PEACE

Claire was right, the soft hills and valleys were so enchanting she thought they weren't real. From a family that never loved or appreciated open spaces, whose holidays were spent in crowded Mediterranean sea villages.

Travelling with her sister had been good, something they could - should - try again soon. Talking with her, no need of strange friends with Claire. Once the cafè was in safe hand and Hilary, too, she felt free.

Paying taxes to protect areas of outstanding beauty had suddenly a new meaning, she felt proud to be British. A country that created a empire had the awareness to protect its home land.

Waking up inside a charming simple little room, all in tones of lavender, a bowl of fresh fruits on the table, a cup of tea to drink - a special Indian blend - she felt cocooned by the light of the rising sun from the window facing east.

She seldom experienced a similar peace. She wore the soft two pieces robe in organic cotton the kind man, who welcomed her when Claire left, suggested to use, with her name on it. Something that made a garment very personal, very belonging to, said at the girl the old sewing machine while she swiftly added the name on the t shirt.

The people she met at dinner were from various parts of England, mostly for the Yoga lessons, but also normal folks, just in need of a break for themselves.

The yoga adepts were easily identifiable, calm, relaxed, a low tone of voice. She felt a twinge of envy toward them, if they could keep that inner peace always, all her years of bed hopping and fears avoiding could have been spent better. And her tennis lesson less in need of the hairdresser for her sweating head. Conversation about life and love and all the major issues of every human being, including the weather, lasted until midnight on deck chairs around the swimming pool, avoiding the chill with plaids and some mild herbal drinks.

The place inspired her only positive sensations.

Little bells hung over outside the bedroom doors, swinging with the gently morning breeze and creating a melody comparable the sounds of nature outside.

A man with a long white beard noticed she was listening to the birds' sing and place his book on the table he was sitting at under the long porch along the bedrooms doors.

"Is it lovely, isn't it?"

"Indeed."

"You see, Magdalen – by the way, lovely name you have - this place is on the migratory route so twice every year we hosts a lot of friends with wings."
"In London we forget how birds are, we see pigeons and seagulls only."

"If you want, we'll show you later the observation point. My wife is an amateur birdwatcher."

After light breakfast in the main building, she was tempted to try a lesson, various guests were already on the grass with mats; she asked the women at the reception, whose white vaporous hair could make her pass for the Queen's younger sister, but whose name, Hilda seemed too strong and in contrast with her personality.

"Sure you can, Joanne starts in half an hour and does part of the grass, part in the water."

"Cold water? It's the opposite of relaxation."

"The water isn't cold, Magdalen, there are little hot springs here, we use them, they have no healing power but hey hep relax a lot. You can do the path to the springs, there is a little chapel very charming."

No chapels, please, she had enough of churches and their inhabitants.

Hilda offered her a map of the pedestrian walks in the resort area, the list of endangered floral species and instructions on how to preserve the natural reserve.

"You can wander as you like. The village is five miles south, there's the ford to follow that lead to the springs, the wild lily valley is a little gem, westward. To get there, you have to pass close to our neighbours."

The presence of other people seems so absurd, in a landscape so deprived of traces of human life.

"I don't see houses from here."

"It's not so close, a ex military camp, a shooting range If I remember well. Now it is used for troubled teens, half military, half religious. They are counselled and taught to become better people."

"You disagree the method? I see you face."

"Maybe I don't agree wholly on it, they are kept inside, the space is big but for me they could feel better at close contact with nature. Nevertheless, you can pass the area without troubles and go see the lilies. It's worth the view."

Hilda recommended to took her phone when leaving and offered outdoor clothes, rain could caught by surprise a walker and it was better to be equipped.