Feeling totally fed up with the weather, I decided this week to put my walking boots, anorak and trusty mountain bike to one side, exchanging fitness on the fells for a fabulous warm spa day at the newly-refurbished Old England Hotel spa, in Bowness.
Having heard so much about the spa, which opened its designer doors last November, I'd had it on my list of things to do' for far too long.
So, wanting to share the Spa Day' experience, it didn't take much persuasion to encourage a friend to join me and, wearing our gym gear - determined to make the most of the facilities on offer - we entered the freshly-painted, opulent entrance to the lakeside hotel.
A few corridors, and a trendy staircase later, and you are in the spa - the smell of aromatherapy oils wafting over you as you enter.
The female therapists, wearing the latest, slim-line, chocolate-coloured outfits and sandals, greet you with smiles.
Having filled in a couple of health check forms, we are led through to the changing rooms, where our lockers - already prepared for our arrival - are opened to reveal our robes, plump towels and Decleor goodie bags.
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Keen to try out the latest technology in the spa gym, I followed the personal trainer through his brief training learning how to use the key system that operates most of the equipment.
Each member is given their own key, programmed by the instructor. It's an amazing system that allows you to step on any machine, push in your key, and hey presto your exact programme comes on for you, worked out for your own requirements - it's like having a personal trainer with you all the time.
The system is really motivating too, making you want to go around the gym and complete your key-programme. Plug it in to a separate machine and it'll even print off what you've just done, along with your results for the work out.
The key is upgraded by your instructor at regular intervals, so that the level of your work-out gradually increases.
Each gym machine also has satellite TV and radio for your own personal use.
Pop on your headphones, and you can loose fat and tone up while watching your favourite programme.
Feeling suitably worked-out, we then showered in the snail-coiled shower, under hot water infused with real jasmine, while soft coloured lights dimmed and changed randomly overhead.
Into the rock sauna for a fabulous muscle-relaxing steam, then the Ice Room to wake up the body. It's also great for tightening the skin - encouraging your elastin to work better.
The spa pool has no deep end so you can simply stop and stand-up where ever you are - a really good idea if you run out of puff!
Time for our light, healthy lunch of fresh fish and salad, washed down with a chilled glass of champagne.
Then into the Relaxation Room' to lie on the roll-shaped leather beds, under soft lighting, and the sounds of floating mood music. Just as I was about to break into a snore, our therapists arrived and, in the blink of an eye, I was lying, robeless, covered in soft warmed towels on a comfortable, heated therapy bed.
Warm, oiled hands massaged out my writer's knots, and elongated the muscles in my legs and back. I was then treated to the most wonderful facial I have ever had.
There was no sense of time - it seemed as if everything that could have been done to my skin was done, and carried out expertly, by my highly trained young therapist Jessica Jackson. The Decleor oils smelled amazing, and my skin has been left softer, cleaner and more radiant than it has been in years.
My friend's full body massage also left her full of praise for her masseuse, Nicola Millington. With all her tension gone, I swear she came out looking younger, and I've never seen her look so relaxed.
For the latter part of the afternoon we wandered around each of the spa and pool areas, finishing in the beautifully-designed changing rooms, where hairdryers with diffusers are provided for us of the curly haired kind.
With highly-trained therapists using fabulous products, and total attention to detail, set in contemporary surroundings, I give the Old England Spa ten out of ten.
A Rejuvenate Spa day' package like mine starts from £85, including champagne lunch.
l Old England Hotel & Spa, Bowness, tel 0870-400-8130 or
www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk
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