Two years ago I bought my wonderful partner Maureen a voucher for a stay at a Country House Hotel, Swinton Park near Ripon. She was more than happy for Helena to accompany her, which was a great opportunity to spend a couple of days dressed.
We swept up the drive, through their deer park to reception, where we hit a small hiccup. The voucher company account was in my male name and I hadn?t thought to contact the hotel and alter it, so all their systems worked on the booking name not the room numberlike many larger hotels, which effectively gave the game away straightway. We agreed to go and freshen up then return to the Drawing room for afternoon tea. The room is amazing, like a small apartment.
On our return there were a couple of women chatting over their tea, who didn?t really take any notice of us, but no staff so I wandered through to reception where two waiters seemed to be enjoying a joke with the receptionist. Having placed our order I returned to sit with Maureen in sumptuous surroundings (think Downton Abbey). Whilst enjoying our teas another couple come in, and settle on one of the deep sofas and again they take no notice.
Another major feature of the Hotel is a Spa complex, something I had wanted to experience for a long time. However it was making me very nervous and I was unsure whether to wear wig, and risk ruining it, or not and neither did I have any waterproof makeup. Maureen lent me a swim dress and we set off to the Spa which was in another building. Without my wig I was feeling rather exposed. On reaching reception I was convinced we would hit the same problem as earlier, but thankfully the young man only had a surname.
I got a shock as we entered the ladies changing room, directly in front of us was a woman only half dressed stood in front of her locker chatting. I looked away and suddenly felt like an interloper who really shouldn?t be there, convinced I would be exposed immediately, humiliated and we would both be thrown out of the Hotel. Nothing occurred and Maureen ushered me into a curtained cubicle.
Once changed, and without many people about we wended our way through the corridors to the brightly lit indoor pool, where a few swimmers were plying back and forth and the Jacuzzi, outside in the gathering dusk. I opted for the latter as it easier to hide. After a little while we are joined by a young couple who stayed for a little while before going to over to the loungers.
We now need to go and get ready for dinner so we head to the showers. There are one or two women about but with a towel to hide behind a little we manage to get into our cubicles without being challenged. Same again getting to the changing area. Maureen dresses outside my curtained area so that nobody accidentally comes in. There is some minor problem when we return to the reception area which Maureen sorts whilst I loiter in the lobby looking the merchandise. Never has posh soap been so interesting.
We return to the room to dress for dinner then walk to the bistro, in yet another building and way too modern. It is busy and we are shown to a small table in the centre of the room. Having taken Maureens order our young waitress turns to me and says ?And for you sir?? I choose without reacting and she heads off. A gentleman takes our wine choice but when he brings our bottle I get the impression it isn?t his regular job. The meal is lovely but we don?t see much of our original waitress.
As we our leaving our ?wine waiter? holds open the door and but asks if he can have a private word. He introduced himself as one of the senior managers and explained that our waitress had read the room list and it was just reflex to say sir, but had instantly realised and had been very embarrassed. We both told him it was absolutely fine and asked him to reassure the waitress that we weren?t offended. Then he apologised for the behaviour of the staff in the main hotel, who had indeed been laughing at me, and said they had been spoken to. We told him we appreciated him talking to us. It was after all my own fault, I could easily have mitigated the situation.
The following morning we enjoy breakfast in the hotel dining room, much more in keeping, linen table cloths, silverware and waiting staff in black and white. We are treated as two ladies and none of the other guests pay us any attention.
The jovial staff member dealing with our bill is very nattily dressed in tweed. I was secretly hoping the hotel might have made a little gesture or adjustment but they hadn?t. Despite those very minor items we had a lovely couple of days. Quite a major achievement for me but I am not sure I felt completely elated, but only achievable thanks to the love, support fierce protectiveness of my wonderful SO.