before and after shots of the carpark - our job at Madhyamaka Buddhist Meditation Temple - Yorkshire

One of our primary jobs while we were at the Buddhist Temple was to clear the weeds and grass in the main carpark.

This carpark is the one that guests to the four star B and B used, as well as for the guests who came to eat at the wonderful world peace cafe. 

The car park is supposed to have white pebbles across is, but instead was overgrown in thick grass, inches of soil and weeds. There were also random piles of bricks and pallets of rubbish, making some of the area inaccessible for cars to park in.

Though we had an array of tools to use, we found that hand picking was one of the quickest ways to get rid of them all. And yes - before anyone comments - because we were working within the constraints of the beliefs of our work placement, we couldn't use any poisons or harmful substances.

The three of us got into a bit of a rhythm and worked as a team to loosen the weeds with a nail rake, rake up the remains of white pebbles and then start pulling the weeds. It was pretty intensive and hot work, but like our walk on the camino, a calming activity where we had no other responsibilities other than to weed and to be.  I actually don't mind menial work.  A long time ago, I was told in acting school that there was no such thing as a 'small part' in a film or a play, only small actors. I have brought that with me in my worklife. All tasks have a place. Some are given more importance than others, just as some are more urgent  than others. Besides, menial tasks give you the freedom to think freely and most people leave you alone to continue your work. Its a good place to be alot of the time. 

I took photos over the four days we worked on the carpark. I'm glad we did as it was a pretty relentless task and it made us feel good to see the stones gradually appear. 

Gardening Madhyamaka Buddhist Meditation Temple - Yorkshire

With earphones in, music pumping, we set about working as hard and efficiently as we could in the garden and driveways. 

The kids have worked without complaint and undertaken some pretty ordinary jobs, which makes me very proud of them and their work ethic.

Working here this week is a great learning tool for a number of reasons. It is bringing real life experiences into the historical information we are collecting about the churches and monasteries. The kids can appreciate at a real level what it was like to live and work in a monastery, given that we are in basic accommodation ( here is much much nicer than many of the ones we slept in on the Camino I may add)  and one main basic meal ( which is basically what medieval lay monks would have had).

Madhyamaka Buddhist Meditation Temple - a working visit ahead

This was our welcome party to Madhyamaka Buddhist Meditation Temple, (Kilnwick Percy Hall) situated up past York - in Polkington. Its a heritage listed historic home - an Elizabethan Hall set in 42 acres of grazing land.

It has an interesting history as far as how it became a temple - The area is mentioned in the doomsday book and in the late 1500s the Manor was built in the style of the time - the Elizabethan Hall. The lord must have run out of money as it wasn't completed for over 150 years. It was finally completed in the late 1700s and used as a hunting lodge and country escape ( as was the fashion of the time with the gentry.)

It had over 40 bedrooms at one stage and over 60 staff - wow!

During the second world war the army took over Kilnwick Percy Hall. Afterwards, like many manor homes, the staff who used to be there, didn't return, wages were too high to engage more and the home was shut up to preserve heat and cleaning. It fell into disrepair and sadly caught fire where two-thirds of the building had to be demolished. The most magnificent part, the grand staircase - was demolished and made into furniture. - eekkk!  fortunately, part of it was rescued and fashioned into a staircase for another area in the house. It was purchased by Madhyamaka Buddhist Centre 25 years ago.

Our bedrooms are the second floor - the first and second window from the right. They monks who met us appologised for the megre accommodation - but boy - compared with the Camino and what we have had to sleep in for the last 60 days - this place is luxury plus.. It has hot water!! It has blankets.. oh the luxury of it all.

We are giddy with pleasure.. really.  We are looking forward to this week.