The Restory Retreat Centre

Where Are You From?   The Conversation Elements From The Conversation Music As always, with love. George & Matilda  

Vanwaar?   Die Gesprek Elemente Uit Die Gesprek Musiek Soos altyd, met liefde. George & Matilda

  Meetings The Conversation Elements From The Conversation Music Music with a calm, grounded feeling that you experience when you meet a special person. May you have encounters that broaden your horizons. And may people look and feel differently after meeting you. With our love. George & Matilda

  Ontmoetings Die Gesprek Elemente Uit Die Gesprek Musiek Musiek met 'n rustige, begronde gevoel wat jy beleef wanneer jy 'n besondere persoon ontmoet. Mag jy ontmoetings hê wat jou horison verbreed. En mag mense anders kyk en voel nadat hulle jou ontmoet het. Met ons liefde. George & Matilda

October 2025 Progress Report “The only journey is the one within. But sometimes the outer places - the houses we rebuild, the gardens we tend - mirror that inward journey and carry us further along.” Rainer Maria Rilke                        “A house that has been lived in, that has weathered storms, can be lived in again. Its strength is a kind of love, holding those who come after.” May Sarton                                                  “May your home always be a place of refuge,  a place where the weariness of the world  can fall away,  and the heart can find rest.” John O'Donohue                                              With our love. George & Matilda  

  Oktober 2025 Vorderingsverslag “The only journey is the one within. But sometimes the outer places - the houses we rebuild, the gardens we tend - mirror that inward journey and carry us further along.” Rainer Maria Rilke                        “A house that has been lived in, that has weathered storms, can be lived in again. Its strength is a kind of love, holding those who come after.” May Sarton                                                  “May your home always be a place of refuge,  a place where the weariness of the world  can fall away,  and the heart can find rest.” John O'Donohue                                              Met ons liefde. George & Matilda...

  Looking Back On Contemplative Gathering Early morning, where the Blue Cranes were not. The Conversation Elements From The Conversation Friday evening, dinner and welcome in Brown's, the restored old general dealer where we held our sessions.  Barry and Ina van der Merwe Sharon Grussendorff Ronette, assigned to stoke the fire during sessions Bring n Share, Saturday afternoon at The Restory Taize service, Saturday evening in St Mark's, the little Anglican church.  Even though early and cold, we wanted to experience the Blue Cranes Photo: Erik Buiten Music Eric Burton, song-writer and singer of the duo Black Pumas, on what inspired him to write Colors : "How do I write a song that explains the plight of someone who is spiritual trying to find their truth?" It's a good day to be, a good day for me A good day to see my favorite colors, colors My sisters and my brothers, they see 'em like no other All my favorite colors The theme of the first Gathering was "B...

  Terugblik op Kontemplatiewe Samekoms Vroegoggend, waar die Blou Kraanvoëls nie was nie. Die Gesprek Elemente Uit Die Gesprek Vrydagaand, aandete en verwelkoming in Brown's, die gerestoureerde ou handelshuis waar ons sessies plaasgevind het. Barry en Ina van der Merwe Sharon Grussendorff Ronette, aangewys om die vuur te stook Stokvel-ete, of bring-en-deel, Saterdagmiddag by The Restory Taize-diens, Saterdagaand in St Mark's, die Anglikaanse kerkie. Al was dit vroeg en koud, ons wou die kraanvoëls beleef Foto: Erik Buiten Musiek Eric Burton, liedjieskrywer en sanger van die duo Black Pumas, oor wat hom gïnspireer het om Colors te skryf: "How do I write a song that explains the plight of someone who is spiritual trying to find their truth?" It's a good day to be, a good day for me A good day to see my favorite colors, colors My sisters and my brothers, they see 'em like no other All my favorite colors Die tema van die eerste Samekoms was "Behoort ". ...

  Joy In The Making Let's start with a short reflection that tries to express what today's topic is about. Perhaps you recognize yourself in it. There is a joy that does not shout. That does not wait for applause or stand proudly on a stage. That does not stumble over perfectionism or self-criticism. It is the gentle smile of someone who sits still and looks at something that came through their own hands— and is now alive. It is not self-pride. Rather, it is a sacred yes: an assent to the Word that created light, a participation in the Breath that lets everything be. It is not about achievement, but commitment. It is not even pride — it is reverence. When you give form to what has grown within you— a poem, a sketch, a loaf of bread, a word of comfort— then you experience that joy: not you as the origin of that creation, but as a friend of the Creator. And you whisper softly to yourself, like God on the seventh day: “It is good.” Matilda's joys George's The Conversation ...

Vreugde In Die Maak Daarvan Kom ons begin met 'n kort refleksie wat probeer uitdruk waaroor vandag se onderwerp gaan. Miskien herken jy jouself daarin. Daar is genot wat nie skree nie. Wat nie op applous wag of trots op ’n verhoog staan nie. Wat nie gepootjie word deur perfeksionisme of selfkritiek nie. Dis die sagte glimlag van iemand wat stil sit en kyk na iets wat deur hul eie hande gekom het— en wat nou lewe. Dit is nie selftrots nie. Dit is eerder ’n heilige ja: ’n instemming met die Woord wat lig geskep het, ’n deelname aan die Asem wat alles laat wees. Dit gaan nie om prestasie nie, maar verbintenis. Dit is nie eers trots nie — dit is eerbied. Wanneer jy vorm gee aan wat innerlik in jou gegroei het— ’n gedig, ’n skets, ’n brood, ’n woord van vertroosting— dan ervaar jy daardie vreugde: nie jy as die oorsprong van daardie skepping nie, maar as ’n vriend van die Skepper. En jy fluister sag vir jouself, soos God op die sewende dag: “Dit is goed.” Matilda se vreugdes. George s...