Fishmore Hall SpaShell

SpaShell at Fishmore Hall

Fishmore Hall has brought the unique SpaShell concept to the historic

Fishmore Hall is located outside market town of Ludlow — A mile from historic Ludlow is the restored manor Fishmore Hall

market town of Ludlow. Tucked just a mile down the road from the edge of town, Fishmore Hall is a lovely Georgian manor.

The property owner, Laura Penman, lovingly rescued this elegant home and restored it. The bedrooms are contemporary, the en-suite baths luscious. The result is warm, welcoming and delightful.

Adding a spa

When I visited the property last

Part of the back gardens were prepared for the spa with minimal disruption to guests — Part of gardens prepared for spa

Fishmore Hall Dining with view of spa gardens

August they were excitedly awaiting their new spa. The spa is a real bonus as the nearest existing spa is 26 miles away.

As with any hotel, remodeling or construction can be a challenge. It can interfere with the guest experience. Noise, mess, workers. Ms. Penman wanted to add a spa but didn’t want to impact her guests.

She met Alistar Johnson of Spa Creators UK, Ltd. at a trade show. With over 20 years of designing, developing and managing spas he offered a brand new concept. SPAShell. It solves many problems.

SpaShell project

The project includes five years of total management to assure its success. With over 20 years experience, the SPAShell business model has proven successful. It allows properties to add a revenue stream with strong ROI. The facility itself increases the asset value of the property.

The turnkey concept comes complete with the spa and five years of total management. What truly makes it unique is the construction. All off site! Construction includes top end materials expected in any high-end spa. But manufacture is done in a modular format.

The spa location is prepared and groomed simultaneous with construction. Then they load the spa pods onto lorries (trucks) and deliver. Completion of set-up is usually about two days scheduled for minimal impact to hotel guests.

SpaShell facilities

Both one and two story designs are available. This single story spa has four treatment rooms. Each pair of treatment rooms opens to create a double room for couples services.

Each SpaShell treatment room has an en-suite shower and can be opened to create a couple's duo — SpaShell Treatment room

You will find all the expected amenities. Inside are a steam room, sauna, shower, locker room, reception and the treatment rooms. Outside is an outdoor Cedar wellness pool, lounge area. There is also an oversize hammock for snuggling. For the adventurous, there is a stimulating bucket and monsoon drench.

The SpaShell relaxation room offers guest views of nature and a cozy place to relax — SpaShell Relaxation room with view of cedar spa in background

A wide diversity of massage, facial, manicure and pedicure services. They feature Elemis products and equipment. Packages also include Afternoon Tea or lunch and beverages from the highly rated restaurant.

The Spa nestles in the gardens next to the manor. Here spa-goers enjoy lovely views across Shropshire’s rolling hills. There is a strong sense of serenity, relaxation, and privacy to enjoy the amenities. Built of natural materials, the spa blends beautifully into the countryside surrounding it.

SpaShell Cedar Spa gives guests a great evening retreat in a quiet relaxing setting — Cedar spa at night with Shropshire view in background

Since opening in late 2016, the spa has become popular with locals as well as guests. It has exceeded Laura’s hopes. Guests are now choosing to stay at Fishmore Hall to enjoy the spa. Lunch and tea guests view the spa just outside the windows and are scheduling their own visits.

Spa Creators UK, Ltd. plans on

offering SPAshell to boutique properties across the UK and Europe. For more information on SpaShell or Spa Creators, visit their website: http://www.spashell.com/.

Experience it yourself

To see and experience the Spa for yourself, visit http://www.fishmorehall.co.uk. Arrange for a great room, fabulous food, and a delightful relaxing spa experience. Booking directly with Fishmore Hall will assure you the best value for your pounds.

Plan to spend several days… there is a lot to see and do in this beautiful area. Watch for my upcoming blog – what to see and do in Shropshire.

Here is a video on SPAshell with views of the spa at Fishmore Hall.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g10FOEaMJoE&feature=youtu.be

The Old Vicarage has hospitality, great food and a fascinating story

The Old Vicarage

The lovely Old Vicarage house has a unique story of a vicar with an untimely end. But it’s also a wonderful Bed and

Breakfast. It’s small – only 5 guest rooms, located in the quaint town of West Witton, Leyburn, UK. We met family there and stayed three delightful nights in August 2016.

They made us feel welcomed and comfortable. We had tea in the afternoon while we gathered up and visited in the guest parlor.

The main floor houses their kitchen, parlor and the breakfast room along with a private area. Upstairs you can gaze across the countryside. Some rooms view the gardens others the beauty of the Yorkshire Dales.

From the front porch, you can see Castle Bolton across the valley. In the back, the gardens welcome you to sit with a cup of tea or coffee. Cozy, homey, friendly – just like your hosts.

Morning brings a custom cooked English breakfast

Old Vicarage parking and gardens are at the rear of the house — Old Vicarage parking in rear, the garden near the house is great for a morning cup of coffee

In the morning Kirsteen will be your chef. Husband Roddy your server. Breakfast is a full, or part, custom cooked English breakfast. Relax, visit while they tease you with fabulous aromas floating in from the kitchen.

While you wait, enjoy the cold cereal, fruit, and yogurt… or save room for what is a generous spread. Want something different? They have other English favorites like smoked salmon or kippers and eggs to go with lots of great coffee or tea.

They don’t serve evening meals. But you’ll find an excellent pub and restaurant less than two blocks down the street.

Need wi-fi? Head to the parlor, I found the signal to be strongest there. While visiting, ask them to tell you the story of the Vicar who used to own the house and his untimely end.

Whether you want to hike, shop, or just wander the villages, the Old Vicarage is a great place to stay. We look forward to our next visit there.

For the best pricing, be sure to contact the owners directly. www.oldvicaragewestwitton.co.uk/

US & UK food terms you need to know

US and UK food terms

Well, we do all speak English, but UK food terms are a little different. My husband has newly emigrated from England. Our conversations have included many of these confusing terms.

Whichever side of the “pond” you live on, here are some food terms you want to know. They will help you get what you were hoping for when you place that food request.

UK Food terms:

Food term order chips in the UK when you want fries — Food term order Chips you’ll get fries

French fries – ask for chips

Potato chips– ask for crisps

Biscuits – are scones or cookies

In the UK crisps are the food term you use to get potato chips — Food term Crisps gets you potato chips

Biscuits and gravy – strictly a US phenomena. However, they do serve gravy with fries or on potatoes.

Mushy peas are not sweet peas. They are a dried marrowfat pea cooked like a dried bean.

Pudding is not the American blend of milk, sugar and a thickener. In England, pudding can be sweet or savory. Most commonly, it refers to a desert course, but it can also be part of the main course.

Desert puddings are fatty starch or dairy based. They include rice pudding, steamed cake puddings, or with dry fruits added, Christmas pudding.

Savory dishes include Yorkshire pudding, black pudding, suet pudding,

Food term Yorkshire Puddings are a savory bread prepared in a special way — Food term: Yorkshire Puddings

and steak and kidney pudding. In northern England, the traditional Sunday dinner includes roast, vegetables, potatoes, and Yorkshire pudding.

If you are truly craving an American pudding for desert, try this. Ask for a custard (egg-based), blancmange (starch based), or jelly (gelatin base). The names come from the type of base.

US and UK Breakfast terms

Breakfast in the UK is traditionally served between 7 – 9 AM. You will find this still common in many hotels, inns or guesthouses. While most British no longer have a “full English breakfast” regularly, you will find it in public lodging.

An English or Full English breakfast includes eggs, bacon, sausage, fried bread or toast, baked beans, tomatoes and sauteed mushrooms. Some include black pudding, (meat, fat, and oats). You will also find a selection of cereals and fruit or fruit juices available along with coffee or tea.

Food term Full English Breakfast was designed to last a worker all day — Full English Breakfast is a food term for a meal designed to last all day

While I saw breakfast puddings on almost every menu… most guests omitted them.

The good news is most hosts are happy to let you pick what you’d like on your plate. It’s a good way to keep control of your diet.

Like the traditional American Breakfast, Full English kept a worker fueled up. If you want to maintain your weight on holiday, control your plate.

US and UK meal terms

In the US, lunch is traditionally the mid-day meal. Supper or dinner is the evening meal. Dinner is usually a little more formal and sometimes later. But both terms are interchanged.

Dinner is generally the largest meal of the day on both sides of the Atlantic. Agricultural workers, commonly had dinner at noon They needed the bigger meal to last the day. Sunday dinner is any time in the afternoon.

In the UK the mid-day meal is dinner. Probably historically, this is based on the same reasons as in the US where the term is used. If the dinner (noon) meal was light, people got hungry before a 7:30 evening meal. The habit of having a bite to eat along with tea became common and afternoon tea got its name. There are several varieties of tea.

Tea terms

If you visit any tea shop or bakery shop in the UK, you can enjoy a cup of tea along with perhaps soup, cakes or other pastries.

Cream tea has nothing to do with cream in the tea. It is afternoon tea

Food term Clotted cream and scone is creamy decadance — Food term: Clotted cream and scone

served with a freshly made scone, fresh fruit preserves, and clotted cream. Clotted cream is nothing like the name sounds. No lumps here. Smooth, velvety richness. A cross between butter and ice cream. It uses whole milk like butter. The milk is cooked at a low proofing temperature until the cream sets. Not low calorie, but divine decadence.

High tea can be a more formal affair that offers tea, champagne, finger

Afternoon tea is one food term for tea with something to eat — Food term: Afternoon tea

sandwiches and bite size desserts. Avoid asking for high tea at 2 PM. It labels you as a tourist. Wait until 3 or be safe and check the menu for options.

Tea also refers to a lighter earlier evening meal served between 5 – 6:30 PM. In the old days when the workers did not get afternoon breaks, they were starving by the time they got home. So they would have cheese, meat pies, scones and more.

They call a later evening meal at home supper. A more formal or dining out evening meal is dinner.

Salishan Oregon Coast Oasis, play, relax, restore

Salishan Spa encourages you to relax and restore with private views of the bay — Salishan Resort Photo Courtesy of ANKROM MOISAN

Salishan, Oregon Coast Oasis

Nestled next to Siletz Bay, Salishan Resort has been offering wellness for decades. Many baby boomer natives grew up visiting there. Freshly remodeled and updated, guests are returning to enjoy the magic of this coastal oasis.

Salishan sits on 250 lush acres. It seems to be one with nature. Play a round of golf on their top-caliber course stretching from the bay to the edge of old forests. Walk on paths among the tall Douglas firs and Sitka spruce that leave you feeling you may have stepped into another place and time.

Stay, relax, and rejuvenate. The remodeled modern guest rooms wrap you in rustic luxury. Throughout you will enjoy Oregon Coast materials. Local woods, marble and stone. Whether you choose a simple spacious room, with a private balcony, or a lavish suite with its own hot tub, you won’t be disappointed.

Salishan Spa

Oregon Coast details abound in The Spa at Salishan. From the moment you enter, coastal restorative elements surround you. Relax in the lounge and watch eagles soar over the bay. Or soak up nature from the outdoor infinity whirlpool accompanied by the dull roar of waves crashing.

Succumb to the hands of skilled massage therapists. Cool coastal temperatures make hot stone treatments a favorite. This Signature 90 minute treatment will shift you into a state of complete relaxation. With 8 different massages and 60 or 90-minute lengths, you have many choices.

Choose from a full range of customizable facials, body treatments, hand and foot treatments and salon services available. Spend an hour > spend the day. Retreat alone, bring a friend.

4 Unique Restaurants

With four unique restaurants, your hardest decisions will be choosing which one. Choose their Signature room, Gray’s for creative Pacific Northwest inspired dining. Gray’s specializes in fresh local seafood and steaks. Their award-winning chef is known for his special creations and flavors. Enjoy the spectacular views of the coast while you try one of their famous potpies.

If you want something more casual The Sun Room, The Attic Lounge or the Grill at the Golf Clubhouse each have their own special charm and unique atmosphere. Go, explore, and stay. There’s lots to see at the coast.

Summers are high season at the Oregon Coast. Be sure to make your reservations in advance. The coast is popular year around for weekend escapes by those who live in the Willamette Valley. It’s only 2 hour 15 minutes from Portland. Inclement weather doesn’t slow down Oregon Coast goers. They flock to vantage points where they can watch the power of Pacific storms high winds and crashing waves.

For the best pricing check out one of Salishan’s package specials or visit during the off-season. October to May visitors enjoy less traffic and lower pricing, especially Sunday – Thursday.