An American Abroad: My Journey: **Spalicious**

A few weeks ago at work I was talking to Deborah (a coworker) about spas in the Northeast of England. She gave me a few places to look up online and I was really amazed! So many nice facilities - but so expensive! I then thought I'd go online and search specials similar to groupon and I landed on Red Letter Days - which is just like groupon but has more for experiences such as hot air balloon rides, horse riding, driving a Ferrari, Spa packages, etc. I found a deal and didn't really know if it was legit - I asked Deborah and she wasn't sure as she purchased a Red Letter Days in the past - and something went wrong or they lost her order. I decided to purchase it - 45 minute Rasul treatment along with use of the facilities + lunch at the Garage Spa (40 minute drive).

We left promptly at 8:30 - it wasn't a sunny drive - was rainy the whole day.
Once we got there - we went inside (similar to Madden's spa) and gave my name and were seated and filled out a form plus what we wanted to order for lunch. A lady named Amy ushered us inside the facilities room to give us a quick tour of what there is to offer (and boy do they have it all!) . Once she finished showing us around we got to put our stuff away in the lockers and change into our swim costumes. We had at least 20 minutes before our Rasul treatment, so we decided to dip into one of the hot tubs inside.

At 10 we walked to our room for the Rasul - it was a big shower room with a bench on each side. On the counter were two pots - mud and salt. Also there were two hoses - which we turn on to wash off the salt (exfoliation) at the end. After we applied mud to each other we let it set and steam was suppose to be coming out of a small rectangular hole (which we found out afterwards there was a button we were suppose to press to activate it) - Unfortunately during the treatment Craig got a bloody nose - not sure how it exactly happened - but I had to go get some tissue and a staff member was giving a tour and looked at me in a bit of craze (as I was just in my swimsuit) and I said his nose is bleeding - then the staff joked said I hope you didn't beat him up. Thankfully a few minutes later the blood stopped :D - after we let the mud set in we then salted each other - to exfoliate. Then we hosed each other! I say it was a water fight :D

We then had about 3 hours left before our lunch. So we tried all the other facilities - my favorite is the outdoor hot tub - when your inside for a long time and go in steam room etc its nice to get fresh air + the rain gave it a nice refreshing feeling. Also outside in a carriage wagon is the sauna - we went in for a few minutes but I had to step out because it was too hot!

Another room Craig and I really liked is the Salt Room - quick description from the Garage website:
The Ambient Salt Room is a controlled, relaxing Halotherapy environment, with from salt blocks, forged by nature hundreds of years ago. The salt is cleansing and stimulating and provides drug-free and clinically proven relief for many respiratory and skin conditions such as asthma, psoriasis and eczema. Natural salt therapy dates back over 200 years and is used around the world in hospitals and health retreats to strengthen the immune system. So, sit back, breathe in the benefits and enjoy the warm soft glow that emanates from the salt blocks.
This is the room we actually fell asleep in - really calm and quiet :D

We also went into the steam room which was very nice! and relaxing.

Also near the hot tubs were 4 giant showers to use. Really nice :D

A little after 1 we went back to our lockers and collected our clothes and went to our rooms to change. We then went into the main entrance and were escorted by a member of staff at the Morrit Restaurant - which is right next door (plus its a hotel too). We were seated at a nice table and our waiter brought us our food promptly. I had the Morrit Burger which had tomato chutney, Wensleydale cheese on it along with coleslaw and chips. Craig had steak with skinny fries.

Then came dessert - I had baked pistachio rhubarb yogurt and Craig had a dark chocolate tart.

In Summary I loved my Spa day with Craigy B. I can't wait to go back again!

The below pictures are taken by me.