Wishing you, on behalf of the whole ménagerie (the horses and the cats!), a very warm welcome.
This retreat is your invitation to slow down, unwind, and decompress; to spend time on your own to listen inwardly, and to experience a rhythm of life that is gentler, simpler, and soul-nourishing. I am here to listen and to offer suggestions that will help you find your way again, in more ways than one.
Quiet hours: 21h00 – 9h00
House Keeping
- If you need to connect to the outside world (briefly, of course), the Esprit Meraki Wi-Fi password is: 32LaGelize1408 (or just point your camera at the QR code and let technology do the heavy lifting).
- My gift to you: the password for free access to Reconnect with Nature: A Guided Journaling Course Inspired by Horses is OMB8DF03N2
- If you haven’t had a chance yet, please read the Safety Precautions around Horses page. The horses are gentle giants with very specific opinions, and knowing how to interact with them makes everything safer for everyone — including them.
- Your retreat ends at 12h00 on Friday.
Program
Our program during your stay is simple, to allow you as much time as possible to relax, reflect, recharge your batteries and simply enjoy your surroundings.
Day 1:
- Arrival and check-in at 2 PM.
- Equine-assisted Experiential Learning (walk, breathe, touch) followed at 3 PM followed by
- Processing Your Divorce/Breakup Writing Meditation (choose from a variety of prompts) password: new start
- Dinner at 6 PM.
- Reflections for Camino de Santiago Walkers and/or Finding Your Path Through Life Transitions at 7 PM.
- Yoga Nidra (see instructions below) at 9 PM.
Day 2:
- Esprit Meraki Morning Routine (self-guided) at 9 AM.
- Brunch laid out on your own patio at 10 AM.
- 11 AM: Transport to the Camino: Ease into your stride with a gentle 11km (7miles) stroll from Eauze to Manciet. It’s a bit like a walk in the park, if that park stretched for 11km and was steeped in centuries of history. Time: 2.5-4 hours (depending on how many photos you stop to take – and trust me, you’ll want to take plenty). 3 PM: Pick up in Manciet at Ernesto’s (alias Chez Monique)
- Equine-guided Meditation at 5 PM
- Dinner at 6 PM
- Your New Story Writing Meditation at 7 PM
- Yoga Nidra under the stars (no light pollution) at 9 PM
Day 3:
- Meraki Morning Routine (self-guided) at 9 AM.
- 10 AM Equine-guided Experiential learning session
- Brunch laid out on your own patio at 11 AM.
- The retreat ends at 12h00.
None of the activities is mandatory. If you prefer to skip an activity and just relax, read or write, you are more than welcome. The program is not set in stone and may be altered according to circumstances, e.g. inclement weather.
Your Camino de Santiago de Compostela Walk
Finding your way:
- Use one of ChatGPT’s custom GPT’s to guide you: Camino de Santiago Guide or the Camino Companion ex. “Describe the route between Eauze and Nogaro.”
- You do not need a map, the path is well indicated. If you want a map, use the Buen Camino de Santiago App. Or download a couple of maps as PDFs by clicking here. – More about Eauze.
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Walking Meditation
It’s a great idea to fit in a walking meditation during your Camino walk. Full instructions here: Walking Meditation Made Easy. During your walk, you can listen to a guided walking meditation.
Yoga Nidra
I have made a recording of a yoga nidra session that you can listen to whenever you have a moment. Best time to do so is last thing at night. CLICK HERE to access it.
Pick-up point
Hope you’ll have a great time and see you at Ernesto’s (alias Chez Monique) in Manciet.
Sleep well,
PS. Don’t forget to make some sandwiches at tomorrow morning’s brunch!
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