| "This is the first course I have done where, at the end of it, I feel restored in body and soul." |
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| Mimi Khalvati |
| 'Fresh Ways to New Poems September 2004 |
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| "If this house were in Wales it would be Gorfwysfa. It will stay with me and when I am not here it will still be a retreat for my mind." |
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| Hilary Elfick |
| Mimi Kahalvati: 'Fresh Ways to New Poems September 2004 |
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| "Appropriate that we studied poems as "machines made out of words"! in a beautiful house built around a beautiful antique machine..." |
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| Michael Donaghy |
| A Week With Michael Donaghy Sept 2004 |
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"...it has been a beautiful week, painting under nightingale trees and eating saffron soups (and drinking more than poets) .....
" |
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| Michaela Gall |
| Painting in the Marina Baja' May 2004 |
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| "A veritable gourmet feast. Every course included superb artistry from Marisa and her team, reliable piquancy from Chris and inspirational and unforgettable flavouring from our tutor Mark Doty. Other ingredients included the architectural space and interior decor, the extraordinary landscape, the village itself and many other secret and yet to be uncovered ingredients - I gorged myself for a week...." |
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| Pat Borthwick |
| 'The Poet Dreaming...' with Mark Doty January 2006 |
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| "Thanks again for all the facilities provided by the Almssera Vella as a base for my time walking and writing. It seems to me exactly what any writer could wish for - an inspiring library, quiet space with a desk, comfy bed and excellent company across the road!" |
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| Linda Cracknell |
| Retreat December 2007 |
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| "What a joy--to see Relleu in the Spring. In September our poems were full of persimmons and now they are groaning with oranges and lemons - I take a few lemons home with me: they leave the residue of their sticky kiss" |
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| Tamar Yoseloff |
| Questions of Travel 2008 |
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"...the length and width of blue sky
and the sun, the ancient olive terraces
across the valley, the way a small cloud hung on the one rainy day,
the last supper, the last breakfast, the special pang
of leaving new friends..." |
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| Karen Green |
| 'That Giant Leap' Mimi Khalvati 2007 |
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"Thanks to Sue for your gentle and inspiring guidance, thanks to marisa for her delumptious mealage; thanks to Christopher for your wonderful hosting and recital. I take home some rich memories and food for thought - Golden Rays...
" |
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| Lisa Griffiths |
| 'Painting the Marina Baja ' - Sue Whitmore 2007 |
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| "So many things you've given me I won't forget - the log fires, the walk together, the Lorca, 'Ted and Sylvia' in Benidorm, the music..." |
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| Jane Draycott |
| Retreat November 2007 |
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Here
you can read a selection of comments from people who have
attended our writing, photography and art courses at the Almàssera
Vella.
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