Post 31: Last a day in England for now

So here I am, at the Mitre, at 7.44 pm. in my Qantas pyjamas ( because they are staying behind), book-through bag packed and closed (without the expander), pile of clothes to wear tomorrow, only my computer, ipad, laptop and cords to go in my carry-on in the morning.  I wasn't at all sure I would manage it. My boots and  puffy jacket are in the suitcase.  A little regretfully I took both Jenny and Nicola's projects out of their smart and useful boxes. They fit more easily in a suitcase without the boxes.

I’ve checked in online and my transport to the airport is confirmed for 7.55 in the morning.

I took it very easy today. I really wanted to do as much as I could of the Herdwick project, so I started work on it straight after breakfast. While my room was being serviced I moved to the hotel lounge. It is comfortable and has good light. It wasn't warm enough for me to sit outside.

I was working on the spray of Dog Roses. It is slow work. Each petal has to be outlined in split stitch before being filled in with at least two layers of satin stitch.




I went for a couple of short walks to Gardinarium. The pub next door seems to always have customers.




The weather was sunny on and off, but with a bit of a chill in the air. It didn't stop the flowers blooming outside the pub.




I hadn't noticed the wisteria on the hotel wall before. It must look lovely when blooming.

There is also a healthy looking Fir tree, no doubt enjoying the air until required again at Christmas.







Back in my room I worked steadily on the dog roses. I finished them just after 5pm. I haven't put the flower centres in yet. They include beads and I don't want to start that in a hotel.

I'm pretty happy with it. I did contemplate taking it on the plane and continuing work on it - but common sense prevailed. It is too meticulous for the light and conditions on a plane. I have now dismantled my hoop stand and packed it all away in my suitcase.

Back to my zen project for the  plane!

My jeans came back from the laundry - so I will not have to wear my leggings for the third day on the plane.

My friend Christine Thatcher tied to phone me at the hotel last night but was told I wasn’t answering my phone. She called again this evening and was told the same. This time the receptionist came to check. The phone is not connected! I wonder how long it has been like that? We did eventually connect and catch up on my mobile.

I got to dinner in time for sunset.













There was a dozy swan


and quite a few craft on the river, narrow boats on the move, launches and a rowing boat.


One thing I’ve learnt on this trip is that Yorkshire pudding is served with more than beef! I’ve had it twice with roast pork on this visit. I haven’t made it for decades because I rarely roast beef. This is an example, I think, of migrant communities preserving traditions long abandoned in the country of origin. Next thing I’ll find mint sauce served with chicken!

In spite of the destruction of long-held assumptions, I’ve had a great month. Many thanks to all those who have helped to make it so -particularly Pene and Mark. I’ve met so much kindness and generosity. 

There will be one more post in this blog. I will post it when I get home on Thursday night or Friday morning.

Thanks for following along.

Post 30 East Molesey: Sunshine, stitching and swans

This is where I got to last night - the leaves at the top of the spray of Dog Roses.

This morning the sun shone again. This is my second day of no socks!

I put my jeans in to be laundered, ready for the trip home. I am wearing leggings and my long black top. I will be inconvenienced if the jeans don't come back tomorrow. I wore a large hole in the seams of my other jeans and threw them away.


My goal today was to finish the leaves on the Dog Rose spray, but I also took a walk down the High Street to check out the two antique shops. The first one had loads of shells.
Here's an idea for using them. I'm not sure if this is a bowling ball or a bookend. There were two of them.





I hasten to say I did not buy anything. Not only would it not fit in my luggage, but the antlers would probably not get past customs.


The Buddha chicken shrine wasn't a bad idea I thought.

There is an interesting butcher, with an odd collection of antlers and stuffed birds in the window.




He will also make bespoke sausages.

The interest continued in the second antique shop. This is the one where I bought some doilies last time.  It had a particularly ugly candelabra, a standing stone candle-holder and


some old signage.

I still didn't buy anything.

There was still a collection of embroidered tablecloths and lace doilies.




Back at the Mitre I settled myself on the Terrace to stitch. It was warm in the sun. Two young women were locating boxes of new umbrellas in the outdoor storage cupboard, unpacking and assembling them. Spring, it seems, has arrived








even though
the trees are bare.





The Palace chimneys have cloud instead of smoke.

Before dinner I had finished the Dog Rose leaves. They were relatively difficult. The design was originally larger than the one we worked, and I found the smaller leaves tricky to work in three layers. I got there, however.

I try to have dinner at 6pm - just after the sun has gone down. The light is lovely. The bridge reflection is clear, symmetrical and shimmery. Tonight the swans came up close to the building to fish.





They stayed around until it got dark, then went back to their little beach.


I found it hard to stop taking photos.


Back in my room I found a way to improve the light from the bed lamp for stitching. Not very elegant, but it works.














I have started working on the Dog Roses on the strength of it.


Tomorrow is my last day in England. I will need to do a major repacking - and hopefully finish those Dog Roses. I won't finish the Herdwick project before I get home but I have made good progress.