Tristan and Isolde:
Daring to love your own story
14th - 17th May, Cornwall
The Lost Cottage of Penperth
Palliative care nurse, Bronnie Ware spent years with people at the end of their lives. The most common regret was: "I wish I'd had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me."
The question is: What is a 'life true to myself'?
This event is for people who are showing up for everyone else – a life in service or performing a role – who want to live a life truer to themselves, less easily moved by trends, organisational decisions or people pleasing.
Together, we'll put down deeper roots in our own stories, to stand more firmly in the rising winds of change.
Quietness in an ancient oak woodland, swimming in the River Fal, offgrid in a cottage, surrounded by new allies and an ancient Cornish story, we will move towards grief, love, joy, regret.
Putting down roots
You've met people who've done this kind of work. There's something in them you notice before you can name it. They're not arrogant or difficult, but they're settled. They know what they think, they say it and they don't need approval to hold their ground.
Most people go a lifetime without space for this question.
This event is for people who want to ask themselves "Who am I to be?" before it becomes a lifetime regret. To go beyond the everyday, towards peace, wisdom and courage and find out what they're made of.
To make a commitment to be true to themselves.
It isn't about escaping your life or finding yourself on a hillside. It's about being more deeply resourced within it.
If that could be of service to you and your journey, come and join us.
And maybe, in the twilight, meet yourself.
"Captivating. It was comforting and challenging. It called to something inside me."
Sam and Alys, lead facilitators, on the event, who it's for, what you'll gain:
"I was moved to laugh and cry. I leave feeling more whole than when I arrived."
A calling to people who:
- Know that their contributions to their family, community and the world are directly related to the story they tell themselves.
- Have tried some approaches to inner work but never quite found the 'right fit'.
- Want to support their felt, real-world experiences with something deeper, something older.
- Are willing to write a letter distilling why now is the time, what is ending, what is beginning.
"I feel soothed to my bones."
Meeting Uncertainty
The voice of doubt will never leave.
This is the practice of tuning into the older voice underneath.
In these times of uncertainty, this is four days in the company of professional facilitators, extended time off-grid and a story with deep and ancient roots.
Immersed in the brutal and beautiful story of Tristan and Isolde, in Cornish oak woodland, guided by professional facilitators and storytellers, you'll learn the ancient way of 'sideways looking'. A practice to meet uncertainty, challenge and ever-more volatile terrain.
A wild, unruly immersion into myth, nature and courage in a cottage surrounded by ancient oaks, on the banks of the River Fal, Cornwall.
Thursday 14th - Sunday 17th May 2026, Cornwall
Who is this for?
The only prerequisites are 'a feel for the call' and a 'willingness for depth'.
Our participants are usually a mix of:
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Trouble makers (in the most generous sense of the term)
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Those who are committed to future focussed work: founders, leaders, activists, educators, environmentalists.
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People exploring major life thresholds: something coming, or something past.
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People who wonder if there's more, but don't necessarily have practices, ‘do mythology’ or anything like it.
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Anyone who is done pretending everything in modern life is 'fine', and want clarity and rest to contribute to change.
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Friends, allies and those who share some of our influences.
"The evening on the moor opened up possibilities of how stories can initiate healing, how they made me realise that we aren't too different from each other."
The primary purpose of this event is to lean further into Recalling Fire’s approach of deeper self knowledge, and therefore clarity in work and life in our uncertain times. As we always say, 'Maybe, in the twilight, meet yourself'.
It's also a great moment for pause and entering a quieter, calmer way of being with like minds for four days.
To join the event we ask that you distill – for yourself and us – in a short letter, why now is the moment to bring greater clarity and courage to your journey.
Who is this not for?
Those with significant anxieties about extended time off-grid.
Those who have no active enquiry or curiosity about planet and future generations.
Anyone who is unwilling to hear others as they explore the deeper meaning of their choices in life.
Hosting team
Alys Harwood – Storyteller and coach (NLP practitioner)
I came late to storytelling. But still, I’m a seasoned old woman and that is a good place to be on this earth.
Stories give us options. We get to try out what it is to be something wildly different and at the same time freakishly familiar. We are taken into the dark to squint sideways at things far beyond our everyday habitat. Stories give proper heft to our trials and griefs and adventures. We have to work to harvest meanings, each visit yields a different return, and we are the better for the effort. Stories open faults in our consciousness and then nature crowds in and takes a foothold and suddenly it’s all different.
It’s a rainy time of year. Let’s lift up our faces, the water pooling in our eye sockets, dripping into our ears, trickling down our necks, and drink deep. All this beauty given to us, unearned.
Sam Crosby: Storyteller and host
The stories tell us we are made by descending into deep water. Down there. The underworld.
In 2019 my family was broadsided. Our newborn boy, Patch, was diagnosed with a profound brain disorder. It wrecked my prideful ego and sent me down to kneel on the ocean floor. I’m still processing the reality of life with a disabled son, but I can tell you I am more fulfilled than ever before.
This world is darkness and light. We are not in control. Never will be. And there is beauty in the chaos.
I believe we'll never truly ‘understand’ life. Rationale and science can be leaky ships for these high seas. But, if our deliverance is in the deepest, darkest waters, we don't have to keep bailing them out. We can go down. Once in a while... we must.
Feelings, trust, love – the stuff of story – will guide us on.
What to expect
Off grid. Out of office. A time out of time. We're going to walk you through one of Cornwall's oldest stories (Tristan and Isolde) and help you see the pattern in what you're going through.
You'll leave with a way of ‘sideways looking’ at your life, and making decisions, which comes from something deeper than fear or habit. A way that's been true for thousands of years, fits in your pocket and will still carry weight when you go back into the world.
What's included:
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Bed and vegetarian board (bring your own snacks and alcohol).
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The story of Tristan and Isolde told over four days.
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Way-stops for silent reflection and time in the wilds.
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Group work to explore the ancient images of the story and the place.
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Practices to deepen into your own story, reflecting on poignant moments past and present.
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Guided ‘threshold’ moments for you to make commitments to your next steps.
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Opening and closing circles.
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Forest walks, river swimming, shared vegetarian meals cooked over fire.
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Optional activities (Canadian canoeing, bushcraft, foraging) enquire on booking.
Who holds it:
Skilled facilitators and mythologists who've been doing myth-and-meaning work for years.
If you've heard of Recalling Fire, you'll already know something of the 'unruly depth' we work at. Laughter and tears are welcome partners. If you haven't heard of us, you'll feel the welcome when you arrive.
Visit the 'Our People' page for more on the hosting team.
Where?
Four days, three nights, completely off-grid, in a forested cottage on the banks of the River Fal.
The Lost Cottage of Penperth. Tucked away in ancient oak woodland in a private creek. One of the most secluded spots in Cornwall. Wild swimming in the river, meals cooked over fire, hammocks overlooking the water. Phones away. Just the land, the story, and the people.
Our Spaces
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The Lost Cottage (sleeps 8).
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Three individual pods: Potting Shed, Hunting Lodge, Shepherd's Hut.
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Fire pit, outdoor kitchen, indoor barn space with wood burner
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2 hot showers, acres of woodland to roam
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15 minute walk from parking (wheelbarrows provided for gear)
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No wifi, just wildlife.
14 places available:
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The Lost Cottage (sleeps 8):
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Travel Room: 3 singles
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MushRoom: 3 singles
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Butterfly Room: 2 singles
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Potting Shed: 3 singles.
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Hunting Lodge: 2 singles.
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Shepherd's Hut: 1 double
Ticket price includes accommodation, bedding, vegetarian meals and programming for the duration.
Our Ethos
Modernity has gone mad. The world is unravelling. And when everything outside is chaos, the natural response is to grip tighter, think harder, try to control more.
But what if the way through isn't more thinking? What if remembering who you are and what you’ve always known is the most useful thing you could do right now?
This isn't about escaping. It’s self-reflection as activism. Community and belonging as solidarity. It's about getting clear enough to show up properly. For yourself. For the people around you. For the generations to come.
Make a commitment, meet friends to last a lifetime, grow deeper roots for your own story.
How could peace, wisdom and courage support you, your family, your work?What blocks or 'stuckness' could you overcome with extended time alongside ancient myth, oak forests and a cottage hearth? Who would you meet on a journey like this and what would the quality of that friendship be?
Our approach
Our routes and campfires sound out the kinds of openness and curiosity left behind in our busy, modern world: invitations to pause, feel and think carefully. To look to nature, community and myth for ancient clarity:
– See in longer timescales, rooting further down into the natural world.
– See yourself more clearly, aligning to a life of fewer regrets and deeper meaning.
– Find greater peace to love more fully: ourselves and others.
– Access the courage to do our life’s work.
And, ultimately, contribute all of the above in acts of service to future generations.
You will be familiar with aspects of our approach if you explore any of the following:
– Nature-connection/sit spot/nature solo practices.
- Mythic/mythopoetic perspectives (you might consider listening to Drop The Map by way of orientation).
– An interest in your own journey towards elderhood/mentoring/leadership.
Find out more about our approach.
Practical details and next steps
Dates
Thursday 14th - Sunday 17th May 2026
Arrival: 6pm Thursday 14th May.
Departure: 11am Sunday 17th May.
Travel (to and around the site)
Lost Cottage of Penperth, TR2 5JH
Near St Mawes, Cornwall. Details to be shared as part of ticket purchase.
Please be aware, the site is off grid and is a 15-minute walk from a limited parking area (think sensible footwear and modest bags (without wheels)).
From our hosts: "A reasonable level of fitness is required for your adventure, and you will need to be mindful of uneven terrain during your stay. Due to the potentially hazardous nature of the wild environment, we also require guests to read our health and safety guide before arrival, taking responsibility for their actions on site."
Investment: £695pp
Payment plans available: 2 x £347.50 (use code PAYMENTPLAN)
Spaces
15 total
Included
All food, accommodation, facilitation, firewood, the works.
After you book, we ask that you distill – for yourself and us – in a short letter, why now is the moment to bring greater clarity to your journey.
You can contact the team directly at hello@recallingfire.com with any clarifying questions.
