I repent, truly I do.
I will try and jettison my ENFP last minute-ness as soon as I possibly can (once I've done all sorts of other things, of course)...I've just realised that this sort of behaviour has its costs. I'm stuck, and I 've no-one but myself to blame.
I'm confronting the sad, sad situation of a retreat slot booked in the diary, and nowhere to go. In the past, I've been able to arrange a retreat at only a month's notice with no trouble at all, but this time there seems to be a conspiracy abroad.
Llan, my customary haunt, is full till the autumn.
The Franciscan houses I might have tried don't want anyone arriving on a Monday, and as I only have Monday to Thursday free that simply cuts my time too short. The otherwise rather wonderful-sounding Sheldon Community doesn't have the Office and Eucharist happening regularly, which kind of bothers me.
Where should I go?
I want some good walking, a rhythm of prayer going on around me, and the possibilty of processing the experience while I'm there if the need arises...Access to a glass of wine, and a good library might also be nice...Am I being difficult? Any inspiration gratefully received. At the moment, I'm considering going as far as Alnwick,- but that seems a tad dotty for 3 nights.
WHY didn't I book myself in Llan earlier? Must email now to ensure a slot next year....maybe.
How about Ammerdown (www.ammerdown.org)
ReplyDeleteI've done a weekend course there which was good. Don't know what it would be like as a private retreat place though. There is a chapel and a resident community though the website doesn't seem to say anything about whether there are daily offices.
Or are you after something a bit more monastic?
The Benedictine sisters at St Mary's Abbey, West Malling, Kent have the Office but no library or wine (food is "austere") and you might think the walking was rather tame, but it's where I go when I don't want organised Lee Abbey type things. Wonderful rhythm of prayer....
ReplyDeletePS All shall be well
I would suggest the Mirfield Centre of the Resurrection, although I'm not sure they allow unaccompanied women.... Anyway it is beautiful, although austere. I wonder what events they have on soon? I want to go again!! *Goes to Google them*
ReplyDeletehttp://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/4757165.stm
ReplyDeleteHave you tried Launde Abbey? It's the Leicester Diocese retreat house set in huge grounds (and they have a bar). www.launde.org.uk. I've also heard good things about St Mary's Convent in Wantage. http://www.anglicancommunion.org/communities/community_detail/csmv.cfm .
ReplyDeleteHope you find somewhere.
Oh, come to Michigan! My pastor and his wife would gladly loan you their cottage on Lake Huron!LOL And of course there's my Cold Comfort Cottage, although sleeping arrangements might be somewhat limited (as in two small bedrooms...I guess you'd have to draw straws, and the losers would have to dogpile on the living room floor. Unless you camped in the woods.) But there would be wine, LOL, and the Daily Office.
ReplyDelete(I'm finally getting a chance to do a walkabout in blogland after spending several days working on my own.)
I really hope you find somewhere nice - don't despair!
ReplyDeleteOK, everyone! Thanks for the advice, comfort and suggestions. In the end, I've booked into the Sheldon Community on the basis that I ought to be able to manage the Office solo and the rest of the setup looks so wonderful...AND they do have space for me on exactly the dates I want to go.
ReplyDeleteI'll tell you ALL about it, no doubt, when I return...but I don't even go for 5 weeks yet, so don't hold your breaths.
Right - 5 weeks to organise the purchase of a CD player for my own Darling Daughter who is currently using Kathryn's after hers suffered an unfortunate accident in trying circumstances. We SHOULD manage that!
ReplyDeleteI should read more accurately - was about to wish you a lovely retreat, imagining it was sooner - but will anyway - and I can always say it twice :-)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=145365&command=displayContent&sourceNode=145191&contentPK=14464550&folderPk=83726
ReplyDeletenow that sounds like a rev k retreat....
ceNode=145191&contentPK=14464550&folderPk=83726
ReplyDeleteif you stick this bit on the end...
if that doesn't work, ah well, what you don't know about you won't miss :)......
oh ok... fromt eh Bristol evening post....
Visitors to Queen Square will have the chance to see some glass designs and sculptures at the Bombay Sapphire Glass House. On show in the botanical garden's bar area will be displays from finalists of the Bombay Sapphire Designer Glass Competition.
The event runs until May 28. Admission is free from 11am-6.30pm, Wednesday to Saturday and from 11am-5pm on Sundays.
Evening "Cocktails by Design" events take place 7-9pm, Tuesdays to Saturdays, and tickets cost £10. Guests can also take a guided tour of the Bombay Sapphire Glass House and learn how to make a cocktail.
If only the distance weren't such an issue, I'd suggest Casa Dylan in Maryland of the U.S., which isn't a formally designated as a retreat house, but is a place where you would be welcomed, given rest and good meals (and quite possibly the best margaritas you've ever had, if I may be so bold as to say), and prayed for and with for the duration of your visit.
ReplyDeleteOh, and we've got more books than you could ever want or need, whether of the theology/biblical studies variety or just a good (or trashy/fun) novel or several dozen. :)
Blessings,
Dylan
late to this, but for future ref you might like to consider Morely house in Derbyshire.
ReplyDeleteToo late as ever, but West Malling is literally five minutes drive from MLPK, and I can recommend Launde Abbye from former connections (and this post proves I'm still alive).
ReplyDelete