A Cornish summer retreat

Welcome all our new subscribers since the lockdown began. It's wonderful to have you, I hope you find this blog interesting and insightful. Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

Corona Virus update

Having been shut for three months we are now fully booked since opening in July to the end of September. It has been a strange journey of being quietly busy in preparation; doing the accounts, maintenance and (lots of) pruning, not quite knowing what the outcome would be. To now working daily; cleaning, ironing and welcoming guests. We are taking extra precautions with the cleaning and trying to put a time gap in between each guest to increase safety. Something made easier by both our cottages and cabin being fairly well isolated and self-catered. If you would like to come and visit it can be lovely here in the Autumn, with opportunities for scenic walks and cosy meals by the fire.

During the summer we have had a real mixture of guests here at Treargel. For example, this week we had one family with teenagers, one with toddlers, a young Airbnb couple, an older couple and a nun doing her 10-day retreat. It is so lovely to be able to welcome people here to enjoy fun activities on the beach, walks on the coastal path, whilst also offering the experience of stillness, silence and solitude. Some of our more informal guests have enjoyed company outside with us around the fire and even bought their own beds!

Quotes from recent weeks;

"Thank you all for a wonderful oasis in which to chill out and recharge batteries."

(Retreatant from Devon).

"A wonderful stopover, on the Celtic Way. Thank you Naomi, for your attention to detail and fitting me in."

(Cornish Celtic Way pilgrim).

"Fantastic stay at the Piggery - thoughtful touches throughout!"

(Airbnb guest).

Christmas

If you are interested in getting away from it all this year, we have 2 last bookings left for the Christmas week in the Byre and Hermitage. Trees will be provided by the man we call Mr Christmas, who grows his trees in Morval nearby.

Special offer for NHS workers

We have been very humbled by the tireless contributions made by NHS workers across the country during this time. So with the help of funds from the Association for Promoting Retreats, we can now offer bursaries towards the costs of taking a much-needed retreat. Each of these bursaries can be up to 50% of the total cost of the applicant's retreat, to a maximum of £150. All we need is your postal address, your role within the NHS and the Address of the NHS Trust you work for.

Let us know if you are interested.

Please do pass this message on if you know anyone deserving of some time out.

Home-made picture of a rainbow with the caption 'Hope is not closed'. — Supporting the NHS

Wildlife at Treargel

Sadly we don’t have pictures, but we have had 2 more amazing Kingfisher sightings down at the pond by the Hermitage. Plus there has been evidence of polecats, badgers and fallow deer according to one of our guests who is a Woodsman, so we presume he knows!

Hermitage kitchen

No more singing in the rain as you cook down at the Hermitage. Thanks to my brother for rigging this lightweight roof up, for when we have the occasional shower (we are still in England remember!).

The Byre balcony view, plus sparrow. — Stop and listen to the birds

Rhythms

We hope to meet you at some point in person, but if this is not possible yet, then do take time to retreat where-ever you are. I am still (very slowly) working my way through Nicola Slee’s book Sabbath, the hidden heartbeat of our lives. In this she looks at the wider relationship between work and rest and suggests;