Creating a garden requires a clear space to start with and then regular weeding to ‘hold' the space for the plants to grow. In our day to day lives we are so busy whizzing from one thing to another, we rarely give ourselves space to clear or weed our thoughts, to just ‘be' and to allow better thoughts to germinate from deep in our creative self. 
This is particularly so for those of us for whom creativity is our daily bread. Designers, writers, authors, commercial artists and illustrators, who have to be creative 'on demand', will benefit greatly from this time out.

To facilitate the ‘weeding' and ‘germinating' process, we offer an Equine Encounter retreat. Two days of enabling you to just ‘be' with your creative self and to allow seeds of great thought to germinate, whether you have a problem to solve or you feel stuck in some place in your life or you just need to stop and take a breather.

The retreat is based around the masters of ‘being' - two magnificent horses, Penny and Jester. During the two days you will observe them and their herd mates, and have the opportunity to handle and communicate with them. There is no riding involved and it doesn't matter if you have never been near a horse before. There will be ‘right brain' brain activities stimulated by these gentle yet powerful creatures and their natural surroundings, e.g. writing poetry and prose, drawing, painting, crafting and gentle exercise - walking and stretching, observing the world around you. There will be plenty of good food (some of which you might even have a hand in baking).

Retreats are held regularly from June through to September at Screveton in Nottinghamshire. There is space for a maximum of six people on each retreat. Cost per person: £247 including lunches and refreshments but excluding B&B (which can be arranged for you). Personalised retreats can also be arranged if you would like the complete space to yourself, £497 including B&B (sleeping in a very beautiful four-poster bed).