Don't lose the spirit for adventure...

Whilst I have been fortunate to have travelled around the world, volunteering and using my skills to help others. That gave me the opportunity to live like a local, a beautiful experience. And it gave me the ability to see what's going on in our world and now it's time for me to give back to society. I had the opportunity and now I am travelling in a good direction, where people need opportunities to exist and not handouts.

I first visited France back in 1992 aged 24, this was my first experience of European culture and I wondered why I had missed out on this wonderful lifestyle, up to that point. I just wanted to see more of the World, where people are enjoying life to the fullest, where mealtimes become the important time of the day. Enjoying a fine glass of wine in a small bar in a beautiful location, that is full of history, is so good for the soul. Back then, fast-food was difficult to find (Foods were cooked with red meat, duck fat, butter and cream. The good stuff.) The French had none to very low heart disease and diabetes from their diet and lifestyle. Now, they are no different from any other Western country eating fast and packaged foods made with poor oils/fat and sugar. The French showed us, cooking does not need to be boring and eating good fats are not only tasty, but healthy. 

I have volunteered on a Kibbutz in Israel, which opened my eyes by experiencing many places and I saw some of the local difficulties. I have also engaged in organic farm work as a volunteer (commonly known as WWOOF'ing) in New Zealand and Spain. In my early 30's I have been fortunate to travel twice around the world, with 6 stops in both directions. I have driven around the outback of Australia twice, over 5 road trips across Europe, 3 of those in a converted campervan, mostly exploring rural and remote parts of Spain. Living off local produce as I go. From my Late 30's I have backpacked across Mexico & Guatemala 3 times and many miles on the Chicken bus. I have been to Cuba 5 times and on one occasion backpacked with my daughter, who has also travelled with me in Mexico, Guatemala and Colombia, with many miles using local transport. In my 40's I lived and worked in Colombia and sold coffee to small businesses there, to help support a family I was living with. That all started, with a close connection to a Colombian family in the UK, when I first visited Colombia, solo travelling in Central America and staying with the large family there. And after returning a few more times, I soon ended up living there. The family from the UK visited Colombia at the same time and I surprised them. Now we have good memories, they have grown very close to my heart and we often do Colombian cooking and have parties like they do In Colombia and everyone is welcome with enough food to feed with no one going hungry. Plus we have taken the campervan to France and had a great time cooking our way across France. I have also visited Bolivia (With my Bolivian friend Juan, who first came to England when I was 8 years old. A great way to see his country, staying with his family, gave me a great insight) Peru, Fiji, Hawaii, Thailand and Singapore. I have been fortunate to have met many interesting people from all over the world, where I have learnt local traditions and methods. Made great long-term friendship with locals and other travellers, whilst on the road and living like a local.

A place to detox from modern society and get back to what's really important. While I am living each day, running a business, and doing the things I enjoy, I am being pulled to build a retreat and live a quieter experience, with financial freedom, by living simply. A place where all people can come and stay, learn how to cook healthy, from the foods I grow or collect from the local market. Help each other and exchange products or skills. 

Strength and endurance are meaningless, unless you can put them to a good use, a practical use like going on grand adventures, getting out of your comfort zone that lets you know that you're really living.  

These are some of my ideas. I aim to create and build a retreat that will continue to grow to a place for those who can be their true selves. I have only told a few people, mainly like-minded people I have met while travelling. This is because people like to give their opinion that could influence my true and pure desires. Then I am creating and focusing without the influence from other people, that comes from inside of me and not people projecting their own fear on me. Trust in myself. So, I will listen to myself and let the results speak for me. "Nobody but you, knows what's best for you" You are the creator of your own life.

My general plan and intentions is to make a place to share ideas & skills in exchange for all to gain from. At some point, long distance travelling may come to an end for me, but who knows. People are welcome from everywhere and can share their stories with me...

• Build a tiny home/earthship with recycled material and local produce, at low cost and ‘low carbon’ Homesteading and how to live off the land.
• Not only healthy cooking but using the produce that is in season and making local dishes with nothing going to waste and everyone getting evolved. To enjoy eating around a large table, in a peaceful location and talk about anything.
• Learning the benefits of organic food over manufactured and the fast food, that has become the main meal for those who don't seem to have time.  
• A type of boot-camp. Hiking, followed by a cold shower and building a campfire, to cook on and sit around and chat. Meaningful conversations, knowing where and what food to buy, how to cook the basics and how not to waste and quiet moments in nature. 
• Crafts and handmade workshop. Cooking School and so much more.
• Build a spiritual community. Detox - By offering hiking, village visits, and time to completely relax in the garden or in a chill-out room/place. 
• Communal area, with maps, books for local info and world travel to plan the next adventure. 
• Principles like kindness, respect, give more than you receive and simple living, are at the heart of spiritual living.
• Healing retreat - Relearning what is important to those who have been busy working and want to get their life back on track. Learning some basic skills that can then be put into practice when returned home. 
• Exchange - ideas, stories, interests, skills and knowledge. Share food and volunteer.

Gatherings across the UK. 

Until the retreat is built, come along for the ride. Mini adventures, to discover mountains, wild places & culinary dishes.  Sign-up & don't miss any of our trips. 

Cultivate love & keep evolving...

Step outside - Life is as it is, a journey of experiences and not a destination... First you need to take a step back to reflect, to understand what we need to detach from, that's stopping you getting ahead, to awaken your inner powers.

It's ongoing, one step at a time and we have mountains to climb, to view the world from above and have the fitness to keep going till we die. - To teach us the results come from the effort put in and not taking short-cuts at the cost to others. 

While we are always learning as we grow, it is to understand that we are just passing through and to leave the place so the next generation can enjoy - The planet is for everyone.   

My whole purpose of this website is to unite people and not divide people. We can share ideas and information to unify people in a direction forward to benefit humanity, instead of creating more division - Stop thinking dichotomously. 

To the extraordinary people who have had a positive impact in my life... Stay well and enjoy every day.