 Looking
down the driveway to the main house. This is common Cape Breton Magic. |
 Catherine,
an accomplished oil painter, saw it this way one early spring day. The
driveway forks left after the pond and by-and-by there are retreat cabins. |
A TOUR OF BIG HILL RETREAT
| Looking
down the driveway to the main house. This is common Cape Breton Magic. |
Catherine,
an accomplished oil painter, saw it this way one early spring day. The
driveway forks left after the pond and by-and-by there are retreat cabins. |
Deep, quiet and cool, the natural trout are very content here. The swimming
is great and there is a lovely foot path all around the pond.
We aspire to a simple lifestyle, close to the land and respectful of it. Our organic garden is a delight on so many levels.
The animals too have their own rhythm and are so much fun. We have goats (often milking), chickens and perhaps a horse . We have cats and two very happy dogs.
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There are many projects on the go at Big Hill Retreat. The biggest one now is finishing the new log retreat cabin. It will be quite nice!
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Most importantly we must give credit and thanks to the many good people who came here to help - mainly through the WWOOF ( Willing Workers On Organic Farms), program.( http://www.wwoofusa.com/canada/homecanada.html ). To contemplate this stream of generosity and selfless enthusiasm is wonderful thing.
Jeff Waye, a writer and recent WWOOF visitor was inspired to write this article while here:
Escaping The City
Neither cars, nor cell phones, pagers, beepers or buzzers can be heard at the
end of the gravel road on Rear Big Hill. Only the soothing chirps of the songbirds,
the broadcast of chatty crickets, and the maritime wind that whistles in the
dark can be harkened at this sanctuary known as Big Hill Retreat.
"I knew by the smoke that so gracefully curl'd above the green elms, that
a cottage was near, and I said, if there's peace to be found in the world, a
heart that was humble might hope to find it here!" Those are the words
uttered by Thomas Moore as he travelled through Batvia, N.Y., while passing
a night at the old Redfield farm in 1804.
Luckily, for us wanderers, abodes of this sort still exist. While on pilgrimage
through Baddeck (the heart of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia), I had the opportunity
to squander some time on retreat. Short on cash, but eager to lend a helping
hand, I had found the ideal place to disappear for awhile. Over the years, many
others have worked on Big Hill Retreat in exchange for lodging. "Each person
brings fresh, new ideas," explains Terry, who operates the retreat centre
with his partner Linda Wright.
It is likely due to such a variety of guests, from conventional tourists, to
low budget work-exchange types, that bestows this secluded homestead with such
a welcoming feeling.
Both Linda and Terry are long time meditators, and expound that they like to
be flexible, having an understanding of the individual needs of those who show
up at the doorstep. "Spiritual healthiness is a key component here,"
says Terry, who is accountable for the meticulously constructed log cabins,
which blend so favourably with nature - they appear to have grown from the earth!
Shared with the horse, the milking goat and her kids, as well as with other
animals, this country setting not only contains unlimited walking and hiking,
but the possibility for voracious day dreaming! Ideal for family or group retreats,
it is even more likely to appeal to contemplative types (like me!), with an
appetite for solitude. These handcrafted cabins, surrounded by the rolling highland
mountains, offer a rare, noteworthy getaway.
Centrally located on the Island, Big Hill is 15 minutes from the charming village
of Baddeck. Containing more bed and breakfast operations per capita than I have
ever seen, this small village rests on the shores of the Bras d'Or Lakes, otherwise
known as the inland sea. While opting not to visit the spanking new golf course,
instead I ventured to some of the more hidden treasures, such as a fledging
backwoods guitar shop. Yeh, this part of the Island home to a myriad of artists,
craftspeople, musicians, and farmers. Baddeck is also the beginning and end
of the renowned Cabot Trail which is famed for its spectacular scenery.
Searching for a gentle pace of life, not only did I find what I was hunting
for, but was able to be useful! Working for my keep benefited both myself (as
a budget traveller), as well as the host for my efforts on the farm. Those interested
in work-exchange situations on organic farms can visit: www.wwoof.ca For more
information on Big Hill Retreat, phone Linda or Terry at (902) 295-2726, or
visit www.bighillretreat.com.