To my utter amazement, despite nine yoga sessions between Friday and Sunday evening, I can still move!  If you saw my last post you’ll know I was going on a yoga retreat.  It was brilliant on every level – beautiful place, lovely people, fantastic tutors, huge amounts of fresh food and possibly the most relaxing weekend I have ever had.

I took a lot of photos which I’ll put at the bottom of my ramblings, but I have some Pog style tips, should you ever go on such a retreat:

• When finding directions for a place you’ve never been to, don’t print written instructions from AA route planner and a map from Google maps.  It turns out they don’t agree and this can result in a few wrong turns, even though you’re driving less than 10 miles.
• When packing you only need tracksuit bottoms, vest tops and sweatshirts.  And a pair of jeans and wellies for walking in the rain (should you forget the wellies, your feet get very, very soggy).  And when you select your knickers, don’t choose that pair at the back of the drawer that you’ve not worn for ages thinking it would be ‘a nice change’.  There is a reason they are at the back of the drawer and it may be that the reason is that the back of them make your bottom itchy, and you look like a monkey with all your scratching.
• Vegetarian food made with organically grown vegetables from the estate is amazing.  Having a huge plate of vegetable curry just before an evening relaxation class can be less than relaxing.  I didn’t want a repeat of that event at work.
• Getting up at 6.30am at the weekend to do pre breakfast yoga sessions isn’t actually as difficult as it sounds.  And having a relaxation session before bed is just amazing (if you manage to get back to your bed without going via the bar for a drop of organic wine… :o) )
• Doing a headstand, balancing on foam blocks can be so exciting it can actually make your toes dance.  Apparently (according to another member of the class) it also means you make…ahem… ‘ecstatic’ sorts of noises.
• Achieving a balance (The Crow, if you’re interested), that you never thought you’d do is great, but possibly shouting out ‘I’ve done it!’ like an overexcited five year old is not entirely appropriate…
• The day after you get back, even though your train is delayed and you have a day of chaos ahead, you find yourself being very smiley and saying good morning to everyone you see.  This does throw people at 6am on a dark platform, but I think a bit more friendliness can only be a good thing.

So, here are some photos.  And if you think this sort of thing would appeal, do it.  I can’t wait to do it all again :o)

Welcome to relaxation!

I was slightly separate to the main building

but check out my bathroom ceiling!

The rooms were basic, but comfortable and absolutely silent – I didn’t need my ear plugs at all :o)

I even got a smoking chair – complete with escaping horse hair

Fresh veg for the kitchen

Our yoga room was the old master bedroom…

…with huge windows…

…and a beautiful view

the main ceiling – it took an entire summer to restore

The library had an open fire on the Saturday night. And this is where I found…

…these. from the 70’s and 80’s

I was disturbed by the pants though…

A summer house on the grounds

And, um….a stone Mary hiding behind a tree.

:o)