Monday, 06-02-23

 Good morning, everyone.  Stupid o'clock here and it's my own fault because I was in bed and fast asleep very early last night.  That's OK, things will level out again in a few days.

Yesterday was such a beautifully sunny day.  It wasn't that warm but far from freezing and they keep the place just comfortably warm - not hot but certainly not cold, just right so you don't notice one way or another.

The day started off with an early breakfast so I could be at the dance studio at nine for the Wake Up, etc, session.  It was very good - these active sessions have certainly improved since the last time I was here which was around ten months ago, just a few weeks after it had opened.

Bit of background.   The Potter family has run an all inclusive holiday resort near Gt Yarmouth (Hopton) for nearly a century now.  In fact, it was the very first permanent holiday camp in the UK.  In 1913, Herbert Potter won £500 in a competition and used it to set up the resort with wooden huts for accommodation.  The rest, as they say, is history.

Five Lakes was a hotel/spa/golf centre.  Lindsey used to bring groups here for spa days - it's closeness to home made it a very achievable outing.    A couple of years ago, it was bought by the Potter family and has become their second holiday resort with more of the Spa vibe than Hopton which is very much family based.

The first time I visited after the take over and 'do up', the place was just finding its collective feet and we were asked for specific feedback at the time.  This time, the difference is obvious.  Everything is smoother and speedier, from the waitress service in the restaurant to the speed with which one's drinks are delivered to the table or wherever you are.  And the exercise activities are good.  They were fine ten months ago, just a little uncertain, but now there's confidence there.

Anyway . . .
 After the wake up session, I had a quick drink (diet Coke) and went back to the dance studio for something called 'Strictly Potters'.  Basically, it was a bit of salsa, a bit of jive, a bit of samba, a bit of smooth, etc, all put together into a simple routine and it was really good fun, thoroughly enjoyable.

I decided there probably wasn't quite enough time for an unrushed swim before lunch so I went for a walk instead.  These photos are just snaps as I strolled around the golf course and 'lakes' (ponds, really).

After lunch, I let it settle and then went for my swim - lovely!!  The rest of the afternoon was spent in packing, getting the case into the car (less to do this morning) and generally chilling around.

A few quizzes later and a pink gin down, it was dinner (delicious) and by then I was practically asleep on my feet,  To be fair, I wasn't just being a wimp, I did two workout classes, a swim and a walk that day.

I decided that the better of my two options was to have another early night rather than try to stay awake for the show - so, it being holiday and I could do whatever I wanted, that is what I did!  I never was able to dance the night away and now, at nearly seventy one, that's not likely to change, is it?   :-)

Today I will be getting back to normality again.  I'll go down to breakfast at half eight which is when it starts, give it time to settle a bit and leave by about half nine.  Assuming no traffic issues, I should be home by not long after ten.  

That gives me time to unpack, get the first load of washing done and then change for Circuits at Lindsey's.  I have a meeting at school in the afternoon which is just a bit of unfortunate timing really and can't be helped.  Once that's finished, I will pop over the road to Morrisons and get in my fruit and veg.  I pretty much managed to use up all the fresh stuff last week so really do need to do a shop.
And then I can crash out at home for the evening.
Really back to normal again!

It's been a really lovely weekend here.  In some ways, going on my own is good because I can do just what I want to do, when I want to do it, without thinking about anyone else.  However, I know I have only scraped the surface of what Five Lakes offers because many of the activities are much more fun in a group - the clock putting, archery, shooting, all the things in the Games Hall, even the quizzes are better with others.
So isn't it nice that in under three months (end of April) I am back here with Lindsey and about fifty of her clients and other halves for a fun and fitness weekend, all run by Lindsey? 
I can see Five Lakes becoming a Favourite Place for me.  Yes, it isn't cheap but, unless you need to get anything from the little shop or fancy a 'premium drink', there are no other costs whatsoever.  Everything is inclusive from all your drinks and four good meals a day (they provide a late night supper for those who want it) to use of sports equipment in the Games area.  By the time you take all of that into account, it becomes more reasonable and there's the added bonus of being so near home - you have to count petrol costs nowadays, don't you?

Have a great day, everyone.  xx