April in Amonines

Asharum Amonines Journal March

 

The Garden

If you look outside a green haze is slowly emerging over the trees. A little more sun is needed for the green to take over the brown, muddy and watery world. The moisture and rain cause the dead trees to rot and fall, as was the case with an old apple tree. The top of the tree was hanging over the road and slowly began to lose height, urging us to take action. This was no job for the firemen, whom we had asked to come and check, but they were friendly enough to improve our construction with the strap around the tree, to prevent the tree from falling down completely until we would have some manpower to help us bring down the tree without further damage.

 

 

What a relief when help was on the way! A secure plan was made and a team of three people together with one of the guests were able to take the tree down, with a lot of fire wood as a result. After successfully doing this the team was so inspired that they decided to also take down an old plum tree which had been a risk for some years already.

 

We are a little overwhelmed by the course of nature through which three dead trees have been removed in a short time and the change this brings to the garden, but we will enjoy planting new trees.

 

 

The Weekend of Silence

What do you see in this picture?

 

Those who have been to Amonines will no doubt recognise it. This photo was taken opposite the house, in front of the car park.

 

Marieke, visitor Weekend of Silence:

“I was in Amonines in early March to attend a weekend of silence. I deliberately came a day earlier to shift gears in advance. I had seen the various walking routes on the table before and was now eager to walk one of them. I decided to go for route 3. I tried to figure out from the map where I could most easily pick up the route, but I couldn’t find it. I didn’t quite understand how and what and didn’t see what I was looking for …  If I walked across the bridge, I was sure I would find a signpost. It took some searching, but the route turned out to be perfectly signposted. White signs, with a blue stripe and number 3 on it. I enjoyed the walk, the beautiful nature and being here again. On returning, I discovered that right in front of the house hung a signpost of this route. Do you also see it now? On the tree on the right of the picture. A sign that had been hanging there all along, but had simply never occurred to me before, so I had not seen it.

Thus began my weekend. A beautiful metaphor for what was yet to come and what I experience here time and again. That which was already there, but of which I was unaware until then, appears. It changes, it shifts. Not for a moment, but permanently so that it can no longer be ignored either. It makes its way into my everything and leaves an indescribable gratitude and wonder.

 

Some testimonials from the yoga retreat

 

A lovely place

What a lovely place with lovely people It was everything I needed and more. I will definitely go back. The house feels like it embraces and carries you. Lovely.

 

Refreshing Change

The experience at the retreat was like a breath of fresh air. Katelijn is a very calming soul and the house is also very quiet and peaceful. I also enjoyed the quiet meals which made me appreciate the food more than what I usually do.

 

A huge smile

Thank you again for the nice yoga retreat, I am still carrying a huge smile with me and on my face.

 

The car

For those who come regularly and can recognise us by our car, a short but profound note. We had to say goodbye to our twenty-four year old Toyota Corolla and now have a twelve year old Toyota Auris. By the end of this year the Corolla will be too old to be allowed on the road in Belgium.

 

 

Impressions