Well, we’ve had a time of contrasts just recently. We had a great week with the meditation retreat – silent and peaceful – followed the same day (!) by Gail’s 60th (yes, very hard to believe) birthday weekend. Gail borrowed Poulstone for an “at home” from Friday to Sunday with a party on the Saturday evening and a singing workshop too! It was lovely meeting Gail’s family and friends, and nice to catch up with old buddies, many of whom have been Poulstone-goers for a decade or two. Also, a great chance to dust off outfits that we might not have the opportunity to wear anywhere else, given the rural nature of our general lifestyle! Gail has been a great support to Poulstone in many ways over the years and it was lovely to have a chance to thank her by letting her use the space for her celebrations.
Mind you, we did all spend a little time wondering if Gail’s party would be snowed off, but in the event only a few people couldn’t get here due to the weather. An arctic wind has remained since then though and only in the last couple of days has the sun broken through to offset the cold breezes. If you’re visiting in the next few weeks, take a walk over the bridge to Sellack to see the new lambs. Some are very new and tiny, and the older ones are already banding together into naughty little gangs for races and other lamby mischief! They’re such a pleasure to watch and more curious than frightened at that age. They must be very glad of a little sun on their backs these last few days after the severe coldness of the last week or so. Mel’s just come back from a walk and taken some pictures of the lambs and the blazing sunshine on the river today. Also, some photos of the lovely daffodils coming out under the copper beech (good to see the Buddhist approach to “pest” control (ie leave everything as it is!) has had some rewards!!).
We now have a week-long writing course in called Freefall with Barbara Turner-Vesselago. The first morning, as we begin printing the morning’s writing for Barbara to read, is always a good test of technological know-how as we try to print Mac files from PCs, ease data off sulky memory sticks and download printer drivers for those whose memory sticks won’t work. It was pretty smooth this morning, all in all. It takes not a little courage to sit with yourself all morning and see what comes to you to write – freefalling into the words. There’s a lovely quiet, focused feeling in the house.
That’s all for now.
With love,
Mel & Steve
Poulstone Court Retreat Centre
