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 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 usually have goats (perhaps milking), chickens and maybe a horse. We have cats and and two very happy dogs.
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There are many projects on the go at Big Hill Retreat. Here the Spruce Cottage is being constructed. 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 very uplifting.
Of course it really is all about sharing and appreciating.
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Jeff Waye, a writer and recent WWOOF visitor was inspired to write this article before leaving:
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.
