Sunday, May 13, 2007

a long weekend in the country with pomegranates, deckchairs and beetroot



On May bank holiday weekend, Vajradarshini and I hosted another 3 night 'weekend in the country' which was delightfully sunny both in weather and atmosphere.
Delicacies prepared in the kitchen spilled out onto the lawn, when a few friends helped prepare the pomegranate fruits. These were going to be served that evening with the homemade indian style ice-cream and fresh figs that followed an array of curries dhal and pickles. Others looked on from the comfort of their deckchairs.





red was a bit of a theme with roast beetroot served for lunch with a thyme and shallot rissotto served with fresh english asparagus.



The idea of the weekend is for us to offer an open space for teams, groups, friends to come together at Tiratanaloka. Its the fourth year we have done this now and each time we hear the same appreciative comments which has inspired us to keep doing it. This year a A GFR group from Bristol came. They said how wonderful it was to be able to meet together at Tiratanaloka and have the time to go for longer walks, and chill out. In the morning they met in one of the study rooms we had set aside for them. They were looking at the laksanas. They want to book again for next year. There was also a meditation slot at 8am (so still time for a lie in !!) and each evening someone offered to lead a puja.

Vajradarshini and I did all the cooking and with the help of the community did all the washing up too!!! which meant there was more chill time for people to enjoy all the books in the library, go for extra long walks in the green welsh hills or just sit in the garden, full of flowers and birds. Vajradarshini and I love to cook and come up with new recipes and ideas of flavours and aesthetically pleasing foods. Seeing how relaxed everyone was, it was joy to host the weekend.

We will be hosting another one next year probably around the same time.