About us
Mike McLellan and Ali MacArthur
We purchased the house and land in January 2007, following a holiday in June 2006 during which we deviated from the motorway and found ourselves driving through the Appennini mountains. We loved the area so much that we returned a few weeks later to look for a house with some land that we could buy. Casa Taddeo was the last place we looked at on that trip, and we instantly knew it was the right place for us. Three months later it was ours, and we commenced restoration and refurbishment whilst still living and working in London. In August 2008 we moved out to live here permanently.
Our vision was to create a beautiful place, not just for ourselves, but for anyone who needs a place of peace, a place of beauty and tranquillity, a place to rest or to heal spiritually, emotionally or physically; to be alone or in community with like-minded others.
Ali
I have practised yoga since I was a teenager, and am a keen amateur musician. I enjoy devotional kirtan singing, and sacred dance (particularly Gurdjieff's movements). I love reading poetry, and often Mike will improvise music on the violin while I read poetry aloud. I meditate regularly.
For 15 years I lived in spiritual communities, in the UK and America. During those years I helped to organise retreats for up to 300 people, in UK, Europe and Asia. Most recently I worked for 7 years as admin manager of a London primary school. My responsibilities included finance, personnel, residential school journeys in UK and Europe, first aid, and most importantly, listener and friend to both staff and children.
In 2005 my mother died. Her death was a profound experience for me, and led me to work as a ward volunteer in a London hospice. This work taught me much about the human spirit; it was a great privilege to be there.
Now I am fulfilling my dream of living in the countryside, and providing a beautiful place where others can come and experience respite from the hurly-burly of everyday life.
Mike
I am a keen practising artist and musician, currently working on several creative projects including an exhibition of my pastel drawings and playing violin and keyboard in a local production of Pink Floyd's ‘The Wall'.
Throughout most of my life I have been interested in investigating the true meaning of spiritual life, after an awakening experience as a teenager. I have done spiritual practice in the Sufi, Christian, Hindu and Buddhist traditions, including a three month Buddhist retreat in a Thai forest monastery. In 2007 I completed a master's degree in Mysticism and Religious Experience at Kent University, Canterbury.
I have also worked as a carer for people with special needs, and studied and practiced music therapy.
For many years I had a vision of creating a place in the mountains for the purpose of community, creativity and spiritual practice. Here at Apennine Retreat I offer an energetic healing technique that balances the body's natural chi energy, plus music improvisation sessions and chanting. As an enthusiastic cyclist I also offer guided cycling trips in the beautiful Apennine mountains.
