It is Lughnasadh, the last great festival of the Celtic Calendar!
The year is tipping towards an end as Samhain marks the beginning of the new year… 
There has been much change here at Bealtaine Cottage as the canopy of trees has merged to form what is now truly a woodland.
This evolution has happened at just the right moment in time as we have witnessed a terrifyingly hot summer and drought…the woodland gardens have come through the worst unscathed…no loss on anything!
Beauty now lies between the stones of the great circle. I have flowers to plant here and many, many happy memories of this visiting soul who decided to spend time with us here at Bealtaine.
And so the wheel turns…
Jack is happy I am home from London and SammyBear sleeps on my bed. I wonder the woodland gardens able to breath once more!
For much of my time away I was very aware of my shallow breathing.
Indeed my face looked older and more stressed.
I am happiest here keeping care of this sacred place.
Much of my holiday was spent walking, something I love about being in the city!
To walk and be able to peer into other’s lives, through windows that are close enough to touch in the winding streets of North London.
I continued on my Whole Food Plant Based Lifestyle while on holiday and was two pounds lighter upon my return home!
There are many more Vegan eateries and it was much easier to eat this way.
Rain had fallen in my absence and the Spring Well was refreshed enough to send water to the cottage down the hill…the tank in the loft is now full and filling!
I expected to see much more leaf drop, but as you can see for yourself here in these photos, the trees have come through unscathed!
The forecast for Autumn seems very much as it should be and may prove to be quite a spectacular colour show!
This website is now approaching two million views…wonderful to imagine all those who have stopped by and perhaps taken a little inspiration into their lives, shaking off the old paradigm of what a garden should be…
The gardens at Bealtaine are all dedicated to the Great Mother and thus are charged with her energy.
The energy of earth is healing, both of herself and all her life upon.
As I walked with Jack around the cottage I was stopped in my tracks by this image…that of a woodland cottage, for this year has seen the manifestation of my heart’s desire from fourteen years ago, that of a cottage in the woods.
One has an idea of scale when seen against the car…
Butterflies were out in force today, in time for the sweet flowers of the Buddleia!
I uploaded a video shot this morning showing some of the Butterflies feasting on the flowers!
I want to say a special “Thanks and Blessings,” to all of you who sent condolences for Beauty…such kindness and compassion, Bless you XXX
There is the beautiful month of Lughnasadh to enjoy and appreciate the changes as summer merges into Autumn.
The special offer on the books continues and prices INCLUDE postage WORLDWIDE
A Cottage and Three Acres
Please email Colette if you would like a particular inscription in your book. From a desolate cottage set in 3 acres of monoculture sadness, to a vibrant, thriving food forest of lifeā¦the journey back to Eden over 13 yearsā¦ Bealtaine Books and Maps are printed in Ireland and posted from Ireland to support the people of Ireland.
€29.00
Special Offer: Goddess Book and Midwinter Book
In Search of the Goddess Rising and The Bealtaine Cottage Guide to the Deep Midwinterā¦can be purchased together for for ā¬36.00 which includes P&P Worldwide. Bealtaine Books and Maps are printed in Ireland and posted from Ireland to support the people of Ireland.
€36.00
Magical Mythical Map of Bealtaine Cottage and Gardens
Beautiful map created by the artist David Gascoigne, especially for Bealtaine Cottage. The picture shows one side of the mapā¦it is printed on both sides, see the photos on this page. The price includes all Postage and Packing to wherever you live in the world! Bealtaine Books and Maps are printed in Ireland and posted from Ireland to support the people of Ireland.
€15.00
For more info on Bealtaine Books…
https://bealtainecottage.com/bealtaine-cottage-publications-books-and-maps/
[…] via The Woodland Cottage […]
Your place is looking so very much a woodland. Jack is in his element it seems too. Keep up the fabulous work.
Beautiful.
Oh myš, so sad to hear about BesutyšŖ.
May her little soul rest in beauty and Peace in that magical heaven you have created. Little paw prints left on your heart forever.
I pray she can help my lost one Arthur, come home to us safely from wherever he has wanderedš.
I must be coming up on a year now since I first saw your video, ‘This is What 13 Years of Permaculture in Ireland Looks Like!’ and was swept away by the magic you and Herself had wrought.
It’s been a real treat to have you and Jack and Beauty and SammyBear in my life via the wonders of the digital age. š … may it continue for many years to come. š
Sad for you losing your little friend ..sending you a gentle hug x
Oh no. I didn’t know Beauty passed. My condolences to you Colette. I heard yesterday about another cat passing, it was a stray cat who came to our property and we rescued her and my daughter’s friend adopted her and she wouldn’t leave his side. Every time he sat down she would perch on the back of the sofa and drape her paw over his shoulder as if to keep him there and safe. They are lovely creatures.
I am loving the picture of your “woodland” cottage. I just renamed a garden that has evolved on my place from a cottage garden to now a woodland garden. Not quite like in Ireland or England, but in the Land of Oz it’s the nearest I can get it.
Blessings and I hope more rain for your gardens and tanks, and I hope the same for Australia, as our state of NSW which is huge, is now 99% drought affected.
Loving your photos.
Am so very sorry to hear about Beauty; my heartfelt sympathies at this difficult time. Thank you for sharing Bealtaine Cottage and its woodland – it’s looking lovely and you do look younger! A very special and magical place indeed. X
Lovely photos, Colette, and what a wonderful resting place for dear Beauty xxx
Oh, I am so so sorry for your loss, I’m very sensitive when the animals are concerned. Dear Beauty rest in peace …….
I shed a tear today for your loss of Beauty. But beauty remains with you and around you and continues to linger in your soul. She has brought much love to Bealtaine Cottage and I imagine that love will abound as she dances with Mother Nature. You are such a lovely soul Collette. She knew you loved her and she loved you much in return.
Oh Colette, I’m so sorry to hear of Beauty’s passing. I have offline for the last few weeks with computer issues. All set with a new laptop now. I am so happy to see your woodland cottage dream is flourishing. My husband and I were just mentioning that the trees along our drive are almost touching and making a tunnel. Our garden is doing wonderful, and we have finally received the much needed rain.
Peace abounds in the woodlands of Bealtaine. So enchanting are the views. Its so good that you are home. Love and blessings.