EMBRACING MY INNER SEARED SHRIMP
Good morning!
I’m writing to you from Benicassim, more precisely from Palasiet thalassotherapy hotel and medical clinic. I can hear the waves crashing – well, they’re not exactly crashing because this is the Mediterranean after all, and so far I’ve not seen many rocks for waves to crash into. But they are making that nice wave-whooshing sound as they roll over themselves and into the bay. I saw people swimming earlier this morning, which struck me as excitingly brave. I may try to be excitingly brave one of these mornings.
The hotel is at the north end of a very long beach in what must once have been a beautiful old villa. It’s been built up, of course, as it now has 78 rooms, and all the thermal facilities which I have yet to see. The architects managed to keep the spirit of the old villa, with wrought iron, and pinky-russet-coloured walls. The gardens are pretty, even so early in the year, and the pool area is gorgeous, which was lovely to arrive to yesterday in the early afternoon, on a beautiful, warm, bright blue and yellow day. I checked in, emptied my suitcase and immediately began to wonder whether I’d brought the right things, as you do. Well, as I always do.
It’ll be fine.
I’m here for two weeks! Eek! All alone! Which suddenly felt a little overwhelming when my husband dropped me off at Girona train station yesterday, because although I’ve been on my own for two weeks in the years when he still worked, I’ve always been in my own space. Whereas here I was heading into the great unknown!!! My imagination juggled an epidemic of what ifs as I headed into the station, but I did my funky breathing and they vamoosed.
It was the Talgo train, super-fast, heading down to Alicante. I’d never ridden this train before, and enjoyed looking out of the window, the scenery shifting from olive groves and seascapes to hills and mountains, with towns and villages flashing by. I’d never been through this part of Spain before, apart from once, decades ago, when I was in Ibiza and missed the return ferry to Barcelona, because for some reason I was sure it sailed at midnight (fifty shades of Cinderella!!) when it left at nine.
This, which was a bit of a disaster as car ferries in and out of Ibiza are booked months in advance; there are never vacancies in peak season. So had to spend an extra night on the island and I managed to get us a space on a ferry to Denia, which I believe isn’t far from where I am right now. Anyway, my Cinderella mistake added about six hours to my drive back to Switzerland. I was with my two young children and my lovely au-pair, we were all stressed and knackered, and eventually I couldn’t see straight and had to exit the motorway to find a hotel, but – once again – it was August and everywhere was full. Eventually I found a hotel with two rooms in a small town not too far from the French border. I shared a room and a bed with my son Greg who must have been about five at the time, and not only was the room hot as heck, and without air-conditioning, the mattress was covered in plastic! Within two. Minutes we were both lying in a puddle of sweat. Suddenly, Greg turned to me and very quietly and solemnly said “Mama, how many stars does this hotel have?”!!! Can you believe it?! It’s not like we’d travelled to a bazillion places and stayed in fancy palaces. I guess he was a little boy of discerning taste!
Anyway, this hotel has 4 stars, it’s comfortable, clean, the staff are lovely, and the food is delicious. I chose this place specifically because it didn’t look too fancy; I didn’t want to find myself somewhere fancy, where tweakmented people swan around in fancy wellness-wear, taking photos of themselves. That seemed like the vibe of quite a few places I looked at. Whereas here we all look like grilled shrimp because of all the warm seawater, many of us have massage-table indents on our faces that linger for hours, and wonky bodies rule. Also, the black swimming caps we all wear don’t do much for our southward-bound features.
I’ve just had my first day of treatments. I saw a doctor, a nutrionist, and a physiotherapist. I did aquagym, did a biomarine circuit (steam bath, sauna, jacuzzi jets) and a phlebitis cold water circuit to boost my circulation. Next, I had lunch, followed by a rest, then a physio massage, another rest, then dinner. And now I am very tired so I’m going to sleep.
Good morning! It’s daytime again, and the sun is out, but the wind is too! I have a quietish day today, finishing at 1.30, so if I’m not feeling too wonky I’ll head out for a little passeggiata along the coastal path.
Hasta pronto!
Francesca xx
PS: The Empress has published Chapter 10 of Just Like A Movie. In this chapter you will be learn how to get revenge on a cheating partner in the most imaginative way! I had such fun writing this chapter and really let loose. Go see! You know you need a giggle 🤭 Also, please leave a comment on her page, telling her which cover you prefer for my book! Much mulling is being mulled.
