How Do You Holiday?

As the Summer holidays are almost ready to bid us adieu, I have been reflecting on the concept of what a holiday means to me.  As Winter threatens to sweep in with its wet and windy weather, (I feel we seem to bypass Autumn in the UK...where are those seasons of mist and mellow fruitfulness??) I'm already looking to summer 2013 for the inspiration  I'll need to batten down the hatches and get through my least favourite season.  What is it that I want from that magical week, when my husband books his annual leave and we head off together again with the children with a head full of dreams and a heart full of hope as to what this week will mean to us?

One week a year.   Seven days out of three hundred and sixty five.  One hundred and sixty eight hours out of eight thousand, seven hundred and sixty hours.  This is the time that the average family dedicates to their annual holiday.  It's just a tiny percentage of our year, a year that we spend working hard with jobs, school runs, housework, cooking, cleaning, laundry, gardening, DIY, getting stuck in traffic jams and queuing up at checkouts.  Don't we deserve those seven days to be ones filled with unadulterated luxury, relaxation and pure pleasure?  An escape from the mundane tasks that blight our everyday existence?

When those magical seven days finally come round, I look forward to spending quality time with my husband and my children.  I don't want anything to ruin this.  I don't want to worry about where we'll be staying or even have to erect my own accommodation, heaven forbid!  From the moment I arrive I want to feel like I'm on holiday.  No cooking or cleaning.  I want to concentrate 100% on spending every moment having a good time with my family.

I want a comfy bed with a real mattress, not something that pulls down from the wall or needs blowing up!  And don't even get me started on the issues of bathrooms.  A holiday to me does not equate to queuing up for a dirty, lukewarm shower in a block that is half a mile away from where I sleep!  I want something better than I have at home.  I want a whirlpool bath, a power shower and a spotless toilet that I can stake my claim to for a week in the knowledge that no unfamiliar bottom will plant its cheeks on the seat.  Surely that is not too much to ask?

When I'm on holiday I want to eat great food.  I want to experience new cuisines and immerse myself in the hospitality of where I'm staying.  I don't want to worry myself with shopping for groceries, planning meals that can be made with the inadequate kitchen equipment that self-catering always seems to offer and then wash-up afterwards. That is a worse case scenario than cooking at home!  Nor do I relish the idea of heating a can of beans over a calor gas stove in the middle of a field. Oh no!  I want to eat amazing food cooked by a professional on china plates washed up by someone on minimum wage.

When I wake up in the morning I want to be infused with a shot of joyous disposition.  I don't want to have to worry about the weather spoiling my day.  I want to feel a sense of smug righteousness knowing that I won't be stepping out of my bed into a muddy field, batting away flies drawn to my body heat.  I want to pity those whose first job of the day is to scrabble together a breakfast using unfamiliar utensils in an unfamiliar kitchen.

As I take on the lady of leisure persona, I want to immerse myself in how the other half live.  Just for this one week out of fifty two.

Cheers x

Failing this, a four night break at Disneyland Paris is and will always be the perfect alternative!!

My "Moment" with Rachel's and Hand-Picked Hotels

Sometimes in life, perfect pairings are created...such as Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, strawberries and cream or Brad and Angelina.  One other such perfect pairing that has recently come to my attention is the delightful union of Hand Picked Hotels and Rachel's Organic!

Culinary expert and Hand Picked Hotel's Head Chef Lucy Hyder has partnered with Rachel's as part of their "Moments" campaign.  Celebrating that moment in the day when you can relax and unwind with your favourite, luxurious Rachel's Organic product, the "Moments" campaign asks us to reflect on that special time when time stands still and we can enjoy an oasis of calm in the storm of our hectic day!

I was absolutely over the moon to be chosen to enjoy my own special moment with Rachel's and Hand Picked Hotels, when I was invited to the sumptuous 4* Buxted Park Hotel in East Sussex for an exclusive cookery and dining experience to help celebrate the partnership.

I am already a big fan of Rachel's.  I love their passion and commitment to producing gorgeous organic products in harmony with nature. Ever since reviewing a selection of Rachel's products back in March, the brand has been a firm family favourite.  The superior tasting dairy products made with love and the company ethos make Rachel's a quality brand with a big heart.

Hand Picked Hotels boast seventeen superb country house hotels throughout the UK, Scotland and Jersey, where elegant architecture and exquisite interiors blend seamlessly with modern comforts and technology and you are encouraged to kick off your shoes, feel at home and relax.  They stand at the forefront of a renaissance in fine British hospitality.  These hotels are built for pleasure and enjoyment with attentive friendly staff who really care.  They offer a fine dining  experience with emphasis on sourcing local produce where possible, creating a better quality and flavour of food made with creative passion and culinary flair.  Combining such luxury with the relaxed atmosphere of home is a perfect combination for those of us who enjoy the finer things in life without any pretensions.

It makes perfect sense that these two brands, who do so much to indulge us in blissful "me time",  should go hand in hand!  A perfect pairing indeed!

On October 5th, I drove the 4 hours down to East Sussex accompanied by my eldest daughter Megan to be guests at Buxted Park Hotel with Rachel's.  From the moment I arrived at my VIP parking space in the courtyard I knew I was in for something special.  When we were shown to the King George V Suite, our home for the night, my feelings were confirmed! This two roomed suite was fit for royalty!  Antique furnishings, original features, works of art, a marble fireplace and outstanding views of the estate make this a truly indulgent experience.  But there is no feeling of intimidation...it is relaxing, homely and comfortable.

Buxted Park Hotel

Our view of some of Buxted Park's 312 acres!

We were treated to a cocktail reception and an introductory presentation in the hotel's cinema.  From there we made our way into the kitchens to enjoy a cookery demonstration with Head Chef Lucy Hyder.  She was amazing.  A visionary who transforms simple, quality ingredients into outstanding dishes where textures and flavours combine to deliver a contemporary gourmet meal.  She was down to earth, with a passion for home cooked comfort foods and home grown, seasonal produce. Her attitude to sustainability was wholesome and honest and I loved how she spoke so passionately about food.  Lucy has created some inspiring recipes using Rachel's Organic Yogurts that she demonstrated to us.  Gourmet Cookery Schools are held at the Buxted Park Hotel where you can learn the tips of the trade needed to cook gourmet dinner party dinners at home.

Lucy Hyder (and me!)

I will be sharing a recipe from Lucy Hyder using Rachel's Organic yogurt in another blog post coming soon!

Using Rachel's Natural Yogurt on Lamb Tagine

In the evening we gathered in the Crystal Bar for exquisite canapes and champagne.  From there we made our way into the sophisticated and contemporary Dining Room where we ate from the bespoke Rachel's Menu.  We were served food matched wines throughout and were overwhelmed by the amazing dining experience that we were given.

Vegetarian Canapes

Gazpacho, Celery Sorbet and Vodka Jelly

Goat's Cheese Risotto and Cherry Tomatoes with Balsamic Glaze

Mediterranean Vegetable Pave with Chick Pea and Apricot Cassoulet

Cranberry Sorbet

Chocolate and Almond Tart with Apricot Sorbet

I can honestly say I have never enjoyed a dining experience like this in my life...it was exquisite.  The vegetarian options were inspired.  The flavours in each dish worked so well together. I was really blown away by the attention to detail, the skill and the craftsmanship involved in the production of this meal.  My compliments to the chef Lucy Hyder and her team!!

Check out the Hand Picked Hotels website for details of locations, dining experiences, events and special offers available at the seventeen locations.

Go to the Rachel's Facebook Page for a great competition...just share your moment and create your very own pot!  Here's mine!

Find out more about Rachel's on the website. Look out for the Rachel's new TV ad too!

**The experience was completely complimentary...I feel so privileged to have had my moment with Rachel's and Hand Picked Hotels! It was wonderful! **