Monday 21 January 2008

Pampering at a Price

Years ago a friend gave Himself a voucher for an Indian Head Massage for his birthday.

“I went in there to have a haircut and they gave me one of these as well,” he said. “I tell you, it’s better than sex.”

Coming from this particular man, that was saying something. But Himself, being of a suspicious nature when it comes to things alternative, declined the voucher. I don’t know what he thought an Indian Head Massage might do to him (scalp him?) but he viewed it with a mixture of fear and horror.

This year for Christmas Himself gave me a voucher at one of the hotels in Falmouth that has a health spa. Having looked at the brochure I realised that the voucher wasn’t going to cover the price of the cheapest ministration, but I kept quiet about that and booked myself in for an Indian Head Massage. It wasn’t till later that I remembered that endorsement, honest.

So on Saturday I went along. I was knackered and the thought of being pampered was like a dream come true.

Walking into this spa was like entering the health pages of a glossy magazine. Piped music floated forth from invisible speakers, tea lights danced in the soft light, and smells of sandalwood, peppermint, thyme and lavender mingled in the warm air.

I waited, propped on plump pillows, while Anne finished off her previous patient (not her words) and thought how nice it was to do nothing for once.

Then the door to the spa burst open and a young fellow dressed it sports kit (with very muscular legs) strode in followed by two giggling beauty therapists, all carrying a plateful of hot food. The pungent smell of gravy and roast potatoes wafted over in my direction and my stomach gave a large gurgle. Was I going to be fed as well?

Unfortunately the food wasn’t part of my treatment, and the three young ‘uns disappeared into some back room like the witches of Eastwick carrying their mouthwatering plates with them.

Just after that Anne appeared and took me through, and for the next half an hour my shoulders, back and neck were de-stressed. She massaged them with an aromatherapy oil that made me feel almost drugged I was so relaxed. Then she started no the head massage and – well, if you like having your head massaged at the hairdresser, you’ll love this. I could feel every ounce of tension being rung out of me. Wonderful and quite dizzymaking – in the nicest possible way.

Afterwards I was told to get dressed and lie down in the relaxation room where there were the equivalent of sun loungers, water (hot and cold), herbal teas and an abundant supply of magazines.

Heaven. I did say to Himself afterwards that this place was pampering at a price.

‘Of course,’ he said. ‘You’re not going to be pampered in a bus shelter, are you?’

He has a point. So if ever you feel like being pampered, go for an Indian Head Massage. I can see what our friend meant. Almost.

19 comments:

Cornish Dreamer said...

Well, that certainly sounds like a fantastic advertisement to me. I'm sorely tempted! I wish I hadn't spent so much on repairing the sewing machine, otherwise I'd be down there like a shot!

;@)

RT

Flowerpot said...

It was wonderful, RT. The St Michael's, by the way! Bear in mind for future birthdays - or something!

Cornish Dreamer said...

I certainly will! Unfortunately that's another year away, so maybe i should start saving now!

Flowerpot said...

RT - I should drop heavy hints about being Stressed and having a holiday coming up and see what happens! You never know....

laurie said...

i have never heard that term before, though i have had neck and shoulder massages (usually when the tension gets so bad my muscles spasm--that drives me to the massage therapist's).

i'll have to ask my little sister. she's a massage therapist.

Flowerpot said...

It's a relatively recent idea over here, Laurie but your sister should know. I'd be interested to hear what she thinks.

Ellee Seymour said...

What a wonderful partner you have. I went to my local spa to buy a facial voucher for my sister just before Christmas and it was full of men buying pampering presents for their wives and girlfriends. I always buy them for other people, but nobody buys them for me.

Flowerpot said...

oh ellee, I think you should start dropping some very heavy hints! When's your birthday? Get going now!

Akelamalu said...

IHM is brilliant but it don't half make a mess of your hair! Glad you enjoyed your pampering. :0

Philipa said...

ARGH! FP will you perlease stop going on about sex (sex sex sex morning noon and night) it's bad enough that I think of Chris Hitchens testicles every time I visit this site now, which is not necesarily a bad thing. But I've been celibate for over 6 years - I don't do sex!!

Actually I did have a facial and head & shoulder & hands massage last week which was just heavenly. I know what you mean :-) It doesn't happen to me very often and it was just lovely *sigh*

Don't think it was better than sex though ;-) well not with er.... not in my imagination anyway!

Lie back and let your imagination take you where it will - there's less laundry that way.

When you going back?? Take Ellee!

Mopsa said...

Yowee...those things are fantastic. My head is tingling just thinking about it. And Philipa - since when did celibate mean not doing sex?

Philipa said...

mopsa - er... ?!

Flowerpot said...

ak - my hair is past redemption anyway so i've given up caring!

Flowerpot said...

philipa - sorry, it did occur to me that this blog was becoming overly concerned with sex - or substitutes. I'd go back tomorrow if finances permitted and yes of course I'll take ellee! I promise the next post will have nothing to do with sex, OK?

Flowerpot said...

Mopsa - glad you've enjoyed the delights of IHM. Wonderful stuff.

Philipa - I think she's referring to going solo. I could be wrong.....!

Philipa said...

Only kidding FP ;-)

I don't do solo, I have two small children; when I'm solo I sleep! I thought the ending of Shrek 3 so funny :-D

Mopsa said...

F'Pot - you read my mind!

Aoj and The Lurchers said...

Do you know, I have always wanted to have one of those. Having read your post I think I might well treat myself!

the rotten correspondent said...

Of all the "affordable" luxuries, I think massages are right up at the top. The head massage alone makes my knees weak.

I'm glad you enjoyed it!