Hi,
Thanks for joining me,
Clara,
And allowing me to help you relax and fall asleep.
Before we begin the visualization,
Close your eyes and take a deep breath,
Inhaling slowly through your nose and then exhaling gently through your mouth.
As you breathe in,
Feel your lungs filling with fresh,
Calming air.
And as you breathe out,
Release any tension or stress.
Continue this pattern,
Taking slow,
Deep breaths.
And with each exhale,
Imagine your body becoming lighter and more relaxed.
Allow each breath to bring you deeper into peacefulness and calmness,
Preparing your mind and body for our journey to the Wild Atlantic Way.
Imagine yourself on the summer shores of the west coast of Ireland.
The air is warm as it's summertime and a cool breeze from the ocean carries the salty scent of the sea.
The interior of the old crofter's cottage where you're staying is a cozy,
Welcoming place that embodies the simple beauty of the Wild Atlantic Way.
This cottage was once a home for a small-scale farmer and the focal point of the crofter's life.
Families would come together here,
Share meals and do daily chores.
The cottage was surrounded by small plots of land or crofts which were used for growing crops and keeping livestock to support the household throughout the year.
The crofter's cottage represented a way of life,
Closely tied to the land and the natural cycles.
The walls of the cottage are crafted from rugged stone,
Each piece telling a story of the elements it's withstood over the years.
The roof is thatched,
Its straw lending a warm,
Earthy scent to the air and providing excellent insulation.
The floor is made up of broad flagstones,
Smooth and cool underfoot.
Their surfaces worn by countless steps of the people who've lived here over time.
The one room contains a simple kitchen with shelving consisting of essential items,
Ceramic plates,
Wood balls and well-used cooking utensils.
A small,
Sturdy table,
Perfect for preparing meals or enjoying a quiet moment,
Sits in the middle of the room.
The counter is made of thick wood and its surface is polished but worn from years of use.
A cast iron stove stands ready for cooking,
Its dark surface contrasting beautifully with the lighter tones of the stone walls.
A bed is tucked into a cosy nook on the far side of the room,
Covered by a patchwork quilt,
Its colourful squares made by past generations.
Fluffy pillows and soft linens invite you to rest and relax.
A small wooden chest at the foot of the bed holds extra blankets in case it gets cold at night.
Across from the bed is a fireplace,
Its hearth built from large,
Sturdy stones.
Though you haven't needed to use it as the weather's warm here this summer,
The sight of it evokes a sense of comfort and tradition.
A wooden mantle above the fireplace holds a few treasured items,
Several worn books of poetry,
A seashell found on a nearby beach and a small framed photograph of the cottage as it once was.
You've been seeking refuge here,
Away from the chaotic outside world.
The true beauty of the Croft lies in its connection to the surrounding landscape.
Windows on either side of the room frame expansive views of the shore and the cliffs beyond.
You often keep the windows open,
Allowing the fresh sea breeze to flow through the room,
Bringing the salty tang of the ocean and the sound of waves crashing against the rocks.
The light from the Atlantic changes the room throughout the day,
Casting gentle shadows in the morning and bathing everything in a warm golden glow when the sun sets.
In quiet moments,
You can hear the distant call of seabirds and the whisper of the wind through the thatch roof.
The inside of the Croft is a perfect blend of simplicity and natural beauty,
A place where you can connect with the untamed spirit of the wild Atlantic way.
On a misty night,
If the wind blows toward the land,
You can faintly hear foghorns from a ship out at sea.
These resonant sounds carried by the moist air travel vast distances,
Effortlessly slicing through the dense fog.
These horns alert other unseen vessels navigating through the mist and their powerful blasts echo across the water as a beacon of safety and communication.
On most mornings after breakfast,
You walk along the narrow path hugging the rugged cliffs of the ocean.
Today,
The usual view of roiling waves topped with foam is replaced by calm,
Glassy waters and a dense fog has descended,
Engulfing the landscape in a mysterious veil.
The thick mist has draped the hard rock edges in a gauzy layer,
Shrouding them in ethereal beauty.
There's a profound silence and a suspended sense of time.
Despite the stillness,
The distant call of seabirds breaks through the hushed atmosphere concealed by the fog.
Your vision is sharply focused on the immediate path ahead and the intricate details along its edges.
You take a moment to notice the subtle interplay of colours and textures within your view.
The rocks have a grey-green hue covered by intricate patterns of orange lichen resembling ancient maps.
In sheltered nooks and crannies,
Drifts of wild purple thyme release a faint,
Earthy fragrance that mingles with the salty ocean breeze.
Amidst this natural tapestry,
Small yellow flowers known as lady's bedstraw peek out,
Evoking a sense of history as they were once used to freshen bedding in the middle ages.
As you continue your journey,
The haze begins to lift and you come across a pair of wild,
Shaggy donkeys ambling leisurely along the pathway ahead.
When you approach them,
You're struck by the warmth and kindness in their deep,
Soulful eyes.
When you reach them,
They stop and allow you to run your hand over their coarse fur before they trot away down the path.
And you lose sight of them.
Turning inland now,
You leave the ocean behind.
And the mist lifts completely,
Revealing a barren,
Windswept moorland,
Intersected by stern walls that stretch across the landscape.
In the distance,
On the top of a hill,
A herd of sheep with bright white wool stands out against the soft,
Muted colors of the moorland.
Now you find yourself walking down a narrow road lined by more ancient rock walls.
These walls are overgrown with wildflowers and tangles of blooming hedges.
The air is filled with their sweet fragrance and complemented by the faintest hint of sea salt lingering in the breeze.
The landscape begins to shift again and here you are,
Walking under a tunnel of lush greenery formed by the outstretched branches of towering trees that create a natural canopy overhead.
Suddenly,
A small wooden painted signpost catches your eye.
Shaped like an arrow,
It reads perfumery and points to the right.
Following its direction,
You soon arrive at an ornate iron gate with intricate details of curling vines,
Birds and a delicately woven nest.
After opening the gate,
You enter a quaint stone cottage courtyard surrounded by several barns covered with climbing roses.
Their scent fills the air with richness and headiness,
Infusing the surroundings.
There are no people around,
These buildings must be where the perfume is made.
Looking through the closed glass doors,
You see countless shelves lined with glass bottles of various colors,
Shapes and sizes.
A work table in the center of the room is covered with vials,
Beakers and bunsen burners.
You can also see large burlap sacks spilling over with rose and lavender petals on the floor near the door.
Turning away and leaving the perfumery behind,
You walk down a winding path into an enclosed walled garden.
A garden bench is in the corner beneath an arbor overgrown with climbing pink roses.
You lie down on the bench and look up through the intricate tangle of branches above.
The morning fog has completely disappeared and now the sky is clear blue.
In this quiet corner,
Peacefulness reigns.
A profound stillness saturates the air,
Enveloping you in an ethereal relaxation that settles deep within your heart.
Give way to the untethered freedom as your mind wanders into a realm of profound relaxation.
With each inhalation,
Visualize the tranquility and stillness saturating every fiber of your being.
As you exhale,
Release any residual tension within you.
Continue breathing in a deliberate,
Unhurried manner.
Welcoming the soothing magic of this place to wash over you entirely.
Whenever you need peace and relaxation,
Take a moment to envision yourself returning to this tranquil sanctuary within your mind.
Allow yourself to fully immerse in this calm environment,
Embracing the soothing sounds and sights of nature as they gently guide you into a state of deep and restoring sleep.
Thanks for watching!
