Wild Joy

"Laying in my little pop up tent with so many layers on this chilly Friday night. Light rain falling on the roof and a pair of tawny owls calling from different directions, heaven. The sounds of nature drift me off to a deep, wonderful sleep."Woken by the dawn chorus, so many beautiful songs birds cheerily welcoming a new day, the rain still pattering, only lighter.

As I gradually came into wakefulness I could hear soft melodic singing approaching slowly outside. It was so beautiful with the birds. This was Emily. Her song continued gently around the enclave of tents. The best alarm clock ever. This was the call to meet for breakfast at the heart of the Wild Joy retreat.

Scrambling for my boots I could hear the different sounds of zips and still a couple of purry snores from tents, their inhabitants still asleep.

I made my way through my favourite part of Moor Barton Woods, the dark, slightly eerie pine copse, needles and pinecones crunching underfoot to the camp.  Women had started to gather and were collecting wood and bringing huge black iron kettles for the fire.

"Emily and Maxi welcomed us all. This would be a retreat full of embraces, compassion, validation and love."

"Structured, not structured" and it truly was. Us thirteen women could join in or choose to do what we wanted. I needed to truly retreat and time spent with very few demands, a big reason for coming, and I was given exactly this, for which I was so grateful.

Before breakfast, but after a hot drink and snack, we would gather for movement and meditation in a different magical spot at this glorious 160 acre Rewilding forest. Another stunning spot was among the mossy beech trees.

My tree was furry and tall with natural rooty seats I could nestle into.

All of the beautiful women spent different times in the sauna, hot and full of companionship, or skipping down to the stream, purified by the beavers, and the cold, cold pool, clothes flung off, naked bodies enjoying the extremes of temperatures of dry hot air, cool forest and refreshing water.

"We created a beautiful Mandala from cherished treasures found in the forest, brush and glades and we danced, sometimes ecstatically, and sang around the circle."

These five days were incredible. I adore nature and with these wonderful women I felt transported back to a tribal time, many thousands of years ago. I loved the company of these females - not one cross word, no competition, much laughter, tears joy and wildness.

We worked hard, caring for the trees. Trix came from the Rewilding team to teach us about the work they are doing and to learn about the beavers. I had no expectations of seeing these elusive mammals. I was mind blown by their extraordinary lives, above water and below, creating beautiful pools, a damn and their lodge, the mother caring for her three kits.

Tree Tending at Moor Barton

We ate fantastic healthy food, sharing the preparation, cooking and clearing and Emily and Maxi ensured every moment would create buckets of cherished memories.

There was poetry, readings, art, sharing of stories and our lives, crystal clear starry night skies and the company of amazing women.

On our final afternoon Emily and Maxi walked us through woods and country lanes to a huge rock that once would have been deep under the sea.

We all climbed the rock and enjoyed the stunning views, sitting together in friendship and love. A guided meditation here was just perfect.

"I left Wild Joy feeling serene, freshed, loved and at peace with a happiness that has continued ten days later."

Emily and Maxi were the best hosts for this retreat any of us could have asked for. I have made friends and feel changed in such a positive and grateful way. I was able to put any negative thoughts I had arrived with away in an old filing cabinet in the back of my mind and am ready to grasp what comes ahead with both hands.

I'm so grateful for the mud, the trees, the bare skin, the songs, friendships and incredible memories of Wild Joy I will carry with me, always.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart Emily and Maxi - Awooooooooo! 💚🙏