WELLBEING & MEDITATION RETREAT (dates tba)
8 spaces for (ladies only)
A Wellbeing and Mindfulness retreat - A whole of week of relaxation, meditation and mindfulness in a calm and tranquil setting among the vineyards and sunflowers of the Nouvelle Aquitaine.
THE 2021 RETREAT WAS CANCELLED AND IT IS HOPED TO BE RESTARTED IN 2022 - WATCH THIS SPACE ....WHO IS THIS RETREAT FOR? - EVERYONE!
Our Wellbeing and Meditation Retreat is aimed at anyone looking to relax, unwind, destress and become more in tune with their mind, body and health naturally. This is a fantastic opportunity, especially at this challenging time, to step away from normal life and work on your own healing, in a tranquil and beautiful setting.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE RETREAT
" Tres Calme"
I am delighted to welcome Donna Miller (EAA CCHH) to Chez Dauve Next May for what promises to be a totally relaxing week. I know Donna personally and she exudes inner calm and has the gift of being able to make her students/clients feel more relaxed and focused. I speak from experience having taken part in her group meditation sessions which I can thoroughly recommend. Donna has planned the perfect retreat week for anyone feeling stressed or anxious or for those of us who feel the need to unwind and perhaps take our minds off the stresses of day to day life and escape into a world of calm and peace. Chez Dauve offers the perfect setting in 2 acres of meadow grass, a shady orchard, a pool and sun terrace.
A meditation space where group sessions will take place. You can dip in and out of sessions as you please and we want you to feel totally free to take yourself off to a quiet spot if you prefer.
Enjoy a swim or a sunbathe (May is usually very pleasant) there is a large lounge area with a log burner if the evenings are at all chilly where you can read that book you have been meaning to start/finish. Or enjoy an evening walk among the vineyards or borrow one of our bikes (with zero traffic its perfect.
MEET YOUR THERAPIST
DONNA MILLER (CCHH)
www.happy-soul-therapies.co.uk
“I love to help others find a little calm and relaxation and inner peace in this busy and often stressful world. I am an Emotional Aromatherapy practitioner and at my centre for natural health I also run regular meditation/relaxation sessions and offer angelic reiki, Aromatouch massage and other holistic therapies. Everything is aimed towards giving mind, body and spirit what it needs to achieve a balanced natural state of health and wellbeing.”
Proposed activities and timings
On arrival - Welcome refreshments and brief tour of the gite and main house.
Meet Donna at pre dinner drinks and introduction session on the terrace in the main house
Donna has put together the following timetable but this is your holiday and you choose how many sessions you attend.
Donna is happy to adapt the timetable according to the group's wishes
DAILY -early morning/mid morning and afternoon meditation and relaxation sessions
There will be a "Make and take" workshop which will last 2 hours where you can blend from Natures Medicine Cabinet to produce your own custom blended rollerball applicators x 3 for different aspects of wellbeing (a choice of 10 in all). The cost of this is £18 for 3 payable to Donna.
Donna will demonstrate on one of the guests the relaxing Aromatouch technique and if anyone wishes to book a 1:1 session the cost is £35
SPECIAL - included in your holiday is a free 1: 1 Angelic Reiki treatment (usual price £25) though you can always book another paid session
and finally - While Donna is taking one of the many sessions or treatments offered I am happy to spend time with any guest/s who wishes to learn a little sewing and make a small project together - that's my sort of therapy. Minimal cost and Maximum fun /relaxation. Its how I like to unwind and take my mind off the strains and stresses of everyday life. I can introduce you to the world of sewing - my particular passion.
Food and Accommodation
Breakfast- Buffet style 8am to 9.45am
Lunch - Buffet style from 12.30 - 1.30pm
Evening meal - Served at 7pm
Wine with dinner and lunch
Teas, Coffee and soft drinks available throughout the day
Accommodation either in the gite or the main house
All linen including pool towels
Full access to all the grounds including use of the heated pool and terraces
Pizza Night - we have a bread oven in the garden and fire this up once during your stay. You will be invited to 'build your own" custom pizza at the preparation station. This is hugely popular with all our guests
* Special diets catered for on request
Outings & Visits
You can't go home without a trip to the beautiful local towns of Cognac and/or Angouleme
Test out some local wine and cognac
Trips to local shops as required
Transfers
Transfers from and to Bordeaux Airport* or
Bordeaux/Angouleme stations as required
Who is this retreat for?
We aim to offer something for everyone regardless of your ability. We don't see it as an issue if you are a complete beginner and relish the challenge of teaching and guiding you through creating your first piece.
Whether you are a complete beginner or an experienced stitcher you will enjoy a week without having to cook or clean and you can relax and let us look after you.
What to Expect from the retreat
You don't need to bring anything, we have it all covered. You will have access to a personal sewing machine assigned to your for the whole week, and we also have 3 overlockers if required. You will also have access to threads, materials, sewing equipment such as scissors, rulers, markers, pins and all the other sewing tools you would need to start sewing.
If you do want to bring any of your own equipment your are always very welcome to. We believe anything that makes you feel more comfortable in your natural sewing environment is a great asset.
New to sewing?
For those of you who are keen to join the sewing retreat but have no idea where to start, I have put together three kit ideas, that you can choose:
A cute little vintage style pinny with pockets (see top of the page)
A ladies simple kimono Jacket
A little girls reversible pinafore dress (as shown)
Depending on what you choose I will help you ‘read the pattern’ pieces and decipher the layout sheet, then you can cut the item out yourselves. If you would like a kit please let me know which one and in which size.
If you are unsure what kit to choose or simply want to bring a piece of your own to work on then talk to me and I will gladly help you decide what is best for you. When filling in the form below please give as much information as possible so I can plan ahead for the week.
What’s included?
You will be staying in our beautiful gite, Maison D'Hibou and sewing in here. You can relax in your own environment making the most of the gite. You will be fully catered for so no need to shop for anything. The aim is for you to get the most out of your retreat, so the sewing area is pretty much always open for you to create and you will only be joined by other sewists on your retreat.
Sewing
Welcome drink and brief tour of the sewing space
First night pre dinner drinks and introduction session on the terrace in the main house
Morning sewing session at 10am to 12.30am
Afternoon sewing from 2pm to 4.30pm
Specific sewing workshops are available once Kate knows the requirements of each guest
The use of all the sewing room facilities and equipment including sewing machines
3 overlockers available to use
Haberdashery items and some fabric **
Tuition, advice and guidance on all sewing related topics
Sewing Kit, if required
Food & Accommodation
Breakfast- Buffet style 8am to 9.45am
Lunch - Buffet style from 12.30 - 1.30pm
Evening meal - Served at 7pm
Wine with dinner and lunch
Teas, Coffee and soft drinks available throughout the day
Accommodation either in the gite or the main house
All linen including pool towels
Full access to all the grounds including use of the heated pool and terraces
Transfers
Transfers from and to Bordeaux Airport* or
Bordeaux/Angouleme stations as required
Outings & Visits
You can't go home without a trip to the beautiful local towns of Cognac and/or Angouleme
Test out some local wine and cognac
Trips to local shops as required
"I have been running Sew Many Pretty Things for a few years now from my home in the UK but have moved it to our house in France.
The emphasis here is to enjoy a week in the company of fellow sewists and it is not too structured. Having said that I am always happy to go that extra mile if there is something specific you want to tackle. This is your holiday/retreat and I want to make it as enjoyable as I possibly can."
— Kate Huges
Classic Interior
4 double/twin bedrooms (2 with ensuite and 2 with private bathrooms)
4 bathrooms in total
Large Open plan living, dining and kitchen
Optional meal arrangements
Fully equipped and safe for children and toddlers
Wifi
Stunning Exterior
Private garden with sun terrace
Al fresco eating area
Heated outdoor pool
Beautiful views and secluded location
Fully equipped and safe for children and toddlers
In tranquil surroundings
Pricing & Conditions
If you like the sound of our sewing retreat please take a closer look at the remaining information and contact us or take a look at the Pricing & Booking section to find out more.
Conditions
Please inform us of any dietary requirements, allergies or preferences before arriving.
All the rooms in Maison D'Hibou are twin with ensuite or access to a private bathroom.
All bookings are made on a 2 room occupancy. (Unless organised before hand, where a supplement will apply).
Only other sewists will be staying in the gite during the retreat.
All visits and tours are optional, so if you prefer you are welcome to stay home and sew to your hearts content.
Not included
Your flight or journey cost to Bordeaux or Angouleme
The cost of admission to any tours or attractions visited
Lunches or meals taken whilst out