Day 18: By the Avon

After breakfast this morning I worked for about an hour on the Muncaster Orange until my room was serviced. Not, regretfully, in my chosen corner of the lounge which was occupied by strangers having breakfast. There was, however, a good spot in the window in the bar.

It is Saturday, and the place is buzzing. I listen to two elderly men teaching a third friend to do the cryptic crossword. He wants to learn. In between teaching they discuss the horses running today at Cheltenham.

Once my room is serviced I empty my bag all over my bed and repack it with some care and wash some smalls. Wouldn't do to pack dirty clothes. It fits quite nicely.


I walk down to the river. It's overcast and cool but there are plenty of people about.  I had a look in the RST shop. It's an interesting collection, and includes some packs of small fabric squares from costumes made for the 2019 season. Of course I buy one. There were also packs of larger pieces from the Winter Season- almost fat quarters,  in muted Winter colours.

Along the river the swans are out in force, cadging from the parents who have brought their children to be terrified by feeding them.

I love the swans - but they are pretty fearsome. There is nothing in their expressions to suggest they are friendly.

They are nevertheless photogenic.

Further up the river there's another group of them being fed. My original lot sense a better deal and paddle furiously to compete











only to be disillusioned.

Swans are not the only birds hanging around for their chance.



















The canal lock is deserted. It fell into disrepair but was reopened in 1968 by the Queen Mother.



I'm sure it gets more use in Summer.









I didn't check if this is actor or bard stepping up to speak.




I was distracted by this piano man, playing and singing Music Hall songs as he pedalled his piano in a circle along the river, collecting donations in the hat attached to  the side of the piano.










There were plenty of people out and about, holding hands and showing no signs of Covid19 panic.










This tree was my the most beautiful thing I saw on my walk




especially when the birds were wheeling.

Back at the hotel I did more stitching in the bar, had my soup for late lunch (along with a ham, cheese and pickle sandwich instead of scones - how good am I!).  This time my companions were couples, English and European. Manners, I notice, dictate they whisper so as not to disturb others. Larger groups usually feel free to talk loudly.


As I contemplated my morning's purchased, it struck me that the fabric packs I had rejected might make really appropriate lining and backing for the pouch I intend to make from Nicola's Midsummer Pillowe. So back I went, and indeed, I think this pack has at least three possible pieces. So the Midsummer Pillow may be constructed with the Royal Shakespeare Theatre's 2019 Winter Season costuming! There's a task to keep me occupied if I have to self-isolate when I return home!



As I walked back to my hotel, the bicycle piano man was just turning into Sheep Street and passed me by with a rendition of "It was just one of those things".



I finished my stitching in my room. The bar on a Saturday evening is not conducive to solitary stitching.

I finished the first orange, which pleases me no end. I shall put this away now until tomorrow. It will become my Mitre Project. I have my travel project to keep me happy until then.

I've picked up my wallet from the hotel safe, the washing is nearly dry and bags ready to receive the last of the toiletries, cords and devices.


Tomorrow is Mitre day!

Day 17: Arts Heritage Centre & change of plan

Over the last couple of days I have been fluctuating between (1) relaxing into a week at the Mitre Hotel Hampton Court while waiting for my 2 day course at the RSN and (2) changing my flight home. This morning I had another serious look at altering my flight. My finger paused over the button for the best part of a minute - then I pressed it. As a result I am booked to leave Heathrow  next Wednesday at 11.55 am and arrive in Adelaide at 7.15 pm Thursday.  This means I have cancelled my 2 day course at the RSN. 

My concern is not so much contracting the virus but finding myself locked out of Australia if the government extends its European travel ban to the UK. It’s a bit of a long shot at the moment but as things are changing rapidly I’d like to be home sooner rather than later. I don't think I can relax at the Mitre while wondering if my flight will take off.

Next Wednesday’s flight is on the same schedule on which I was originally booked - even the same seats! While I could have had flights sooner, l had to alter either my route or connection. It will cost me - but less than the cost of staying.

At times like this I just want to be at home.

It took me a while to organise this and subsequent hotel and class changes so I did not get to breakfast until 9.40 am , forgetting that on weekdays breakfast finishes at 9.30. Staff cleaning tables as the stragglers finished told me firmly that breakfast was finished. I didn’t argue so took myself off to my stitching corner. Soon my favourite staffer, Lilliana, arrived to check my stitching. When she discovered I had missed breakfast she asked if I’d like coffee - and croissants. Soon she had rustled up a more than adequate breakfast . Yar boo sucks to grumpy wait staff!

When I had eaten and cleaned my hands, I set to work on the plaited braid pea.


I am pleased with this. This is definitely a stitch that improves with repetition. I'm getting there.

My plan was to visit the Heritage Arts Centre, which did not open until 1.30 pm.  I walked down to the river.


There was not a lot happening. The magnolia tree is magnificent.










It was still only 1pm, so I called into the Cancer Council Op Shop. In addition to used items they sell a range of sewing kits and packaged accessories.




I liked this pack of zippers - which gave me an idea.


By now the Heritage Arts Centre was about to open.  The Entrance is marked by yarn bombing.

On the pamphlet that led me here, the centre is simple billed as "Heritage Arts Centre". Its website has it as 'Slaughter House Heritage Arts Centre'. 





The building was apparently a 15th century mill, a 16th/17th pub (The Crown) an 18th century rope walk and a 19th century butchery.

The last is the explanation for the name, and for the equipment displayed in the main room.



There are displays of heritage items - most of which I have used at one time or another in my life!



A charity, Escape Arts, manages the site, running a lego club for kids and engaging in community projects, such as the re- upholstering of this chair,  which had been the favourite of Arthur Weatherhead,  an electrician at the RST.


The group clearly does a good job of engaging the community in both the past and present day art enterprises.








This section of Stratford is picturesque and well-maintained. Some signs, like the one on the bank, seem redundant.




Back at the hotel I had what has become my regular lunch. The soup is very good. So are the scones.








By 5.30 pm I had finished the blackwork piece - or more accurately, the plaited braid stitch piece. It is far from perfect but I am pleased with it. I got the hang of it and can do the stitch without looking at the instructions. The trick is in the tension and spacing. It is much harder in gold passing thread than in perle, but  I did get into the rhythm.

When it was finished I tried out my zip idea. I think it will work. This will be my pouch for goldwork tools








and this will be the pouch for keeping silk threads. Reckon it will work.


With that sorted, I rang my friend Christine Thatcher and sorted out the problems of the world for the best part of an hour. She approves my decision to return home early. Although we won't be able to meet this visit we will talk again in a couple of days time. These friendships are why I keep coming.

Last day in Stratford tomorrow.

Day 16 : Hall's Croft and stitching.

Yesterday and today were days I had planned to spend with my cousins Penny and Mark however Pen's doctor suggested she not travel at the moment so we cancelled. It's a shame, and a blow to both of us, but the only possible thing to do. We're already plotting for next year. It left me with a couple of extra days in Stratford so I've revised my plans. I am now going to Hampton Court on Sunday, three days earlier than planned. I will, by Sunday, have done all I want to do here in Stratford and the Mitre has better light for embroidering than the Mercure does here in Stratford. And of course, there's the river. 

After my mammoth writing effort yesterday, I stitched for a bit to empty my head of words.  I effectively finished the Midsummer Pillowe. I say 'effectively' because there are, of course, a few embellishments I have lost. I am not good with little packets of beads, sequins and crystals. I am missing one large transparent sequin for Moonbeam, plus three tiny clear beads for the same, and one crystal bead for Titania's roses. I will find replacements when I get home.  I know I could ask Nicola for replacements, but she doesn't need that in her life. It is my job to look after them.Next time I shall bring a couple of those tiny screw-top containers to put beads in.  I am a bit of a klutz with beads and sequins in kits.











I have taken over a corner of the lounge/bar area in the last two days. It's away from the bar, so not as in demand as other areas, and has a window behind my chair, so good light.

It's a bit removed from the main area. I often share it with elderly men reading the newspaper or old timers meeting up for a drink in town. There are also the odd women (usually in pairs) who stand and watch me through the window.


This is the 'finished' piece, now out of its frame.

I have decided to make it into a purse/pouch in which I am going to keep my silk threads. It needs, I think, some silk lining and a back in a colour to match the writing behind the embroidery.


That finished, I set off this morning to Hall's Croft, the home of Shakespeare's daughter Susanna and her husband . This is where I missed dinner on the second day of the retreat.
This time I found the entrance with no trouble. I'm not sure what my problem was the other night but the entrance was very clear today.









This is a Shakespeare Trust property and signage and curation is excellent. There is a great graphic at the beginning of the displays showing the changes to the house over time.









The rooms are not overcrowded and there is opportunity to see how the home would have worked for a family.



















It has a long connecting hall
and glimpses into the garden.













Unusually, steps and stairs are kept to a minimum.








John Hall was a physician, so dispensed medicines from home. There is a space set up as a dispensary.

The kitchen is full of the latest technology, including a smoke jack, which used smoke from the chimney to turn a fan which in turn slowly turned the spit to cook a roast. There is no evidence than John and Susanna's household used a smoke jack but they were available in their lifetime. This is a slightly later model.



The museum has done quite a bit of work in reproducing clothing of the time and has a group of volunteers who put in a lot of time learning and making. They are about to start another major project and the cloth is laid out ready in the Exhibition room.












I bought a copy to the book the Museum has helped to publish. It would have been a great book to have when I was helping Brigid make her Tudor Costume in 2014!













There was also a nicely stitched coif in the room designated as Elizabeth's bedroom as well as some examples of Elizabethan needlework in progress.

I thought it very sensible that the Trust has not attempted to reconstruct the house as it was in any particular era, but rather set it out to display elements.

I really like the grate surround depicting St John the Evangelist. I wonder if John Hall identified with it? It would make a great embroidery.














The restoration of Hall's Croft has sensibly created a large exhibition space out of two or three bedrooms. There is currently an exhibition on health and medical beliefs and practices of the time. I was particularly interested in the claim that medical practice in the Tudor period saw physical and mental health as inseparable and the outlines of consequent practice. I was familiar with much of this, but found the presentation and contemporary connection very clear.





It was a bit chilly in the garden today as there was a bit of cold wind. There were also a lot of schoolboys.
















I liked the use of terracotta pots to label the vegetable rows.

It must look spectacular when the wisteria is out.

The magnolia is just bursting into flower.

Outside in the edging garden there was a wonderful tulip in bloom.



Back at the hotel I went back to my corner of the lounge with Kate Barlow's coif design and got stuck into the Elizabethan braided knot stitch.

It took a while to get into my stride, but it did come. It is far from perfect but I got the stitch. I even figured out how I got the twist in my first circle and eliminated a similar twist from today's work. I completed my second loop and finished off the last two blackwork leaves.






At the moment I am thinking I might turn this into a pouch for my goldwork/metalwork tools.

Tomorrow I'm thinking I might go to visit the Art Centre. I'd like to take a river cruise, but they don't run until after Easter.