WEEKEND AWAY BY THE SEA

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I was recently kindly invited by the lovely Jenny to stay at her beautiful Airbnb property right in the heart of Aberystwyth, Mid Wales. This was on the understanding that I would share and promote her spacious accommodation at Six William Street so please check it out! 🙏🏻

The entire home can accommodate 6 guests, has 3 bedrooms and a large family bathroom with a deep double ended bath and walk-in shower.

At the rear of the property there is a cute instagramable courtyard garden, in fact the whole house is a dream for online content creation!

The house has been extensively refurbished and tastefully decorated by a local interior designer Design House Wales and has all the modern amenities to make your stay relaxing and comfortable. It's conveniently located, Just a stone's throw away from the beach and Aberystwyth town centre.

We dropped our luggage off at the property and parked at the nearest car park, located at St Michael’s Church, Laura Place, Aberystwyth SY23 2AU - it was very reasonably priced at £3 per 24 hours.

So Aberystwyth, otherwise known as Faberystwyth, has something to offer everyone.

It’s home to Hollywood film star Taron Eggerton; Apprentice winner Alana Spencer; and fellow Welsh entrepreneur and founder of Olew hair products, Elinor Davies Farn.

It has one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Wales, with a student population of 10,000 from across the UK and beyond.

Aber also has an award winning arts centre which is one of the UK's largest!

It’s home to the National Library of Wales, the Castle (and War Memorial) are only a short walk away from the beach and pier and it offers great views back across the bay and down the coast the other way.

Aber's pier is the oldest in Wales, built in 1864!


There is an abundance of shops, bars and restaurants including independent retailers like Polly's, Siop y Pethe and Ystwyth Books to name but a few.

You can expect to hear plenty of people speaking Welsh out and about. Most of the town centre is easy to get to from the railway station and there are plenty of car parks including the retail centres. 

So here’s a diary of my girly weekend away. Check in was 3pm but we arrived early to shop for wine and nibbles at Marks & Spencers.

We arrived on Saturday and entered the beautiful interior design decorated house in awe. Unpacking had to wait as the sun was out, wine was chilled and we wanted to make the most of the pretty outdoor courtyard.

Welcome drinks and snacks were enjoyed before we headed out for cocktails. On our hit list was The Libertine and Y Bañera, both opposite each other and walking distance from Six William Street. We had a takeaway from penguin pizza to finish the night which was demolished after cocktails!

On Sunday we had brunch at Baravin where we received excellent customer service, bonus points for being able to sit outside in the sun!

Afterwards we walked along the seafront and took the tram up Constitution Hill for panoramic views of Aberystwyth. It’s a must do sightseeing-experience.

Visiting the pier is also a must and they have something there for every age group, from amusements, food, a bar and even a nightclub!

We had a mooch around the shops followed by a Sunday Roast at the Glengower Hotel (booking essential, this place gets busy!).

After our roast we walked along the prom to the pier for a drink then retired to our lush accommodation for a PJ night. We wanted to compliment this stay with a chilled evening at Six William Street as it’s such a lovely property you wouldn't want to not to spend time there.

Check-out day was Monday, with brunch at Medina, another hidden gem in Aberystwyth.

To close, anyone wanting to book this awesome property check out @sixwilliamstreet on Instagram and quote “Shoned” whilst booking to receive a complimentary bottle of fizz on arrival 🥂

We drank, we ate, we chilled but also walked 10,000 steps 🙌🏽 thank you so much Jenny for having us for our wonderful gifted stay 💗

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*Images courtesy of Matt Wilby, comissioned by Six William Street

SHORT BREAK IN LAKE GARDA, ITALY

I have been wanting to visit Italy for most of my adult life. We had our wedding reception at Portmeirion, an enchanting Italianate style village on the coast of North Wales. I fell in love with the architecture and colourful surroundings and visiting this beautiful country has been on my bucket list forever since!

Due to our joint work commitments we decided that we would have a short 5-day break in Lake Garda as an Italian taster! We realise that holidays can be booked online easily, but an experienced travel agent will tailor the holiday to meet all your needs and expectations, specifically on prime location, transfer time, flight times etc and with ours being such a short duration we wanted to get it right! We booked with a local company, Wonderling Travel, as this mother and daughter team always hit the brief with added extras suggested if the weather turns. I’ll get on to our “B” list later in the blog!

We had left it a bit late in the year to book Italy but they still managed to fulfil our brief and did not disappoint. So top tip is to book in advance as this is a very popular resort. We booked in May for the beginning of July just before the summer holidays, and had a lovely half board hotel in Bardolino. Our brief was bed and breakfast but this actually turned out to be a better option as it opened up more hotel choices. The package was with Jet2, and as with most package holidays now, they threw in the half board deal, and we combined eating in and out which worked out well.

Our flight was approximately 2 hours to Verona and then the coach transfer was around 45 minutes. Again hitting the requirement of short travel and transfer with it only being a 5-day getaway. Lake Garda is situated in northern Italy which is the wine region. Due this you may experience inclement weather and so we had a few plan B’s tucked under our belts as suggested by the Wonderling team. This saved hours of research and they got it spot on for us. The lake measures 32 miles in length and driving the whole of Lake Garda by car is around 90 miles. If you didn't stop it would take about 3 hours, however, we did a package holiday and so we decided that we would walk with optional bikes, boats and taxis to ferry us around.

During the booking process we considered Lake Como but as Lake Garda was nearer to the airport, we went with that option. There is also a third lake, Lake Maggiore, and they are all equally beautiful I’m told.

We arrived at our hotel which was situated a few hundred yards from the lake and I would personally recommend booking accommodation within close lake proximity as you will access everything you need from bikes to restaurants, shops, boat trips to a dip in the popular lake.

We stayed at the Parc Hotel Gritti - it has a 25m pool, the promenade is in-between the lake and the hotel, also with access to Lido Mirabello Beach which is located on one of the two strips of land that form the coast of Bardolino, sunk into the lake. Mirabello is a lovely grass beach just a few metres away from the hotel, with, if available, two complimentary sunbeds per room. We made use of this space on our last full day and it was lovely. We took advantage of the beach bar where I had the best Aperol Spritz during our stay - of which there were many!!

The hotel was immaculate, though it did feel like we’d gone back in time with some of the decor and the clumpy room keys but that was part of the charm. Breakfast was served between 7.30 - 11.00 am and there were two restaurant choices for half board evening dinning.

Worth noting that men must wear long trousers in the a la carte restaurant, so shorts and a football shirt wont cut it with the Italians! They dress smart for dinner, which is a lovely tradition. This is not implemented in all restaurants but it was a rule at this particular hotel, so I’d pack a pair of nice chinos just in case!

After dinner every night we would walk into Bardolino Port, which is a spacious square on the lakeside promenade surrounded by shops and restaurants, that leads up to the old town. The atmosphere in the evenings in Bardolino is buzzing, lively and friendly and the sunsets are amazing. You won’t pass anyone not eating ice cream on this walk and when you try it, you’ll know why! Gelato is everywhere and its divine!

After we booked our holiday I was recommended this Facebook group by a friend and I found it useful in planning our trip and absorbing all things Italy:

Facebook group: https://m.facebook.com/groups/1373361046396315/?ref=share

So here was our 5-day itinerary:

Saturday, Day 1: We arrived late afternoon so just acquainted ourselves with the hotel and its immediate surroundings.

Sunday, Day 2: Walked from Bardolino to Garda along 3km lakeside promenade. Some people hire bikes but as we wanted to dip in and out of bars and shops we decided to walk. On the way we passed several cafes and small stretches of beach that invite you to "dolce far niente," which means sweetness of doing nothing. This is a bit deep for a holiday blog but it’s what I feel capsulates marriage/partnership. As my aunt recently told me after losing her husband: “you can find numerous people to do things with but when you lose a partner you have nobody to do nothing with.” It really made me appreciate the moments of doing nothing together.

Anyhow, back to Italy, when you reach the picturesque Garda, you’ll find it nestled in the bay with an abundance of Venetian-style old town buildings that make great Instagram content. Garda has numerous stores, boutiques, ice cream parlours, cafes and restaurants and when we visited there was a pop-up market on the front selling local produce. I bought a natural aluminium free deodorant called DeoNatural and I really like it.

We had a couple of beers on the way into Garda as you do, a spot of lunch and returned to chill by the hotel pool. The walk is rich in picturesque views which I posted on my Instagram page, @shonedowen.

Opera season runs from May to October, and as the saying goes.. when in Rome, although it wasn’t Rome but you get the gist!

We booked the the Italian Opera and immersed ourselves in a magical evening at the intimate setting of SALA DELLA DISCIPLINA.

For anyone wanting an open air experience that’s next level opera, it’s got to be Verona amphitheatre which is about an hour away and there are plenty of trips that go. We were told by hotel guests that cheap seats are just as good as expensive ones as viewing platform is amazing from all angles there.

Monday, Day 3: There are many beautiful towns and villages scattered around the lake and it only takes a simple Google search to find the popular ones. We opted for Sirmione which is listed as one of the most popular tourist destination on the lake. We caught the early ferry which was just as well as people descended on the town like ants and as the day went on the streets filled with tourists.

Sirmione is a beautiful old town located at the end of a small peninsula that towers about 4 km into Lake Garda. The streets are narrow and there’s an instagramable photo opportunity around every corner if you manage to get there before the “ants”! The early bird catches the worm as they say, so get there first thing if you visit. We found it very congested as the day progressed with people and cars but it is very pretty and we had a nice drink and a walk around but left after a few hours to have lunch at the number 1 Trip Advisor restaurant in Bardolino.

After pasta and wine we returned to the hotel in the afternoon and by then a storm was incoming so we had a nice siesta (or whatever the Italians call it). Later on we walked into Bardolino for ice cream and people watching.

Tuesday, Day 4: We spent the morning by the pool and at 2.00 pm we got a taxi up to Guerrieri Rizzardi for a vineyard tour.

This was a private tour but they also provide free tours. There are lots of wine tours to choose from which is great being located in the wine region. This filled our afternoon and we got rather tipsy. We were shown the vineyards which started by explaining harvest and grape selection, then we were led to the fermentation, ageing process and bottling before tasting. This was accompanied by a charcuterie board which is the perfect appetizer to serve at a wine tasting, it was a beautiful platter filled with cured meats, cheeses, olives, mustards and more. Late afternoon we returned to the hotel and accessed Lido Mirabello Beach, and had our first and only Lake Garda dip which was so refreshing.

Wednesday, Day 5: Early breakfast, early flight back, home by 5.00 pm but the whole day spent travelling. Verona airport was a bit manic but they did have building work ongoing, we queued for 2 hours before boarding and missed out on the usual duty free shopping, coffee break and finishing a book! Hay ho, a good time had by both.

By the way I read Denise Welch’s The Unwelcome Visitor which talks about depression and anxiety and how she overcame it. It made me realise that there is still so much lack of understanding around this subject and it made me much more aware of being mindful. I became a fan of Denise during lockdown and it was great to read her back story.

As mentioned, here was our “B list” of things to do in case the weather turned in the notoriously changing wine region:

Lake Garda has numerous thermal springs where water temperature gushes out at 37°C and 42°C so this was one option, another was a day trip to Verona or Venice, and finally wine tasting which we did anyway.

Favourite pastime whilst in Italy was people watching, dog watching (cute dogs were everywhere and so well behaved) eating gelato, drinking coffee, drinking Aperol spritz and wine, eating pasta, antipasto and repeat!

Thank you for reading my blog. I had so many questions after sharing our pics on Instagram and so this was the best way to share!

Carpe Diem x

BOWEL HABITS

We rarely talk about bowel habits, do we? It’s one of those taboo subjects that can often be labelled gross or disgusting, but in reality, we all do it!

There has recently been increased awareness on Bowel Cancer following the death of journalist and campaigner Dame Deborah James. The former deputy headteacher was diagnosed with Bowel Cancer in 2016 and then shared candid posts about her progress and diagnosis, including videos of her dancing her way through treatment.

So, I’m here to share my experience with colonic hydrotherapy and improving my bowel health. I was very lucky to be approached by Sarah Chadda, founder of Flourish Wellness Pod to share a treatment with you lovely people. The first treatment was gifted and the rest I then paid for myself. I am now a regular customer at Flourish!

Sarah’s professionally acclaimed clinic is based on Conway Road, in Llandudno Junction. It is a quiet and relaxing space, with a range of treatment rooms. She provides a spa-like atmosphere, with plenty of spaces to sit and relax with a cup of coffee. Her mission is to provide an integrated and holistic approach to health and wellness, and she’s certainly achieved it at Flourish.

Sarah says “We live in a world where so many of us are suffering from stress, anxiety, poor nutrition, and are both physically and mentally exhausted.

I feel that more and more of us are looking for a more holistic approach to our lifestyles, so I think it’s important to treat the WHOLE person and not just their symptoms.”

When I saw what she offered, I jumped at the chance to escape to this hidden sanctuary just off the A55 which is why it’s a well-known bolthole for the Cheshire-set.

This is a spa experience with bells and whistles on. If like me, one of your pet hates at a spa is seeing other people or sharing a chamber/space with them then this experience is for you. You can also book in as a pair, but I loved the solitude of Flourish Wellness Pod. I’m going to share my colonic hydrotherapy treatment and the benefits I experienced afterwards but will also share other treatments I had at the clinic in another blog.

Colonic hydrotherapy, also known as colonic irrigation, is a safe and effective method of cleansing the colon. This is done via repeated gentle flushing with warm filtered water under very low pressure, and specialised massage techniques on the tummy area to stimulate release of toxic waste. Our colon is designed to eliminate waste from the body, but poor diet, improper food combining, and prescription drugs can impair its ability to function properly.

I have lazy bowel movements and am prone to constipation, I have an under-active thyroid which causes the body's processes to slow down.

When I arrived at Flourish Wellness Pod, I sat down with Sarah and went through a thorough health questionnaire focussing on diet, lifestyle and bowel habits. I hydrated myself before the procedure and did not eat prior. I was handed a gown with a modesty gap at the back. I got undressed from the waist down and asked to comfortably lie on my side on a medical couch. This is when the pipe apparatus was inserted and then I was instructed to turn on to my back with my knees bent. The apparatus is lubricated with Vaseline making insertion easy. Sarah held the apparatus in place which was attached to a pipe and the flushing chamber. It was optional to see the content of the flush, and of course curiosity got the better of me and I opted to watch - it was fascinating!

Lots of people have asked me “did it hurt?” and the answer is no.

“Did it smell?” No.

“Was it embarrassing?” No, she does this day in day out, we chatted, and I was made to feel very comfortable.

Sarah is a professional and friendly person. She told me that I need to chew my food thoroughly as digestion starts in the mouth - I won’t tell you what I saw but she knew what I’d had for lunch!

I was made to feel at ease throughout my treatment, so much so I booked again. My first treatment was complimentary and then I paid £65 thereafter.

During treatment pure filtered water is introduced into the colon via the back passage. The purpose is to achieve best bowel function through the removal of excess wastes, toxins, bacterium and gas. The procedure was gentle, and she massaged my abdomen to Compliment the flush. The warm water helps to soften, break up, and then remove impacted and dehydrated faecal waste material that layer the colon walls. Sarah could tell from the procedure that I don’t chew my food properly, that I don’t completely empty my rectal passage and that my diet needed improving!

She is a member of RICTAT (The International Register of Integrative Colon Hydrotherapists and Trainers) setting the highest ethical standards in the practice of Colon Hydrotherapy. The treatment lasted around 40 minutes and I was given Liquid chlorophyl to drink at the end of treatment, which is useful for PH balancing, healing and cleansing the internal organs, and detoxifying the colon walls.

Sarah suggested that I try a low carb diet and that I take Omega 3 oil before each meal to include healthy fat in my diet. She also promoted a poop stool in order to attain the ideal angle of 35 degrees. This positions your organs and muscles in a way that relaxes your rectum. When people use posture-changing devices to squat, studies show they go more quickly. They also strain less and empty their bowels more completely than when they sit on the toilet. By making it easier to poop, squatting might ease constipation and prevent haemorrhoids, which are often a result of straining. Needless to say, I bought a folding stool.

Having received colonic hydrotherapy and adjusted my diet and hydration levels and taken all of Sarah’s advice, I saw an improvement in the regularity of bowel motions and in the consistency. The important thing is keeping it up for optimum bowel health.

I’d like to thank Sarah for making me a healthier person and kick-starting better food choices and for changing the way I poop! My bowel health has improved, and I would recommend this treatment for anyone in a similar situation.

To get in touch with Sarah, check out her website and Instagram:

https://www.flourishwellnesspod.co.uk/

https://instagram.com/flourishwellnesspod/