Why go to a retreat?
Having just come back from two retreats in the last month I can’t help asking was it worth it? What is a retreat for?
At the quirky 4 day writing event near Battle and staying in a themed cabin named Matilda in 1066 country it was charming and lovely.
Starcroft farm near Battle East Sussex, was a new experience
Apart from it being a bit unaccessible on foot for shops and cafes it certainly was doable if the weather was ok. I would have liked to have done more walking -saying that I did walk to Battle and back twice!!
The highlight was that I met the author Annabel Abbs author of The Joyce girl –a fictional drama based on James Joyce daughters’ affair with Samuel Beckett.
I had recently finished reading a biography of Samuel Beckett, so was intrigued to read this signed copy of which I’m currently reading.
As well I’m enjoying listening to Windswept a non fictional account about women who walk. Abbs encouraged me to find an agent once I had developed my writing further.
It took a while going over my old posts to work out how many times I had been to Dhanakosa Retreat.
The retreat is near Balquiddher a small village, in which lies the grave of Rob Roy the whole of this area is based in the Trossachs and Loch Lomond Country Park.
My first visit was a yoga retreat in 2011 and my second in 2020 was cancelled due to covid. It was not until 2023 that I got back up there on a hillwalking retreat and a nature awareness week in 2024.
I volunteered as assistant chef in 2025 and got sick around day three. Eventually after my promise to return to volunteer and various rescheduled dates I made it back in October 2026.
Mediations and buddhism
I won’t say so much about this in a short blog, but in my early 20’s I read a lot of books about Buddhism I was deeply fascinated by subjects such as the Six Realms of existence.
It really observes different aspects of the Ego such as The Hungry Ghost, (never satisfied) the Hell, Realm – on repeat (burn out) the realm of the Jealous Gods and so on.
Zen Buddhism was also fascinating to me. Reading this material was partly what attracted me to the Buddhist retreat.
IN THE KITCHEN
Oh my what a huge challenge
Preparing lunch and dinner for 30 including; 4 different soups due to various diets some of which can’t eat salt or onion, or lentils or beans. As the menu was Vegan it was a struggle keeping track at times.
The chef seemed to hint that I should be working towards ordination as a Buddhist to work in the kitchen. That certainly wasn’t the impression I’d been given by the previous chef. The misunderstanding rattled me somewhat.
The expectations that I should work on my own at times in charge of the assistants and creating meals was also bit much.
Having never stated at any time, that I was a chef or professional cook. The chef had assumed the previous chef’s training had been more vigorous. It wasn’t.
We cleared the air after I initiated a conversation and relayed the conversations with the previous chef and what I had stated in my emails. I was relieved that we managed to eventually get on the same page .
kitchen drama aside- I still had the benefits of walking during my spare time .
Big horns down near Loch Vail.
Deer blending in with the grass.
Morning Mist lifting across the loch.
As the mist clear a lovely walk on my morning off is had.
Mrs Soggy bottom, I caught her attention en route. A magnificent creature.
View from hill top across Loch Voil. A tremendous walk.
Tara A goddess worshipped by Budhhists. Picture taken in the V & A.
From the clean air of Loch Lomond back down to Inner City Brixton
In the retreat you walk out of the building open the gate and you are facing a loch and hills. There is a road but it is usually quiet.
The following day after my journey back I stepped out of my door over a zebra crossing and a fire engine whizzed by full throttle.
As I walked over the zebra dressing heading to the launderette, I heard a commotion. Someone was screaming full volume .
I thought a fight was starting or something, it was just an angry person shouting into his phone.
Welcome home!
Footnote.
If an unfinished post recently landed in your inbox, you had an unintended sneak preview. A recurring technical problem with scheduled posts has struck again, publishing this one eleven days early.
I’ve raised it with my hosting provider, who has installed additional logging to help investigate.
Meanwhile, here is my Angry Swan, expressing my feelings about the whole business rather well.
I’m’ launching my first led Brixton Mural walk on Sunday November 8th at 10:30am meeting at the David Bowie Mural on the side of Morley’s Brixton.Events
This time last year I was starting my training as a Lambeth Tour Guide. Read more about that here.
Until Next time keep on keeping on.
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