It's been a misty, murky sort of a day today, with a view that was only half there. It's so strange when the familiar hilly landscape that I've become so fond of simply disappears, it's a bit of a visual shock to the system! In fact this week so far has been a bit of a strange one, and that murky dampness seems to have settled deeply into my system. I flew back from France on Sunday, traveled north from London on Monday, then spent yesterday floating around in a grey bubble of mild exhaustion.
Today has been better, I met a friend for coffee this morning and spent half of the time bending her ear about my fabulous French experience, feeling the need to verbalise my feelings to somebody who was prepared to listen and nod in appropriate places. The fam were glad to have me back, but mainly because household harmony seemed to be hanging by a thread. Nobody had any clean underwear, and I listened to the Little People tell me about The Running Out of Butter as if it were the end of the world. It felt nice to be missed, even if it was only in the capacity of laundry maid and grocery shopper. J did an amazing job of cooking and keeping everything ticking over while I was gone (although he clearly did not monitor the butter situation carefully enough, and one load of washing in 9 days was not quite enough either).
France was a-mazing, it was everything I had hoped for and so very much more besides. I have so much to tell you! However, I am mindful of the fact that I'll be repeating my crochet retreat again in a couple of weeks and don't wish to spoil it for the ladies that are still to experience it. I thought you might like to see a few photos though - the above is the view from my third floor bedroom, which had me so delighted each and every day. Hills that were more like mountains, buildings and trees that were centuries old, and the most glorious flowering wisteria that made me swoon and sneeze.
Before last week I had no idea that wisteria had a scent - I had assumed that it was all about the abundant flowery drape and glorious colour.
The scent of wisteria is utterly delicious I can tell you. It is sweet and floral and the very essence of late Springtime. Every day I walked past this doorway and would breathe in the perfume of these delicate flowers - it's a memory that I know will stay with me for always.
I had the most wonderful time teaching last week and found it incredibly uplifting and enjoyable. I created a four day course which was a mixture of colour teaching and crochet and I was very, very inspired by the way the ladies applied so much passion, enthusiasm, thought and determination to their creations. We honestly had the best time together and I'm looking forward to showing you more in a few weeks time.
We had a very welcome amount of time each day to relax and socialise out of the classroom, and we usually spent it cosied up in the very atmospheric and comfortable bar with hooks/needles in hand and a glass of something chilled and sparkly within easy reach. We discovered the local sparkling rose wine which tasted like a fruity champagne......it was pretty irresistible and seemed to go very well with yarn.
I took along a bag of yarn oddments with me to France, left overs from the making of my Sweet Pea and Dune blankets. There are 30 colours in total and I'm so in love with the delicate feel of them all together. I'm making centres for some Summer Garden Granny Squares, putting the colours together in a very random fashion with next to no planning or thought. It's very liberating to be working in this way I have to say, and it's making me really happy. I've no idea how this is going to pan out, how many squares I'll make or what they will turn into - a small blanket, a back-of-the-chair throw, a cushion or maybe even a wrap/shawl? I'll keep you posted.
Yesterday in my murky bubble, I realised that I needed to work on the Dune Colourwash sequence for you. I'm sorry I didn't have time to do this before I went off to France and I know many of you have been waiting patiently for it. I finished it last night and J is creating a colour chart for me, so I'm going to share it on my blog tomorrow (Thursday) for those who fancy giving it a go. I have to say that it has turned out so beautifully, and I can certainly see the appeal of working colourwash versions of my blanket designs. They are just so soothing to look at, and this particular palette of soft coastal colours really looks great when ordered in this way.
Right now it's 10pm and I am pretty sure I need to be horizontal in my bed in the next five minutes or else I will most likely fall asleep right here and face plant into my keyboard. I'll be back tomorrrow with Dune stripey stuff!
Night night xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Oh the colour wash! Such a beauty 😍
Posted by: Julita | May 04, 2019 at 08:17 AM
Hi Lucy, my big bag of pastel sea inspired yarn is here and I'm excited to begin my foundation row. I'm thinking of starting with the sand colors, then the sea greens, then the pink and lavender of a sunset and ending up with blue sky. Then I'll repeat. I'm excited! Sending love from Oregon!
((hugs)), Teresa :-)
Posted by: Teresa Kasner | May 04, 2019 at 05:27 AM
Wow the French retreat looks fab! Maybe there's a wisteria blanket in the pipeline!! Loving the colourwash and random stripey dune and cant wait to start making them. Thanks again Lucy for the inspiration xx
Posted by: Craftt Cath | May 03, 2019 at 12:37 PM
Thank you for such a lovely post. I am so looking forward to meeting you and can't wait to take in the sights and sounds of such a beautiful place.
Posted by: Sarena Cox | May 02, 2019 at 09:14 PM
Might there be a wisteria blanket in the offing?
Posted by: Lesley abigail | May 02, 2019 at 06:43 PM
Glad you’re back. Your trip sounds amazing. My yarn arrived last week and I’m enjoying the colors and pattern. I’m on row 26. Had to give my eyes a bit of a rest!!
Posted by: Linda from Boston | May 02, 2019 at 02:53 PM
Welcome back! I love the Dune colourwash stripes, they are so harmonious. Isnt wisteria divine? It doesnt last long here, but while it does its magical.
Posted by: gina in alabama | May 02, 2019 at 01:39 PM
So wonderful to read about your vacation/crochet teaching excursion. Had to laugh about the laundry and butter, so typical. My yarn is on its way here to St.Louis and I’m excited to get started on this dune blanket.
Posted by: Hedy | May 02, 2019 at 12:50 PM
Wow, France looks amazing. I only discovered about the scent of wisteria a week ago as well, when I found a plant growing over the railings outside a house in Bath. Wonderful isn't it. The domestic situation made me smile. One load of washing in nine days, oh dear. And NO BUTTER. Thank goodness you are home. CJ xx
Posted by: CJ | May 02, 2019 at 12:30 PM
So happy you enjoyed it. New things happening in near future ;>)
Posted by: Tinke | May 02, 2019 at 11:29 AM
Every domestic goddess deserves a break from routine occasionally. Admiring your inspirational compositions of colours and photos as always.
Posted by: Phil | May 02, 2019 at 09:27 AM
Wonderful views, it sounds like a great retreat in such a beautiful place. Can't wait to hopefully see more photos after the second retreat :)
Posted by: Tuula Maaria | May 02, 2019 at 08:18 AM
Wonderful photos, as always, and it sounds like you have made some fabulous memories for yourself and the others on the retreat with you, too :-)
Make sure you take this week slowly, Lucy, and make the most of opportunities to rest when you can. Nanna naps are incredibly restorative! Xx
Posted by: Jools Morgan-Jones | May 02, 2019 at 07:57 AM
Lovely as ever thankyou
Posted by: Jacqui | May 02, 2019 at 07:30 AM
I love to read your posts but I very rarely comment. The colour wash blanket looks stunning and I look forward to reading today's post. Wisteria is a wonderful plant and I agree the scent is heavenly. On my lunch break the other day I went for a walk and counted 7 houses in one small road that had wisteria growing. I must take some pics of them xx
Posted by: Maria Illsley | May 02, 2019 at 06:49 AM
LOL ran out of butter, love that. I had a beautiful Wisteria at my last home. Your retreat looks awesome and envious of all who can do this. Beautiful crochet as always Lucy xoxo
Posted by: wend | May 02, 2019 at 03:01 AM
Welcome back Lucy, we missed you! 💙
Posted by: Norma | May 02, 2019 at 12:56 AM
Lovely to have you back! The hotel/retreat looks amazing and your photos as usual make me want to go there.....
Take a little time out now to regroup and look after yourself, in between all the washing, ironing, shopping, housework etc. etc....!
Thanks as always for your lovely, well thought out patterns.
Posted by: Corinne | May 01, 2019 at 10:45 PM
Can’t wait to see the Dune colourwash, I think that what I’ll do with my pack I’ve got waiting to start. Xxx
Posted by: Tracey Carter | May 01, 2019 at 10:34 PM
You writing is as beautiful as your crochet! I love reading your blogs! Thank you so much for sharing!
Posted by: Sharon McKenna | May 01, 2019 at 10:32 PM