CIRCLE OF MISSE - Gastronomy & Creativity In France -

On Writing

This was my third time at Missé and once again it was incredibly productive. There must be something in the air or the water, or even the wine, but each time I go there I am able to concentrate on the work in hand in a way I am never able to do surrounded by the mundane realities of home. A guided retreat was everything it said and more. Excellent, tailored support from Wayne pushing me to keep writing but helping when I was stuck and excellent food and wine provided by Aaron to sustain me and help relax at the end of the day. As always, I didn’t want to leave and I’m sure I will be back.

Bridget Walker - October 2011 (London)

If this is what retreats are like, could I have three a year? Everything was perfect and both of you make the place what it is (not forgetting Echalote).
A wonderful find. You haven't seen the last of me.

Kavita Jindal - October 2011 (London)

Thanks so much for a wonderful writing retreat. I've been gorgeously pampered and done much more writing than hoped for - a very productive and fun week.

Lara Charles - October 2011 (London)

Thank you so much for (yet another!) fantastic week. It is such an inspiring environment at Missé, full of warmth, encouragement and warm-cooked comfortable goodness. Thanks so much for opening your home to this remarkable experience, and allowing me the opportunity to both focus on writing and let go with my imagination. It's always an honor.

Kathryn - October 2011 (Amsterdam)

Just to say a huge thank you. As I settle back into a rainy London I really value the care, the fun and the guidance of Circle de Misse. I already want to come back and progress even more - you have really put me on the right path.

Eithne Nightingale - September 2011 (London)

You offer a truly unique experience which is why I cross the world to return to Misse and keep coming back.
The retreat for 4 days, plus 'A Writer Progresses' with Liz gave me the best of writing worlds. I've lived the dream. Perfect!

Margaret - August 2011 (Perth, WA)

When I get home I am having a reversible bracelet made. When I sit in front of my laptop, seeking the creative impulse I will make sure the bracelet is turned to the side that says "What would Wayne do?" Then when I enter the kitchen seeking inspiration I can turn it to the side that says "What would Aaron do?" Thanks for a fantastic week.

Kevin - 19 June 2011 (London)

What a great week. Good conversation, concrete feedback on how to "carefully" improve my writing. Motivating and fun. Thank you so much!

Carol - June 2011 (Cairo)

Gosh what a week to carry forward to my annals! Just the ticket - lovely personal company, gorgeously informal environment, and superb teaching/feedback on the current love of my life (writing).

Indu - June 2011 (London)

I came, I saw, I tasted lots of good food & wine but most of all I extended my writing skills, being pushed and challenged but also supported. Lots of thanks to Aaron, Wayne, Emma & my fellow writers, cooks & artists. I still have lots to learn so I'm sure I'll be back, again.

Bridget - April 2011 (London)

Certainly a breath of fresh air! It's been an enabling experience, and best of all I seem to have crossed a threshold - out of the shadows. Wonderful to be so richly nurtured in every sense. Thanks.

Moira - April 2011 (Kent)

I had a blissful time here, sitting at my desk in front of the window, my head unwinding, every now and again watching Eschallot bounding about chasing pheasants. I made some key breakthroughs with my play, which came while walking the high route around the cirque, or sitting by the river, or talking about things at dinner, with marvellous company, over extraordinary wine and food.

Ben Musgrave - March 2011 (London)

What a wonderful few days! It's been really refreshing to just kick back and write! Wayne's "tools" have been really helpful for just kickstarting my writing and writing about themes and scenes that I would never have thought to write… helping me to focus on the enjoyment of writing rather than trying to write an essay or a concept I feel I have to articulate! And it's been a great atmosphere in which to write - no inhibitions, no judgement - just enjoying each other's writings. What with Aaron's lovely and nourishing food and fab dinner time stories, your hospitality has been great, thank you! I feel very relaxed - something that's usually very hard to do!

Colleen Hall - September 2010 (London, UK)

Jumpstart your writing Sept. 2010: really does what is says on the tin, apologies for the Missé cliché, but I can't thank you both enough for your warmth, patience and gentle encouragement & I hope to be back next year.

Maria Stevens - September 2010 (London, UK)

Aaron & Wayne, thank you both so much! I feel like I've had the top of my head opened & my brain stirred!! I've had a really wonderful time here with you & have felt so well looked after. It's opened a new page for me, you have no idea. I haven't enjoyed myself so much for quite some time & eaten so very well - Really.

Orla Kearns - September 2010 (Menorca, Spain)

The week with Emma Sweeney really helped me to reconnect with the emotional centre of my novel. The experience at Misse, and the unique, generous, warmth of both Aaron and Wayne has made this an extraordinarily special place. I have really loved my time here, thank you.

Claire Kilner - August 2010 (London, UK)

An excellent creative experience - it really helped me to connect my screenwriting skills to the novel.

Stephen Curran - August 2010 (Twickenham, UK)

A week with incredibly talented, warm, encouraging people. Amazing food from Aaron, gentle, wise guidance from Wayne and a wonderful inspiring teacher in Annie, so generous with time and constructive feedback. Thanks also to my hard working, openhearted fellow students. You're a great bunch with a lot to offer the creative world. The best 'til last. Thanks to the wonderful and ever energetic, irrepressible Échalote. What a sweetheart!

Karen Ritson - June 2010 (Yorkshire, UK)

I discovered an inner muse I didn't know lay dormant somewhere in my soul. I leave with a new outlook and I thank you for bringing me this wonderful opportunity.

Marguerite Gobeil - June 2010 (Vancouver, CA)

What a week at your establishment. The food was exceptional, as was the friendship and support freely offered. I found the various topics presented thought provoking and a pleasure to participate in. Thank you very much for such an outstanding opportunity.

Karl Trommeshauser - June 2010 (Vancouver, CA)

I arrived with the kernel of an idea; I left with the draft of a novel and, more importantly, the knowledge that my ideas have merit and are worth polishing. I am hugely grateful to Wayne & Aaron for creating this magical and nurturing environment, to Emma for her constructive and supportive feedback & teaching and to my fellow students for their input.

Cleo Thompson - April 2010 (London, UK)

I did not feel like I was on holiday, but in the best way. Aaron and Wayne's hospitality made me feel I was staying with friends. I am grateful for Emma's engaging, emotionally sensitive and inspiring tuition. I leave Circle of Misse with a tinge of sadness but overflowing with creative energy to write my novel.

Neil Ghosh - April 2010 (London, UK)

I'd love to have had an excuse to stay here - fantastic food and hospitality, creative stimulus, excellent tuition and a relaxing environment. Thank you so much, I'll definitely be back. Let's hope this is the beginning of an amazingly vibrant artistic community.

Bridget Walker - April 2010 (London, UK)

Thank you for a marvellous few days. It's been a while since I last did something that made me feel like I'd grown as a human being, but every single day has been an incredible experience.

Paul Madden - April 2010 (London, UK)

A week that will stay with me for a very long time and one that yielded much.

Erin Thiessen - April 2010 (Amsterdam, NL)

On Cooking

For our honeymoon, we arranged Circle of Misse's cooking course by chance and we had a great time. First, you explore the farmers market end get your ingredients. (You shouldn't forget to buy some goat cheese, it goes well with red wine :)) Then you arrive Aaron and Wayne's beautiful, lovely house. Your cooking and eating adventure starts at this moment. We cooked delicious appetizers, meals and desssert. The great thing is; you eat all these foods with very friendly people accompanied with the great wines of Loire Valley. Me and my husband spent very quality and good time at Misse. I am looking forward to go back and try other recipes :)

MerveBaris (TripAdvisor) - September 2011 (Istanbul, Turkey)

You are a wonderful find from the web. The good lord has provided a wonderful day and you showed us how to make the most of it! The food and company, mixed with the local wines made for a truely enjoyable day. May your future ventures continue the magic.

The Fallon Family - September 2011 (Australia)

Thanks for such a memorable day in your beautiful house. The food was fantastic and we greatly appreciated your attention to detail. Visiting the local market together really allowed us to get the most out of it and we particularly enjoyed discovering local specialities.
Hope to see you soon.
CIAO!

Maurizio & Diego - August 2011 (Torino, Italy)

More than enjoyable. Your cookery course on 19 August 2011 was sensational and I can't wait to try the recipes on my West Australian friends. Thank you Aaron!! See you in 2012 for another Missé experience. Thanks to Wayne, and Liz Silver for invaluable guidance and help with my writing.

Margaret Patrikeos - August 2011 (Perth, Australia)

What a beautiful way to spend a day in France! Beautful day, wonderful food & friendly hosts, oh and don't forget the "evil butter."

Therese Busch - May 2011 (Los Angeles, USA)

This has been an amazing experience and it has been so much fun. Your place is "très jolie" and nothing could be a more perfect setting to try cooking some traditional French food!

Regina Busch - May 2011 (Los Angeles, USA)

Thank you so much for your wonderful hospitality. The setting is gorgeous, the food fantastic and the company delightful. I'll take my new cooking skills and maybe return the favour some time.

Ian Moore - May 2011 (France)

We had a really relaxing time - learning, eating and drinking :) - the stuff of holidays. You have an excellent concept and we both wish you well as it unfolds. We will be back if only for another sampling of your hospitality.

Norma & Darryn - April 2011 (Johannesburg, SA)

Thank you Aaron and Wayne for this wonderful weekend. We learned a lot of new stuff and your company was very inspiring.

Eva-Lotta Roovete - April 2011 (Poitiers, France)

In my experience, there is nothing like a visit to a cookery school to refresh my enthusiasm for my favourite pastime.
The Circle of Missé is just the place to do this. Take a look at what is on offer and then treat yourself.

Helen - September 2010 (haddockinthekitchen)

What a day! From start to finish everything was better than I could have wished for. Please can we do it again? The food... sublime!

Dorothy Escott - September 2010 (France)

The whole day has been magic, wonderful tastes and great conversation.

Kathy - August 2010 (New Zealand)

Aaron is a truly gifted cook whose food never fails to delight and inspire. The recipes he has taught me are always easy to follow and totally delicious - but never quite as good as when he prepares them himself!

Susanna Flood - August 2009 (London, UK)

On Painting

It's only about thirty years since I last picked up a brush to paint, and I'd never touched oils before, thinking them the prerogative of the professional artist. Presented with a little artist's palette and brushes I was not sure where or how to start, but Janette's calm and encouraging manner and quiet instruction soon had me tackling the canvas as if I'd been born knowing what to do. I was smitten, and simply loved having Janette coax out that little nuggett of artistic talent which had been so long hidden away.

The garden at Misse was the most peaceful and charming place to while away an afternoon being creative, and Aaron and Wayne are most hospitable and lovely hosts. If you need to escape the fast lane and switch off here's the place to do it.

Jane Duncan - April 2010 (Amersham, UK)

On Being

A truly divine couple of days of writing, painting and eating. Cant wait to return.

Elissa Gray - September 2010 (London, UK)

On The Blogs

Whilst in France, I spent a week at this magical place, the Circle of Misse, on a fiction writing “boot camp” course…

In the context of A Room of One’s Own – I discovered that maybe I can write, a bit. The course, hosts and setting were fabulous; Aaron and Wayne run writing, painting and cookery courses at their beautiful house in the Loire valley and I whole heartedly recommend the Circle of Misse experience for anyone interested in those disciplines… Read More >>

Cleo - The Gender Blog

Circle of Missé was a surprise! We didn't know about this place before coming to France. It's not just a retreat and it's not just a school. It's both and more. It's a creative holiday where people come to express themselves as writers, chefs or artists.

Writing was intense and challenging, but there was ALWAYS time to eat. It was what came between the dashes - the aside from our writing - that was in some way connected with the main course.

If this story could be told through punctuation, the Circle of Missé would be an exclamation mark! Read More >>

Auntie M - France Encore

I have just finished a week long course on short story writing at the Circle of Misse.

It was a fantastic experience, which I intend to write about in another post, when I get my breath back.

I wrote some of my first short stories there, and received a very positive feedback from my fellow course members.

Here is one I wrote… Read More >>

Helen - haddockinthekitchen

The tone of the whole week was warm, safe and nurturing. Being a newbie writer, I was anxious about sharing my work - I’m a commercial fiction animal, not literary – but I was encouraged and supported to do so and was pleased to receive genuine, positive and helpful comments.

We had plenty of time in the afternoons to write; some worked on short stories, others on their novels. Help, advice, and listening support was available at all times during the week and participants had the chance of three more structured (or not!) one-to-one sessions with Annie to discuss their work.

Complementing the work were sessions on wine-tasting, local sightseeing, a writing day away in Chinon and gourmet lunches and dinners, masterminded by Aaron Tighe, resident chef. Read more >>

Alison - Alison Morton's Blog

So, there I am, on the Circle of Misse website, reading my poem and talking about it. Wayne’s done a great job with this podcast. I don’t sound half as mad as I thought I would. Read more >>

Meryl Pugh - Furtive11

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