TLH Leisure Resort, Torquay

It’s Christmas party season! You’ve got a new frock, shoes and sparkly handbag so all that’s left is a spot of pre-party pampering. We all know that whipping on some nail polish 10 minutes before you’re due to leave is not a good idea and come on own up, you’ve only painted the few toe nails on show in those new peep toe shoes haven’t you? Why not do it in style instead and treat yourself to a professional manicure and pedicure at the Aztec Spa?

Not only can you have your toenails and hands attended to, but you can also get your eyebrows tidied up as part of their Christmas Sparkle package – all for just £34. And if you have a really special event to go to, or just want to splash out, then the Ultimate Christmas Cracker will give you an upgraded Replenishing Manicure, an Aztec Feet Treat plus an Elemis Taster facial.

Both packages will also make great Christmas gifts, as they are available until the end of January 2010. Of course there are a whole range of other treatments and gifts available at Aztec Spa, including spa vouchers.

 Call 01803 400190

Dru writing her blog

The indoor bowling season at TLH Leisure Resort in Torquay has started, and it always seems to go straight into top gear. Sarah Harris our Bowls Coordinator does a great job keeping her hair a lovely titian colour whilst mine went grey years ago!

I am so pleased to report that the Christmas Short Mat Festival is once again taking off with numbers just as good as ever. The 5 night stay at the Toorak Hotel is packed with fun things to do as well as being a great tournament. The week starts with a mulled wine reception, hosted by the bowls team.  During the week there is a fancy dress competition which is always a very close fought event. From Santa’s Elves to frisky reindeer nearly everyone takes part, and you could win a prize.

Christmas Fairies!

On presentation evening, which starts off with a glass of bubbly, the players receive all sorts of winners awards, in true Christmas spirit, and await the coveted GOLDEN TURKEY awards. There is a team that comes every year who always win a golden turkey, they call themselves the Turkey Defenders. Incidentally the turkeys are in stock now at the trophy shop and are causing havoc in the stock room – feathers everywhere I understand. We really must sort out a proper breeding programme.

So, short matters, where are you?  Come and join in the fun at TLH – Look at our Bowls Diary for more information on short mat bowling - there’s a whole page dedicated to you.

For long mat bowlers we have the Christmas Club Championship when teams of 4 enter to try to win £700 for their clubs. This, again, is a very popular event on the TLH calendar and is full of Christmas cheer. Its great fun with a Turkey and Tinsel theme as well as loads of bowling.

Weekenders in Torbay has a record number of bowlers this year with our long term friends from Buckfastleigh making a come back. Welcome girls, we’ve missed you.

For full details of all these tournaments and festivals please see calendar on our website. 

Now Dru Close has been to Wales on the first of the Winter Road Shows and visited Newport IBC with its spectacular ‘blue’ yes, blue carpet. She reports:-

After visiting Newport I visited Heatherton in Tenby, Pembrook, Carmarthen and Llanelli IBC’s where a great deal of interest has been generated for the upcoming Easter Festival.  These road shows are a great way of seeing old friends as well as spreading the word about TLH to the hoards of bowlers in Country -

Factoid – Did you know that there are more people interested in Bowls than football? How about that for a statistic!

Late November, Saturday 28^th, I will be travelling around Cornwall on a road show. I’ve made appointments at
Newquay: 9am to 10am
Bodmin: 12 noon to 1pm
Carradon: IBC  2 pm to 3pm.

There are many clubs in Cornwall that tour both in the summer and winter and with rising costs of transport are looking to travel closer to home for their tours. TLH is the ideal venue. So come to TLH – we truly can offer you or your group unlimited choices to suit your individual or club needs.

Have you got anything that really bugs you about bowling?
Do you want to get something about bowling off your chest?
Have you had anything funny happen to you on the green lately?
Have you got any questions that might help you to decide if you want to tour?
You can contact me, Dru Close 01803 400108

Or please – just send me an email.
That’s all folks
Dru Close (on end 8 sometime last week at Torquay United)

The festive season has already got off to a great start here at TLH with the launch of our new Health and Fitness suite – the main event being the Zumba classes led by our very own Zoe.  Zumba is one of the latest crazes to sweep the country as a really fun way to get fit – being described as easy to follow moves to hypnotic Latin rhythms. A bit like Salsa with a purpose perhaps!!

But if that is a bit ‘full’on’ for you why not warm those fingers and toes by joining in on one of our Dancing or Bowling houseparties here at the Carlton and Toorak hotels. The Mistletoe Dance Party this year is hosted by Gerald and Margaret Thompson who have a large following of walkers and dancers alike, all with the mutual aim of keeping fit by having fun.  The dancing is ballroom and latin social dancing and with Mulled Wine, a Tea Dance and a Farewell Ball it is sure to kick off the Festive season with a swing.

Our other main social event of the lead up to Christmas is the annual Toorak Short Mat Festival when bowlers stage a fancy dress parade and vie for the Golden Turkey awards, presented at the Christmas party on the last night. Lots of light hearted ‘competition’ – on all levels!!

But if it’s competition you want – with cash prizes- then bring along a team from your Bowls club to our Christmas Club Championships. Every year bowlers enjoy a pre-festive holiday and compete to take home a contribution to club finances – which is surely what the spirit of Christmas is all about!

So lots of ideas to get you trim, whilst getting together with friends old and new and re-charging those batteries ready  for the celebration food and tipple – so see you soon!

It’s the latest in make-up technology and you can’t buy it in stores in the UK, so I was thrilled when I realised that the Aztec Spa sells Bare Escentuals mineral make-up.

If you haven’t heard about it yet, you soon will do. All the major beauty houses are getting in on the act, but nothing compares to the 100% pure bareMinerals.

It looks like a powder but feels like a cream and is free of preservatives, talc, oil, fragrance and other harmful chemicals so is perfect if you have any allergies. And if, like me, you’re prone to the occasional break out, it doesn’t clog your pores either. You apply it like a blusher with a large brush in circular movements all over the face. The beauty of it is you can slowly build up the coverage and you get a really natural look. It takes a couple of goes to get used to this new way of applying your foundation but once you get the hang of it you’ll be hooked!

At the Aztec Spa you can buy starter kits which include the special natural bristle brush to apply the powder and a free DVD to give you tips on applying. The Aztec therapists can also give you some expert advice on the best choice for you.

As well as the foundations, all with an SPF15 by the way, the Aztec also stocks the bareMinerals gorgeous eyeshadows, lip colours and blushers.

Mineral make-up really is a revelation – you must give it a go!

Don’t get me wrong, I love Christmas, but there are always a few nearest and dearest who are very difficult to buy for. You’ve done the usual smellies, chocolates, socks year after year and it’s really time to find something a bit different – something which will bring forth a ‘just what I always wanted’ response.

Which is where Elephant Dung stationery comes in………….

Cards, paper, notelets, pen pots and more all made from, believe it or not, elephant poo! Now there’s a novel gift idea.

On Wednesday 3^rd December, the Aztec Spa is hosting a Christmas Shopping Evening. This is just the place to find some fabulous gifts, including said elephant dung stationery from Green Elephant. If you are an Elemis lover (or know someone who is!) it is definitely worth a visit for the range of Elemis goodies on offer, including their gorgeous gift packs, with the added bonus of an Aztec Spa treatment voucher if you spend over £50.

Other treats include OPI nail polishes from only £9.15 and Bare Escentuals Mineral Make-up which is being hailed as the next big thing in beauty (by those in the know!). There will be stunning contemporary jewellery from Gemme de Joanne and beautiful lingerie from Foxy Lingerie as well as Phoenix Trading with unusual cards and wrapping paper.

If you are still stuck for ideas then the perfect answer is a TLH Gift Voucher which can be in the Aztec Spa, Bistro or on just about anything else which may take your fancy at TLH!

With mulled wine and mince pies on offer, it will be a great evening to get you in the festive mood. And if you happen to be a member of the Aztec Club you’ll get 10% off when you show your membership card*. No need to book, just come along to the Aztec Bistro from 5.00pm on Wednesday 3^rd December.

*except Elemis gift packs

My partner asked me what I would like for Christmas the other day, so at the top of my list I put “going out for Christmas lunch”. Honestly I can’t think of a nicer treat than to be able to choose from a menu selection that I haven’t had to plan, shop for or cook. And then not have to wash up – bliss! That has to be a seriously top-notch bit of self-indulgence. So we’ve booked to go to the Aztec Bistro with our friends who are coming up from Cornwall to stay with us.

The Aztec Bistro – at TLH Leisure Resort –  has been open for just over a year, and we’ve had some great evening meals there. I’ve taken my Mum in for a couple of lunchtime snacks too, including a lunchtime spa special they do, which includes a mini spa treatment and a light lunch in the Bistro for just £20. Anyway, because we’ve always enjoyed it so much we’ve decided to go there for Christmas Day.  The menu sounds really tasty, and I just love the unusual atmosphere created by the Aztec surroundings – the decor makes you feel special but without being as formal as a hotel restaurant, and the staff are really friendly.

We could have chosen to go the the Toorak Hotel as they are doing Christmas lunches too, but the Bistro just has the edge for me – and it is my Christmas present after all! Why don’t you treat yourself and give them a call on 01803 400145.

If you’ve ever had the task of organising the office Christmas bash, you know what a headache it can be. I can fully sympathise as I get “volunteered” to organise our own office do every year. Here at TLH Leisure Resort  we can help take all the stress out of planning because we have up to 9 different ways to party this Christmas. There’s sure to be something to suit everyone, and from only £14.95 a head.

And it needn’t just be a work occasion. Why not book something with your friends or family? Any excuse for a party!

The Toorak, Victoria and Carlton Hotels all put on a great party when you can really let your hair down. Come along and join in the party fun – there’s a great atmosphere and the disco is included. Take a look at our party menus - guaranteed to tempt you.

If dancing isn’t your thing, then enjoy good food and good conversation in our Aztec Bistro – for a more informal gathering it’s the perfect setting. Add in a game of 10-pin bowling or a disco in the Eclipse Nitespot and you have a memorable evening planned.

Other ideas include an Eclipse buffet and disco or we can help put together a tailor-made evening just for you and your guests. Whatever you’re looking for this Christmas, TLH has it covered. See for yourself at www.tlh4locals.co.uk