As a student in London in the 70’s the BTCV provided a weekend escape route into the sanity of the countryside. One particular weekend we arrived in the early hours of Saturday at a lovely old manor house ready to work in the woodland over the weekend.
Accommodation was basic – sleeping on mattresses on the wooden floors. All was very quiet when we arrived and tiptoed to our dorms. Just before dawn we were suddenly woken by bells and shadowy gowned figures stepping over us- made me jump out of my skin! I had forgotten that we were based at a Buddhist monastery! During the day monks would silently appear at our side in the woodland- unnerving at first, but once accustomed to it added to the sense of peace and tranquility.