This one is a bit more complicated than a simple quotation…

Autumn’s arrival brings with it a sense of renewed purpose: perhaps it’s the teacher in me, but I’m keen to get everything ship-shape before the C word comes along (!), to set goals, to make exciting plans. I’m also keen to create, make, bake, walk, get the garden (and my wardrobe!) in order and so much more.

Knowing what I know about this amazing place now, it will definitely be a place we meet up with friends and relatives of all generations. Its location (on the Kent/Surrey/Sussex borders) means that it’s a perfect “let’s meet up there, it’s half way between all of us” spot. And frankly the coffee was so good I’d be tempted just to go there for that…

Godstone Farm - what an absolutely amazing day out! We have been coming here since both children were babies: we’ve always loved the family feel (it was set up forty years ago by a wonderful family), the sheer space of the place (other places can feel a bit claustrophobic), the variety of things to do and the friendliness of the staff. It was an absolute delight therefore to host a #gifted birthday party for my daughter’s fifth birthday there in July. In this blog I’m going to give you as much info as possible about all the things to do there, and why this amazing venue is great for the whole family.

Here’s where I’m cross that I didn’t take a photo. Essentially get the round 9” cake, and then get a glass with a diameter approx that you’d get at the opening of a pint glass. Push the opening of said glass through the middle of the cake, so you should end up with a circle with a hole in it! Then cut a quarter of the circle out . Then cut a third off the loaf cake and assemble as per my rather wonderful clip art…

I don’t know about your kids, but in the “top 5 things we love to do” list soft play, steam trains, playgrounds, running around (in gardens), eating ice cream and playing games as a family would definitely feature! From the Pecorama website we really didn’t know what to expect much beyond the steam train, but my word this is the most AMAZING PLACE EVER!

It was clear to us as soon as we arrived that there was a real mix of locals walking their dogs (there were a lot of very well-behaved, on the lead dogs), parents with pre-schoolers (you can go to the cafe independently of visiting the House and Gardens - I know if I was a local I would be here with the mini-POMs a lot getting my coffee and cake fix - more on that later), retired people, passionate gardeners and tourists like us on a day out!

The spa itself is within the fabulous and bustling Brooklands Hotel, but feels like a quiet, cosy nest. At first Megan and I were unsure about a spa without a pool, but as we both admitted, we tend to just use the pool to cool off after a steam or sauna! Instead we would sit outside on the rooftop terrace, snug with a blanket, enjoying the breeze on our freshly buffed and plumped skin.

In the last few years however, I’ve noticed that I can be somewhat chameleon-like in my relationships: in order to keep everyone happy, I can chop and change so that everything is harmonious. I can be fabulous, noisy, quiet, hysterical, silly, empathetic, whatever that person needs to make them feel their best. This is a great quality to have as a coach: it’s not always ideal for my own relationships.

I love celebrations. Christmas, Eater, other people’s birthdays, my own: I just get so excited and excitable. We’ve even been known to call my birthday a birthday “season” (I know…)

Because we all know, it’s not just lipstick. It’s “I’ve still got my identity”.

I’m calling upon all the techniques and tools I’ve learnt as a coach, a teacher, a wife, a singer, and of course, as a kickass Mum.