April's Studio

05/12/2025

Every cloud has a silver lining. When a client cancels at short notice due to unforeseen circumstances, I seize opportunities in place of that appointment. First of all, I’m very fortunate that I have a waitlist and I send messages right away. Then I take a deep breath and let the Divine take care of it. While I waited for a response I moved my car down to free parking zone and went for a wander. It was a beautiful morning, foggy full moon vibes. By the time I walked back home, another client accepted the appointment. If they hadn’t, I would have enjoyed a cuppa in Brambles. Regardless of the outcome, I’m a firm believer that everything works out in the end! 😊 Being a sole operator makes it easier to adapt, but I want to emphasize the importance of giving businesses notice when canceling. We’re at peak season, and our waitlist is growing. We’re happy to accommodate clients who need to reschedule and will work with them to avoid cancellation fees. Stay warm, stay hydrated!

26/11/2025

It’s a surreal feeling when you finish up for the day and look back at the calm after a busy day. I have done this almost every day since I started work. Especially when I worked in restaurants when it was absolute chaos and how well my colleagues and I navigated through it, organising and reorganising to ensure it goes smoothly. Early childhood education centres were the same. A massage room is a far cry from those bustling environments but all gave me immense satisfaction. I think back to the details of the day, any problems that arose and how I solved them, any questions or concerns that I need to follow up and document to remind me for next visit, every conversation, laughter shared (plenty of those!) and occasionally heartbreaking stories. It’s definitely hard work but it’s worth every energy expenditure because I can close the door to the day with a smile. Until next day is another new day with new stories.

22/11/2025

I know gift vouchers are especially popular at this time of year. Unfortunately, due to the need to prioritise and accommodate my existing clients so I can continue providing consistent healthcare services, I’m not able to take on new clients at the moment. For that reason, gift vouchers are available only to current clients.

22/11/2025

Sorry everyone! My books are completely full before Christmas! But do not despair, as we are also coming into cold and flu season, some spaces may become available. So if you would like to be on the waitlist, drop me a message with your preferred days or times and I will keep you in mind. If you are unwell, have a fever or a sore throat, please stay home and rest and let me know. This is to ensure you have a quicker recovery and to protect other clients who may be immunocompromised. I am also available between Christmas and New Year 29-30 December 2025. Can’t believe this year is almost over!!

20/11/2025

I’ve worked for some amazing bosses with some great teams. This is one of them. You want to wake up and be looking forward to going to work and catch up with your colleagues. When every day you learn something new. Work hard but always balanced with enjoying simple things in life. Time with family and friends. And you can look back with fond memories often with a smile or a laugh. This is why I use them as benchmarks, I never settled for less and not afraid to call out injustices in a workplace. Now I work solo and as much as I love it, there are times I do miss the camaradarie. Photo of us from Geoff Hale Osteopathy Xmas Party

20/11/2025

In Loving Memory of Geoff Hale

I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Geoff Hale. Geoff was not only my boss at one time, but also my osteopath, a mentor, and someone who had a profound impact on my career and the way I think about healing.

Working with Geoff was an experience I’ll always treasure. As part of his team of massage therapists, we often worked long, demanding days—sometimes up to 12 hours—but somehow Geoff’s youthful energy carried us all. He was endlessly generous with his time, advice, and knowledge, and his unusual but fascinating theories constantly encouraged me to think outside the box. He made me laugh often, even on the hardest days.

Despite the long hours, he always ensured we had proper breaks and a full lunch—though he rarely took his own. He had a remarkable way of making each of us feel like an essential part of a patient’s healing journey. That sense of trust and teamwork meant a great deal.

Every year, Geoff would treat the whole team to a wonderful Christmas party—always a fantastic meal and always great fun. Those celebrations reflected the appreciation and respect he held for his staff.

Working for Geoff gave me practical experience I could never have gained otherwise. Through him, I learned about conditions and diseases massage therapists don’t often encounter, and for that, I will always be grateful. The foundation he helped build in my career is something I’ll carry forever.

Geoff will be sorely missed by his family, his staff, and the many loyal clients within the Gold Coast community who admired and trusted him.

Rest in peace, Geoff Hale.
Thank you for everything.
Photo from google images, I couldn’t find our Xmas party pic.

03/11/2025

29/10/2025

People asked for views on short term let control area in Perth and Kinross

Residents and businesses are being asked what they think of a proposed short-term let control area in parts of Perth and Kinross.

Councillors agreed in May 2025 to proceed with the notice of a proposal for the designation of a short term let control area for Highland Perthshire and northern part of Eastern Perthshire.

A proposal for the control area has now been brought forward which the public are being encouraged to have their say on.

Highland and the northern part of Eastern Perthshire have higher concentrations of holiday rentals than other parts of Perth and Kinross. This can reduce the availability of long-term rental housing and drive property prices up, making it harder for local residents to find homes.

The control area proposal would help strike a balance between the provision of homes for local people and allowing the valued tourism industry in the area to continue to flourish.

If the proposal goes ahead, and gets approval from the Scottish Government, it will mean anyone wishing to turn a house into a new holiday let in control area would require planning permission before doing so.

This would bring these types of properties into line with flats and apartments, which already require planning permission before conversion into holiday lets.

Perth and Kinross Council Leader, Councillor Eric Drysdale, said: “Introducing a control area would give the public and elected members a say on whether a new holiday let is appropriate for a particular area.

“It won’t ban new holiday lets from coming on to the market but will ensure the impact on public services, noise and character of a neighbourhood is considered before any decision is taken.

“Tourism is a very important industry for Perth and Kinross and we want to make sure it operates in a sustainable way for the benefit of residents and visitors alike.

“If staff cannot afford to live and work in areas popular with tourists then, inevitably, tourism will suffer.

“We are keen to hear from as many people as possible regarding this proposal so Councillors can make an informed decision based on what residents and businesses think.”

The City of Edinburgh Council has a control area covering the whole council area, while Highland Council has a control area covering Badenoch and Strathspey.

You can have our say on proposals for Perth and Kinross until 19 December by visiting our consultation hub at https://consult.pkc.gov.uk/

23/09/2025

It’s always a difficult process to think about increasing prices for any business. Even after 2 years, I have tried to stretch it out for as long as I could but unfortunately when everything is going up especially utilities in October then I have to follow suit. Good news is that it’s only £1-£3 increase. And I’ve also added 75mins to allow for full body with some deep tissue. Unless you are smaller in stature, have regular massages within 3 weeks or have relaxing/Swedish massage, then this is achievable in 60mins. I have also increased the time from 4 weeks to 5 weeks for £5 off follow up appointments to meet the demand. Always a silver lining 😏. Looking forward to seeing you soon 😊April x

16/09/2025

Turning a boring supermarket egg sandwich with watercress (a mean pinch) into a healthy early 2000’s Pret-a-manger style loaded with sprouts and pinenuts. I wish I could remember what other flavour combinations they had before the takeover but they were the best! Anyway this is the best time to build up your immune system before the silly season starts, growing your own sprouts on the kitchen window sill. Nutrient powerhouse high in fibre, fantastic for your gut health and immunity. Really easy to grow and a great addition to salads, sandwiches, on your curries, or just munch on it’s own. These ones are red clover, 4 days old. Mild delicate taste. Also from (no I wasn’t paid to endorse them, don’t need to, I love that place 😁)

16/09/2025

After 7 years without having my favourite tropical fruit (I used to live in prime mango location where I could buy a dozen for around £10 equivalent) I was skeptical of any tasting as good in UK after I was served a tasteless poor excuse of A fruit. Don’t get me wrong, UK berries and plums are world class so I’ll happily replace my summer fruits for the local variety. But, when you have a craving for a childhood variety, you will bend. I was quite prepared to put it into a smoothie but when I waited over a week for it to ripen and cut into it, I was instantly transported back to the sticky hot summers by the beach! It was so good that the seed was scraped clean til it resembled Beckham’s 2002 hair cut that men worldwide hung onto for over a decade. If you want to try what it really tastes like, don’t bother with supermarkets, go to when they’re in season and wait til it is firmish to touch like the base of a texter’s thumb.