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Writer's pictureTemenos

25 - 28 April 2025 | Word, Brush and Being a 2nd Creative Retreat for Poets, Writers & Painters


Thank you for the love, laughter and acceptance over the past days

(Anne v M - artist’s group)


Dorian Haarhoff and Buster Petersen once again offer a retreat after a wondrous 2024 celebration with 16 participants. Temenos (a spiritual oasis) in McGregor provides a tranquil setting for introspective and soulful discovery to find its way to the canvass, sketchpad & page. Time to write, or paint, circle the garden of the beloved … the labyrinth… communicate with peacocks and peahens … meditate amidst blue glass… breathe… be…. come and source your bliss. An idyllic in-depth artistic discovery.


Beginners are welcome

We facilitate parallel sessions with one session a voluntary swap-over when writer’s paint and artists write. Joint evening sessions.


The fee includes:

  • Temenos Garden cottage ensuite abode – 3 nights

  • 2 brunches and 3 suppers … top of the taste buds cuisine

  • retreat experiences galore

  • a surprise gift related to painting / writing

  • a story evening - living a larger life

  • tea coffee (drinks own account)

  • gratuity, hire of venue & use of facilities

  • (own account) farewell brunch in town on Mon 28


R5750 pp / R5500 pp sharing (or R3750 own accommo in village)

(50% deposit secures* - book early - limited space - it’s a long weekend)


The best stories, the deepest medicines, are written like a light tattoo on the skin of the one who has lived them. (Clarissa Pinkola Estes)



pay to

*Dr R D Haarhoff Standard Bank Current acc. 0828 59 248

Universal code 051 001

then phone Temenos to book your cottage


Place of spirit where dreams fly on peacock wings.

Stumbling fumbling tongue and pen, wrestling words. Wined

words and storied laughter nudge courage. Shy words

begin to take shaky flight. (Janet B, 2024, writer participant)


your facilitators



Dorian Haarhoff is a story-teller, poet,

and writing mentor. A former Prof of

English Literature (Namibia) he has also

taught in a Canadian faculty. Dorian

now facilitates writing/ story-telling

experiences (his 8th Temenos retreat)

He is passionate about developing

innate creativity and imagination. He

believes in the power of stories and images to build our belonging. His wordshops are based on his workbook The Writer’s Voice.


Your far reaching and profound knowledge and your generosity and calm clarity of spirit make you a superb teacher. Not only do you share your rich knowledge and

insights. You emanate a field of creativity in which we are inspired and gladly participate. (the late Evette Weyers, sculptor)






Buster Petersen (aka Roy Bermeister) will facilitate a weekend of creative painting and sketching. Oils. Acrylics. Water Colours. Buster has been painting and sketching most of his life. Has works in the

USA (Chicago exhibition in 2012), Australia, Canada and South Africa. Although an expert in photo luminescence and cosmic

landscapes, Buster doesn’t teach. He facilitates to encourage and extract the finest creative artist in you. 082 450 7858

He will advise the artist group on what materials to bring.

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