Despite the icy rain of yesterday, Spring definitely feels like it’s around the corner. Daffodils are coming up in enough quantity now to use on the dining tables and it’s been warm enough to sit outside in our tea breaks and take in some sun. Swans have migrated in numbers to the field the other side of the walled garden and we can see them every morning from the bedroom window. 
The helibores are looking lovely as too are the dogwoods and snowdrops outside the dining room windows. Steve and Dave have been putting a mulch down on the borders which has had a very neatening effect (it’s an experiment and remains to be seen if it suppresses weeds effectively or provides a rich medium for their growth!!). 
A couple of days ago, Mel had a wander around the garden to take some February pictures. We hope you enjoy them.
We’ve had three groups in since last writing. We met More to Life trainers Pascale Ascher and Richard Perry for the first time and greatly enjoyed hosting them and their group. You can see more information on their work at: http://moretolife.org/index.cfm. We’ve also had Bristol College of Massage and Bodywork here for their annual winter residential. Andy Fagg and his team have been synonymous with massage in Bristol for well over 20 years (http://bristolmassage.co.uk/) and we always enjoy supporting their work here.
BCMB were followed by Jan Adamson and Desiree Emery of Ancient Harmonies who bring their advanced shamanic students here three times a year. They have been coming to Poulstone for over two decades now and enter into the house like a hand into a favourite glove! As usual it was great to have their work in the house and we look forward to seeing them in May.
We have a number of new teachers visiting in the coming months. This Spring we will also be saying hello for the first time to Nina Sebastiane and her team from Feel Hot Yoga (http://feelhotyoga.co.uk/), Clive Tempest of Conscious Connections with his Chi Gung group(http://www.bigger-picture.net/), Joy Hicklin-Bailey of Secret Garden with her Joyful Loving retreat (http://www.secretgarden.eu.com) and Alaric Newcombe (http://www.alaricyoga.com) bringing his Iyengar Yoga retreat for advanced students. All their courses are open to the public and details are on the calendar on the website or click direct to: http://www.poulstone.com/courses.php for full details.
That’s all for now!
Much love,
Mel & Steve
Poulstone Court Retreat Centre