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Some days I am Bre ... some days I am Gina ... but mostly, I am Ruth
Well hello, thank you for clicking through, so lovely to have you here. Mid-January, the midpoint between stillness and potential – I hope you’ve side-stepped the seasonal lurgies and have found the time (and energy?) for wrapped-up walks, slow cooks, old films and new reads under a heavy duvet, with a hot water bottle. If you are a fellow HW bottle lover, have you noticed the rubber smell when pouring hot water in? It takes me right back to when I was little and used to write my name as 'Ruto Hop' - another one to add to the list - I love how some things in life do that.
Talking of names, I am indeed sometimes called Gina Yin which makes me chuckle and sometimes, I'm called Bre, as per the photo during a fun weekend in Brussels with my son. Imagine if you could be someone different for a day with a brand new persona and wardrobe. What would Bre do? Maybe that's for another newsletter.
Changing locations now, but Scandinavians are experts at wintering, showing us the hygge side of life, all of which I love, I’m just not sure I’d cope with such short days if I lived there. I’m already enjoying the evenings getting lighter, I guess it’s no surprise my retreats are in sunny delight destinations, maybe one day a winter one will appeal, but not just yet. I do, however, like the idea of a spot of Glögg, maybe because I’m doing dry-ish Jan, I say ish, it’s my birthday next week, so I won’t manage the whole month that’s the truth of the matter, but I’ll take 3 weeks. Do I feel any different? I'd love to say most definitely yes, but in all honesty, I feel the same, oh no, wait, I’m heavier!? Have I eaten more sweet things and carbs with lashings of butter? Yep absasmurfly, so no surprises there then Ruth I hear you say, hey ho – good to give these things a go now and then - sip sip hooray to January birthdays!
Whilst I’ve been busy putting on a few pounds among other things, I’ve also enjoyed searching for good stuff share with you lovely lot, so here goes:
Make Way for Fun Resolutions: I love what Gretchen Rubin has done here with her fun resolutions/goals for 2025 - ‘pasta quest’ or ‘fruit adventures’ anyone?
Go Wild Behind the Lens: My uni bestie Kaz (and now regular retreater too no less) and I went to the Natural History Museum last year to the ‘Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition’ which was fab – it runs for the next few weeks. You can also vote online for the ‘people’s choice favourite’ by 29th Jan – see here: https://bit.ly/3PKGzL2 If you love wildlife as much as we do, you might also enjoy this ‘comedy wildlife gallery’ https://www.comedywildlifephoto.com/gallery/finalists/2024_finalists.php
Find your Sound: My talented friend and collaborator Jo Youle (who is teaching yoga & leading us on a hike on my Ibiza Retreat in May btw) is also running some brilliant podcast courses this year – if you want to tell your story, build your brand and create your own podcast series– DO IT - this is the year. Dates here: https://www.resetrebelproductions.com/podcast-training/ You can also join Jo on 17th March from 7 pm – 9 pm as she discusses ‘How to tell better stories’ with Marsha Shandur @yesyesmarsha https://bit.ly/3WwdMgV
Join the World's Largest Wildlife Survey: From this Friday 24th Jan to Sunday 26th Jan it is the RSPB’s great big Garden Bird Watch. There’s still time to register – you just need an hour of your time – find out more here: https://youtu.be/nldtLbyIU6I
Steak & Guinness Winter Winner: This is a perfect winter pie, served with a healthy serving of buttered mash and broccoli. It takes a few hours to slow cook but is well worth it, in my opinion. Yes, I know it contains Guinness, but the alcohol burned off—or maybe it evaporated. Either way, it doesn’t count. Try it; you can thank me later. https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/recipes/mary-berrys-steak-and-guinness-pie
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What's Been Happening at Gin & Yin HQ?
Whilst I felt like I’d entered this month in reverse, thanks to a dreadful cough, I’ve now made up for lost time and have finalised the Goa Retreat for 2026 - now live on my website (see below), I also confirmed a fabulous wine-tasting on the Sardina Retreat (exploring 6 different wine regions, more about Paola our wine expert next time). A local gin will of course also feature, so worry ye not.
I also met Nidhi Verma, Chef, Founder and Head of Food at The Cookaway last week https://www.thecookaway.com - a woman of many talents, which some of you may recognise from previous newsletters. We hatched a plan to run 'An Introduction to Authentic Indian Cooking Evening - The Thali Way' which takes place on Friday 6th June from 6.30 pm to 9.30 pm in Raynes Park, SW20. If you're interested in coming along, reply to this newsletter with 'Tell me more about the Indian Cooking night'. Tickets are £70 pp or 2 for £130 - spaces are strictly limited on this one, so don't dilly-thali around if you'd like to come.
I also met with the lovely Iona Hickman from @eyeownadesign we could have talked for days ... we chatted about her beautiful stationery and the importance of 'making time to write' along with 'retreating to Greece' which we hope to collaborate on together either in Greece or in stationary ... watch this space.
Talking of stationary the card above is from 'Rosie Made a Thing' @rosiemadeathing This one made me titter (pun intended) - birdfeeder; bird spotter book and bino's at the ready - what's happening to me!?? |
What's coming up? |
Sip & Paint Watercolours Workshop Weds 26th March 2025 - 7 pm - 9 pm The Brewhouse, Surbiton - - - I always love collaborating with China, founder of ArtistandUK, she not only makes art fun, but everyone always creates something worthy of gifting or proudly showing off to friends and family. This could even make a lovely 'Mother's Day' gift 'made my you', or simply a gift made by you for you, well why not indeed. Or even better come along with your mum.
Once again we are back at The Brewhouse in Surbiton to deliver an evening of creativity, great company, a spot of gin and laughter always guaranteed.
The cost includes your art materials, art tuition, plus a beautifully crafted botanical G&T. As always a non-alcoholic alternative will be offered for the non-gin-ers and designated drivers.
£30 pp OR 2 Tickets for £50
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Wild & Free Retreat 5 Nights - Northern Sardinia Tues 30th Sept - Sun 5th Oct 2025 - - - If you've never been to Northern Sardina before, you're in for an absolute treat on this 5-night retreat. We'll be staying in an authentic Sardian Country House and Cottages in the mountains with majestic views only 40-mins from Olbia Airport.
During our stay, we'll enjoy a wonderful mix of activities including daily yoga, a guided river kayaking tour, sea swims, a herbal hike, a cooking workshop and a delicious local wine tasting too. There is also a padel court too if you're feeling energetic. As always, time has also been built in for you to simply rest and reset, which is also an important part of coming on a Gin & Yin Retreat.
This is almost all-inclusive, other than 1 lunch at the beach and your flights, which are currently around £230 incl. luggage in the hold, which is v. reasonable if you're interested. To see what flight I'm on, click the link below.
Twin ensuite room - £1,450 pp Private ensuite room - £1,850 pp
Yes please - this sounds perfect
Barefoot Bliss Retreat 7 Nights - Southern Goa Sun 8th - Sun 15th March 2026 (Flying overnight Sat 7th March) - - - It's true, we're going back to Goa for 7 wonderful nights of retreating from the world as we know it to seek out a little inner peace and outer tranquillity. I for one cannot wait - I mean look at the view from our yoga mats for a start.
This is your invitation to unplug, situated on this secluded beach, it really is the perfect place to embrace true rest, enjoy some self-care and a bit of adventure and exploration on offer too for good measure.
All accommodation options are on the sand made using local materials. They all have ensuite bathrooms, lovely mattresses and linens, balconies and hammocks, plus they are all only a hop and a skip to the sea and communal eating areas. The sunsets here are also incredible, along with the daily yoga, the meditation, the people, the food and the sundowners. We will also enjoy a local cooking class which is always fun, along with tuk-tuk rides, beach walks and shopping etc.
Prices are from £1,450 pp to £1,900 pp 4 cabanas already booked - 4 left.
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"Don't let the winter blues freeze your motivation"
There are so many reasons to stay cosy indoors right now (I hear you), but balancing inside and outside time is a priority for our mental, physical and emotional well-being, along with remembering to drink plenty of water, equally as important in winter to protect our immune systems, but often forgotten. Braving the cold air and getting our lungs going makes sipping that hot chocolate or maybe that glass of Glögg under a cosy blanket even more delicious, plus you've earned it!
And remember, just like the Spring roots and shoots that are beginning to emerge, you too are full of potential, think of it like that - Bre wholeheartedly agrees btw.
Take care and thanks as always from the bottom of my herbal tea bag for reading this month's ramblings. Keep well, keep warm and keep planning. Ruth (Ruto / Gina / Bre) xxx |
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