In the bleak midwinter....

I went on a "retreat" with my local ACE group, organised by the stalwart and much-loved group leader Mike Wilsher. Out into the wilds of mid-Wales we went, to spend a couple of days in reflection and discussion with fellow professionals at the Ceridwen Centre. Very nice it was too, full of insights and magic moments and good wholesome food.

The obligatory walk up hill and down valley was long enough and muddy enough to satisfy manly pride and work up a good appetite.

Disappointments were few indeed - just the absence of Welsh accents (apart from our own cod Welsh) and few breaks in the low cloud and horizontal rain. Still, we could have had similar weather in Seattle and it would have been a lot more time-consuming and expensive to go there.

So here's a big thank you to our hosts Simone and Roger for the hospitality, great food and a rollicking good poem performed live by Simone, a big thank you to all in the group for being real without being (too) revolting, and a big thank you to Mike himself for making it all happen and keeping it happening.