Blue Water Sailing

Just got back from a fantastic Flotilla sailing holiday in the Med.

This is our second visit to Greece, this time sailing on a 27 ft Jaguar,sailing the whole Ionian, starting in the North at Plataria (mainland Greece) and sailing South finishing in Sivota on Lefkas (Island). Our route included Paxos, the Gulf of Amvrakia, then through Lefkas Canal to enjoy Meganisi Island sailing waters.

Photo of Emerald Bay, and yes it really is this colour!

We had a few adventures along the way and were lucky enough to sight dolphins, pelicans and a huge sting ray.

Two weeks of gloriously hot sunshine sailing, some good breezes and excellent Taverna dining. Plus a sprained ankle, cuts and bruises and lack of sleep!

But the satisfaction of completing a voyage rather than just a cruise is immense, the camaraderie that these little old Jag yachts naturally instill brings all the group together. The flotilla consists of 12 Jags and a Lead boat with a Skipper, Engineer and Hostie.

Geared for couples to sail they have basic comforts and characters of their own; our boat Kea decided to have a temperamental bow anchor, others had radio trouble, engine trouble, tangled Genoa, leaky water tanks but despite all these little moments the sailing was good, we all got to the right place at the right time to enjoy a mythos or two together and some salty tales at the end of the day.

My Award Winning Hand Weaving

I'm pleased and thrilled to share with you the exciting news, that I have won

"The Marleen Upson Memorial Cup" For Weaving 2010

presented by

The Isle of Wight Spinners, Weavers & Dyers Guild.

My cushion design is in pink and turquoise. Hand Woven in a beautiful blended colour story of 5 different yarns including mohair and wool. It is luxuriously soft and the colours add richness and warmth to any setting. It has press stud fasteners and a fold-over fringe front, thus simple in design to show the woven work to the full. It is available to buy in my Folksy shop.

I shall be weaving this design in other colourways, so do check my online shops Folksy and Zibbet.

Of course if you would like purchase an award winning hand woven piece of work, do get in touch for more details.

Sleepover and a Solent Sail

What a gloriously sunny weekend!

A perfect weekend to get out on the water.

So Friday afternoon Skipper and I rowed out to our little yacht. With victuals (including the essential bottle of wine) we made ourselves at home for a sleepover on board.

Skipper had a little sail in our dinghy while I enjoyed the river and a spot of knitting, watching him whizz around the moorings on a light southerly F2-3.

At supper time we went ashore to have a meal at the Folly Inn- Excellent food as usual.

As the sun started to set we headed back on the water and rowed up and down the river taking photos of the sunset. A beautiful evening, the river became still; turning turquoise with the sun reflecting it's warm hues and filling the sky with colour. The fish were jumping, I tried to catch this on camera but they were too quick for me.

Back aboard, finished off the red wine and tucked up for the night.

Saturday morning dawned hazy with clear skies a light breeze developing from the East. We had a bacon omelette for our breakfast washed down with fresh orange juice.

I made a flask of coffee up and a packed lunch for the day (it just makes it easier to grab food and drink when sailing). We made ready and went out with the falling tide at 08.50

Motoring pass the Royal Yacht Squadron at Cowes. Early morning and early season with no wind in the Solent, a calm picture, come the summer months it will be packed with all sorts of craft out here!

There wasn't enough wind to fill the sails so we left the mainsail up and the motor turning over just enough to give us steerage and drifted down with the tide heading West.

We arrived at the entrance to Newtown Creek and dropped anchor to have a leisurely lunch in the hot sunshine.

The wind arrived F2-3 a steady north easterly for the afternoon, so we had a wonderful easy sail making 3-4 knots of speed, happily tacking across the Solent with the tide taking us home.

Our little yacht is a joy to handle in these conditions and bobs along nicely, a happy boat with a happy heart.

We often tow a line for fishing while sailing and this trip we were blessed with the "first treasure from the sea "a mackerel for our supper!

We returned to our swing mooring late afternoon and made for shore. A hot bath and barbecue in the garden for supper, the mackerel was delicious so fresh.

Sunday afternoon we returned to the river this time to sail our Mirror dinghy around the buoys to practise for racing, tying up alongside our yacht for a drink/snack and sunbathe.

A lovely weekend of sunshine and sailing!

River Fest

I always enjoy a little voyage, it's great to get in a boat and sail somewhere, moor up and explore.

On Saturday we sailed our mirror dinghy up to Newport Quay to
The River Fest http://www.islandpulse.co.uk/b2/riverfest-2010/





We followed the little Brigs up the river on a light north westerly breeze. We moored up at the pontoon, stepped ashore and had

a lovely time, pottering around, viewing the stalls and couldn't resist buying some homemade fudge!


We ate our picnic before returning on the falling tide. The wind had kindly swung round to a southerly so we were able to make easy passage down river with the wind and tide.

If you want to find out more about the Little Brig Sailing Trust

http://www.littlebrig.com/

Mirror dinghy Racing has started and I will let you know how we get on in the Season. I intent to do some helming this year, (as I usually only crew when racing) so there may well be some interesting manoeuvres around the buoys! My skipper is expecting great things, but under race conditions my nerve added to my competitive streak may well get in a tangle or two!

Jacob Fleece Part Three

Spinning A Yarn.

Spinning the Jacob fleece on my Ashford Tradition Spinning Wheel

On the bobbin I attach a long thread of spare yarn which is called a "Leader" (when I start to spin, this will pull and wind my new yarn on the bobbin).

I turn the wheel in a clockwise direction, keeping a steady rhythm on the Treadle (foot pedal ). Taking a small amount of prepared "rolag" (see earlier post on these) I spin by carefully drawing the staples with my right hand and pinching the yarn with my left thumb and index finger. Allowing the yarn to wind onto the bobbin in a easy flowing manner.

If you look closely hopefully you can see the triangle of fleece being drawn gently with my right hand and the spun yarn feeding from my left thumb and finger onto the bobbin.

To load the bobbin evenly, I move the yarn along the hooks on the Flyer.

When I have filled two bobbins with yarn it is ready to Ply.

Just a Treat

I made myself a new phone cosy. Using up some of my stash (freedom spirit 100% wool twilleys). I have used a vintage button from my Grandmother's button box.
It's just a treat!

I have handknitted it in stocking stitch with a garter stitch top opening and a little tab with buttonhole.

It was such fun to do, so I will probably be making some more little cosies in this design for sale at my craft fairs. I think it would make an ideal "knit kit" for the beginner knitter to purchase, so I will be developing this and let you know when it is available.

I always feel that the quality of the materials are crucial to a good designed piece of handknitting or weaving. Yes, it can be expensive but what you achieve is a finished item that is beautiful to look at, wonderful to the touch and will last and last.

And of course when making small items "a little goes a long way"
I knitted this with wool leftover from another project so this little cosy only cost me; a little time spent sitting in the afternoon sunshine enjoying my craft and making myself a little treat...

Launch Time!

Launch time at last!

Saturday

This weekend our sailing season has begun. Our little Sunstar 18 yacht was lifted back onto the water and now waits happily on her swing mooring for sunny sailing days of kind warm breezes and adventures.

It was a busy (and thankfully sunny morning) with lots of activity and plenty of boat folk down at the Quay; as all the boats that have shared the "winter lay up"at the Quay get lifted in with the cranes on the same day. I always find it quite a stressful time when it's our turn and the crane lifts her up and she dangles in the air before being gently lowered into the water!
All went well and as my husband (skipper) and son (crew for the day) motored her back down the river I was able to take a few photos as they passed by.

We all met up in the pub for a well deserved late lunch.

Sunday

Dawned another sunny warm spring day, so we packed up a picnic lunch and rowed out in our little dinghy for an afternoon on the water.

There was a gentle NE/E breeze so we "made ready" hoisted the sails and had a lovely relaxing sail down and up river before the wind completely faded, which was about 3pm just the right time to motor back on our mooring for a nice cup of tea!

"Casting on and Casting Off "-

It's what life's all about for me.

More sailing and even knit projects from onboard soon!