‘Great, thanks for that. It is a retreat, but not to worry as it isn’t some sort of halfway house set-up. Nico advertises it as five days of hands-on activity. We don’t run classes at the weekends for people who opt to extend their stay, but they’re free to use the facilities. It’s very much aimed at people who need a break away from their everyday lives. Most folk battle some sort of stress, and I jokingly say this is the holiday for those who don’t want to go down the yoga route. Well, at the moment, anyway, but that might change in the future.

‘You end up getting similar health benefits because it’s an active week and a lot of it is outdoors. It’s all about recharging the batteries. We all believe it’s important to ensure no one feels out of place, or pressurised into joining in if they need quiet time. It’s okay here to just go off for a walk or sit and chill beneath a shady tree. That applies to tutors and volunteers, as well as visitors.’

‘Well, that’s a relief. When I found this place online and clicked on the tab about becoming a volunteer, it hadn’t occurred to me a retreat had more than one connotation. It just fascinated me, with so many different and interesting workshops on offer. The area, too, drew me in. I love the forest and I thought I’d feel a sense of peace here. Hopefully tinged with the familiar, as one of the holiday cottages we stayed in several times when I was a child is only a couple of miles away.’

It was the perfect solution for me. Free meals and accommodation in return for helping out. I told Aiden that I didn’t want him worrying about exceeding his share of the budget we’d allowed ourselves for this year. There are still bills to be paid to keep the house ticking over while we’re away. At least I feel I’m doing something constructive and not just frittering away our nest egg on a whim.

Ceana stands. ‘I can understand that. It’s quite a change in lifestyle for you, I should imagine. But Nico is very easy-going and I think you’ll love it here, Fern. We can usually tell from the outset if someone will fit in.’ She gives me an encouraging smile. ‘New visitors arrive by coach mid-morning every Monday. We do get the odd guest who arrives by car, but most fly in and are picked up at the airport. They settle in, grab a quick lunch and then do a short afternoon session. There are always a couple of newbies who opt for some gentle weeding rather than one of my horticultural teach-ins.’