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Stravaiging

Stravaiging graphic

A visit to Farfield Mill

A few days before Christmas I was able to visit Farfield Mill to see their current textile exhibitions before they closed for the festive season.

I’ve been a few times but not for a number of years and I was delighted to find it brighter and fresher and full of inspiration (and now free to enter...)

Farfield Mill, Sedbergh

Located at Sedbergh, England’s Book Town, on the western edge of the Yorkshire Dales, the Mill was completed in 1837. Wool spun there was used on their six looms but also went out to local cottage industries of both knitters and weavers.

What we did on our holidays

Christmas 2024 was spent in Swaledale in the Yorkshire Dales (in northern England). We booked a week in a wee first floor apartment with woodburning stove on the southern edge of the green in the village of Reeth. We have visited before, together and separately, but never stayed a night.

I deliberately did not look at the weather forecast - didn’t want to know. We always travel with wet weather gear anyway, and lots of ‘dog’ towels as well as, in my case this trip, knitting and stitching supplies, a complex jigsaw and a new real book, with more on my ipad.

 

Suspension bridge over the River Swale

Chocolate Orange Bread

Because we all need a little escape, and hiding in a chocolate infused bubble works briefly.

Download the attached PDF for the recipe...

Two loaves on a cooling rack

Falling leaves, slowing down

We are all just creatures, all of this planet, and only nominally in control of our bodies at any time. And if we are also all stardust, why do we expect so much of ourselves and of others? Isn’t it a feat that we can tie our own shoelaces, let alone use mobile phones and TV remotes? Why do we push onwards, feel guilty about extra coffee breaks or not ticking adequate numbers of things off lists? Where are we trying to get to?

a tiny falling down shed in a tree-lined field

 

The Border Tart’s Retreat in March 2025

This post is solely about the retreat I am planning for March next year. It is now open to all and there is a copy of the application form below to download and complete, if you would like to participate. It sets out the cost per attendee and the payment schedule. 

If you are unable to save and complete the application form online, please print it off, fill it in and send me a photograph or scan of it. I cannot consider applications in any other style.

In the event that you need to cancel, fees will not be refundable unless I am able to find a suitable new participant to take your place.

OK, that’s the serious stuff out of the way. I hope you love the idea of a few days’ gentle stitching in lovely surroundings in March and would like to join me in encouraging the arrival of Spring at the farmhouse! 

click on the ‘Read More’ button to see the whole post.

bordertart

🌷Too chilly on this morning’s walk to remove my gloves to take pics, so here’s last night’s candlelit still life.
It was all going so well until I realised what the odd smell was - singed tulip….🔥🙄…
🪡🪡🪡
A wise friend once said that it takes longer to not do a job than to do it. 
Case in point: these little stitched pincushions have been hanging around - under wraps but still in the way - waiting to be united with their indigo dyed egg cup bases - for at least six months. 
Today was the day. 
A major achievement for Tartkind🤗
🌞
A bracing (ok, very chilly) walk with man and dog on this bright second morning of a brand new year
A very few flakes of snow and a pale rainbow 
All is well in my wee corner of this troubled world
~
Safe
Lucky
Privileged
Grateful
~
#hometerritory
#scottishborders
#ruralbliss
🖤🩶
Never met a stripe I didn’t like…
Ok, that’s not entirely true but I’m very happily knitting them in grey and charcoal this holiday time🤗
🐾🌷
Enjoying a gentle afternoon in front of the fire with a book in my hand and a dog at my feet. 
This is what I have been waiting for….🙏🏻
Also loving the architectural elegance of my gift-to-self £5 bunch of Lidl tulips on the windowsill.
✨✨✨✨✨
Sending you comfort and joy from our tiny corner of the world ❤️🐾
Happy post day!
My new @thosejoestoes slippers kit in jolly festive red has just arrived
Not too taxing - may be able to stitch them and drink a cheeky port at the same time…what could possibly go wrong?🤔
🌞🐾
A gentle morning walk with Bruce as the sun rose on the second shortest day of the year. Blissful!

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