I never leave the house during the week, except to go to a lovely Thai Restaurant, called the Somtam for lunch on the Askew Road. I also pick up and drop off the children at their school. I do all my shopping online and venture forth occasionally to see a local hairdresser. This life suits me, as I’m a writer, and quite enjoy the peace and quiet.
The only other place, I go to is the Park Club in Acton where we have a family membership. Now that we are members, I can’t imagine life without it. I can do everything here except have my teeth examined, but I could join a bootcamp, go to a pilates class or have a manicure. I can also meet friends for lunch, which is particularly great in the summer, when you can sit on the terrace looking out at 27 acres. It’s somehow so much better than the local park. For a start there are no dogs or strange people lurking behind trees. I love swimming in their outdoor pool. Last year I actually swam while the snow fell around me and it was great to be in the pool with the steam blowing up around me.
Every November they put on a real swash buckling, excellent half hour long firework display (see photo above) and during December have Christmas events for children including, pantomimes in the studios for kids, as well as Santa’s Grotto (this year being held in an Indian Tepee in the grounds). There is usually a live nativity scene, with sheep, pigs and other farm animals, again held in the grounds. Then the grand finale is Father Christmas’ arrival…. last year he was towed into the grounds on his sleigh by eight real reindeer before handing out presents, the year before that he arrived in a working replica of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and the year before that he was lowered in and over the club by a crane! There are also carol concerts held on the terrace as well as an ice skating rink.
I’ve just discovered that if you sign up as a member in the month of November you will get the next month free. Tempted? If I wasn’t already a member I would be.
