A little while back, I had the pleasure of spending a weekend on a yoga retreat with my mum. I know, it’s such a hippie thing to do! I was pretty nervous about sharing a house and a room with strangers, but luckily everyone on the retreat was just the right amount of friendly. There were group activities planned, but also plenty of scheduled alone time, and the option to do your own thing. Whilst the yoga was (of course!) lovely, I most enjoyed being unplugged for a weekend. I spent hours reading! It’s not something that’s a part of my routine at home, I use my evenings to catch up with the internet instead. I got really stuck into the Book of English Magic at the retreat – I think magic is often thought of as “new age” when really it’s been an important part of our history for millennia and it’s fascinating to learn about the ways it’s been used, forgotten and misunderstood. The house that we stayed in definitely added to the magic of the trip, with floor to ceiling living room windows looking out over the rolling hills of Derbyshire. At dusk and in the early morning, sheep wandered over to graze on the lawn. I loved spending time with the sheep, watching the lambs play from my perch on the garden wall, but it breaks my heart to know they’ll soon meet a sticky end on someone’s dinner plate.
The Peak District isn’t too far from my childhood home in Leicestershire, so I’ve actually spent a bit of time here before. I’ve been on school trips to Castleton, and camping trips with friends. I think I did my Duke of Edinburgh expedition here too, although I have to confess I can’t remember. We bumped into plenty of grumpy looking teenagers with maps and backpacks so I suspect it’s still a popular D of E location. It’s a beautiful place to stay although it’s incredibly popular, so driving in and out took a lifetime in the weekend traffic. Derbyshire has a picturesque, manicured English countryside feel to it, which I like. It reminds me of picnics in vintage cars, bunting and afternoon tea, unlike the ruggedness of the Scottish countryside which I’ve become accustomed to. After a couple of very stressful weeks at work (preparing to go away is never something I enjoy) it was exactly the sort of relaxing weekend I needed. Have you been anywhere nice recently, friends?
Oh, how I’d love to be over there right now! It all looks so green and blissfully cool and lovely! Is it just me, or are you relatively close to a lot of varied landscapes, always changing but generally always beautiful countryside?
It was definitely cool! I mean, I think one of the benefits of living in the UK is that it’s relatively small so you can easily visit most places on a weekend if you hop on the train. I hadn’t realised quite how vast the US is until I went there are drove around! I also put travelling quite high on my list of things I’m willing to spend time and money on, so I spend a lot of weekend away seeing new places. I am lucky though, you’re right!
Yes, living in a smaller country, or a larger country, gets people used to travel dimensions in very opposite ways! Am so glad you had a good time over here, but wish we could have gotten together.
Me too, hopefully next time!
Wonderful! This sounds so cute, just you and your mum chillin’ out in the country
glad you had the time out to replenish… we all need that from the stress of work! I haven’t been anywhere since I returned home (from Asia) but I’m going to a paid for work/graduate induction event on the bank holiday next weekend in the countryside, hopefully it’ll be good!
Cherie | sinonym
Exactly, it was lovely mother-daughter bonding time. We don’t often go away without the boys in my family! Asia sounds like fun, was it amazing? I hope you had a lovely time in the countryside, soaking up all that fresh country air! xx
A yoga retreat with your mom!?! That is fabulous. ALSO, I AM SO STOKED THAT YOU LIKE THE SAME MUSIC! Marilyn Manson and Slipknot are true artists and you were the first to say that you were into them too. Also, have a fabulous time in California. I hope you get to go to some fun concerts!
❤︎
Dakota D.
http://fannypacksandvisors.com
Instagram/Snapchat/Twitter: @missdsquared413
I AM SO STOKED ABOUT THAT TOO!! I think Marilyn Manson is hugely underappreciated but he’s actually a genius. I love hearing him speak in interviews. California was the best! It’s like a different planet, taken straight from the movies. It feels weird to be back home again, in my “real life” xxx
What a perfect way to have some great mother daughter time! Great post and I love the photos.
XO, Jessi
http://www.mywhiteT.com
Thank you Jessi, it really was the perfect relaxing weekend! xx
Peak district seems like a wonderful place to relax!
Angelie // Bohol 2016 Travel Diary
It is gorgeous, you should give it a visit if you haven’t already!
This sounds really wonderful. I love the the look of the place, very peaceful and lovely. A retreat sounds awesome really. I think I would love that and give it a try sometime. I think I would even do well on a weekend without any internet access! I can see that being rejuvenating. Again, I really love sheep. That definitely makes me so sad about the lambs too. I am not a vegetarian, though after living with one for years I do try not to eat a lot of meat, but I make sure never ever to eat lamb or veal. I just can’t handle that at all. Which may sound not great to someone who is a full vegan or veggie. But I do feel better about putting limits on what I will and won’t eat, even if it’s not perfect. It wouldn’t surprise me if I eventually stop eating all meat. But at least for now this has been my start for many years. Anyhow, I’m glad you had a great weekend, and a nice break. I always enjoy more time for reading and rest.
XO – Alexandra
Simply Alexandra: My Favorite Things
It’s funny because I read articles about how important it is to switch off for a weekend, and I always think to myself that I don’t spend that much time online and it doesn’t really apply to me, but as soon as my internet breaks at home I’m at a loss for what to do. And at the retreat, I suddenly had time to do all these things I never do, like reading(!!) You gotta start somewhere! And I mean I obviously find the idea of eating animal upsetting, I don’t see a difference between pets (which are off limits for eating) and agricultural animals (which for some reason are not.) xx
i feel like i always say this, but it’s true, so: the photos are beautiful! and it sounds like you had a lovely time:-) i was going to say i’ve not been anywhere this summer, but then remembered i went to lapland and norway which was really great, haha! xx
Oh thank you, you cutie! Lapland and Norway sound INCREDIBLE! I’d definitely like to explore more of Northern Europe, it’s high up on my travel list so send me and recommendations if you have any xx
Jess, just sent you an email! xx
thank you, I will check it out! xx
I’ve always wanted to go on a yoga retreat – not a hippie thing at all, unless if I’m a hippie. Costa Rica or Bali or something like that is high on my list, if not financially unattainable. But these rolling hills certainly looking lovely! And oh the sheep!
You might be, just a little bit
Oh wow, I think somewhere sunny like that would be just heavenly! At least you’re on the right side of the globe. We did get to do some yoga outside in the garden, but the vibration of us moving on the soil must have sounded like rain because all the worms came out to join us on our mats. It was cute, but hard to relax when I was concentrated on not sdquishing them! The sheep are gorgeous aren’t they! x