Going Native Is Obviously Good For The Soul!

It's amazing what a short break can do for you....

Fiona persuaded me to try camping for the very first time as a short break during our summer holidays and, despite our tent being pretty small for 2 adults and Scott for 4 nights, I had an awesome time! Off we popped to The Hideaway at Baxby Manor (www.thehideawayatbaxbymanor.co.uk) in North Yorkshire.

First off, the site was incredible - so peaceful and eco-friendly. There is even an 11pm noise curfew which, despite the fact I like my late nights, actually encouraged me to call it a night at a respectable time - and drink faster! :-)

As a base, The Hideaway was fantastic - about 14 miles from York, 4 from Thirsk and central to everything we wanted to do.

One of the places we visited touched me deeply. I'd always wanted to see Mother Shipton's Cave in Knaresborough so this was a "must visit". I was expecting to be impressed by the story and the famous petrifying well but I have to say I felt a real affinity with the place. Strange I know but as well as being fascinated by the Mother Shipton story, I found myself revisiting the cave of her birth 4 times. Also, not sure if it's recommended, in addition to leaving a few coins in the wishing well (actually a natural pool formed in the rock structure) I drank some of the water. It just seemed right to me.

Now that we're back home, I feel a strange kind of epiphany that there's actually more to life than the mundane 9 to 5. Perhaps this is the natural quietness of the Hideaway, perhaps it's the Mother Shipton influence but one thing's for certain - the trip has done me the world of good and given me a bit of a spur to think about my own life direction.