Moonraker Zen - Part 1

What?

In January - October 2010 I lived in North Devon in my VW T25 Campervan with the intention of focusing on Zazen (Zen meditation), creating music for my solo project (the bumblebee bats), and working. I ended up learning to surf, picking strawberries at a local fruit farm, hiking, wild camping, volunteering, birdwatching, stargazing, playing lots and lots of pool and ping-pong, and meeting lots of people.

Why Move?

Ever since I started practising Zazen in Japan almost 10 years ago , I've been attracted to the idea of becoming a Zen monk. In 2009 I went for a week long retreat at Throssel Hole Buddhist Abbey in Northumberland and upon my return realised that a) I could never become a monk and b) monks have got it right.

To encourage myself to focus more on my Zen practice, I saved up for 6 months in 2009, bought myself a campervan, and moved to Devon...

...and so began Moonraker Zen Part 1:

Moonraker Zen - Part 2

Moonraker Zen - Part 1 was ace. It wasn't quite the Zen-centric ascetic life I was going for but it did have elements of a life more focused on Zazen. I don't regret the way it turned out but there are things I'd do differently, which is where Moonraker Zen - Part 2 begins:

If I ever want to move away from an indoor life, I need to learn the skills to work in the outdoors. So in 2011 I am Wwoofing, looking for full-time volunteer work with countryside agencies/charities, and continuing as much possible, everything I learnt and enjoyed in part 1.

As of January 20th, 2011...

From January I WWOOFed for a month in North Devon staying in a static caravan, planting trees, weeding, chopping wood, etc. It was a great introduction to the outdoor life and I learnt lots.

After that I volunteered for 2 weeks with the RSPB up in Yorkshire at Fairburn Ings nature reserve. I made willow islands for Great Crested Grebe, made footpaths, cut willow, etc. I learnt lots about volunteering and also lots about ducks!

I got a call towards the end of my time there saying I'd been accepted as a Long-Term Volunteer Ranger with the National Trust down on the coast in South Devon in Kingswear. So I went up to my Zen temple for a week's retreat before heading on down to start a 6 month ranger post. It was one of the most inspiring times of my life being immersed in nature and learning lots about different habitats (woodland, coastal, heathland) practical skills (brushcutting, hanging gates, fencing, putting up electric fences, fixing and making signs, routing, tool sharpening, whittling, wildlife ID skills, driving with a trailer, using a ride-on mower, etc) and surfing a lot with friends!

I finished my year off by spending a month at my brother's in France helping him convert 2 lofts - we insulated, put up plasterboard, and laid flooring.

Moonraker Zen Part 2 ended at the start of December.

*I'm not sure what I'm doing next and I'm not sure whether I'll keep this blog going!