Back on Course, Part Two; Cast On

With Autumn upon us, I'm now very busy with my planning and making of stock for my Christmas craft events. I have been spinning,weaving and knitting and enjoying using a different colour palette that the Autumn/Winter season brings.

I'm working with the natural tones of the hand spun yarn for my knitting and have had great fun this week weaving some pure wool rugs on my loom.

Red and green woven with grey and camel coloured yarn offers a rich textile to compliment any setting, adding warmth to a room and even a festive feel.

New Designs
Casting on a new project is always exciting, I tend to have quite a few on the go at any one time!

My spinning wheel is loaded with a bobbin of Wensleydale yarn.

My loom is working it's way through some wonderful skeins of wool sourced on my travels to Devon this summer.

My knitting needles are busy clicking away as I knit socks and hand warmers.

I also have a basket where I put in my " to be sewn up and labelled"- this task is my least favourite so I have to write a morning in my diary each week to commit time to do this.

Actually once I get stuck in it is very satisfying to complete a project and the best bit is sewing in one of my little labels, then I truly feel content and happy with a new item ready for sale.

Back on Course, Part One; Cast Off

Motoring up river

September is here and finally we have been able to enjoy some sailing.

The dinghy racing took place last Wednesday for the first time in a fortnight and although we didn't do very well! it was a great evening on the river.

Saturday weather conditions; misty/murky/ cool with a Force 4 South Easterly breeze. so we decided to potter about the River Medina on our little yacht.

So we motored up river and were able to sail down river under jib only; making 3 knots of speed easily, rising to 4 knots here and there.

Sailing under jib down river

The sun peeped out now and again, nice easy sailing with a cup of coffee and a few "ship's biscuits" to hand as we go.

View of Whippingham church

The river Medina is a lovely place to sail. As it is tidal, it is forever providing different views and moods. As you approach Cowes it becomes more of a working river with the Gas and gravel works. Then further down towards the mouth there are the Marinas and boatyards.



Gas Works.

A ship is loading

Old Saltings

Back up river where we have our swing mooring, the Medina is much more rural. At Low water the wooden ruins from the old Saltings are exposed. This is the time the wading birds flock in to feed.

Sometimes the river dances in the sun, other times it is sleepy and calm letting the fish make rings and circles in it's waters.

It can be choppy, lumpy, full and thick; making it hard going for little dinghies wanting to race.

At other times it is clear and bright; ideal for messing about in boats.

Whether the tide is on the rise or fall, the Medina offers us many, many happy hours of enjoyment.