Karen Wright: Cocktails, castles and cherished moments

I have seen crocus, daffodils, grape hyacinths and regular hyacinths in my little garden and already I see my tulips waiting in the wings!

It is also my mum's birthday in March and this year she was ninety-two and we decided to have a break away as a birthday treat. We try to have a couple of holidays a year together and last year we did a Warners break and, as we enjoyed ourselves, we booked again for her birthday. Last year we went to the Thoresby Hall hotel near Clumber Park but this time we travelled a bit further afield and headed to Studley Castle in Warwickshire.

We arrived at the faux Gothic castle and checked into our rooms, which were great. Mum uses a mobility scooter so she could drive right into her room which was an adapted room, so it was quite spacious. After we unpacked it was time to head straight to the bar for a drink and relax while we listened to one of the entertainments team sing for half an hour or so before the restaurants opened. There is a choice of self service or waiter service in the two dining areas and mum always opts for waiter service, so we had the a la carte menu. I must admit it did make a pleasant change to be looked after and have a three-course meal each evening.

After dinner every day we made our way to the theatre and took our seats for entertainment, which was varied but always included a soloist, the resident band and a headline act. I think the entertainment went on until the small hours, but we were always tucked up in our beds well before midnight.

During the day we joined in quizzes and games and took strolls around the extensive gardens. Before breakfast each day I took advantage of the wonderful spa and swimming pool, but I couldn't encourage mum to take a splash! She did, however, join in the cocktail hour on her birthday and had not one but two Sidecars. I stuck to my current favourite - a Cosmopolitan. We had a great time on our trip and are already planning the next one.