5 - 8 May 2021 @ Glenella
This is an inaugural event that's being developed because we keep bumping into others who feel the same way: not only did we have an amazing time walking the Camino but really got 'into the zone' so much so that we reviewed some aspects of our lives back home that we wanted to revise, but things have got in the way so we've not fully implemented them.
So we've designed the retreat to allow each participant to reconnect with their own Camino experiences, get back in touch with the emotional experiences but also the resulting aspirations; rekindle enthusiasm for implementing aspirational life changes and build further confidence and resilience to do so; and, develop an individualised support strategy to continue to walk and grow further on the journey towards their individual goals.
In addition to a short walk each day and observing a sunrise or sunset, we will be doing some individual and small group work. Organised and facilitated by Mark Freeman, Dieter Weinand and Margaret Bouttell, this residential retreat is a joint initiative between the Blue Mountains Camino Supporters and Glenella.
Retreat cost of $375 includes:
- 3 nights accommodation (shared),
- 3 dinners + 3 lunches (bring your own breakfast),
- welcome pack + workshop materials,
- workshop convenors, guest speakers, evening entertainment, walks and outdoor activities.
Planned outcomes:
1. To reconnect with the emotional experience of your Camino and the resulting aspirations arising from it;
2. To rekindle enthusiasm for implementing aspirational life changes and build further confidence and resilience;
3. To develop a support strategy to continue to walk and grow on your pilgrim journey.
Retreat Timeline:
Wed 5 May : 2-6pm : Check-in. 6-9pm Session #1.
Thur 6 May: 9am-9pm. Sessions #2 - #5. Including short walk.
Fri 7 May: 9am-9pm. Sessions #6 - #9. Including short walk.
Sat 8 May: 6-9am: Sunrise walk/reflection. 9am-2pm: Session #10. 2-4pm: Check-out. (Option to stay Sat night at Glenella)
Guest Speaker: Lindsay Teychenne "Camino for Good"
Prequisite: you need to have walked a Camino in Europe of at least 14 days.
Covid-19: If there is a Covid outbreak the retreat will be rescheduled.
Any questions, contact us at reconnect@bluemountainscamino.com
Presenters
Margaret Bouttell
Margaret and Rowan embarked on a cycle adventure along the Camino Frances in 2013. After cycling 1,000km from St Jean to Muxia, Margaret was hooked on the Way of the Camino. She convinced Rowan to move to the Blue Mountains to seek a new life incorporating the Camino culture into a property to share with like minded pilgrims.
As a result, Margaret and Rowan purchased the historic Glenella guesthouse in 2014 and restored it to become a sanctuary for travellers from around the world. In 2015 Glenella hosted the first Blue Mountains Camino meetup with Margaret cooking a dinner of spanish tortilla’s for the group of 30.
Margaret felt the need to visit the Camino again - but this time on foot. She also wanted to experience being a Hospitalero, so in 2016 she and Rowan headed back to Spain. They volunteered at the municipal albergue in Grado along the Primitivo route for 2 weeks. Before arriving in Grado they walked a week of the Camino del Norte. After completing their stint of Hospitalero’s they walked a week along the Camino Primitivo. Concluding that walking is harder than cycling the Camino!
Since that first Camino Supporters dinner at Glenella in 2015, Margaret has hosted numerous Camino meetup dinners, afternoon teas and also led Camino training walks in the Blue Mountains. She is actively involved in organising the Blue Mountains Camino Walk which covers almost 100km over 5 days.
Margaret believes in bringing the Camino spirit home and living it’s values on a daily basis. Opening her home and welcoming guests is what she does best!
Mark Freeman
After sensing a call, Mark’s first pilgrimage in 2014 was the Camino Frances. Accompanied by a good friend of 30 years seeking to process the loss of his mother, Mark wanted time out to consider future career options. The experience was life-changing at multiple levels - professional, personal, and spiritual.
Mark’s always been interested in facilitating change. Facilitating changes in conceptions led him to a career in academia, first with teaching/researching finance, then subsequently leading/researching innovation in business higher education both within and across universities. His interest in facilitating change then pivoted from head to heart. He has been engaged in spiritual companionship and increasingly pilgrimage - including studying them.
To celebrate the end of his academia career Mark embarked on the Camino Portuguese with his friend and their partners in 2018, then the Via Podiensis with his partner in 2019. Like others Mark’s 2020 solo Camino on the Via Di Francesco was disrupted by Covid. He subsequently engaged in several Australian-based walks. He joined a group on a Heysen Trail section with his long-time friend Dieter Weinand. The 2020 highlight was staying at Glenella and joining Blue Mountains Camino training walk where the shared aspirations with Margaret & Rowan and the Camino supporters group strongly resonated.
Mark believes that every moment is an opportunity for one’s true self - the best version of ourselves - to emerge. While we can journey together embracing life anywhere, pilgrimages provide a particularly good opportunity: we have fewer distractions, are immersed in nature and historically thin places, and experience the Camino spirit alongside others on the way.
Dieter Weinand
Dieter is an Executive Coach and Leadership Facilitator with over 35 years’ experience in South Africa and Australia, specialising in leadership and organisational development in both private and public sectors.
He was General Manager – Professional Services for a large training company based in Sydney, responsible for over 40 trainers. He understands how to develop and deliver empowering learning solutions that often challenge participant comfort zones. His engaging of key stakeholders and insightful facilitation style coupled with his leadership and commercial experience always garners excellent feedback from participants. Dieter’s passion and dedication for learning and development motivates the individual and the organisation to be more results-focused and committed to continuous improvement.
Dieter was the Lead Facilitator and Coach for Raytheon’s MEP over six years. He was instrumental in a three-year project roll out of Customer Service training for the RTA NSW. Dieter developed and facilitated a comprehensive leadership development program for the Office of State Revenue (OSR), which incorporated a culture change element utilising the Life Style Inventory, coaching and action learning. He delivered the Diploma of Management for the Department of Family & Community Services. Dieter’s most recent significant project with GenesisCare, a rapidly expanding global company in the health sector, consisted of creating, facilitating and coaching an 18-month Doctor Development Program for over 70 Cardiologists and Radiation Oncologists. Dieter also facilitates and coaches on a number of Melbourne Business School programs and is a University Associate with the University of Tasmania. He is also a trained Spiritual Director and retreat leader.
Although a keen cyclist who has completed many rides including “Around the Bay in a Day”, numerous Gongs, the 3 Peaks Challenge and the Bowral Classic; Dieter has now discovered the joy of walking through his friend Mark Freeman. They together walked the first week of the Heysen Trail and a number of Blue Mountain Camino training walks. The highlight was the recent 5-day BM Camino walk!
Location
Glenella, 56 Govetts Leap Road, Blackheath NSW
Contact Details