As some of you have read on my earlier blog or watched my YouTube channel, I am going through a massive move which has been crazy stressful.
When I was given the opportunity to check out PAUS, I couldn’t jump for joy any higher. The husband and I really needed the break as we’ve been working so hard over the summer. Last week was the week of massive packing for lots of our furniture. Not only was my body feeling a little battered, I could feel the pains of PMS coming through on Friday evening.
Saturday morning rolled over and it was a gloriously sunny day! Wow! How lucky were we? The weather report stated a high of 24C and I was dressed for my favourite season: summer!
The late morning drive from my corner of South West London was supposed to take about 1.5hrs but due to the Chelsea match and big traffic jam up on Brent Cross area, we arrived about 2.5hrs later, hot and sweaty (my car’s air conditioning unit needed some repair, unfortunately). We parked at the golf course opposite. You could actually easily park at the foot of the hill where PAUS is located but hey.. our brains were a little fried so couldn’t wait anymore to rectify the mistake and just crossed the road (at least our car was parked in the shade. Very important!)
PAUS is located inside what looked like woodland and it was very serene indeed. Barely any noise all around and very private due to its position.
We were greeted by a friendly team at the reception and since it was almost lunch, decided to have our meal first. (I was famished as I don’t normally eat breakfast)
The cafe doesn’t have an extensive menu foodwise and it’s mainly simpler, healthy options like salad bowls and tartine (open sandwiches) though there’s a good selection of drinks.
We took our time to eat our meal as we’ve been so rushed off our feet for weeks. The silence with only the gentle breeze made it easy to enjoy the simple healthy meal. There were other tables with groups of girlfriends enjoying a giggle or two amongst themselves and a couple of other families (PAUS runs workshops on weekends for kids while parents indulge in the hot tubs).
When we feel sated and had taken a while to breathe deeper and really ‘decompress’, we said to the staff “We’re ready!” Ready to be ‘pampered’ and warmed up in the tubs. We walked back to the reception and got more instructions on how to fully enjoy our day and to pick up the super fluffy bathrobes and towels.
There is no power lines or city electricity in the location so everything is done via the generator or in the case of the sauna and hot tubs, wood fire. The water is from the ground source so it really does feel remote.
For those interested in the ‘little details’ about the tubs and sauna, they are almost all made of wood. Western Red Cedar wood imported from a sustainable source in Canada where it grows freely. The sauna, which looks like an old-fashioned carriage to me, is also made from the same wood.
The hot tubs are maintained at a temperature of about 38-40C. A metal box contained inside the wooden panelling keeps the charcoal burning and touches the water which makes it warm. But don’t worry about burning yourself with those elements. They are tucked safely away. You will see in the photos below.
We were escorted from the changing rooms to our reserved tub and Olly explained to us again the ‘rules’ i.e to wash our feet before entering the tub so no grass is brought in, no food though you can drink, and to relax. We were presented with our glass of Proseccos and told to sit back and enjoy our day alone. And enjoy we did! Below is the gallery of our day, our smiles and our love for each other.
When we decided that we were sufficiently relaxed and ready to go home, we went back to the cafe for our dessert. We were told the cakes were made by a local lady called Jo, whose award-winning “Afternoon Tease”‘s cakes are to die for. The husband ordered Lemon and Pistachio Loaf and I ordered Raspberry and Hazelnut Sponge with vanilla buttercream. We tried each other’s cakes and we couldn’t decide which one we love best, because they were both scrumptious! We also ordered more of their yummy homemade lemonade. Except for the slightly calorific cakes, we have been super healthy and meat-free for today. A big win for our mind and our body.
If you too would like to experience a pause in your hectic week in the countryside, please check out PAUS Cambridge’s website and their various open weekends. I for one, am looking forward to their winter sessions. Can you imagine being in a hot tub while the snow (we can wish for it right? 😉 ) is falling and you get to see the beginning of the night sky? OOh….it all sounds so delicious and a perfect pause! Go and book your slot today!
* I would like to thank the team at PAUS for giving my husband and I the best hospitality for a couple who really needed that break.