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Rock Around the Clock! - Chester Travel Review

Posted by Samantha Castle on September 29, 2011 11:38 AM

VISIT Chester and you'll find a city bursting with character and variation.
Whatever your taste, whatever excites you, relaxes you, or inspires you, you'll find something to suit your mood. From modern shopping malls and outlet stores to quaint cobbled streets and vintage shops, it's all here.
This most delightful of cities was originally built by the Romans to control the native tribes in North Wales and northern Britain. The layout still follows the Roman pattern, and the defensive walls create a pleasant walk around the old city centre.
But the walls were mostly lined with screaming teenagers during my three night visit, as it was the very first Chester Rocks music festival taking place at the famous racecourse. Thank goodness I had opted for a posh stay, giving myself and my cousin Rebecca a respite from the excitable throng.
The doughnut-shaped Abode Chester was built on the site of the county's former police HQ, and is all gleaming glass. Rooms have panoramic views of either the River Dee and racecourse - the country's oldest - the historic city walls or of the hotel's courtyard. They all boast the wow factor, with floor-to-ceiling windows, while the spacious top floor is given over to the Michael Caines Restaurant and Champagne Bar.
Our twin room, for two of our three night stay, was full of bold colours, with a sumptuous black and white bathroom and bright carpets. All bedrooms have handmade vi-spring beds, LCD TV's, DVD players and a basket of local produce.
Our room overlooked both the Dee and the back end of the racecourse - enough to see the crowds of people patiently queuing-up to get into the gates for Chester Rocks.
But before rocking the weekend away we enjoyed a thoroughly modern evening meal in a 17th century Georgian mansion house at Oddfellows in Lower Bridge Street (01244 400001, oddfellows.biz). There's a restaurant and nightclub, bistro, hotel and roof terrace with Moroccan-style tents and cocktail bar.
The restaurant is gaining a reputation thanks to consulting chef Richard Phillips, one of the bright young things of modern British cooking. Some freshly baked bread was delivered to our table with tapenade, a black olive and garlic dip. The menu itself aided wine-list phobics like us, offering tips on which wine best suits the dish ordered.
In the day we joined over 20,000 revellers for the inaugural Chester Rocks festival. The two-day event at Chester Racecourse gave music fans big name bands such as McFly, The Wanted, The Saturdays, Iggy And The Stooges, The Lightning Seeds, Shaun Ryder, Australian Pink Floyd as well as local acts. With VIP passes we were able to enjoy the acts upclose-and-personal - with the added bonus of no queuing for drinks, food or the toilet.
My cousin enjoyed Saturday's younger acts more, but I favoured Sunday's old school vibe with crowdpleasing performances from Tommy Scott (Space), Iggy Pop and head liners Leftfield.
Before Sunday's festival we stopped off at The Chester Grosvenor for the ultimate in posh nosh: an afternoon cream tea. Traditional afternoon tea is an English institution, which originates back to the 1600s when it was first introduced to stave off mid-afternoon hunger pangs. Today the ritual has grown to include a delicious array of accompaniments including sandwiches, scones, pastries and cakes.
The Chester Grosvenor is right in the centre of the historic city by the Eastgate clock. Dating back 150 years, its Arkle Bar is named after the famous racehorse and Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, who was owned by Anne, Duchess of Westminster. In the lounge we devoured lighter than light sponge cakes, buttery pastries and sandwiches made with freshly-baked bread. For an extra special treat there was Ruinart Rose Champagne.
On our last night we stayed at the 128-bedroomed Mill Hotel and Spa in Milton Street. The accommodation is divided between a north and south wing, on either side of the picturesque Shropshire Union Canal.
Our twin room was quite large with a view of the canal and a little sun terrace, and also boasted a Jacuzzi bath. The hotel has a free car park and is just a short walk into the city. We didn't have enough time to use the hotel's extensive spa facilities but we did pop into its pub bar for a well-earned nightcap to end our luxurious, action-packed weekend break.
Dinner, B&B at Abode Chester (01244 347000, abodehotels.co.uk) from £109 (single) £129 (double).
Two-night B&B family midweek break at Mill Hotel and Spa (01244 350035, millhotel.com), including one dinner in Canaletto Restaurant, from £195 (two
adults & 2 children)
Afternoon tea at Chester Grosvenor (chestergrosvenor.com, 01244 324024) Sun-Fri noon-4.30pm, Saturday noon, 2pm and 4pm
Oddfellows - Lower Bridge Street (01244 400001, oddfellows.biz).
www.chester-rocks.com

Baby boom

Posted by Samantha Castle on July 1, 2011 12:25 PM

AS I career dangerously close to the wrong side of 30, (I'm 36 on my next birthday and counting backwards is looking a more appealing option) I am becoming more aware of what I call the 'baby factor' hanging over me.
By 'baby factor' I mean that really loud ticking noise which has started to follow me around ever since I found the man of my dreams and we settled down into our living over the brush bliss, (aka cohabiting) and it seems to be getting louder every time I coo over friends family photo albums on Facebook and bump into proud new parents pushing their shiny new buggies, which incidentally seem to be loosing wheels!
Yes I am in a settle relationship, and yes it is a bit later in life than I had hoped to find my happy ever after, and yes we know our future will be together forever, so we don't feel the need to rush into anything more commitment binding than what we already have- a new and very empty house we have just purchased together and the odd joint Christmas present, but everything happens for a reason and we are just grateful we ever found each other in the first place- altogether now 'Arrrr'.
I'm not a naturally broody person, I never have been, I give the baby back to its mother when it cries or dribbles out a little bit of milky sick. Even when my beautiful twin nephews were born nine, yes nine years ago, I loved and adored them and probably spent more time than was welcome at my sister and brother in-laws house playing with those adorable boys and changing their nappies, but I will never understand how my wonderful sister Lisa and her hubby Kevin found time to sleep, eat or get a minute peace, in fact I don't know how any parents do it!
Myself and Daniel have serious ambitions together, we want to travel the world, which can't be done in just 80 days Mr Phileas Fogg, especially when you only get five weeks holiday off a year like I do! We've got a three bedroom house to furnish and we've only been together for a couple of years and don't feel ready to share our lives with anyone else yet, not even a dog!
Yet, almost everywhere I turn I am faced with articles and features on fertility problems of over 40 women, I can't pick up my monthly or even weekly fashion and beauty magazines without being poked in the face with an article on how fertility diminishes in women over 35 and the numerous complications during pregnancy for older women! These are all things you do not want to have to think about in the honeymoon flourish of a newish relationship, let alone discuss. From what we have already discussed, I know for sure that we are not ready for a child yet, plus I am extremly afraid of the thought of childbirth and the massive responsibility that comes with a baby. Maybe we might think about it again when I'm 38, or 40, but who wants to put a timeframe on it, I could even get to 40 and we decide, god forbid, that we don't want children (I can just see all the mother's out there recoiling in horror). Believe me these decisions are not one's I have taken lightly either, nobody can argue with the biological reality that younger women are more fertile than older women. I, like many other childless women around my age, have been researching the fore's and against pregnancies later in life and all the options for many years- harvesting eggs, IVF, not to mention the complications- chromosomal defects, foetal abnormalities, miscarriage, diabetes, placental abruption, pre-eclampsia, placenta previa, prolapse and stillbirth.
And yet despite all the medical reports and horror stories there are in fact thousands of women out there, aged over 40, who are having healthy, happy, natural births all the time- so there is hope.
Recent figures from the Office for National Statistics show that live births to mothers aged 40 and over have nearly doubled in the past decade.
As for me, we are yet to decide if we are ready to share our lives with a little bundle of joy, but if we do at least we know there's no rush to make the decision now.
www.mothersover40.com
www.carefertility.com

Every woman needs a GBF

Posted by Samantha Castle on April 1, 2011 2:20 PM

I READ with interest recently an article by a male journalist who was encouraging his fellow married counterparts to embrace their wives having close relationships with other men.
Don't get me wrong, he wasn't endorsing them having affairs by any stretch of the imagination, he was merely referring to his wife's relationship with her GBF, and how it got him off the hook.
More and more women are revealing and celebrating having a Gay Best Friend (GBF). Carrie Bradshaw has Stanford Blatch, Liz Hurley has Elton John and Katie Price has a whole 'gay mafia' including her best bud, make-up artist Gary Cockerill.
I myself have had a number of GBF's across the decades, (although I don't like to pigeonhole the term but they were gay men and my good friends at the same time) with some sadly falling by the wayside over time due to career changes and moving countries (the lovely Phil S, Jan W, Steve O'B and Daibhid M you know who you are) and some who have stuck like glue, despite them trying to get rid of me (only joking Keith and Jonathan!). GBF's can do things that no other men can, like cry at romcoms and watch biographies about Colin Farrell and Brad Pitt, without being sick. They can coo over shoes and handbags with a straight face and actual, real enthusiasm and most of all, give you an honest answer about exactly how big your bum, or in my case ankles, look and they won't hold back telling you your outfit looks like you just ran blindfolded into Primark covered in glue. They are different to female friends and yet still have an opinion on your hair. And they are different from boyfriends and husbands (sorry Daniel) because they can get away with being quite cutting about our appearance without it leading to rows, tears and heavy items being thrown at their heads.
These are great advantages, but this particular male journalist was rejoicing a little too much about it getting him off the hook with his wife for my liking, saying: "GBF's take all the pressure off me, in my world men smoke pipes, build sheds and don't do on-demand fashion advice. I'm now thinking perhaps I need a GBF of my own!"
I'm lucky myself as my partner Daniel actually like's shopping and is a bit of a fashionist himself and he know's what a muffin top is!
But seriously, the point this male writer is missing is that GBF's are not a passing trend and they are certainly not something or someone you can just pick and choose to have when it pleases you. Gay Best Friends choose you, not the other way round and if you are one of the lucky ladies out there who have a special gay man in your life feel very privileged and promise to always love, honour and obey them.

Trust me I'm a Doctor....

Posted by Samantha Castle on February 16, 2011 12:48 PM

SOMETIMES in life, a horrible truth is revealed. And afterwards, nothing will ever feel the same again. That was pretty much my situation the other week when I visited my doctor.
Like many women over the age of 30, I still suffer from acne, or adult acne as it is referred, so for several years, I've lost count how many years exactly- I have been on the contraception pill Dianette, which is regularly prescribed by doctors to ease the symptoms of acne, and it works it really does! (I almost forgot I had acne while on it, apart from the tell-tale scars from years of picking and popping)
Anyway I digress- on this particular visit to the doctor, where I never seem to see the same one twice, I was met by the very young and fresh-faced Dr Parry, (my life-saver it later turns out- after insulting me) who informed me that: "At your age and in your position you should look at being on a lower risk pill."
Lower risk pill? Risk of what exactly?
Apart from reminding me of my age and baron status- thanks for that Doc, with this revelation he proceeded to tell me that 'at my age and not having children yet' I am at greater risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and should be thinking of coming off the pill.
I mean, yes I am in a relationship, but we're not talking children yet, we're only just getting into the good part of enjoying each others company in a new house, surly coming off the pill now is the wrong decision. But as it turns out extensive studies have shown that taking the combined pill, containing oestrogen and proestrogen, increases your risk of blood clots in the leg from 40 to 90 in every 100,000. Dianette is unique in that it is the only pill that increases this risk even further- to four times your normal risk!
According to experts in the medical profession Dianette should only be prescribed for a limited time and should not be used as a primary method of contraception.
All this is news to me. Not once through my constant surgery visits for blood pressure check-ups and repeat prescriptions for Dianette over the years- and we are talking years here, has any of these so-called medical practitioners ever questioned how long I've been on Dianette!
Suddenly I feel very failed by the medical profession, the very service I pay my taxes to entrust with my health and wellbeing.
Why oh why was I not informed of this risk before? Why has not one of the hundreds of different doctors I have seen in the three different surgery's throughout England and Wales, ever questioned me being prescribed Dianette. We are talking well over 10 years here. Should I sue, appeal or try and get some kind of official answer about this blindingly obvious malpractice before I become one of the every 100 people who dies as a result of DVT every year? I'm over-reacting I know, because I'm still alive but I might not be. And what do the medical profession advise if you are worried about DVT- "see you doctor". Ha ha don't make me laugh!

Prepare to laugh-a-lot at Spamalot!

Posted by Samantha Castle on January 21, 2011 11:38 AM

Spamalot.jpg
AFTER a hugely successful West End and Broadway run, Spamalot has taken to theatres across the UK with gusto and this week it exploded onto Venue Cymru's stage in Llandudno.
Spamalot leaps, dances and joyously kicks around such expectant traps. In a word, Spamalot is perfect.
Yes, it would have been nice to see Cleese and Palin tread those boards once more, but if you're looking for the next best thing then look no further. Laugh? Myself and my sister Lisa almost cried.
This manic and endlessly surprising musical is basically a warped take on the famous King Arthur story, much in the same vain of (or lovingly ripped off from) Monty Python's Holy Grail. There are sexy dancers, killer rabbits, cows, and, oh yes, French people.
Devised by Eric Idle, who has often been accused of 'cashing in' (undeniably true but who can blame him?) has ensured all film scenes are quoted to the letter, including his own hilarious cameo as God.
Absurdity reigns supreme as King Arthur travels to Camelot to call upon Sir Lancelot, Sir Galahad, Sir Bedevere and Not So Brave Sir Robin to aid him in his quest to find the Holy Grail.
Injected with a healthy dose of fresh fun - poked at the likes of Heather Mills, Jedward and Susan Boyle - King Arthur (Matthew Kelly) and his trusty companion Patsy (Todd Carty) drive along the preposterous plot with energy as the Knights meet with a variety of weird and wonderful characters en route.
What more could you want?
Songs?
Well, you're in luck! There are songs a plenty. And not only are they playfully struck and pitch perfectly perfect, mainly due to the wonderful Jodie Prenger (of Nancy/Oliver fame), but they are also outstandingly funny and stupidly clever.....oh, and yes, you may indeed be treated to everybody's favourite sing along, Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life aired by a surprisingly fine-voiced Todd Carty, met with contented clapping and whistling from the crowd.
Belly laughs are raised by fleeting reference to the famous Spam sketch, the Killer Rabbit and the Knights Who Say "Ni".
Spot-on comic timing and vocal talents of reality musical star of "I'd Do Anything" Jodie Prenger in her performance as diva-esque human manifestation of "watery tart" The Lady of The Lake were nothing short of superb.
Unless you've had a sense-of-humour bypass, there's little to hate about Spamalot. The all singing and dancing extravagance of Vegas-style Camelot and the powerful comedy ballads of "I'm Not Dead Yet" and "This is the Song that Goes Like This" go down a storm.
Spamalot has glimmers of brilliance and comic genius, and Idle has successfully caught a mood - no mean feat in itself, and has managed to stamp his own authority and identity on the piece, while remaining faithful to the Python 'brand'.
For two hours it kept the packed Venue Cymru, Llandudno crowd (including Phil Jupitus of Never Mind the Buzzcocks fame!?) in fits - and it was a deserved response.
A must-see comic musical for Python fans everywhere! (I'm sorry you missed it Daniel x)

Fish Pedicure in Malta....Samantha takes the plunge and lets toe-sucking sea creatures get to work on her feet.

Posted by Samantha Castle on November 4, 2010 10:28 AM


FishPedicure01.jpg
NOW I'm not crazy about having my feet touched, so how did I come to find myself at the Fortina Spa Resort, Malta's finest 5star spa- having hundreds of aquatic-dwelling critters nibbling at my hard skin?
Well, while I was on holiday last month in the beautiful coastal resort of Sliema in Malta with my boyfriend Daniel he suggested I treat myself to a spa treatment during our weeks stay.
What a good idea I thought, but one facial isn't enough to even begin to make a dent in my sun-damaged face and seven days is not enough time to complete any of their extensive range of cellulite treatments taking into considering the amount of complimentary wine and rich food being consumed during our all-inclusive stay- making it a complete waste of money.
So I decided to try the latest beauty craze- The Doctor Fish Pedicure.
Call it aversion therapy, but I reasoned the best way to face my foot-touching fear was to take the plunge, literally, feet first into a tank full of hungry 'doctor fish' also known as Garra Rufa.
Originally found in the hot springs of Kangal in Turkey, where tourists have flocked for treatment since 1960, the 'doctor fish' have long been used to treat skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, although it should be noted that this particular treatment at the Fortina Spa is beauty focused.
Naturally omnivorous, these toothless fish, which are a species of carp, are nature's scavengers, living off algae and the dead skin of bigger fish, or my feet in this case, and are notoriously hard to breed.
I hover my feet above the meter-long tank swarming with hungry fish circling expectantly, and my therapist assures me the fish will only feed off dead skin, but after a long-standing shoe habit I'm afraid my battered, gnarled feet may cause a feeding frenzy!
FishPedicure02.jpg
The trick is to plunge your feet into the tank in one slow smooth motion to deter the fish from concentrating on one area and to stop you chickening out. I take a deep breath and go for it.
The fish immediately cluster around my feet and start latching on, which I have to admit was not unpleasant. Their gentle sucking is painless and relaxing abet a little ticklish, especially when they get in between my toes. For the next 20 minutes I sit transfixed, as the fish go about their work, with Daniel taking the odd photo, and I start to see how this is considered a relaxing therapy.
Annoyingly the fish tank is located in the Spa's reception area, but I can see the benefits as I'm inundated with curious looks and enquiries from people about how it feels, the cost and if it works- I feel like an edible advert! But does it work?
FishPedicure03.jpg
My session ends with a relaxing foot massage and then I finally get to feel my tenderises tootsies and they are extremely soft. Some hard skin is still visible, but I am told as the fish tackle the easiest parts first, it can take up to eight sessions for people with a passion for high-heels like me, to notice a significant difference. But at 15 Euros a go (about £13) it's a relatively reasonable treatment.
The verdict? I'm hooked!
FishPedicure04.jpg

Hooray! My figure's in fashion at last.

Posted by Samantha Castle on September 30, 2010 12:00 PM

The 1980's were all about the Amazonian woman, the waif reigned in the 90's, but this could be the decade of the curvy girl- bring it on.
I've never been one of those 'skinny girls', even when I lost a stone in weight through food poisoning once- my legs were still like tree trunks. So far it has really been a struggle being an hourglass-shaped fashionista.
I know when the new-season collections arrive in the shops I won't be wearing the skimpiest, hottest, tightest clothes and there are some trends I can't even look at without my thighs wobbling in fear.
I've worn the skin off my fingers and show the tell-tale scars after squeezing into, zipping up and getting stuck in knee-high boots, slim-fit jeans and mini skirts.
But there are upsides too- I have a great bust and I've learnt to embrace looking different and individual, especially in comparison to the stereotypical twiglet fashionists. Clebs like Nigella Lawson and Kirsty Allsop and designers like Vivienne Westwood have helped me feel and look, on a less self-deprecating day, dare I say 'sexy'!
I can tell you from the heart that men who genuinely prefer curvier girls do exists, despite their public displays of salivation when the lycra-clad girls from the Ministry of Sound videos thrust their way onto the telly.
However, sometimes no matter how fabulous my outfit, high my heels or flawless my make-up looks, at 5ft 4in and a tight size 12, I still sometimes feel self-conscious and frumpy. Fortunately, with classic hourglass figures like Mad Men's Christina Hendricks firmly in the fashion spotlight and plus-size models like Crystal Renn now becoming a familiar scene gracing the catwalks I feel that for once this season doesn't have to be a struggle. No more squeezing, I can wear my trusty mid-calf pencil skirts, body-hugging dresses and high heels and I can wiggle my fat bum with wild abandon in this autumn's sassy lines.