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A celebration of light!
1 February 2020
A time of hope, healing and clearing away the old...
Imbolc the ancient Celtic fire festival, falls today, the 1st February. Traditionally it is the day that we honour the Celtic Goddess Brigid, goddess of poetry, healing, crafts and childbirth. It marks the first day of spring with the promise of the earth awakening from its winter slumber and new life beginning as the sun's energy returns. It is time for us to be brave, to let go of the old and outdated. Time to look towards a more hopeful and positive future. It is time for us to have a good old spring clear-out and make space to welcome new ideas and allow our creativity to flow freely. It is a time for wish-making!
As I look outside, I am aware that the days are growing longer, lighter and a wee bit warmer. I can see tiny green shoots making their way towards the light from the cold dark earth below and new buds appearing on bare branches. This year we will clear and transform our outdoor space it into a proper Garden of Eat’n. We will plant wildflowers and nourish the soil to grow delicious fruit and vegetables. We will make use of what we have or what others have given us and restore tired items to their former beauty.
It is our wish to share what we have, to inspire others to live a more simple life and appreciate the sacredness of the earth beneath our feet, that which supports and nourishes us all...
Do the best you can, it doesn't need to be much!
Think fast, but don't get it wrong!
Just recently, we received the ultimate compliment from a hard-core LOTR fan. As she came climbing up the hill with a big, beaming smile she said to me that we've not just created a beautiful hobbit house, we're also creating a Shire! This actually took me by surprise, but, I'll take that compliment and keep it in mind as we continue to weave our magic into this special place! This year I took the plunge and signed myself up for a permaculture design and educators course. I'm thoroughly enjoying it and delight in sharing any learning with interested guests. Living in harmony with nature, feeding the soil, and growing your own food, shouldn't be considered as living the dream, its a practical and satisfying way to meet your own needs and let's face it, in this current climate, it makes good sense! We really are truly blessed with the loveliest of guests who love and appreciate what we are doing. Below are just a few of the many shots I captured to share so you can see the "Shire" for yourselves! To think that just 10 years ago, this entire space was a disused agricultural site!
We get by with a little help from our friends!
Stuck at home, in a second wave of lockdown, with months of uncertainty ahead, at least we have the precious gift of time. We decided to use it wisely, and set to work nourishing and protecting the gorgeous materials that make our hideaway so special. Now that's something we can control and it feels good! When will we be able to open our doors and welcome back our lovely visitors? We've no idea, but when we do the space will be ready and we're going to enjoy the process. Well I am, but I think Mark would rather relax with a nice cuppa and some Walkers shortbread! Whilst he takes a well earned break, afterall he did oil most of the wood, the majority of which is well above eye level, I indulge in waxing the earthen floor. I can't quite put into words what delights me so much about an earthen floor, it's more of a feeling, kind of like making a delicious meal that everyone thoroughly enjoys, it's just so yummy and satisfying! Rubbing wax into a solid floor that was once earth and part of the earth, feels so ancient, it deserves to be respected and cared for. Working with the raw elements of nature is so grounding and boy do we need grounding right now! The outside world is a scary place with so many theories and so much science, don't you ever wonder just what's going on, and when, if ever, life will return to a semblance of normality?! Will it be better or will it get worse who knows?! Right now we will focus on the moment and enjoy making our place all homely and special, putting everything back out again, changing things around, imagining, dreaming and adding wee magical touches here and there. We will simply enjoy the feeling because whatever the future holds our freshly oiled posts and waxed floor will look great! We wish all our past and future guests the brightest of blessings for a year filled with earthly pleasures of the finest kind...
With business closed and no indication as to when we can reopen, isn't it wonderful how life simply goes on? All the jobs that we thought were so important, turns out maybe they're not! We been gifted time, time to reflect and ponder upon what really matters; our health and wellbeing, our communities, taking care of each other and nature of course. Nature's not on lockdown and all around us the flora and fauna appear to be thriving. We've seen more wildlife in and around our garden than ever before, especially the feathered variety. Everything, apart from our green roof, ironically, is thriving. The sun keeps shining and the rain keeps pouring down. As we've all witnessed, the earth was beginning to heal, but what will happen when lockdown's over? Will normal ever be normal again? I hope not!
The wheel of life continues to turn and as fear and uncertainty spread across the world with the coronavirus pandemic, pollution has reduced, communities are coming together to care for their own, people are far more aware of what they have and what they need and nature continues its rituals. New life emerges from winter sleep and bursts forth towards the growing light. All around us we see a world gone mad for toilet roll, it will pass, and eventually the light and darkness will come again into balance. It is indeed a time of new beginnings, change and hope emerging from the darkness.
21st Dec 2019 Today is the winter solstice, mid-winter and the longest night of the year. Tomorrow the days will begin to lengthen and eventually get warmer. It seems like the perfect time for a spot of reflection, given that nine months ago we opened the doors to welcome our very first guests. Getting ready was filled with a never ending list of tasks. It was exhausting, yet exhilarating as we got closer to completion. Like an embryo Hobbit Hideaway has grown and changed from the promise of something special to an enchanting place that can make you smile as you enter. There is definitely something very unique about staying in a natural home. Whether it's the simplicity and beauty of the natural materials that surround you, the close connection to nature that it evokes, or the positively healthy environment that it creates, the feeling simply needs to be experienced. Photos, no matter how awesome, just don’t do it justice. We hear these words repeatedly from our lovely guests so it must be true! In nine months we have welcomed 239 adults, 96 children and 29 dogs. 68% from the UK, 20% from Europe and 9% from the US. We have been busy, but what’s most important is that our guests are loving our special place. Many book it as a surprise gift for loved ones, to celebrate special occasions, family holidays or a well needed break from the stress of daily life. The look of delight on faces as they enter is worth every second of toil that went into its creation! We have consistently received 5 star glowing reviews from very satisfied guests and read comments that lift the spirits and brighten our day. In addition we achieved a Gold Standard Award from Green Tourism and won the Best Green Holiday Home at The European Holiday home Awards. I wonder what’s in store for the year ahead!? As 2019 closes, I personally feel a real sense of satisfaction that a longed for dream has become a wonderful reality that is achieving all that was envisioned for it and so much more...
- Finalist Best Self Catering & Unique Stay HITA 2024
- Finalist The Herald, Scottish Family Business, Environmental, 2021
- Winner VIBES Scottish Environment Business Awards "Good Practice" 2021
- Scotland Winner, Environmental Award from the Federation of Small Businesses 2020
- Winner of "Best Green Holiday Home" by the European Holiday Home Association 2019
- Green Tourism Gold Award 2019
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