Post 12: Carry on Stitching

The wet weather continued this morning, but it makes little difference to most of us here at the Ryebeck. It hasn't stopped the two or three early morning walkers striding around in the rain and damp.

The view from the lounge room window is still charming, and its warm and pleasant inside.

We cracked on with our projects. I discovered I had used the wrong green thread around my windows. One of the great things about both Nicola and Jenny as teachers is their insistence on flexibility and adaptation. Jenny made a comment this morning to that effect that I thought would make a great sampler - but I failed to write it down! I thought it would be great for our South Australian Junior Embroiderers. I have a paper and pen ready to write it down next time.

My window outlines are quite strong. I like them. They remind me of my grandparents house.

Jenny's design has lots of different techniques and challenges. The gate was the first one this morning. I haven't finished it yet but it was fun to do.
Another challenge is the dry stone wall in Herdwick wool. So far I have only tacked the woolly rocks to the wall. Tomorrow's challenge will be working the embroidery on this wall. It is such a clever idea.




We had several demonstrations of techniques throughout today's sessions.









We began the flowers towards the end of the day. I  found the fettuccini thread the hardest to work with. I haven't finished these.

It was another great day of stitching and laughter.

As we were getting ready for our evening lecture, there was a stunning sunset - the first I have noticed since being here. The things that look like fireworks are a reflection of the lights in the dining room as I took it through the window.

Our evening lecture was by  Judith Heelis,  a descendant by marriage of William Heelis, Beatrix Potter's husband. She breeds and farms Herdwick sheep, and gave a presentation on the history and breeding of them. It was really interesting and well-illustrated. She also showed us some photos of Beatrix Potter and then, at the end, showed us some items from her personal collection - costumes, Herdwick carpet  and a magnificent quilt made between 1802 and 1820. She was lively and engaging - especially in relation to the sheep. She so clearly knew what she was talking about. 

I found it a relaxed and enriching day. Tonight people are sitting around talking. A couple are stitching.

For those who are interested, last night at 10.30 pm here (9.30am Adelaide) I rang my Vergola rep to work out how to progress my balcony cover. He is preparing the Council documentation while I am away. On my return he will bring me the contract to sign and submit the Council Approval Documentation. So it is moving forward.

Tomorrow the weather is forecast to storm - perhaps even snow - in the afternoon, so our program has been adjusted . We now go to Alan Bank, a National Trust property where the Wordsworths lived for 2-3 years, in the morning and then stitch in the afternoon. I have decided to stay and stitch in the morning. I am very keen to keep moving on both my projects - and there are only two days left.

Addendum
I almost forgot - I promised to add information about this charming Herdwick rabbit (contradiction in terms?) purchased by Sandra at Cable and Blake in Kendal. Apparently they have lots of interesting things.

The Big Reveal - and we're off!

 It was a little clearer this morning although still overcast. Windermere was visible.


The daffodils in the garden bed outside the room I occupied in 2017 showed their colours.

We had breakfast from 7.45 and gathered in the lounge for our first briefing at 9.00. There are, I think, 18 students.

Finally, after the preliminary information and introductions, Nicola and Jenny came in with the two projects we are to work on.

They are both extraordinary.

We were split into two groups. I am beginning in Nicola's group. Her project is a crewel work one based on Beatrix Potter's interest in and breeding of Herdwick sheep as well as her efforts in the ecology of the Lakes District, and the land that now forms the National Parks.T
Nicola's sample piece is larger than the version we are working on (meaning ours is manageable!)

Some of the sheep is worked in Herdwick wool, as well as Appleton's and some specialist threads.

The piece is named for Queenie, one of Beatrix Potter's actual sheep. Some of the design echoes ceramics found in Hill Top, her Cumbrian home.

Our classes this year are set up at either end of the dining room,  Jenny's  at the Southern end, shown here and Nicola's at the Northern end shown below.

Meals are set up in between.





We each have a floor lamp with magnifier as well as our 10" hoops.

It is a great set-up, giving us good light and a comfortable space in which to work.

We got started straight away, beginning with the sheep, and using the Herdwick wool to begin. I really love this kind of work. Nicola is an engaged, attentive, relaxed teacher. The group is also relaxed, not afraid to ask questions, considerate of each other are sharing of expertise.


We laughed a lot. I realised that one of the things I so enjoy about these retreats is the laughter. We have so much in common. It is our shared values and common interest that enable us to be so relaxed.

Towards the end of the afternoon it began to rain quite heavily and the we lost some of our natural light. The lights then really came into their own.

We had worked small parts of a number of sections of the sheep by the end of the afternoon. We are, naturally, working a little of each section to make sure we know what to do so we can finish the piece when we get home.

As a finisher I still find this a little frustrating, but I concede it is the only way to work.


At 6pm we gathered in the lounge where Richard interviewed Nicola and Jenny about their design process. It was a really, really interesting session. Both immerse themselves in the physical environment of their subject, as well as reading. There was discussion of the role of instinct or zen, of cultural and historical understanding, of knowledge of tone and colour, of recurring motif. Both spoke of habits of quick sketching, capturing the moment and impression rather than planned perfection.

It occurred to me that both Nicola and Jenny seem to be embedded in  English landscape and environment. It set me thinking. When asked, they both agreed they could only create, for example, a French design by immersion. This has set me thinking about Australian embroidery design, what it is, and the role played by heritage. I am still thinking about recent discussions I have had at the Embroiderers' Guild of SA about the now defunct British Embroidery Study Group, or about Moroccan Embroidery as studied by some Guild members on a recent trip. This is, for me, a really important discussion about identity, history and culture - important to my own embroidery and how I study it.

The discussion continued over what proved to be quite a long dinner. We  discussed the way composers draw on traditions outside their own country but still produce music recognisably of that country. We also discussed the importance of any visual work drawing the viewer in from a distance as well as engaging at close quarters.

It has been a terrific day for me. It is the first day of the retreat and we have surfaced issues of great importance and are discussing things that matter. I am among kindred spirits.

I don't underestimate the privilege - nor the power.

Post 5 to the Lakes District and Ryebeck Hotel

I posted yesterday before my evening meal. I ate in the hotel and did not want much because of our lunch at the Wellcome Museum, so chose the beetroot, pumpkin and spinach gnocchi, It was delicious and beautifully presented. So much so I had to photograph it!

They have renovated the kitchen since I was here last year, to make room for more tables. The breakfast bar is now inside the actual kitchen.  It can be closed off after breakfast. I liked the breakfasts - a good choice and very good granola. Also excellent mushrooms and tomato.

The Wesley remains an interesting hotel. It's clientele is mostly young city workers. They talk of deals and alliances and network skilfully often switching between languages. There are groups off in small rooms having meetings and presenting figures. One of the staff told me there would be a roof bar next time I come.

I have slept reasonably well the two nights I have been in England, falling asleep around 8.30pm. waking up 3-4 times but getting back to sleep fairly quickly. This morning I checked out around 9.15am and made my way to the Virgin lounge at Euston to wait for my train, which left on the dot of 11.30 - perhaps even a minute early.

 I usually book one of the single seats but had, by accident or good management booked an aisle seat on a table for four, with two more acing each other on the other side of the aisle. The photo is a composite, taken when two of our company were out of their seats.
All five of my fellow travellers were going to Glasgow, three of them to attend the European Indoor Athletics - as spectators. The other two, Mavis and Don, were going to for a meeting of a Guild of Coopers - or at least Don, the Cooper, was Coopering while Mavis, discovering that the European Indoor Athletics was on, was planning to slip away to that. I learned a lot about their lives. Mavis claims to be a golf widow, while Don claims to be a choir widower. They have a niece in Sydney and have visited Adelaide more than once. They were excellent company and we laughed a lot. All were followers of the Olympic Games. Three had been to the Sydney Olympics and two to Atlanta as well.

I was met at Oxenholme by my Ace Taxi Driver, this time Hungarian-born and just back from Thailand, and whisked away to the Ryebeck Hotel in less than 20 minutes.

I had requested, I think, my room from last year, upstairs, with a view of the Lake. The downside of the room is the shower over the bath. I had given as back-up, a downstairs room with a walk-in shower. With recent back and sciatica problems , I was a bit worried about the shower and debating whether to ask for a change of room. I had been assigned a downstairs walk-in shower room anyway - so I'm happy.

The room is spacious,with a walk-in closet, a small, comfortable lounge chair and desk.

It opens on to a small outdoor courtyard that I suspect I will not be using for sitting, given the turn in the weather. It is misty and overcast. My outlook is nevertheless quiet, secluded and green.

Behind is a bank of trees partially hiding a grand house.

I am pleased to report the hotel's wifi is vastly improved and works in my room - a major breakthrough for a blogger!

I booked into dinner at 6.30 - the time most other guests had booked for. There were seven of us sharing a table as well as Genevieve and her husband nearby. We had a lovely catch-up, slotting back easily into our shared world and interests. So comfortable, and stimulating.

I was very tired when I arrived this afternoon and rested rather than exploring the garden. I gather there are daffodils out - tomorrow will tell. 

I'm not sure I should have had coffee tonight!