Relax, Rebalance and Revitalise at Charmouth Reiki

Reiki is pronounced Ray-Key. It is a method of healing through light touch which helps to promote the body's natural ability to heal itself. Reiki is a way to de-stress yourself without spending heaps of money on retail therapy or watching films and turning your brain to mush! This therapy encourages personal development on all levels, including emotional, physical, mental and spiritual. 

Janice Pritchard, the driving force behind it all, is a wonderful  Reiki Master. She practises and teaches Reiki in Charmouth and Bridport. Janice worked for the NHS as an Occupational Therapist and also has a qualification in Anxiety Management, so we know you're in good hands! She enjoys teaching Reiki and offers teaching on a one-to-one basis because she understands that everyone is on their own path. As part of the Reiki workshop Janice gives Reiki attunements, a simple spiritual ceremony which activates your chakras, and allows you to give Reiki. Janice says, 

I love to give attunements at sacred sites and stone circles wherever possible such as at Kingston Russell stone circle or Nine Maidens stone circle near Winterbourne Abbas. Reiki is my passion and is all I can do now! It has truly changed my life and thousands of people around the world will say the same too! 

Janice offers taster Reiki treatments for charity events and ladies pamper evenings. We love this idea, here at Loving Dorset, and think this is a great way to discover Reiki for yourself as well as meeting the genius that is Janice!

Our followers (you guys) are eligible for a 15% discount on Reiki treatments during October and November and  10% discount on all teaching workshops! Don't miss out. Get down there asap for a lovely atmosphere and tranquilizing experience. 

Visit her website: Charmouth Reiki or pop along. We hope to see you there!

Luxury Escapes

We recently visited Launceston Farm in Blandford where we decided to explore the different elements that make a luxury escape. What should you look for? What should you avoid? After a great chat with Sarah, her daughter in law Catherine and a brief hellogoodbye with her farmer son Jimi, not only do we feel utterly overwhelmed by how amazing Launceston Farm is, but we could now almost class ourselves experts when it comes to choosing a luxury retreat! 

Their beautiful bed and breakfast, which has remained in the family since Sarah's grandfather owned the property and land years ago, has an amazing classy and stylish feel about it, that still hits the nail on the head perfectly when it comes to a farm/countryside stay. 

Owner Sarah highlighted a few things to us that she felt made Launceston luxurious and unique, and we agree;
- Family Run
- Strictly adults only!

- Emphasis on the great location.

- Excellent locally sourced food (from their HUGE working farm)

- Constant effort to ensure peace and tranquility for guests.

- Beautifully designed rooms that certainly have the 'wow factor' when it comes to beds, baths and artwork! 

- The little details - homemade biscuits in room, chalkboards for breakfast orders etc

- Gay friendly

- Large dining tables for banquet style dining at breakfast, dinner etc

- Personalised tours of the farm and local area

- Personal recommendations (Sarah makes lists of 'Top 5...' in the local area including places to go, places to eat, places to get coffee and cake etc!)

- A swimming pool (well, who can blame her)

- 'Real Life' farm experiences. Sarah described how a recent guest was and still is mesmerised after seeing a calf being born as he arrived. 

One of the main things that stood out to us, was the real focus on the farm and food. The farm supplies to various local supermarkets, and Sarah offers evening meals to guests on Mondays and Fridays. We were absolutely awestruck as Sarah began to explain the food available to guests, which includes her famous Goat Tagine, Andalusian Lamb and Rustic Casseroles. (one of her dishes is even featuring in the Waitrose Magazine soon so look out for it!).
From the beautiful roll top baths, outstanding furniture, gorgeous outside gardens, well-stocked honesty bar and beautiful countryside views, the whole experience just oozes luxury and tranquility. 

When Loving Dorset arrived at Launceston Farm, we became very aware very quickly that this was not going to be a place that we forgot in a hurry, and after being greeted so warmly by everybody there, we are already checking our diaries for our next free weekends....! 

For anyone looking to get away this summer to either explore the area or avoid Weymouth and Portland's Olympic Mayhem then this will certainly be a great place for a luxury retreat and with prices starting at £55 for single occupancy £80 for double occupancy, you can't NOT really....! Plus, if you visit over the next few months, you may even find a little potted conker plant in your room - a little souvenir from Sarah's home-grown conker tree to remind you of your stay! (how amazing is that!). 
For more information about Launceston Farm, visit their website, like them on their Facebook Page or follow them on Twitter! You won't be disappointed! Now lets enjoy a couple more images......

Escape, Unwind & Find Yourself at Middle Picadilly Holistic Spa Retreat

You can be forgiven if you have never heard of Middle Piccadilly Holistic Spa Retreat.  It’s not particularly well hidden and lots of people know and love it, including Loving Dorset, but Middle Piccadilly, like its owner and guiding hand Dominic Harvey, is understated and discreet. 

Located on the outskirts of Sherborne, Middle Piccadilly attracts guests from all over the world – many head down to Dorset from London and there is a loyal following of more local clients too.  I was introduced to Middle Piccadilly by a good friend a while ago but it was only when I actually visited the retreat recently that I really began to appreciate the tranquillity and the real opportunities offered there to reflect and ‘find yourself’.

Accommodating a maximum number of 9 guests at any one time the atmosphere is very informal and guests are made to feel instantly at home.  Dominic’s view is that only when people are completely relaxed can they truly unwind and be receptive to holistic treatments and rejuvenation.

Middle Piccadilly was originally the brainchild of Dominic’s mother – anecdotally her father was the first osteopath to practice in Harley street London.  Established in 1985 the retreat has evolved and is still evolving to meet the needs of guests looking to escape the stresses of everyday life for a while and re-charge their batteries.  

Radios and TV’s (with the exception of one room) are nonexistent and other electronic equipment is discouraged.  Food as you would imagine is organic, locally sourced and delicious. Celebrity guests over the years have included the likes of Lulu, Maureen Lipman and Terence Trent d’arby!

 A six sided stand alone wooden building on stilts in the grounds provides a tranquil location for yoga practice and meditation

Dominic explains his philosophy, “In order to meet the demands of stressful 21^st Century working life, it’s important to implement sustainable strategies to enable you to maintain a healthy lifestyle that will allow you to manage all the daily challenges at home and at work.”

Middle Piccadilly’s recipe for positive change, a renewed sense of self and an empowered outlook on life includes:

·          An inspiring list of transformative, potentially life changing and empowering healing  treatments for the body mind and spirit.

·          Therapists that work from a holistic perspective – considering all the aspects of your being in wholeness

·          A ‘home from home’ atmosphere to assist you to be your most comfortable

·          An opportunity to clear away anything in your life that doesn’t serve to benefit you

·         Mouth-watering ‘Feel Good’ vegetarian cuisine, the taste sensation that is Roaw Food and all our own freshly prepared recipes

·         Specific and tailored breaks with Detox, Raw or Retreat options.

      For more information visit their website or email Dominic E.dominic@middlepicadilly.com

Crafts and Giggles - A Twist on the Traditional Hen Party!

Since Loving Dorset joined Twitter, we have come across lots of unique and unusual people and businesses, and often sit pondering over all these wonderful places we'd love to go one day or see. This is one of those. How wonderful would it be to sit around a table with all your girlfriends and make something you can keep forever?
We noticed Crafts and Giggles and felt it was definitely an upcoming trend that needed shouting about! Katie Rand, Dorset based artist and founder of Crafts and Giggles, offers party entertainment in the form of bespoke craft workshops. These can be part of any party, event or occasion and can be tailored for all sizes from a selection of different craft workshops. 

The best part of this concept, we felt, was that it is such a more memorable way of celebrating your hen party. (Who ever really remembers what happened in that night club when you were wearing them ridiculous flashing sashes and shot glass necklaces?) 
During the workshop parties, hens will have the chance to make something as an individual, collectively, or as part of a group, and the bride will have a treasured memory to keep at the end of it all! We loved these hand-painted ceramic plates - these come as part of a workshop costing around £18 per person and suitable for all ages. During the workshop, the hens each choose an item to paint, resulting in a full, personalised tea set for the bride. (Which can be given as a collective wedding present to the bride and groom!).

The best thing is, you could choose to make something that will actually feature at the wedding day itself, such as floral decorations and wedding favours. Here are some paper bows and paper teacups that come under the 'Paper Table Decorations' workshops costing around £20 per person. This workshop is run by Dorset based artist Annisa Lee. 

There is a huge range of workshops available for all occasions which you can see on the website - Katie offers a mobile service too, covering Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire, Devon and even London on request. Every workshop includes all materials and expert tuition, and costs are dependent on location and duration. We are definitely hoping the next hen party we attend will be with Katie!!!
For more information, please contact Katie on 07824396645 or email katie@craftsandgiggles.com - they're also on Facebook and Twitter