It's little wonder then, that a self-confessed chocoholic might dream of visiting the countries that bring us the finest sweet selections.
For sweet-toothed Mary Tetley, 45, there was only one way to spend the £10,000 that had been left to her by her late mother, on a giant European chocolate tour.
Mary booked herself a three-month holiday visiting some of the top chocolate spots in Europe - including Belgium, Switzerland and France.
Every day she tucked into the finest chocolate truffles, chilli chocolate, chocolate pasta and even chocolate with mincemeat!
But when her chocoholiday was over, Mary had put on two stone.
Mary said: ‘When mum told me to follow my dream I think she had an idea how I'd spend the money.
‘I had no idea that she had left me the letter with £10,000 - it really was a complete surprise. My dad Mike, 81, didn't even know what she'd done.
'Chocolate has been my all-consuming passion for as long as I can remember - I can't get enough of the stuff.
‘I spent three months travelling and visiting as many chocolate shops as I could.
‘I was eating at least twelve luxury chocolates every day. I devoured every one. It was pure chocolate bliss.
‘I loved the unusual ones like lavender creams and Marmite with chocolate. Champagne truffles and pralines are my favourites too.’
Mary's mother Thelma Tetley died four years ago at the age of 73 determined her three daughters should enjoy themselves with the £10,000 she left them each.
And Mary believes her mum would have approved of her decision to spend her inheritance on a holiday devoted to chocolate.
‘Mum knew how much I adored chocolate - it was a bit of a joke between us. I think mum loved chocolate too but because she was a diabetic she couldn't eat a lot of it.’
Mother-of-one, Mary, of Denbigh, North Wales, said the solo trip was an education and has helped her realise part-two of her dream.
After coming back she and husband Mark have opened their very own chocolate shop.
Mary said: ‘Thanks to my mum I am now surrounded by chocolates all day.
‘In my mind my shop keeps mum's memory alive for my daughter, Lili, four, who was only eight months old when she died.
‘Mum left me that letter telling me to live my dream and that's what I've done.’
Article posted by Spencer Samaroo, Managing Director, Moo-Lolly-Bar
The best online chocolate, lolly and confectionery store on the web!
If you like what you have read check out our updates on Facebook and Twitter.
Source and photo: Daily Mail
No comments:
Post a Comment