*The following details a gifted experience. All views are my own*
By age 20, I was certain that I didn’t enjoy the idea of celebrity encounters any more. By that age, I had already bumped into or met a large number of the UK artists I was listening to at the time as a music journalist. I know it sounds wild, but every week I attended at least one show, I was doing interviews regularly and my office was a music studio. The combination meant I kept coming in contact with all kinds of musicians in the circuit at the time.
It was a fun environment, but it completely changed my view on the idea of celebrities and those in the public eye. These people are normal. Most are difficult to talk to. And as someone that already struggles to speak to strangers, being in those situations just exacerbated the issue.
Outside of music environments, I’ve got so many funny memories from my London days. For example, being in the queue for a plus size pageant show next to J2K, bucking Jme in the car park in Islington and trying to convince Hollie not to ask for selfies with the many musicians we seemed to find around Tower Bridge (when we both worked there).
So tell me why – at this very moment – I’m annoyed beyond belief to discover that when I went to the Cotswolds last week, John Legend, Chrissy Teigen and family were there too and we didn’t see them. I mean – we were there for less than 40 hours and most of that was spent in our own pod. But still! I’m kicking myself that we didn’t spend longer in the Co-Op (which they actually went in!) or exploring the nearby villages (that we went to!) when we had the chance.
We have kids the same age. I wanted to show him appreciation for “Used to Love U” and “Green Light”. That one chance has gone. It didn’t happen. We move.
Hollie has romanticised the Cotswolds for the past two years, after having done a campaign with M&S over that way. She said it’s a picturesque location with plenty to see and, as it’s such a long way from home, it fully feels like an escape from real life. Well we got to feel that when we had the chance to spend a couple of nights in an Experience Freedom luxury pod.
As the kids are getting bigger, we’re starting to realise the things about their younger days that we remember fondly. It’s always when we go out of our comfort zone, put the kids in situations they’re never been in before and see how they adapt to their surroundings. That’s exactly what this was about. We’re always going to remember this as the adventure we went on just before Christmas.
Our base contained all the things we needed for a relaxing break away. Marlo was quick to discover the fridge and found great pleasure in filling it with the bits we brought along with us. Our pod had a fold out double bed as well as a bunk bed. We had a stove, shower and that was really all we needed. We were far from home, needed to a break and used it as a chance to switch off for a couple of days.
As there’s a park on-site, it was impossible for us to spend too long indoors without the boys urging us to give them some time playing on the giant climbing frame and equipment 30 seconds away from where we were staying.
Although the four of us have shared a bedroom away before, this was a whole new experience. It was a completely different environment to what we’re used to for so many reasons. It was super foggy the whole time we were there so, although we didn’t opt to go on any hikes, we loved exploring the delights of the local area.
Among the standout moments:
- The boys sampled a bunk bed
- We witnessed a local hunt
- Hollie dropped three figures in one go on cheese
- Our Elf on the Shelf campaign expanded and two new elves greeted the boys on their first morning in the pod
Our stay was at the Moreton-in-Marsh glamping spot, but Experience Freedom have locations in a variety of places, such as the North Yorkshire Coast, Isle of Wight and Lake District. If you’re intrigued about what they have to offer, find all the details over on their website.
