Rooted & reawakened: A journey through our permaculture course in Wales
This following piece was written by Roy Heesakkers, one of the participants on our 2025 Permaculture Design Course in Wales with SAWA Architecture. His reflections capture the depth, connection, and transformation many experienced during the 12 days we spent together. The photos throughout were taken by Harvey Gorst, whose eye for beauty and connection brings the course vividly to life.
“I first stumbled into the world of permaculture by way of a regenerative farming community back home in the Netherlands. The hope, creativity, and energy of the people I met there seized me — I felt I had to explore this path more deeply. Googling my way into options, I quickly learned that regenerative farming had grown out of the permaculture movement. When I saw the possibility of doing a Permaculture Design Course, something clicked. It felt like the perfect crash course in understanding how nature works — and how to work with it.
“It’s a lot easier to care for nature if we first fall in love with it.”
Back home, all the courses were slow, year-long programs, but in the UK I found a 12-day intensive — the perfect deep dive. This particular course stood out. The way it brought together ecological spirituality and embodied ecology really resonated. It wasn’t just about learning; it was about appreciating nature as it is, and having fun doing it. Even the photos radiated joy. As Mich so rightly said during the course: it’s a lot easier to care for nature if we first fall in love with it. And that love came through, very authentically, in his offering.”
PLACE - Tyn-Y-Graig, the Buzzard’s Nest and Affalwyn
“Coming in, I hoped to be immersed in the permaculture way of seeing the world — and maybe, through this immersion, reconnect to the original source from which the early pioneers dared to envision another reality. Back then, the current crises of climate and ecological collapse were still distant and hard to imagine, but they saw something new was needed. I knew this was a big expectation, and I tried to let go of it as I travelled to Wales — to simply open myself to whatever would unfold.
But this big hope was not too much to ask, as it turned out. It was fully met — and more. It’s still hard to put into words, because the effect the course has had on me reaches deeper than words can reach. I feel something was reawakened in me, something that will slowly show itself in time, like a tree sprouting, or slow compost transforming, rich and alive.”
“A different path is possible — and it’s more joyful, more lifegiving, than the path I’ve been sold.”
“I’ve learned that you can do a lot with very little. That a permaculture garden can be as beautiful as it is functional. That pee is nitrogen, hay is carbon. That nature is fun — and that working with nature is even more fun. That the world is strong and resilient — and that it is mostly us who are afraid of its end. I’ve learned that a different path is possible — and that it’s more joyful, more lifegiving, than the path I’ve been sold. That although we’ve strayed far from the natural order of things, the way back is close and accessible. I can begin right here, today, where I am. And I’m not alone in this — others are already doing amazing, inspiring work.”
“The course itself was magical. Transformative. Immersive. Real. Authentic. Whole. Complete. True. Communal. Ecological. Inspiring. Lifegiving. Hopeful. Fun. Playful. Practical. Embodied. Surprising. Opening. Heartfelt. Natural. Active. Sunny. Green. Yellow. Brown. Earth. Fire. Water. Musical. Creative. Worthwhile. Valuable. Unique. Once-in-a-lifetime. Synchronistic. Humbling.
And, at times: intense. Overwhelming. Stretching. Uncomfortable. Confronting.”
“I can start today, right where I am.”
“But I carry all of it forward.
What will I do with what I’ve learned? I’ll learn the names of plants. I’ll change my lifestyle to reflect permaculture principles — noticing zones and yields in everything I do. I’ll dive deeper into reading about nature, farming, ecological spirituality. I’ll double down on my intention to start a regenerative community farm with friends. I’ll seek out more courses in restorative agriculture — maybe even pursue a Diploma in Permaculture. And I’ll nurture the inner transformation that’s begun — carefully tending the flame that’s been lit, building it into something steady, self-regenerating, life-giving.
And I’ll come back — for what I hope will be our lifelong annual reunions.”
