Tag: https://www.archerfieldwalledgarden.com/

Countries, Sustainable Tourism, UK

At 60 it’s nae sweat sitting it out in a sauna

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And we’ve our Finnish friends to thank for our favourite pastime with our clothes (almost) off… and naturally at 60 it’s nae sweat sitting it out in a sauna.

Or any age really depending on where you live in the world.

Where our guide in the Austrian Tirol regaled us of his childhood memories when he would go with his grandparents… and they all shed their clothes!

Not that British or Irish people are ready for that kind of open living.

Although I have noticed over the years that we have got more confident in actually talking to each other.

Which is how we, the Daughterie, Mr Daughterie and myself found ourselves getting to know Pippa’s Crew.

Sauna etiquette

Hut stuff: All the action is inside

A set (if that’s the collective noun for saunaphiles) of Edinburgh and East Lothian yummy mummies.

At Hot & Bothy Community Sauna on the Archerfield Estate in Dirleton 23 miles east of the Scottish capital.

Some subjects are, of course, off limits with Hot & Bothy reminding us not to pass comment on people’s body image or tattoos.

Although not having seen Mr Daughterie with most of his clothes off, as no father-in-law ever should, I did break that to ask him about his inkings.

And whether it was safe for him to wear his piercings, which as a sauna expert from his time in Finland he assured us that it was.

Too damned hot

Pour it on: The Hot & Bothy experience

What might not be unless you’re one of those roughie-toughie Finns is competitive saunaing is the World Sauna Championships.

Which were held in Saonola from 1999 to 2010.

And whose competitors were asked to sign a waiver.

Which was a get out of jail card when the beaten finalist in the last championships, a Russian expired.

And we’re not reading anything into the fact that the winner was a Finn, Illka Poyjoa.

Hot & Bothy rules

O Shower of Scotland: With Mr Daughterie

Hot & Bothy operate a hut and a yurt from behind the Archerfield Walled Garden.

And two plunge pools, a cold shower.

And a firepit where you can sit and drink their tea and ginger and sing Kumbaya, although that’s not compulsory.

Before you dress back into your clothes in the changing rooms.

And all for the price of a night’s drinking at £17.50 and you’ll feel a lot better for it.

 

Countries, UK

East Lothian the best of beaches in Seacliff… get our drift

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I’m reminded every day how fortunate I am to be living in the most sought-after town in the country and now I learn that this county here East Lothian boasts the best of beaches in Seacliff… get our drift.

Only this week (and it has been a few months since the last time) we rehashed why we left another prize-winning idyll, Greystones in County Wicklow, in Ireland.

For North Berwick on the east coast of Scotland.

Of course, I hear husbands everywhere screaming ‘just say you’re right’, and they would be correct, and I did.

As much as I miss the land of my mother, it makes it ever harder to push my case.

When praise is continuously heaped on this little corner of Scotland, just a half an hour east of Edinburgh.

For a place I like to joke is ‘God’s waiting room’ with its own ‘Olden Mile’ it is hotting up.

And that’s not just the balmy climes that are drawing visitors far and wide.

Golfing and gigging

Watch for the trees: Archerfield Walled Garden

The Scottish Open Golf Championship has attracted the world’s top players to the Renaissance Golf Club in Archerfield.

Where, shameless plug here, the likes of Nick Faldo have been known to pop in to the Archerfield Walled Garden.

To buy the wares from the best horticulturalist in the business (She told me to say that).

And the Boomtown Rats, the Bluebells, Ezra Collective, Irvine Welsh and Rory Stewart are among the acts who will perform at the Fringe By The Sea next month.

Of course with so many luminaries passing through the upmarket coastal town we’re tempted not to keep Seacliff to ourselves.

Rock up to the Drift

Window to another world: Drift cafe

But then the Drift cafe, with arguably the best views of Bass Rock, even more so than the Seabird Centre in North Berwick, then the secret’s already out.

And you’ll want to book ahead for a window seat.

A Mecca for cyclists and trekkers, you can also drive up to it.

Seacliff fans are known to make a day of it in getting there.

And when there, descending the cliff to go for a dip and then returning to avail of the sauna pods outside the cafe.

Escape Sauna offers an open session or you can book privately for a session for up to five people.

And a nod to Portstewart in Ireland

Stroll down the Strand: Portstewart

Well seen then that travel journalist Chris Haslam picked Seacliff out as his best in Scotland.

After visiting 756 beaches and 51 resorts throughout Britain and the North of Ireland.

Now with all this on our doorstep we’re not going to be churlish about Portstewart Strand in County Derry winning the overall award.

And the only way to approach it is on the train.

From Belfast around the strand en route to my Mum’s own Co. Donegal.