A while back, I was lucky enough to be invited to be a guinea pig at a retreat day. I knew both hosts and was pretty sure I’d be in for a treat - make bread, do pilates, quietly explore the banks of the River Till, what’s not to like?
Of course, when the day of the test retreat arrived, the last thing I felt I needed was a day out. My schedule was cluttered, my mind scrambling to hold onto the elusive threads of all that needed done. If I could just spend the day at my desk, all would be clearer and less oppressive. Which, I guess, is exactly the right moment to call time and accept that you need to take a breath and recalibrate.
So, I headed to Tiptoe, a farm in the wilds of North Northumberland, my brain still racing with all that I should be doing. It’s a beautiful spot and Lucy (Carroll) and Pauline (Beaumont) were at the door of their spanking new studio to greet me and the five other guests as we arrived.
I know Lucy from my days with local charity HospiceCare North Northumberland where she’s the hard-working chair of trustees. She’s also a qualified pilates teacher (BASI). Pauline is the author of a fantastic book called Bread Therapy: the mindful art of baking bread. I had the pleasure of interviewing her a few years back for Berwick Literary Festival about her work as a university psychotherapist and the therapeutic value of making bread.
I’d brought my mobile phone (of course I had!) but, after weighing it in my hand for a few moments, I put it on do not disturb and left it in my bag. That was the first cloud lifted!
I didn’t know any of the other women. And, following coffee, Pauline led us in introducing ourselves, suggesting we land somewhere between the classic networking one- or two-liner and a fullblown biography. It was surprising how open we all were and how comfortable that felt in the safe surrounds of the cosy, bright studio. We listened quietly to each other’s stories: second cloud lifted.
Then it was on to making the most delicious soda bread with cheese and scallions. Although we all had the same ingredients and the same instructions, it was interesting to see that we all approached the task slightly differently in terms of how and when we chopped and grated and how much liquid we added. Into the oven our assorted loaves went as we headed over to Lucy’s Pilates studio.
We were joined on the day by lovely Sarah from Pictorial Photography who very unobtrusivley snapped and videoed away. The photos in this piece (except for the Tiptoe sign) are Sarah’s.
Lucy’s pilates studio is super well kitted out and she led us in strenuous but not over-strenuous stretches and exercises, strengthening our core and helping us to concentrate on our breathing and which part of our body was engaged when. By this stage I’d forgotten to count clouds lifting.
Back in Studio 1, the scent of our freshly baked loaves added to the sense of warmth and wellbeing. Our loaves were for us to take home but Pauline had baked fresh bread for us to enjoy with our homemade vegetable soup and cheeses. A contented glow descended on us.
Our next adventure was a spot of walking to reconnect with nature and the sights, sounds and smells of wooded glades and riverbank. The weather was kind on the day of my retreat and this was a moment of calm tranquillity, of plant-gazing and swans gliding along the river.
After tea and homemade cake we headed off to our individual lives, clutching our soda bread.
Sometimes you don’t know you need something until after you’ve experienced it. And this day of gentle connection with self, others, nature and making was just such an experience for me.
To be honest, I could do with a repeat performance the way I’m feeling right now.
From Lucy & Pauline (they’ll also discuss tailoring days for small groups):
Till next time
