Finding our Flow
“When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.” Paulo Coelho
Sarah and Phil are recently returned diaspora having lived and worked in Transition town Totnes, Devon. A 2010 chance meeting in London after 16 years apart led to re-kindled romance and a new life together; becoming a blended family of five with Sarah’s daughter Daisy, Phil’s son Ben and daughter Aimee.
Our plan of returning to Scotland first began six years ago, on a weekend trip to the north Cornwall coastline. Our thoughts were of a connected, simpler, self-sufficient life; making our living from the combination of skills gathered on the way and doing what truly fills us with joy every day.
We began to dream of an off-grid retreat centre offering holiday experiences that would nourish both hosts and guests, allowing us all to slow down and embrace the power of being in nature. We would combine the luxury of therapy sessions and guided bike experiences with unique off grid accommodation. And there had to be a hot tub.
We gathered inspiration from our adventures in Cornwall and beyond, staying in a wide variety of accommodation from the serene luxury of Scarlet Hotel to Loch Ossian Hostel with its breathtaking setting and inspirational self sufficiency. We visited sites in the Borders and Argyll & Bute with Kilmichael Glen almost but not quite becoming our plot to build on. In April 2019 The Lazy Duck lease offer popped onto our morning search list and by August, a lease was signed for Sarah and Phil to become the new duckeepers in Nethybridge. Our homecoming.
Before taking on Lazy Duck full time Sarah was business manager for artist Yvonne Coomber, working together since 2010 and supporting her to become the UK’s favourite wildflower artist. She is now using her network and knowledge to drive Lazy Duck marketing activity while layering an intrinsic sense of space, style and function onto our huts and site. This move has allowed her to return to a first passion of health and well-being. A qualified massage and yoga practitioner, she has set up in our Well Being Studio, putting together bespoke therapy packages and is on her way to creating a wild spa on-site. She will be delighted to discuss individual requests and requirements for any of her treatments. You will often find Sarah at Loch Garten, a favourite local spot for wild swimming, paddle boarding and canoeing, or mountain biking the forest trails and walking in the hills – with a broad smile on her face.
Phil is a dreamer and traveller. There are few corners of the UK he hasn’t lived and worked in. By trade he is a build project manager, landing and delivering a life changing opportunity to manage the manufacture of Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games Podiums, Medal Trays and Athlete Gifts. Phil has set to work on all things operational at Lazy Duck, refurbishing the Lookout Bunkhouse and Homestead. An erstwhile endurance mountain bike racer, when he isn’t tinkering in the workshop, Phil is pouring over maps before venturing out to find out if mountain bike routes flow as he wants them to for guiding.