So just a week and a half later I was back in beautiful London, this time with Phoebe, this was my Christmas present to her. Phoebe is a very much into her fitness and nutrition, she is studying GCSE PE and will be taking it as A Level too, her career choice is sports physiotherapy / nutrition / personal trainer … way back in the summer last year we were talking about gyms in London, ones that she would love to go to when shes older and slightly more independent, one of her top choices was to go to Barrys Bootcamp London, where it is more than just a workout .. its a real experience, the music, the lighting, the workout … and there the seed was sown.
Phoebe’s present from me was 3 sessions at Barrys Bootcamp London (Central) to experience something so totally different from our local gym, I booked the same hotel as Mr W and myself used and bought train tickets all by October! We also had to obviously eat in the evening and as Phoebe is vegan I thought it would really be lovely if we could go to a vegetarian / vegan restaurant where she could just eat whatever she wanted without being limited, I was recommended a restaurant called ETHOS so booked a table.
So Christmas day arrived and once Phoebe had finished work it was time to open the presents .. I cannot tell you how excited I was about her opening her pressie, especially since she had only just told me of my Mama Mia present … well lets just say when she opened all the information (which i’d wrapped separately) she too burst into tears of happiness .. of course I cried to because she was happy (I cry a lot of happy tears .. anyone else?).
The day came to head to London and her fitness experience … I knew Phoebe was very nervous about her first workout .. it was so different to her normal sessions .. these workouts involved a treadmill / bench / weights … it was time for her to enter the workout area as she was called in to have an induction each session was an hour .. so I waited. The gym is very modern and is also the best smelling gym I have EVER been in .. candles were burning everywhere and there were the most beautiful display of flowers on the reception desk, a juice bar was in the corner and there were sofas for those who were waiting. The staff were so kind & organised for Phoebe to receive a free juice after her class, they were all very impressed that she was doing this at such a young age.
Once Phoebe had completed her workout .. which is fair to say she really enjoyed, we went on the underground to do a bit of retail therapy, and also to pop to that famous black & white building to see if they had the flowers out .. it was my lucky day! .. time was limited as she had another session later that afternoon .. yes she really is that fit!! ..
Disclaimer: Phoebe was just messing with this dress .. she’s not into dresses .. just lycra!
Second workout complete we headed back to the hotel to get ready for our evening out. We arrived at the restaurant early, so decided it would make sense to do a little more retail therapy! We headed back to ETHOS .. we were both excited to try the food .. and it was truly delicious .. the restaurant is self service / pay by weight and the choice that you have is outstanding and so colourful, we both had two platefuls of food and then desert .. It was so wonderful to see Phoebe so excited about being in this sort of restaurant, getting lots of ideas to use at home for her meals ..
Day two started with yet another workout .. her final one, yet again the staff at Barrys Bootcamp excelled themselves with yet another free shake for Phoebe. Then once she’d finished her last workout, and after the goodbyes .. we decided that we wanted to visit two cafes, one for me and the other for Phoebe, so off we went in search of place I’d seen on several instagram accounts .. a little cake shop that is beautifully decorated .. Peggy Porschen Cakes .. and which cakes are scrumptious!
It was so cold .. !! but so worth it
Phoebes choice of cafe was Deliciously Ella, slightly off the beaten track, but easy to find .. and really rather elegant .. Phoebe once again was in her element (I am intending to buy the books now), I had a turmeric latte .. something that I have never had before (I’m a dedicated coffee girl), but I really rather liked it …
It was then time for us to go home, our whirlwind 24 hours had seemed a lot longer, but what a wonderful time I had had with my beautiful girl.
We will be back London, I am now on a get seriously fit routine as I also want to try out Barrys Bootcamp for myself!
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about my adventures with Mr W and Phoebe, I am looking forward to a lot more adventures with them and my boys in 2018.
Niki xx
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