Twitter competition winner
Someone has been winning a luxury weekend at The Lawrance...find and who and how!
I couldn't believe it when I got the call from Sally at the Lawrance to say we'd won a weekend stay at one of their apartments. This was extra lucky because I didn't even know they were running a competition. Still, we'd never won anything before so we were happy to take it! I'm Jack, I'm 35 and I live in Bristol with my wife Kate, and out two children, Amelie, who's five, and Louis, two. I took Friday off and we got up early in the morning (easy with kids), packed the car and headed up north for the four hour drive to Harrogate...
Friday:
We're here! None of us have been here before and it's very exciting as we head in. We quickly establish that Harrogate is a very beautiful town and wonder why we haven't been here before. It's full of perfectly manicured gardens and handsome townhouses. We were excited to see our apartment and we're not disappointed. We kind of knew what to expect because we'd poured over the pictures on the website, but it was even better in the flesh! When the kids realised they had their own bathroom in the form of the en-suite, they were wild with excitement. They literally ran around the apartment for a full two hours, by which time Kate and I were ready for them to go to bed. Louis had discovered a rather neat remote control light switch and was determined to put it through its paces. There's everything you need in the modern kitchen, so it's a quick pasta at the apartment and an early night, with the promise of much exploring in the morning.
Saturday:
Another early start! I reckon about 5.45am when two very excited children come into our bedroom. Hard to be too concerned in such amazing surroundings, so I wearily pad down to fix them breakfast, nearly, but not quite forgetting that The Lawrance were laying on Breakfast. After a delicious cheese and ham croissant each, followed by fresh fruit and yoghurt and washed down with freshly pressed apple juice, we headed into town. It's a short, and very pretty walk to the shops, and as my wife's main hobby is shopping, she's quickly in the zone, seeking out the many clothes shops and boutiques. By this time I'd decided that the kids had endured enough so we trotted off to the Valley Gardens, leaving Kate to do what she does best. Valley Gardens is wonderful, a stone's throw from the apartment and a must see, with or without children. For kids the park area is pure fun. It's just full of amazing wooden structures, planes, castles and extraordinary swings. Its late afternoon when we get back and it's time for the kids to flop in front of the TV for a while I recover with a brew. Kate returns weighed down with shopping bags and a smile on her face. We all get ready and head off for the short walk into town and one of the many lovely lanes, lined by bars and restaurants. We chose Pizza Express because....well, we all love pizza! It's a lovely walk home, there are loads of people drinking in many bars with tables and chairs on the pavement, but the atmosphere is really relaxed and there are loads of young families strolling around. The kids are besides them with joy at being out so late and so grown up, and I'm beginning to think that dragging them away from this place tomorrow is going to be tough.
Sunday:
It's time to go and all too soon. But not before eating an unexpected breakfast hamper that turned up outside our door. Amelie and Louis are not best pleased when we say we're dropping the keys back, but a trip back to the park in Valley gardens softens the blow. And then we're off, Louis gets his last chance at opening the electric gate (boy did he enjoy being responsible for that), and then with a wave goodbye we're heading back down south.
This holiday was just all about luxury. The thick carpets, the automatic lights, the incredible kitchens and the walk in showers. I've never stayed in a serviced apartment before, but I can see the appeal. There's just everything you could possibly want there. Thank you so much for your huge generosity, we had a fantastic time and two days on, the kids are still talking about the 'holiday home'. We'll be back!