Daughters, Daughters Everywhere

I had the mother of all birthdays yesterday: champagne, chocolates, cake - and that was before the proper celebrations even began. You would never normally associate me with the indulgent girls' day out at a spa. All that lounging around in a swimsuit and towelling robe, flip-flopping about the place in too big slippers, dipping in and out of this treatment, that sauna, probably giggling. Not my bag really, or so I thought. But that was before I went to Elvedon Forest. It was honestly one of the best experiences of my life. Yes, we spent the day in swimming togs and robes, yes we wore towelling slippers, and yes we giggled. But I never once looked at the book I'd brought - there simply wasn't time! We started out with coffee and pastries while we wound down and exchanged news. Then we hit the pool, outdoors but oh so hot, with jets of water coming at us from all directions. As I floated towards the centre of the pool a massive eruption underneath me tossed me into the air Vesuvius style. It was pure bliss, once I got my breath back.

And then there were all the different steam or dry rooms to try: Japanese, Balinese, Greek, Indian, Turkish hamam, Tyrolean, each had its own atmosphere, different scent, different effect. We sweated in the detox room, lounged in the gentle, relaxing heat of the Roman Laconium, cleared our tubes with the help of essential oils including eucalyptus in the hamam, revelled in the dry heat of the Greek bath - we did the rounds, slip slapping carelessly from room to room. Upstairs all three of us climbed into a huge water bed on an outside balcony and curled up together under blankets and quilts. It was all sensory heaven.

By lunchtime we were ready for our glass of Prossecco, and then it was time for our treatments. I opted for reflexology, and lay on a bed in a darkened room while wonderful firm hands stroked and moulded my feet. My companions had chosen massages, one the firm chops of a Swedish stress buster, the other the softer attention of aroma therapy. We were all noticeably even more chilled when we reconvened for tea - cream scones naturally - and the day ended with a delicious Chinese in Diss.

I tell you I'm a convert, and you know what they're like: even more full of wondrous zeal than those who knew The Truth all along. If it becomes a regular birthday treat I'll spend 364 days looking forward to it. Best day evah! Thanks girls!