# 29 – Have a fish pedicure

So on Easter Monday I was strolling through the streets of Exeter – enjoying a rare day off with the husband when I saw a fish spa. I was going to walk past but then thought I ought to at least check the price. Before we’d even crossed the road the owner stepped outside and persuaded us to at least take a look inside. I was pleased we did. The treatment began with a foot inspection (sounds horrible but it was very reassuring that they don’t let anyone in the tanks with infested feet!). Next was a five minute regular foot spa, to make sure my feet were nice and clean for the fish to nibble on.  I was given the middle aged fish (this also means middle size). As the spa was pretty empty I had one foot per tank, rather than the usual two feet in one tank. I couldn’t quite bring myself to put my feet into the fish so had to ask the owner to force my feet in!  She promised me it would only tickle for two minutes and she was right. The remainder of the fifteen minutes felt a little like pins and needles but without the pain. Finally I was given a 5 minute foot massage with a choice of creams. My feet were left super, super smooth! Overall for a 25 minute treatment I thought it was £15 well spent but it was not relaxing enough that I would do it regularly.  Anyway to whoever suggested this experience my feet and I THANK YOU!

# 4 – Climb Snowdon

My first semi defeat – I’m gutted! Now I have to confess to not completing this experience in the way I would have wanted. I would love to have climbed the whole way up on foot and believe me this was the plan – however, the VW campervan (as fun as it was) hampered this plan. We arrived in Snowdon so late (due to our restricted speed limit!) that it was clear that we would not make it up and down the mountain in daylight. No worries, we thought we can walk up and get the train down. So we went to buy train tickets only to be told you cannot buy a train ticket down until you are at the top and will then only get a ticket if the train is not full. We asked how likely it would be to get a ticket down and were told “I suggest you get a ticket up and walk back.” This made me very sad but we felt as if we were left with no options. So we got the train up. I’d love to say the views were beautiful but you are packed in like sardines (we had a Chinese student who was petrified of the spider in our carriage – think someone needs to explain to him how harmless British spiders really are!) and the mist was so dense there was no view to been seen. The train stops just short of the summit so I was at least able to ‘climb’ the last bit of Snowdon – although I felt like a cheat with every step. The walk down was lovely. The occasional break in the mist revealed some beautiful scenery. I WILL go back and ‘climb’ Snowdon in the true sense but fear it may not be until after I am thirty so felt I must blog this entry and confess my failure. Emma, thank you for the suggestion – I’m only sorry the outcome wasn’t slightly better (was still lovely to be in your homeland!).

# 21 – Try a VW campervan holiday

So the first weekend of the Easter hols was spent in Tango – the 1965 VW camper. Tim (the husband) picked me up on my birthday from the pub (end of term essential drinks) – I think I heard him before I saw him! Tango is lovely but she is loud (mainly due to her original engine!). We drove from Marlow to a campsite in Oswestry, this took quite a while as our max speed was 50 mph and the engine cuts out every time you have to slow down resulting in forced coasting around roundabouts whilst trying to restart the engine. The next day we drove on towards Snowdon for experience number 4. Overall we had a great weekend in the van, even if the nights were pretty darn cold. The drive home was as fun, and challenging, as was the ride up. We continued to get flashes and beeps of respect from other VWs, mountain bikers, Mini Coopers and even a Porsche! A fun birthday weekend – thanks to whoever suggested it!