My favourite Buddha statue.....

This Buddha statue is about 5 inches high, smooth, quite heavy and with a jewel at the forehead. I have no idea what it is made of, maybe some kind of resin I think. If anyone has any idea what this is made of and what country it may be in the style of, please let me know.

A few things from our journey at OpeningSpace

Here are 4 things which we have acquired on our travels whilst being in France. Left to right: a metal storage container to keep the delightful insects away from our cheese; a small ridged honey spoon bought at our nearest chateau of Valencay; a delightful water jug bought at a vide-grenier or 'clear out your attic' market at Poulaines, something much better than our clear glass one and a delightful metal and glass oil lamp rescued from a nearby ruined house and given to us by a grateful owner.

The Cheese Protector

Oil Lamp

Pottery water jug

What wouldn't you give for a vista like this?

This is view from our back garden newly re-emerged from the field of Oil Seed Rape which was harvested only yesterday. It was quite nice in a way to feel enclosed by the crop for a time, but the energy that a freshly reaped field brings to the garden of our retreat is incalculable.

As you look at our great firepit it is now possible to see beyond the oak trees which border the land we use. The firepit is such a vital part of what happens here, a place where people can reflect and open up, where plans are dreamt up and resolve is strengthened. So sit back enjoy the view all around, the vista straight ahead and oh yes let's not forget the view above, the star filled and moon sky, but that is for another blog.......

Rose hip jelly.....

We have a single wild rose in our garden and after flowering the rose hips or haws have appeared. Being ever resourceful I have decided that I will pick them and make rose hip jelly. In looking for a recipe I have also found information about their nutritional and medicinal attributes.

Rose hips contain Vitamins C, A & B, some essential fatty acids and Lycopene, a powerful anti-oxidant. Rose hips can be used to prevent colds and influenza and as a treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis as they also have anti-inflammatory properties. Rose hips in fact have one of the largest contents of Vitamin C amongst fruit and vegetables.

It is possible to make a herbal tea from rose hips and also to create rose hip jelly. As is mentioned in the recipe, watch out for the seeds and hairs in the fruit, they are irritants used in itching powder.

The importance of silver birches.....

We have five silver birches (Beith, in Gaelic) in our garden at the Opening Space Retreat, all of them of the weeping variety. We even have three planted in a triangular formation, an ancient custom, the reasons for which are now shrouded in mystery. Silver Birches are known as 'Lady of the Woods' in ancient Irish folklore and also as a result of a poem written about them by Samuel Colerdge. Silver Birches are said to have a protective influence and to be symbolic of new birth and fertility. They have a strong connection to the celebration of Beltane or May Day.

Artist: C. Present

And hark, the noise of a near waterfall!
I pass forth into light--I find myself
Beneath a weeping birch 
(most beautifulOf forest trees, the Lady of the Woods).


Samuel Coleridge

French water!

This is the sea off the West coast of France just south of the Ile d'Oleron, where we spent our first wedding anniversary weekend in 2011. France has a great coastline, which goes on forever, or so it seems. This beach is a three hour drive away from the Opening Space Retreat.

Here is the Loire, the great river itself which flows into the sea at St Nazaire, in the Bay of Biscay, close by the Ile mentioned above. This great majestic river is north of us here at Valencay but within easy reach along with the many chateaux which lie along its length.

This is the lake at Rouvres Les Bois our nearest village. The lake is surrounded by farmland and forests and has a small purpose built enclosed picnic area.

Ivor Sexton, Artist

This is Banquo's Ghost, one of a series of works by Ivor Sexton, an artist based in Scotland who trained at the Portsmouth College of Art and Design. The rich colours, the symbolic composition of vistas, shapes and textures and the hovering ravens, all add to the magic and mystery of this painting. For me the unashamed stare of the main character forces us to deal with his and I think our own vulnerability, it speaks to us of the human condition and of the bravery we must summon up in order to deal with our own ghosts and demons.

This artist is forthright, unapologetic and bold, he is unafraid of an intensity of colour so lacking in others' work. He faces his own demons with nerve and fortitude and in this way he enables us to confront in some small way those issues which we face ourselves. His current subject matter echoing as it does the work of one of the Masters of English Literature is a a perfect visual reminder of our humanity.

Below can be seen a few more of Ivor's works and if you wish to see more you can contact him through his website or his facebook page.