I usually post about Day 7, but there's not much to say beyond the usual: we had breakfast early, left on the coach, it was sad. The train journey home was mercifully uneventful which is more than can be said for some of the others travelling home.
So I thought this year I'd post about the things I didn't do, either because they're not my cup of tea or because there simply isn't enough time or caffeine to get through everything.
For the early birds, the day starts with Lift Up Your Pens, Lift Up Your Hearts, or a meditation session by the lake. The first is a session involving some sort of guided writing (prompts etc), or writing development. I tried this once in my first year and discovered that writing that early is not for me. I hated it, although I know others love it. Lift Up Your Hearts is a short session of non-denominational refection. Since it's run by a different person each session it can be anything from music and poetry readings to traditional hymns. I've never been - see above re early mornings. Meditation by the lake is exactly how it sounds, and although I'd be tempted to go it would mean bring a small amount of extra kit with me (comfy trousers and something to sit on) and since I travel by train I pack as lightly as possible.
On the days with a full set of courses there are sessions called Unwind your Mind, which take place after all the courses have finished. These are sessions with the aim of winding down after a l ong and busy day. Since these take place right after the workshop sessions I tend to forget they're on since the workshop sessions are usually when I have quiet time. I do wonder if I'd get through more of the sessions if I did this instead!
Page to Stage is the week's theatrical productions. Five minute scripts are submitted and chosen throughout the year, and on Tuesday the various writers, directors, and actors get together to rehearse ready for the performances on Wednesday evening.
There are also various activities going on during the evenings. It's impossible to go to them all, not least because some of them happen at the same time. Ones I missed this year include the traditional icebreakers (after a four hour train journey I'm ready for bed straight after the speaker), two quizzes, two discos, and the buskers night. Other years have included dancing, karaoke, and old-style singalongs. Of course people also set up their own impromptu sessions, as there's a games room and a giant outdoor chess set, as well as lots of outdoor space for yoga and/or just lounging around.
There's no way to do it all, and this year wasn't the first I've wished for a time-turner so I could do more. Maybe I'll figure it out in time for next year.
So I thought this year I'd post about the things I didn't do, either because they're not my cup of tea or because there simply isn't enough time or caffeine to get through everything.
For the early birds, the day starts with Lift Up Your Pens, Lift Up Your Hearts, or a meditation session by the lake. The first is a session involving some sort of guided writing (prompts etc), or writing development. I tried this once in my first year and discovered that writing that early is not for me. I hated it, although I know others love it. Lift Up Your Hearts is a short session of non-denominational refection. Since it's run by a different person each session it can be anything from music and poetry readings to traditional hymns. I've never been - see above re early mornings. Meditation by the lake is exactly how it sounds, and although I'd be tempted to go it would mean bring a small amount of extra kit with me (comfy trousers and something to sit on) and since I travel by train I pack as lightly as possible.
On the days with a full set of courses there are sessions called Unwind your Mind, which take place after all the courses have finished. These are sessions with the aim of winding down after a l ong and busy day. Since these take place right after the workshop sessions I tend to forget they're on since the workshop sessions are usually when I have quiet time. I do wonder if I'd get through more of the sessions if I did this instead!
Page to Stage is the week's theatrical productions. Five minute scripts are submitted and chosen throughout the year, and on Tuesday the various writers, directors, and actors get together to rehearse ready for the performances on Wednesday evening.
There are also various activities going on during the evenings. It's impossible to go to them all, not least because some of them happen at the same time. Ones I missed this year include the traditional icebreakers (after a four hour train journey I'm ready for bed straight after the speaker), two quizzes, two discos, and the buskers night. Other years have included dancing, karaoke, and old-style singalongs. Of course people also set up their own impromptu sessions, as there's a games room and a giant outdoor chess set, as well as lots of outdoor space for yoga and/or just lounging around.
There's no way to do it all, and this year wasn't the first I've wished for a time-turner so I could do more. Maybe I'll figure it out in time for next year.
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