carving lovingly exhibiting his talents, as it took him eighteen months to perfect. As we passed through the fragranced corridor, I of course asked what the beautiful smell was. It was not fresh roses from the garden but plug in air fresheners. They were stunning I wish we could buy them for our stinking beastie girls. We opened our heavy solid wooden door and enjoyed the beautiful immaculate bedroom. Oh I ventured into the bathroom and saw the fantastic spa bath. The luxury of the bed and comfortable seating in the room was a good start to relax. Daniel was great kind and helpful. We got a rough idea of our surroundings. We decided to do Sunday lunch. Down into the restaurant. It was there where we met with Jane. She was the waitress. What a character. Sadly for the hall, she is leaving this Friday. She is off on a adventure of her own. All the way to India, to live. She will be a real miss to the place because she was so jolly and at one with the customers. Oh Bloggets, the meal was amazing The chef has won lots of awards for his absolute skill. I had Roast onion soup with the most wonderful melt in the mouth cheese biscuits. You know sometimes when you get home made soup, the chef never puts enough salt in it? Well this was perfect and you could taste the cream in it too. I had Sunday lunch without the meat and oh wow, wonderful. Two huge Yorkshire puddings, roast potatoes and new potatoes with herbs and butter. Red cabbage and parsnips. Carrots and other veg. Hub had a fish starter and the Sunday lunch with pork. That came with the cracknel off the pork. Then he had a white chocolate with berries. A dark chocolate mint straw and wafers. I had a cheese board. You got loads of cheese, celery grapes and seven different crackers. Butter in a silver tiny round dish with a cute lid. Home made chutney too. Then we had coffee. All for a little over £40. For both of us. Oh and I drank gallons of lovely clean fresh water. Water without lime scale. We went rather full to our rooms, took a rest, then strolled in to the gardens and took a seat on the veranda. We were in a room named after a north Umbrian village. It was given to us because it was very close to the door out to the back of the hotel. Perfect for walking LC. Oh now then, that was a funny story, we headed for the door, we were told that we should push a button to open the door, but one of us would have to stand at the door, because it would lock after us… Hahaha. I was the person who was the door keeper. First though we had to open it without setting off the fire alarm. We were told the button was close to it so be careful, as the girl on reception chuckled. She asked if we wanted someone to come and assist us. We said no as we like a challenge. Hub could not find the button. I thought he had found a window rather than a blooming door. But he hadn't it was the door. I took over telling him, to move a side and let the professional door opener in. Scared to hear that sound you don't want to hear on your first day in such a fine place. The sound of the horn which brings the fire engines out. We heard a click and realised our door was about to open. Just as it did, I with joy, pushed it wide open and lead hub out, keeping hold of the cheeky door which was dying to close on us. I acted all smart, laughing with Hub as I said I was the one who opened the door. Just then, I almost went flying down the unsuspected step down into the court yard. Few, that was close! Haha Imagine what we looked like to anyone watching? A door opens and falling out of it is a fat blind lass, with a guy and a guide dog… Haha. Then time for evening meal. Oh really I was not at all hungry, but the food was again, delicious. For dessert, I had home made ice cream. My BF, would have jumped over twelve Nana's to get to it. It was rum and raison and plain. But allow me to assure you, there was nothing plain about that ice cream. Hub had the cheese board, but that was different to mine through the day. More exotic cheeses. He had duck too. And said it was the very best duck he had ever had. He had soup for starters but I did not fancy that as it had a poached egg in it… Too weird, though again, he said it was simply stunning. Well then we entered into the cocktail bar. Laughing about one of the waiters who was there three years ago and I am sure, bless him, he was the tart man, remember I told you about him? You can't? well, he was a young new starter and I ordered a delicious fruit tart. He came with it to me and placed it on the table. He said those words to me, the words a lady does not want to hear. "Tart. I answered "I beg your pardon? Hahaha. Who was he calling a tart? He is a sweet guy and so helpful too. Oh but as we sat in the bar, we ordered our cocktail, and it sounded really nice. Mine had rum, lime and other interesting things in it as well as soda and mint. Now then, between the bar lady and the waiter who helped her, this is how the conversation went. Bar person "Can you go to the kitchen and get me some mint please. Waiter, "Some what, mint? Bar person "Yes, some mint. Waiter "What was that, mint? Bar person "Yes mint. One minute later, Waiter "The kitchen didn't have any mint. Bar person well I shall get it from down stairs. Well when the drinks came, I tasted it and turned to hub and said "Mmm, can you taste the mint? So now that is known as Mint gate. Well, then to our room and into the shower, to play the game of "Guess what bottle we are using ? Was it shampoo, conditioner, shower gel? Or anything else. I just washed my hair until it got foamy. Went to bed and phoned Teen before bed, to see if A, he was in and B, how he and the dogs were. The next day, we ventured out to breakfast. Again, a lovely breakfast/meal. They even gave me some vegetarian sausage with my tomato, potatoes and mushrooms. Hub had the lot I am talking, full Northumbrian as they called it. Beans tomatoes potatoes, scrambled eggs, bacon, mushrooms and fried bread There was toast and more. As much tea and coffee as you wished for. Then into the drawing room to chill and off to the swimming pool where again, the pool man, gave us a guided tour. We enjoyed the water and then into the spa pool too. We didn't do a treatment this time. But we felt so fresh and happy. Back to our room then after a shower and check up with the decorating, we went for afternoon tea. I had lemon and ginger tea, Hub had normal. I had two kinds of sandwiches and cream scones. Home made jam and clotted cream, for the scones. Then there was yummy cakes. Ginger, cream tart with strawberries and a chocolate brownie. Again well fed. A chat with the friendly staff and back to our room for a snooze. Before we knew it, time again for our evening meal. It was interesting to listen to the people in the drawing room, talking about the beautiful places the had been. The coast around there, is known as the sugar sands. As it is so white and wonderful. A lady told in a very posh voice she had visited all of the castles and other historical places of interest. The reception of the house, / spar. Is the original. The rest, took the past owner eighteen months to build. Then his wife developed cancer so he sold the building for six million. He gave all the money to cancer charity. The original part of the house, used to be an old peoples home, so when the owner bought it, he kindly flew in via helicopter, Local fish and chips for all the OAP's. He sounds a great person and thank God, his wife is still fine and well. The sounds of the birds, trees hushing in the gentle breeze and through the night, one could hear the foxes calling. I imagined how it would be if this was my life now. All the grounds to explore. Ladies to clean our house and my own chef… Then friendly approachable staff like Lee, who came to try to help my lap top to recover. He was so funny. He came to our room and stood and watched me walk across the room collecting things to assist him with my unwell little techno troubles. He told me he was enjoying watching how I went about things in the room. Hahaha. That was funny, as loads of people watch us. When we were escorted in the restaurant, to our table, the constant chatting, went so quiet. People don't know they are doing it, sometimes I would love to stand and make a speech, saying Yes, guys, we eat too you know? Hahaha. At least Lee had the honesty to tell us he was watching… Oh well glad to provide some kind of show. What a nice guy he was. If I could just get you to go there for one night and day, you too would fall in love with the peaceful paradise of Doxford Hall. Next chapter tomorrow. x