Hares, Hawthorns and Happy Wanderers
This year’s GreenSpirit Spring Walking Retreat brought 17 of us together in East Sussex for three days of gentle walking, beautiful scenery and good company. It was a chance to slow down, breathe deeply and reconnect with Nature and one another.
The South Downs were looking their best. The hills rolled away into the distance beneath clear blue skies, fields were green with new crops and wildflowers lined many of the paths. Butterflies accompanied us on our journeys, while sheep and cattle grazed peacefully in the surrounding countryside.
But the wildlife highlight came unexpectedly. As we walked, a hare suddenly appeared in a farmer’s field and bounded away across the landscape. For a few magical moments, the whole group stood and watched. Encounters like that can’t be planned, which somehow makes them all the more memorable.
The weather certainly made itself known. We found ourselves in the middle of a May heatwave, with temperatures climbing much higher than many of us expected. Thankfully everyone came prepared with hats, sunscreen and plenty of water. The pace was relaxed, with regular stops to rest, admire the views and enjoy readings and reflections along the way.
One day took us alongside the River Ouse, winding through the Sussex landscape towards the sea. Another led us up Itford Hill, where we discovered ancient dew ponds and a beautiful circle of hawthorn trees. There, sheltered among the blossom, we paused for a short meditation. It was one of those simple moments that somehow stays with you long after the walk has ended.
Of course, GreenSpirit retreats are never just about walking. Each evening we gathered together after dinner. One night we explored our creativity, with some people writing poetry inspired by the landscape while others produced colourful pastel artwork. The final evening was devoted to entertainment, GreenSpirit style. Poems were shared, stories were told, music was played and laughter flowed freely. Anyone who knows GreenSpirit gatherings will know that humour is never in short supply.
Alongside the fun there were quieter, more reflective moments too. Conversations touched on loss, memory, belonging and what it means to feel connected in an increasingly disconnected world. One reading about embracing our own weirdness struck a particular chord.
There is something special about spending several days outdoors with like-minded people. By the time we headed home, many of us found ourselves missing both the countryside and the companionship. The return to emails, chores and everyday routines felt a little abrupt after days spent wandering through fields, watching butterflies and sharing stories. Yet perhaps that is the true measure of a successful retreat. It leaves you wanting more. More fresh air. More friendship. More connection with the living world around us. And perhaps, just perhaps, another glimpse of a hare disappearing over a Sussex hillside.