Sky Weekend

Friday 19 - Sunday 21 June 2009

The speed at which clouds develop and change is so gradual; it’s quite the opposite of the pace of life in the city. By spending a little time contemplating clouds, you’re really forced to slow down. It’s a kind of meteorological meditation.

Gavin Pretor-Pinney is on a mission to reclaim ‘blue sky thinking’ from business buzzword blabber and to show us why contemplating clouds is the perfect antidote to the stresses of modern day life.

Join Gavin for a remarkable holiday exploring all things skywards. Under the open skies of the South Downs, we’ll learn to identify different types of clouds, understand their implications for the weather, and spend leisurely time reflecting on their beauty, poetry and drama as they shift from one formation to another. We’ll look at artists, writers and scientists who have drawn their inspiration from the skies, and recover our own creative potential.

We will be staying in the wonderful surroundings of Tilton House, a Georgian country house that was once home to economist John Maynard Keynes. It’s the perfect location for cloud-spotting, bird-watching, star-gazing and generally taking a break from hectic everyday life to contemplate higher things. They’ll cook delicious organic food for us throughout the weekend.

With Gavin as your guide, you’ll discover the joys of lying on your back staring up at the sky, learn to appreciate and understand the hidden beauty of the British countryside and return motivated and renewed.