Treargel Retreat

03/11/2024

Today I wrote a short email to my MP asking that she encourage her leaders to keep reviewing the licences we allow for selling Arms.

This post isn't to show off, or to argue my political views. But to encourage us all to keep using our voice to make this world a better place.

I know it's a drop in a huge ocean. But here's hoping for many drops.

For more information on the above, look at the research briefings on the House of Commons and Oxfam websites.

31/10/2024

Watching the brilliant

25/10/2024

Trying to practice what I preach and go on Retreat myself.

Thanks to .retreats and the wonderful Dr Andrew Mayes for giving me the spaciousness to really consider my spiritual journey.

Considering the physical landscape of the West Bank and Gaza, they encouraged me to think about my inner landscape. Thinking about exposure and enclosure in the loneliness of the desert; the fear of the river and leaving behind the known and comfortable; and enjoying both the sunlight and dark cloud on the mountaintop.

Plus, I felt very welcomed and held under the watchful eye of the amazing Sue Rider and King Zog!

22/10/2024

Thanks to my dad for our lovely new labyrinth bench.

Now we can sit and be present, whilst being mindful of the things we are letting go of, and our next intentions.

Why not book a solo retreat and test it out?

30/09/2024

Stillness and Silence

Today my sister in Canada has a national day off. They are remembering the indigenous children who were taken away from their families and sent to Residential schools. Many didn't return due to disease and the last school closed only recently in the 1960's.

In my Stillness and Silence today, I will be remembering these families torn apart.

But also thinking about how I treat people different from me.

And the difficult relationship between helping, doing nothing, and causing human tragedy.

Perhaps Stillness and Silence is a place to start.

28/09/2024

New blog post with Big News for Treargel.

Big News for Treargel

23/09/2024

Stillness and Silence

Today I'm thinking of this Equinox time, when day and night are nearly equal length all around the world.

It's a good time to think about balance. The place in our lives of; light and dark, the known and unknown, creation and destruction or death and rebirth.

Balance.

(Pic of sunrise in our local wood yesterday.)

09/09/2024

Monday Stillness and Silence

'To be, or not to be. That is the question'.

02/09/2024

Monday Stillness and Silence.

A holy book suggested we could 'consider the lilies'.
Taking Notice and being present, is one of the NHS recommended 5 Ways to Wellbeing.

What will you consider and take notice of today?

It's pouring with rain in my garden today, but this flower is loving it. 😊

14/08/2024

Today's Hermitage guest wrote;

'Dear Naomi,

I wanted to extend a heartfelt thank you for providing us with such a wonderful place to stay at your barn. Your hospitality made our time there truly special. The cosy atmosphere and beautiful surroundings were just what we needed, and we couldn’t have asked for a better host.

Thank you again for your kindness and generosity.'

See bio to book. September is lovely in Cornwall.

13/08/2024

Treargel, Stillness and Silence

'In the dark times
Will there be singing?
There will be singing.
Of the dark times.'

When the times darken by Bertolt Brecht.

08/08/2024

A young guest, who's been here 5 times, said this of her family holiday in the Byre.

"We have had a wonderful time here in Cornwall. We went paddle boarding and saw a dolphin spouting out air. And had ice-cream. We also enjoyed the Olympics. I liked my room because I got to be at the top of the bunk bed.

Thank you for letting us stay here, we can't wait to come back".

05/08/2024

Monday Stillness and Silence

Reflect on those you sojourn with, along your journey in life.

"An ache for the ones who've walked before me,
And joy for the ones who walk beside me"

From Song with no name, by the wonderful Johnny Flynn and Robert MacFarlane.

https://open.spotify.com/track/5RwGVLCc4dHdnAGIZW3TbQ?si=CJfBTGVeTKOxyiRKBOrlxw

02/08/2024

Last month my guest wrote to say;

"Thank you for making your Shepherd's Hut available for  my stay last week. I am delighted to have discovered Treargel as a place to come on Retreat, I think this is my fifth year. All  my retreats with you have been very good, but this one perhaps particularly so. Its such an important resource, that you offer. And being given a warm loaf of bread on arrival is a lovely welcome!"

29/07/2024

Monday Stillness and Silence.

In his book 'Holy Silence', J. Brent Bill talks about the use of silence in Quaker Spirituality.

One query he asks of his reader is;

What would it feel like to wait expectantly, with body, mind and heart?

(Pics from my walk this morning with Neo).

23/07/2024

Thanks so much to The Chimney Serviceman for maintaining our 4 stoves last week. Even trekking down through the woods to the Hermitage.

23/07/2024

Stillness and Silence

Morning. Apologies for being a day late. It's been a busy weekend.

As I walk my dog Neo, I always search for nuggets of colour. Recently I saw an unusual blur of bright pink fly past. I managed to find the source, a Five Spotted Burnet (I think). I've never seen them before or since.

Some pleasures are fleeting, let's enjoy them.