Looking for the perfect way to catch up with a friend while unwinding in style? Late October, I met one of my closest friends, Simone, for a Simple Ritual Spa Day at the Aztec Hotel & Spa in Bristol . After months of not seeing each other, this halfway location was ideal for a long-overdue catch-up. Thanks to a recommendation from Natalie, at one of my Menopause Surf Therapy programmes, we booked our spa day via Spabreaks.com . Booking Our Spa Day The “Simple Ritual” package

Tattoos are funny things, aren’t they? For some people, they’re art. For others, rebellion. For many of us, they’re chapters of our lives written permanently onto our skin. And if we’re honest, most people with tattoos probably have at least one that was done in a moment of madness — a “seemed like a good idea at the time” decision, a youthful impulse, or something chosen a little too quickly. I definitely do. (Not a name though — that has always been a firm no from me.) The

Sometimes the best stays are the ones that almost didn’t happen. On our recent trip north, Craig and I stumbled across what turned out to be an absolute gem in the stunning Whangārei Heads area on Airbnb . Initially, the cabin wasn’t available for our first night, so we booked elsewhere. But there was something about it — and the genuinely warm, friendly communication from the owner, Kathy — that kept pulling us back. So we booked it for the following night. That decision? On

As the seasons shift, many of us feel it — in our energy levels, our mood, and even our motivation. Whether this time of year brings colder days, shorter daylight hours, or the slow transition toward spring, it often invites reflection. Mindfulness can be a powerful companion during this period, helping us stay grounded, resilient, and connected to ourselves. Slowing Down in a Naturally Quieter Season This time of year often encourages a slower pace. Nature itself is either r

Whangārei Heads is one of those places that quietly sneaks into your favourites list — and then refuses to leave. Tucked into Northland’s rugged coastline, it offers the perfect short-break escape: wild beaches, dramatic volcanic peaks, sheltered bays, and that constant sense that you’re never done discovering it. It’s close enough to Whangārei town to duck back in if needed, yet far enough away to feel like you’ve properly escaped the hum of everyday life. And like New Zeala

Bay of Islands, New Zealand There’s something about a recommendation that keeps resurfacing. Urupukapuka Island had been mentioned to me more than once as a must visit  in the Bay of Islands. Then, when I started searching for ideas for Craig’s slightly-belated birthday adventure, it popped up again — this time with the tempting promise of a “fishing adventure.” That sealed it. As the largest island in the Bay of Islands, Urupukapuka is also one of the most accessible. With n

The Bay of Islands—and Northland more broadly—has always held a special place in my heart. Every visit feels like a homecoming, and I always try to make the most of whatever time I’m lucky enough to spend up there. This most recent trip with Craig didn’t quite go to plan thanks to good old Mother Nature and the tropical storm she decided to throw at the east coast. Still, we made it north, albeit for a shorter stay than originally planned—and as usual for us, the accommodatio

On this trip, we were determined to make it right to the very top of Northland — something we hadn’t quite managed on our previous adventure. Spirits Bay was firmly on Craig’s fishing wish list, but there was one small issue… he’s not exactly a die-hard tent camper. Despite us owning all the gear, if there’s a way to avoid sleeping on the ground, he’ll find it. Enter Houhora Heads Holiday Park  — the perfect middle ground between camping and comfort. Cabin Comfort Without Los

There are some places that quietly mark your life, and no matter how far you roam, they keep tugging at you. For me, the Bay of Islands is one of those places. For over twenty years it has held a truly special place in my heart—one that continues to draw me back, and now, my partner Craig too. This corner of the Northlands isn’t just a destination; it’s a feeling. A blend of ocean air, layered history, relaxed living, and landscapes that invite you to slow down and stay awhil

Some places just stick with you — and Athenree Hot Springs   is one of those for us. We first stumbled across this little gem a couple of years ago while road-tripping in our van with the tent box on top. In true Loren and Craig  fashion, we booked a powered campsite at the last minute for a couple of nights… and ended up loving it so much we came back again later that same trip. These days, while the camping spot is lovely, it’s actually the hot pools  that keep drawing us b

A Gentle Introduction to Māori-Inspired Flavours with Vegetable & Rice Dishes One of my favourite ways to relive travel memories is through everyday cooking. You don’t need complicated techniques or hard-to-find ingredients to bring the feeling of a place into your kitchen — just a few flavours, some local inspiration, and a bit of curiosity. While traditional Māori cooking often features seafood, kūmara (sweet potato), squash, corn, and slow cooking methods like the hāngī  (

January is almost behind us.
And if you’re like me, you might quietly admit that it’s the one month of the year you like the least. Every January arrives loaded with expectation. We’re encouraged — sometimes pressured — to set ambitious New Year’s resolutions: change how we eat, move more, lose weight, overhaul our routines, become a “better” version of ourselves overnight. By the time the month ends, many of us feel we’ve already failed, setting a negative tone for the rest

On our latest trip to Waihi Beach, we decided — very last minute (as in, the day before!) — to book a proper house instead of our usual smaller stays. We’ve been trying to lean more into “living” in New Zealand when we visit, especially in places we love returning to, and Another on Leo  turned out to be exactly the kind of base we’d hoped for. We’d spotted it on a few booking platforms before and always thought it looked good value. We booked five nights initially, and while

This visit came about thanks to a classic Coromandel curveball — the weather turned, our original spot in Waihi Beach was fully booked, and we needed a last-minute save for Saturday night. Straight onto Hotels.com we went, and within minutes we’d locked in a Queen Tropical Garden Villa  at Pacific Harbour Villas . It actually wasn’t our first time doing a last-minute dash here. We stayed a couple of years ago under similar circumstances, so we already knew this place was our

How I’m rediscovering flavour while navigating new food reactions If you’ve read my recent article, you’ll know that one of the latest plot twists in my perimenopause and allergy journey has been reacting to chillies — something I never thought I’d have to say as someone who has loved spicy, fiery food since I was young. Right now, I’m still very much in the trial-and-testing phase. I’m paying close attention to how my body responds, working with my medical team where needed,

If I look back honestly, my body has always  had opinions about certain foods — I just didn’t always listen as well as I should have. Even before perimenopause entered the picture, I was what we might politely call “funny with bread and flour.” Wheat-heavy meals would often leave me bloated, sluggish, or just not quite right. Pasta has never been something I’ve loved, which in hindsight feels like a bit of a blessing. It’s one less emotional food to “grieve” as my body’s need

Simple ways to reduce your overall “histamine load” These are not just clinical strategies I share with clients — they’re the same foundations I lean on daily as I navigate perimenopause with a much more reactive immune system than I’ve ever had before. Over the past couple of years, learning to really listen to my body has been essential. Through tracking symptoms, foods, environmental exposures, stress levels, and — crucially — where I am in my cycle, I’ve started to see cl

If you’d told me in my thirties that in my early forties I’d be carrying antihistamines everywhere and never leaving the house without an EpiPen, I wouldn’t have believed you. Yet here I am at 43 (nearly 44), navigating perimenopause alongside a whole new world of allergic reactions, food intolerances, and environmental sensitivities that have genuinely changed how I live day to day. Working with the allergy clinic at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, I’ve been diagnosed with a

Everyday cooking in Aotearoa is shaped by what grows here, what’s been passed down, and what’s become part of our kitchens over time. Māori cooking traditions draw strongly on the natural environment, seasonal availability, and respect for ingredients, while modern New Zealand food reflects a blend of Māori knowledge and introduced flavours that have been embraced and adapted. As part of the Destination Everyday Recipes – Aotearoa  series, this post looks at a few key ingredi

Some weeks the menu plans itself. This was one of those weeks. With fresh fish coming home from a successful day out on the water, I knew what I’d be eating — but Craig, despite being the one who caught the fish, still isn’t a massive fan. He is  getting better, slowly breaking that “fishy tasting” stereotype by trying different cooking methods and flavours, but this time beef was the safer bet. That’s how these beef escalope meals  came about — quick, comforting, and packed