Special Events at The Lotus Tree

The special events we have hosted at The Lotus Tree have been extremely popular. Below are details of those we are now taking booking for. We always leave plenty of time in the schedule for relaxing, sunbathing and seeing the area. It’s not all work!

If you’d be interested in any other themed holidays – wine-tasting, life-drawing, landscape painting perhaps – we’re always up for suggestions.

April 15th - 21st, 2008.

PATRICK GALE AT THE LOTUS TREE

Every year a leading gay author joins us at The Lotus Tree for a week of book discussions and practical exercises. It’s always hugely popular and over-subscribed. The workshop is designed not just for those who have ambitions to write themselves but for anybody with an interest in reading – and talking about – books with a gay theme. Patrick Gale, author of many novels including Rough Music has been a regular course leader. In 2007 it another Patrick joined us, Patrick Ness the author of The Crash of Hennington and a short story collection, Topics About Which I Know Nothing.

In 2008 Patrick Gale will be back for the sixth annual event. His latest novel, Notes from an Exhibition, was published in July 2007.

The course is aimed at stimulating the creative juices and, with luck, helping you on the way to more and better writing, but the week is designed to be fun as well as informative. None of the sessions is compulsory and nobody is ever asked to share any of their work in public unless they want to.

The workshop runs for seven days from Tuesday to Monday. The final dinner at The Lotus Tree will be on the Monday night. Patrick will lead five days of workshops and discussions and the remaining days will be at leisure. Departures will be on the Tuesday but special rates are available for anybody wanting to stay on longer.

The cost includes seven nights accommodation (Tuesday to Monday inclusive), all workshops, one-on-one tuition and other course-related activities. Breakfast and lunch daily and two evening meals (with wine) at The Lotus Tree are provided. The remaining dinners are not included leaving you free to explore nearby restaurants. Travel to and from Montclus is not included.

As space is always at a premium, it will be a big help if you are willing to share a room with another participant.

COST:

Single person sharing: £375.00
Single person with own room: £525.00
Couple with own room: £750.00

A deposit of £100 (or euro equivalent) is payable with your booking with the balance due by the end of December 2007. Please make sterling cheques payable to James Proctor and post to: James Proctor, The Lotus Tree, La Micocoule, 30630 Montclus, France. Let us know if you prefer to pay in euro or by bank transfer.

Dates: Sept 27th - October 2nd, 2007
Jonathan Orchard, a fully qualified yoga teacher from the UK. He likes to combine serious yoga with a sense of fun and his events are as much a holiday as a retreat!
Jonathan says: "Union" is the meaning of the word Yoga and in this increasingly fragmented age, Yoga offers a way of restoring harmony. It teaches how to unite body and mind, mind and spirit. It brings physical fitness and increased energy, and a feeling of wellbeing. It offers relaxation and calm to counter the anxiety and mental stress of 21st century living. It replaces mood swings and emotional strain with a balanced mind and clear thinking.
You are free to attend all, some or even none of the yoga classes, it is entirely up to you. The week is open to beginners and advanced practitioners alike.

There will be four days of regular yoga. Jonathan will offer two classes a day, one in the morning and one in the evening. Classes will include asana, pranayama and meditation. All yoga classes are tailored to suit the needs of the group.

The cost includes all courses and five nights accommodation (Thursday to Monday inclusive). Breakfast, lunch and evening meals (with wine) at The Lotus Tree are provided. Travel to and from Montclus is not included. The final dinner at The Lotus Tree will be on the Monday night.

As space is always at a premium, it will be a big help if you are willing to share a room with another participant.

COST:

Single person sharing: £350.00
Single person with own room: £500.00
Couple with own room: £700.00

Special rates are available at The Lotus Tree if you wish to extend your visit.

A deposit of £100 (or euro equivalent) is payable with your booking. Please make sterling cheques payable to James Proctor and post to: James Proctor, The Lotus Tree, La Micocoule, 30630 Montclus, France. Let us know if you prefer to pay in euro.