Have you noticed how time has a habit of running away with you so quickly? Days turn into weeks, weeks into months and before you know where you are, you're ditching your shorts and t-shirts for woollen coats, gloves and scarves, and all those things you meant to do remain undone...

Don't despair, you're not alone. We all lead such hectic lives that it's easy to forget that we need to set some time aside for ourselves; time to relax and recharge the batteries. After all, a fire needs fuel!

Simon and Amy have found themselves in just such a predicament. Each summer, for the last few years, they've had a short break in the same hotel. It's always been comfortable and friendly, although last year there had been a change of ownership and the grumpy new manager would even have made Basil Fawlty seem hospitable. This year, they decided to go somewhere different. The trouble is, it appears they've left it a bit late. It's a busy time of year and all the hotels they've contacted are fully booked.

No need to worry. Amy goes online and soon finds the website of a company that specialises in booking two to five star accommodation and short breaks throughout the UK, finding last minute deals even up to the day of departure and offering customers as much as 70% off standard hotel rates.

Excitedly, Amy and Simon pore over the possibilities and are amazed at the options available. With so many fabulous hotels to choose from, it's difficult to make a decision. Finally, they find something that looks just the location for a perfect break. Situated on the borders of Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire in 350 acres of picturesque countryside, amongst lakes and alongside the banks of the River Great Ouse, this large and impressive looking hotel promises to have all the amenities they could hope for. There are extensive leisure facilities, including golf, a health and fitness centre, indoor swimming pool, sauna and spa bath. All of this sounds just the job for a bit of welcome relaxation and pampering, combined with some gentle exercise to help remove a few of those extra pounds they both put on over Christmas and have failed to shift.

Booking the hotel could not be simpler and just a couple of days later, Amy and Simon are travelling through the beautiful Cambridgeshire countryside. On approaching the hotel, they are struck immediately by the air of peace and tranquillity that surrounds its beautiful lakeside setting.

At reception, the welcoming and friendly hotel staff greet the couple as if they were long lost friends; it's a far cry from the grunt they received from 'Mr Fawlty' a year ago! Amy and Simon are delighted with the hotel. The décor is immaculate, warm and cheerful and they have no doubt that they will be very comfortable here and feel right at home. Shown to their executive bedroom, they see that they have all the creature comforts at hand. Their spacious, beautifully furnished bedroom is tastefully decorated in a contemporary style. There's a fully tiled en-suite bathroom with dazzling white fluffy towels and complimentary toiletries, a colour TV with satellite channels, a direct dial telephone, hairdryer, iron and ironing board, tea and coffee making facilities and even a safe for a laptop and free wireless internet access. The king-size bed is bedecked with crisp white sheets and a sumptuous quilted bedspread and, a little tired after their journey, the couple can't resist kicking off their shoes and settling down for a short snooze.

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