2013: a burst of new energy and realizations...!

The Pilgrims' Nest is a place that wants to open itself up to all pilgrims on their individual path of evolution. It invites us to rest our weary feet, absorb its transforming energy, eat and drink together, and share of what we all are, and of who we want to be…

One thing our 3 months bike trip in Spain, Portugal and Morocco had brought us was a burst of motivation to continue with the Pilgrims' Nest, together with a load of ideas how we could improve it and open it further up. So from the moment we arrived back home the day before New Year 2013 we were filled with eagerness to put these new ideas into reality. 
First thing on the agenda however wasn't a new realization at all, but the already planned farewell to Songlines, our beloved gipsy wagon, in January. It had been an important and dear symbol during the last 12 years of my life, had served as a figurehead for the Nest, and had enchanted so many visitors who had enjoyed staying in its fairylike interior. It was sad to see him go behind someone else's tractor.

But as letting go often makes space for something new, there was already an anticipation in the air of something even better to come...

We still had to be patient however as severe winter weather called for delay upon delay of the works we had planned. But that didn't keep some of our eager helpers from litterally digging into it anyway.

Then, early in the spring we started with the creation of a new terrace which we called the "Sunset Terrace" for reasons you can easily guess.

Yet it took us a long time before we could really enjoy some sunset at all, but once the weather improved, this pretty corner of the terrain with its great view on the valley to the west was used by many as a sunbathing or meditation spot, a quiet reading corner with a cup of coffee, a sleeping space under the stars, or for various fun activities or congregations.

     
Also early in the season we started the works at the shelter where Songlines had been before... 

we had our friend Richard come with his mobile saw mill to saw logs into beams and planks for the new construction... 

and slowly the new shelter took its shape... 

Once finished,

it became the central point of the Nest, like a fireplace in a house, where everyone always gathered, and throughout the summer many a shared meal and evening party took place under its roof... 

    
We also upgraded the sleeping corner in the barn space in order to be able to receive B&B guests...

And then of course there were the many happenings, concerts and gatherings.....

the Dances of Universal Peace weekend with Glen Unmana (http://dancingforjoy.weebly.com/home.html), definitely to be repeated next year (June 21st-22nd 2014!)

a magnificent concert by Steev Kindwald, Asian ethnical music on jaw harps and double flutes (www.steevkindwald.com)

the July Full Moon Gathering...

with Ingrid playing the Tibetan and crystal bowls

our friend Curt performing with his magical sounding music on the hang and didgeridoo (https://myspace.com/curt.ceunen)

and Michel Abraham, on his Urya Nomad Tour through France,who brought his Mongolian tent and offered us a delightful and unforgettable concert of Mongolian nomad music from the Altaï Mountains. 
(https://myspace.com/urya)

    Joyful happenings, joyful people visiting...

 New shapes and creative structures appeared, like "Hamlet's Raft", 6 metres up in the trees,

and Katrien's round hut on the round terrace, which is currently still in the process of taking its final shape... 

   As the end of the season is calling my pilgrim soul to again take to the road soon, I'm looking back with great satisfaction on what has been accomplished and shared with so many people here at the Nest this year. It's magic, it's life fulfilling, and undoubtedly adding to create a better world somehow...
   As for Katrien, after her two years stay here at the Nest she feels that she still has a mission to accomplish elsewhere, so she will leave the Nest sometime before the end of the year. She has been contributing enormously to the development of this place over the past two years, with great love and dedication, and I will hate to see her go. But such is life, such is the pilgrim's path, forever in motion...



Love to all,

Eddy 
the Pilgrims' Nest
Labit
11580 Villardebelle - France
pilgrimsnest@gmx.com
0033681250002
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