Space

It's interesting how an abundance of space can affect one’s consciousness. Moving from a densely populated area to an 8 acre hilltop retreat centre has had a profound affect on the way I interpret and experience the essence of space. I feel like my mind can spread out without worry of confinement. I can find a private spot somewhere on the hill and know that I will not be disturbed for hours if I so choose… all of which are new and fascinating concepts for me. Besides physical space, there is also space of sound… the main sounds we hear on this hill are the intonations of nature; the wind rustling the branches of the trees, the cawing of birds, the humming of bees, the chirping of cicadas… and the sounds of each other - the tinkle of windchimes, the digging of the pick axe, the soft murmur of voices. The inner voice becomes louder as well, as inner dialogue and constant commentary intermingle with fragments of songs, snippets of conversation - both real and imagined, mental lists of things-to-do. Watching this space and what flows through it has become a revealing activity, exposing the intricate thought processes and tendencies of the mind to escape, expound, wheedle, fantasize, fixate and ignore.

Noticing 

I notice nature a lot more than I used to. I can sit in the sun and watch all kinds of insects going about their business and not get bored for ages. Some move frantically, some saunter slowly. Some are maniacal, others are focused. Most prevalent on the front steps are ants and red spider mites as well as the occasional fly, bee and wasp that rattle past on their way to more flowery destinations. After a good rain we tend to get a stoopside visit from a really huge toad, always a joyous occasion. Lizards slither past, butterflies flutter in the breeze, snails loiter and tarry. I notice plant life a lot more here too. We have some lovely purple-petalled flowers that open in the warmth and sunlight and fold up their petals at night (pictured left). In contrast we have some white daisies that choose to fold their petals downwards at night. Right now the fields are overgrown with wild oats and tall grass, thorny thistles, and dried out fennel. I can sit in the grass and be amused for hours by the variety of bugs that amble past or climb onto my body. Some are cute, most are gentle, and all are fascinating.

Sky

The sky here explodes with epic arias of color and unexpected symphonies of cloud forms. Our situation on a hilltop affords us a magnificent panoramic view, making the sky seem endless and massive. Today is very cloudy with fluffy white clouds crowding all around, some smeary but most of them full and robust. To the west is the most amazing. A massive tower of blue-grey clouds crumbles into a foamy surf of pale blue sky. The sun resolutely shines through, a waterfall of sunlight cascading down a terrace of jumbly white-grey clouds. The sunsets over the terraced hills are always brilliant and always different each night. Stunning shades of orange intermix with lush pinks and violent purples to create fleeting evening masterpieces that appear and then vanish within minutes. At night we can usually see the stars with a glittering clarity, with the moon occasionally gracing us with a dramatic mountaintop visit.

Mountains

The community sits atop a hill at the foothills of the Cevennes. From the front of the house we can witness the peaks unfolding in soft undulations all around, tracing solid contours against the sky. Behind the property there is an easy walk that leads further up the hillside, following the path of an ancient stone roadway. The path winds gently up the hill, offering magnificent views of the surrounding peaks and valleys, houses and villages. The laboriously terraced hillsides provide a rich sense of history and nostalgia as they now rest in abandonment.