Retreat for the Heart

It has been a year that I started my blog and the best way to end the month of July was attending a wellness retreat I truly needed for my soul, body and mind.

When my friend Uju invited me along with two of our other friends Benny and Tolu along for this retreat, little did I know this will be just what I needed after the lockdown was lifted.

The theme of the weekend retreat was “Let’s Live, Let’s Love & Let’s Laugh” and the venue was at the breath-taking De Vere Beaumont Estate, Windsor. It started with all the lovely ladies arriving late afternoon on Friday, where a sweet welcome package awaited us when we checked into our respective rooms. Dinner was served at 7pm after which we gathered later in the evening to have a girls hangout telling stories and sharing experiences under the guava tree.

Saturday started with breakfast before the morning session that was hosted in one of the wonderful hotel meeting rooms. The session lived up to Day 2 theme which was Let’s Love; the dress code was white and blue. The speakers spoke about body and mental health which women need to be more open about. The afternoon session was both relaxing and fun, not sure you can put both words side by side, but this gathering of about 34 women came together dancing to Jerusalem song, taking multi professional photos and videos, but most of all showing love all round.

The evening did not fail my expectation, it was a red-carpet event with the ladies dressing and looking the part. We took loads of red-carpet photos before heading in for the dinner and award ceremony which was all sparkles & glitz. Later on in the evening the ladies kicked off their shoes and danced all night to beats from the DJ hired for the event.

Woke up on Sunday morning totally not ready for the retreat to come to an end. At breakfast I bounded with more ladies, the stories we shared were relatable and warming to the heart. It is hard to find women who are willing to be vulnerable and honest, but I found this to be the case with all the ladies I interacted with over the weekend.

The Sunday morning session of Let’s Laugh was indeed filled with laughter and joy. The women dressed up in all whites and summer hats ready for day. There was a raffle draw which showcased the generosity of the women in the room raising money for 2 well deserved charities. The support for both winners and contributors was so amazing and commendable. The afternoon continued with English tea and more photos taken around the grounds of the beautiful De Vere Beaumont Estate.

The final event of the retreat was to take a boat ride that ran from Runnymede to Windsor. During the 45mins boat ride the women laughed and took more photos in equal measured. For me the best part of the boat ride was when Sade the Chief organiser of the event gave thanks to God for the success of the retreat, but most of all the sisterhood and friendship that had developed over the weekend among the women.

The boat ride ended and it was time for us to all set off to our separate destinations and lives, there were many hugs and promises to stay in touch. The weekend was super packed full, but so grateful I got to share it with all these women who were both beautiful inside and out.

I came to this retreat to get recharged and take time out to be grateful for the goodness of the Lord in my life for the past year, this was totally achieved and more, because I went into these retreat knowing 3 ladies that I have come to regard as my sisters, but I ended up gaining an additional 30 sisters in the process. I have found a new home with the Fitness & Sparkles community, you ladies rock. Looking forward to the next event hosted by you.

If you are looking for a place to unwind with family and friends, I highly recommend the beautiful Windsor surroundings. There are loads of outdoor activities to get on with and lovely places such as De Vere Beaumont Estate where you can do a night away or a nice long well deserved weekend over these summer holiday. Remember make memories everyday with the ones you love and based on the theme of this retreat, Let’s Live, Let’s Love and Let’s Laugh.