Filed under: Personal | Tags: beginnings, New Business, new start, online business, Quinault Rain Forest
It is quite some time since we have written about our progress. Manifestation of the farm on the surface appears to have come to a halt. I am settling into my new life as a yoga teacher, finding my feet, my yoga identity. It seems to be a time for nature and nuture, it is tempting to forge ahead despite this (and I have had a couple of futile attempts!) But we have given in to the forces around us and taken time out to nuture ourselves by responding to our calling, for me time out in nature, walks amongst the trees. It feels as though the first period of transition is coming to an end, what is round the corner though is yet to reveal itself. Hector’s farm is still very much in our minds eye, a clear vision as we originally talked about on this blog, the preparatory work taking place is internal.
We will soon be heading to Quinault Rain Forest in the National Olympic Park, for rest and more food for our soul. On our return we will work on our website, we will be selling some products we are fans of on our website, blankets, incense and chocolate making kits. My soap making abilities seem to have deteriorated, so no soap yet! So Hector’s farm is being created, it is coming from a deep place within ourselves and taking time to manifest into physical form, but it is coming!
Filed under: General, Personal | Tags: Applecross, beach, Bealach na Ba, beautiful, callakille, coast, cottage, Countryside, Deer, hidden, Highlands, Hills, Hind, Holiday, Kishorn, Lochcarron, Mountains, otters, scenery, scotland, seals, Stag, walking, West Coast
For the last week we have been on holiday in a little cottage called Callakille on the breathtaking west coast of Scotland.
Callakille
The cottage was about as remote a place as you could find, which was ideal for a week away from the day-to-day routine. The location was simply stunning; the Applecross peninsula is an amazing place. It has the best that Scotland has to offer, the coast line is right on your door step with Otters skirting in and out of the water on their fishing trips along the rocky stretches and Seals appearing in the calm waters of the many hidden away white sandy bays to take a look at who has come to visit their home. Inland, the hills rise up to accomodate the deer herds which were in abundance, climbing all the way up to high peaks which form a natural barrier to keep this peaceful area secluded from all but the determined.
Applecross Bay
The weather at this time of year gave you an idea of how hard life on the west coast can be, with strong winds and icy cold rains keeping you pinned inside snuggled up in front of a peat fire. On occasions though, the wind would drop and the clouds drift apart to allow the sun to shine down on this amazing place and give you enough of a view to enchant you forever.
We spent a few days exploring the hills, with Hector loving the freedom to charge around with nobody else around for miles.
Hector discovers the hills
On one walk, we came across two stags that were feeding just above the beach in one of the bays, as we walked up the hill, they both crossed in front of us, yards away from where we were walking, giving us a magnificent view of these gracious animals. The first picture below shows how well suited the animal is to blending into their surroundings.
A Stag allows us to walk on his hillside
Stags above Sand Bay
The highlight of the week though was talking a walk to the top of Sgurr a Chaorachain, the hill over which the highest road in Britain passes; the Bealach na Ba. The road itself is breathtaking, both from a driving perspective with the hairpin bends and also for the views. But taking the walk up the track from where the road crosses the hill and past the radio mast to the summit is well worth the effort to be rewarded with views down Coire a’Chaorachain which raise the hairs on the back of your neck.
View from Sgurr a Chaorachain
Of course, fearless as ever, Hector lead our way to the top:
Hector conquers Sgurr a Chaorachain
Breathtaking views back towards Applecross
Another sunny afternoon saw us discovering a sheltered cove near Cuaig with a pure white sandy beach. The calmness of the place reached deep inside as soon as your came along the path. The wildlife around you carrying on in their activities, seemingly oblivious to the intruders. After a few minutes though, a Seal popped its head up just off shore to take a good look at us playing with Hector on the beach. Happy we were doing no harm, it casually floated on the surface for 15 minutes taking in the sight before heading back underwater to leave us to enjoy the peaceful location.
Cuaig Beach
We discovered some hidden gems in Kishorn and Lochcarron which we’ll talk about in another post. Yesterday though, under clear blue skies, we said goodbye to Callakille and the surrounding beauty and made the drive back through some of the most beautiful countryside in the world to Edinburgh. We love Scotland and this holiday gave us another taste of why that is.
Callakille - beautiful and remote
I recently started a course at the fantastic Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh. The course is brilliant, all of the tutors are incredibly knowledgable but what strikes you the most is that this isn’t just a job for them, it is an incredible part of their life. The passion they have for horticulture is breath taking and it is contagious! As each lesson begins, you can see everyone on the course being captivated by these green fingered gods. As each subject unfolds, and the depth of feeling behind it begins to become evident in the voice and animation of the instructor, everyone in the room adopts a broad, comfortable smile across their whole body.
I began to think what their life must be like, day-to-day having the opportunity to work with plants and the wonders of nature and in such a magical location too. They are incredibly fortunate, few people in the world find such a vocation that allows them to feel it is part of their life in such a way. I feel lucky to have seen it for my own eyes too and I’m thankful for the great experience I’m having on the course which was a brilliant present from Nichola. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Filed under: Personal | Tags: Cavalier king charles spaniel, Dog, living in the now, pets
Hector, the new family dog is becoming a great teacher, keeping us very much in the present moment. His joy in being alive and unjudgmental heart are reminders to us each day of what is important in this life.
Filed under: Food, Personal, Superfood | Tags: Energy, high vibrational foods, Recipes, superfoods
There is a vibration to everything we eat, high-vibration foods carry a natural positive, uplifting energy that some people can feel as the vibration transfers to themselves. As part of our travels on the road to Hector’s Farm we are gradually moving to a more healthy way of living. We occasionally stumble off track, but on the whole we are pleased with the changes we have made. Mainly eating more fresh whole organic foods which are considered to be of a higher vibration. One day we hope to be producing some of these foods via Hector’s Farm.
Why not try eating high vibration foods? We have felt subtle changes in ourselves, definitely for the better. You may feel a positive change in your energy levels, mood, concentration, your ability to stay grounded, present and centered.
You can start by eating lots of fresh vegetables and fruits, ideally whole and organic. Take notice how you feel after you eat something. Introduce superfoods into your diet, such as goji berries, bee pollen, beetroot or blueberries. Superfoods contain a higher nutrient content, but it is important to eat a range of foods. Start by including 60% vegetables in each meal and aim to include 3 – 5 different colour foods on your plate (5 we have found a challenge at times).
Please pass on any recipes which will help us to stay on track, we’d love to hear from you.
