More TSG Summer School

A view of the peaceful surroundings at The Hayes Conference Centre. This is the smaller of the two lakes viewed from the bird hide side. Lots of benches for contemplation.

I also ended up making this small layered book which was meant to resemble a walnut shell.

TSG Summer School

Just spent a lovely break at the Textile Study Group Summer School at the Hayes Conference Centre near Swanwick. It was amazing. Lovely venue, lovely people and fantastic tutors.

Lots of dyeing going on with Ruth Issett's group …

3D with Alice Fox

Catch A Giraffe

Lovely morning so off I went on my bike to Worcester and managed to find yet more Giraffes …

An Outstanding Source

This is the one at Diglis Bridge without all the lady cyclists this week.

Variations on an Original Theme

Once over the bridge in Worcester and returning towards Diglis Bridge I encountered this one. There had to be an Elgar themed one of course!

Kneck Er Bocker Glory

Outside Browns in Worcester, close the River Severn and the water spout play area which was being thoroughly enjoyed by several small children this morning.

Have A Giraffe

Lots of 'Giraffe' jokes printed all over this one.

The Giraffe who found his Happy Place

This one was opposite Worcester Cathedral as I road along the cycle path into Worcester.

It must be Moth Weather

I had a few spare minutes yesterday before we went out for the day so I drew the outline of a moth onto some black card that I had been scribbling on trying out some white ink.  I then placed the cut out moth on top of the card and the card on top of an illustration of something I had saved to put in my sketchbook. Not sure where this is leading me too, but it is good to experiment and develop your ideas.

Progress on another little project is slow and last week I have managed to use my soldering iron to cut out hexagons of sheer fabrics to collage on top of the indigo dyed stitched pieces.  These are the leftovers above which I have adhered to a piece of fabric using the sticky powder you use to mend clothes. (It is like Bondaweb without the backing and the name eludes me at the moment) Thought my cut out black card moth looked like he needed feeding so popped him onto the fabric. Do moths like thistles?

This is the hexagon piece which I am really stuck on.  Handstitching is not working so shall have to resort to some machine embroidery first I think in a lighter coloured thread.

Sticking One's Neck Out

Had to go into Worcester this afternoon to sort out my glasses so decided to get a Trail Map for the 'Worcester Stands Tall' trail.  This is one of the 27 calves.

There are also 30 8ft giraffes too …

Giraffa in Banana Pyjamas

Wooly Worcester

Robo Giraffe

Gregory

Blooming Lovely

The weather has been lovely here for weeks and the only rain we have had was a heavy thunderstorm a couple of days ago. I took this view of the Malverns a week ago when I was out on my bike.

I cannot remember what this tree is but it is on the corner of a junction close to where we live. It is absolutely full of blossom at the moment.

Giraffe Spotting

It is surprising what you come across when you are out cycling.  This lovely creature is one of the 30 sculptures currently on display in Worcester raising funds for St Richard's Hospice Build 2020 expansion appeal.  It is called "An Outstanding Source" and was created by Gayana Ariyaratne.

It is situated near Diglis Bridge which the 'Couch to 50k' group were crossing en route to Croome Park and then back to Malvern via Upton, Hanley Swan, Guarlford and Madresfield. It was their graduation ride. I only went along for the ride as I thought it was a nicer option than doing less miles on my own.

Whooppee for WOW

Sheena with the award

Good week and a bad week for Women on Wheels … Malvern Hills District Council awarded the group 'Club of the Year' and I am not surprised considering the amount of effort everyone puts into make it such a success.  They have encouraged lots of women to get out cycling as a group, meeting new friends and increasing their general fitness.  The trained ride leaders are all voluntary and commit a lot of their valuable time into making WOW such a success.

On the down side unfortunately one of the ride leaders had an accident on her bike this week and has broken her wrist and will be out of action for some time. Hope the break mends quickly as we will all miss Jo's help, enthusiasm and encouragement.

Biking Boys Weekend

We had the annual visit from 2 of DH's friends this last weekend.  They always arrive on their motorbikes and insist on camping in our back garden. At least they did not fall in the stream which is just beyond the green tent!!

We had a lovely meal out on Friday evening and then on Saturday the boys all went off to Chateau Impney for a car related event leaving me to have a nice peaceful day at home. On Sunday morning I whizzed off on my pushbike just before they left to do an organised cycle ride starting at 9 am with the most recent 'Couch to 50k' group.

Cycling Deja Vu

Not a cycling road, but the view from the top of one of the hills after we had left Croome Park.  I was waiting for the others to catch up before we set off back home via Upton.

A selfie by Rachel of her and the riders who were participating in the 2018 Graduation Ride for the Couch to 50k.  Pleased to say everyone managed the full distance.  I did 39.5 miles, but rode very slowly, perhaps just as well as it was very, very hot. At least I found it less challenging than the first time I did it.

An amazing lady called Louise who rode a specially adapted tricycle and completed the full distance. A fantastic achievement. Rachel kept her cool along the way with regular water sprays and encouragement.

Beetling About

As usual I went to Solo Printing with Sue Brown today, with only half an idea of what I was going to do, but ended up with some nice viscosity prints from a couple of 'beetle' plates.  I have been meaning to try them out for ages.

Fine Morning for a bit of cycling

Was up early this morning so decided to drive off to Croome and get an early start. I was not disappointed.  At least three fields of Linseed(?) just starting to come into flower; skylarks flying across the road in front of my nose and beautiful scenery everywhere.  What's not to like? Well for one thing the strong and gusty wind that ensued for the full 20 miles.

Another Book

Finally located the photograph of one more of the books that have gone off to be part of the Cut-Fold-Bind Group exhibitions over the coming weeks.  Mislaid it in transition from my phone to the desktop …. hopeless at times? This one used some textured paper for the cover that arrived wrapped around a present. The binding is stitched with two curved needles, used in pairs and one long piece of thread with a needle on either end. Such fun!!

Cycling in the Sun ... Must be Mad Englishwomen!!

Saturday saw the first ever Weekend event for Women on Wheels members.  There were two organised rides around the Lenches, a 'Steady' (23 miles) and a longer, faster ride (35 miles). Here we all are ready to set off from Hilary's field, minus Nikki who took the photograph.

Have we got a plan?

Almost ready to set off …. we think

Faster Group ready for the off

It was awfully hot and the 'Steady' group managed the full 23.5 miles.  Unfortunately the faster group only managed 25 miles, with a much longer overall time as they lingered longer than anticipated when they stopped off to take on water(?) at a pub on the route.

There was cake and tea when we returned to the field and some stayed for a barbeque and entertainment in the evening with the prospect of even longer rides today.

Camper vans provided hot water for tea