Freedom in the Forest — A Turning Point

Our sit with Karen and Neil at their holiday park home was a chapter filled with freedom, laughter, and the joyful chaos of two wonderful dogs, Bracken and Buddy.

Bracken, a sprocker spaniel, quickly earned the affectionate nickname “Broccoli.” He was an old boy with a gentle soul, carrying a few health issues but never losing his charm. Recently he crossed the rainbow bridge, and we feel so grateful that we had the chance to walk beside him in his later days, offering love and care to match the loyalty he gave so freely.

Buddy, their Labrador, was his opposite in many ways, a big bundle of energy, convinced he was a lapdog. Always ready for play, always up for a cuddle, Buddy’s presence filled the house with life. Together they were a perfect pair, reminding us daily how different personalities can balance so beautifully.

For Dylan, this sit was one of his favourites. Being based in a caravan park meant days could unfold like little holidays of their own. There were indoor and outdoor pools, an arcade, and entertainment for both kids and adults. Dylan made lots of new friends and even found his first little girlfriend — someone who lived on site and made his days even brighter. The freedom to head to the pool or arcade with friends was priceless, and he joined in activities like giant inflatable football and even a slime-making class, each one adding to the magic of his stay.

For us, it was just as refreshing. Hours melted away in the pools, sauna, jacuzzi, and steam room — each of us gravitating to our favourite spot. Nathan loved the sauna, I found peace in the steam room, and Dylan couldn’t get enough of the slides. When we weren’t swimming or laughing in the arcade, we were out in the New Forest with Bracken and Buddy, walking beneath the trees, their paws setting the rhythm of our steps. One walk even turned into an adventure of its own, with Nathan managing to get so lost he ended up at Bournemouth Airport, a story we’ll laugh about for years to come.

Evenings were just as special. Entertainment at the park kept things lively, but we also found moments of quiet together, grateful for a sit that gave us all space to breathe, play, and connect in our own ways. It was the perfect blend, freedom for each of us to do what we loved, and plenty of family time woven throughout.

But it was also here that another kind of shift happened, the pause that allowed us to rethink and reshape our vision. Guardians UK had reached its breaking point, and in the stillness of this sit, we made the decision to reimagine it as The Guardians Tribe, opening it globally. This was also where Carolyn, our new developer, first stepped into the picture, bringing fresh hope and clarity to the project. At the same time, the first threads of Nomad Family Tales began to weave together, as we started shaping the website and giving form to the stories of our journey.

For Nathan, this sit became the place where he began to envision the books that were waiting to be written. Each day’s walk turned into a kind of moving meditation, where stories and insights unfolded with every step. Those daily “walk and talks”, the beginnings of what would grow into a whole series, were first born here, in the quiet paths of the New Forest and the freedom this sit gave us to dream.

Reflection from the road: This sit reminded us of the importance of freedom, not just the freedom to rest and play, but the freedom to pause, to rethink, and to create anew. In the joy of Buddy’s boundless energy, in Dylan’s laughter with friends, and in the quiet decision to reshape our vision, we found both grounding and renewal.

For Bracken (“Broccoli”) — Thank you for your gentle heart, your slow steps, and your charm. You will always be remembered with love.