RETREAT ON MULL, October 2009 – Participants Reflect

 

Going to the retreat at Mull at the end of October was a very enjoyable experience. First of all it was good to get away from the everyday hustle and bustle of London life and to experience the beautiful landscapes and wildlife of the isle of Mull in its spectacular autumn colours. It enabled me to slow down and appreciate God's creation in its full glory.  

 

The accommodation was also just right, a very comfortable and homely hotel on the shores of Loch Scridain, with breathtaking views. I must not forget to mention the wonderful meals we had at the hotel.

The leaders of the retreat had got the balance just right. We would meet in the mornings just after breakfast and listen to some thought provoking readings (including poetry), then there would be some singing. Later, we would go on organised trips including a wildlife tour (where we saw otters, a seal and a sea eagle) and a ferry trip to Iona where we had three very wonderful people talking to us about the cathedral and the Iona community.

We would meet again in the evenings before dinner for discussion and more singing.   This retreat is highly recommended.     

Karen, retired librarian

 

 

Thank you for a most enjoyable, stimulating, yet refreshing Retreat on Mull.

 

From the moment we arrived at the Pennyghael Hotel and were received by such a warm welcome from Jo until the last night’s dinner beautifully cooked by Kieron, we all felt ‘at home’.

 

The days were filled with your carefully planned programme, with thought-provoking ideas and relaxed laughter.  The group mixed well with plenty of lively reflection.

 

The Isle of Mull was the perfect venue for a spiritual retreat surrounded by natural beauty and wildlife.

 

More personally,

 

         Is it because it’s a remote island

         Is it because I’ve left my mobile at home

         Is it being with a group of caring people

         Is it because it’s a quest

                  that I seem to have left the unhappy part of myself behind?

         Long may it last!

 

The next morning the sun came out changing the landscape from blue grey to golden brown and we went out on a contemplation walk.  I fell behind and sat on the rocks, watching the waterfall rushing down the hillside into the loch below.  I took out my pencil and pad provided by Odette and began to sketch.  It flew over the paper with glee.  I hadn’t drawn or painted since my husband died two years ago, but now I felt released by the calm and beauty around me.  For the first time, I enjoyed being alone.  The Retreat was working for me, in the words of D H Lawrence, “Kindling the life quality where it was not’.

 

Sylvia, businesswoman

 

 

Many thanks for my time on Mull, for the pleasant company. and the opportunity for discussion and “thinking time’.  I really enjoyed meeting you all, was delighted with the surroundings, the wild life tour and the visit to Iona – and the care taken by Jo and Kieron to ensure we were so well looked after – and thanks for all the leaders’ hard work.

 

Mary, chair Community Centre

 

 

A visit to the Pennyghael Hotel, on the Isle of Mull, would be a treat at any time, with its wonderful views of mountains across the water which laps at the shore only yards from the front gate.  The hotel is comfortable and homely and one is assured of a warm welcome from its owners, Jo and Kieron, who provide wonderful meals and friendly care.

 

To combine such a visit with a retreat led by Donald and Odette…brings an added dimension to one’s stay.  Their thoughtful choice of readings from books and poems each day followed a theme based on nature:  ‘The land of mystery’, ‘The river of consciousness’, ‘The mountain of care’ and ‘The sea of tranquillity’.  In this way, our meditations led us to a deeper awareness of the beauties of nature and our own place in God’s creation, as we enjoyed walks in the surrounding countryside and a guided tour to look for otters and sea eagles.

 

Another recurring theme in each day’s meditation was listening to a chapter from Irina Ratushinskaya’s book, ‘Grey is the Colour of Hope’, which I found particularly moving, describing the real-life experiences of a group of women in the 1980s in a Soviet prison camp for political dissidents.  The courage, resilience and persistent hope of these women, despite great hardship and danger, were truly inspiring.

 

As a group, we enjoyed each other’s company.  The climax of the week was a day trip to Iona, which we will all remember, not only for the warm welcome we received from members of the Iona Community in the wonderful old Abbey, but also for the raging gale and pouring rain on the day, which caused much hilarity as we fought the elements!  All in all, a most enjoyable week.

 

                                                               Anita, medical secretary