Day 34: Ready to go

A sunny day at Hampton Court. Ducks out on the river.
I was curious to see if there were hoards of joggers on the bridge and river banks but there weren't. Last week's joggers must have been part of an event and not just what people do on Sunday morning.

After breakfast I got my packing organised (not finished), then settled down to finish my Applique piece from yesterday. I had two and a half leaves to finish.


It didn't take long. It is faster working without a hoop for this kind of work - fly stitch and chain stitch and my tension was fine.










I also went over my couching of the flower edge and added a few couching stitches in places where i hadn't quite covered the edge. I can see that the tricky bit of this kind os work is managing the fray. It's easy to exacerbate it when covering the raw edge.






The piece is now finished and in my suitcase. I have really enjoyed doing it and will make it into something useful on my return. It seems a shame to cut the piece much smaller than it is (about 10" square) as the background fabric shows it to such good effect. Maybe another bag????















When my stitching was finished I completed my packing. I was a little surprised that I needed the expander. I have abandoned my Qantas pyjamas, my spencer and a pair of trousers, added two tops a few small gifts and a few (small) stitching supplies. It doesn't matter - I won't be carrying the bag on board, but I had thought I'd balanced out losses and gains. I had to open it again when I realised I didn't have the grey thread I need to stitch my seagull on the plane!











I went for a final walk next door to Gardinarium to check for any new stock or anything I'd missed. I hadn't.








The crowds were out again. Sunday is obviously the day for Hampton Court visits and the Mute Swan was packed.








My car arrived a bit early and it was a relatively easy drive to Heathrow. Check in was fast, security not too bad (probably took 15 minutes all up by the time I had been screened for my titanium knee).

I rarely do any airport shopping but decided to spend some remaining £s on a new watch and some nail polish. My watch died in the Lakes District, not long after I arrived (I only noticed because an observant fellow student asked me if I kept my watch on Australian time!) It may just be a battery problem, but since I had my battery changed in January, I suspect not. I bought it at Auckland Airport at 15-17 years ago - so I can't complain.  These days I check my phone so regularly, I can manage without, but, it's much easier to use a watch on a plane.  As a wise friend said to me recently, "Who goes travelling without a watch?"

So I bought one. The twenty-something sales woman assures me it is a very modern-looking watch!
















I didn't bring a manicure set with me and my nails are now quite long. I prefer them painted when they get this long, but it is too much trouble to maintain, remove and repair the polish when travelling. I therefore indulged in some nail polish and painted them in the BA Lounge. I arrive home on Fionn's birthday and need to look my best.

So here I am, in the BA Lounge at Heathrow, ready to board QF002 in just over an hour's time. This is my final post from England. I will make a final post from Adelaide in about 33 hours time.


My thanks to all the people who helped me make it a great trip.

Day 33: Applique at the RSN

The river was quite busy this morning, cyclists, walkers and rowers in a variety of craft.

At Hampton Court things were quieter - none of the crowds of last weekend. The only people in sight at 9.30 am were the security guards and people coming to courses at the RSN.

There were two courses running today, the Applique one in which I was enrolled and a Crewel Work one.

We were met in the usual place and escorted to our respective classrooms, past numerous chimneys and the old kitchens.












We were not in the same classroom as last Sunday, so I was unable to take more photos of the Crewel work screen. So many people have commented on it that I hoped to show more of it.

There was a Crewel work fire screen in our classroom. It was under glass, so not so easy to photograph. I gather that the works on display in classrooms are from the RSN Museum collection, but not their most valuable works - possibly done by students at some point in the past.

Deborah Wilding was our teacher today. She had prepared a very attractive kit.

All the pieces for our applique were inside and ready for our use.










Our first task was to lay out our work, then pin and baste the bottom layer - in this case the leaves. We moved on, layer by layer











.







Meanwhile, from our classroom window, the garden remained quiet.



















Deborah was very well organised and sequential in her teachers. She had some really good tips and techniques.

By the end of the day I had progressed quite a long way. I was also keen to continue working on it. As the hoop and stand I was using belonged to the RSN, and I have no hoop with me, I decided to finish any areas for which I definitely needed a hoop, then try to finish it out of a hoop in the next couple of days.


It was an excellent project, designed to teach a small number of key techniques of applique. There were only six in the class, which was warm and sociable.

By the time we finished, there were more people about - still, indeed arriving. Nowhere, however, the numbers of Mothers' Day last Sunday.













I caught glimpses of costumed people walking the corridors.




I can't resist the detail of the architecture.



















Back at the hotel, I had a phone call from my Watford friend Christine to wish me bon voyage. We had a good chat and lots of laughs. It has been lovely to talk to her. I hope her health issues are soon resolved.












At dinner tonight tI shared a table with a woman who had been in the Crewel Work class at Hampton Court today. We exchanged notes about our classes and our lives.  It was a very pleasant way to spend my last evening in the hotel.

I had my last beef and ale pie for some time. The vegetables here at the hotel have been great - lightly cooked whole peas, with cabbage and carrot. The chef has become accustomed to my heresy of chips instead of mash potato with his ale pie!









There was a ninetieth birthday celebration taking place in the bar which looked like continuing for some time.



I however, returned to my room to do more work on my applique.





I am really enjoying it - so want to finish it.


Tomorrow my flight leaves Heathrow at 9.35 pm. My airport transfer picks me up at 5.00. I have organised to extend my room until then, so have plenty of time to pack and prepare.






This is roughly where I am now up to with my applique. I hope to finish it before I leave for the airport tomorrow.


With a bit of luck my next post will be from Heathrow tomorrow night.

Day 32: More threads, more cousins.

Today's post is a bit of a grab-bag.  I'm having trouble creating a narrative thread!

First, a bit of a follow-up on the doilie story from yesterday. My cousin Christine, who is herself a collector of doilies,  has positively identified the one I thought was lace (right) as Belgium lace. Christine has an identical one bought for her in Belgium by a friend. Many thanks Christine. I'm chuffed.

I also had an anonymous posting to my embroidery blog, which, translated from the French in which it was written, said " For your mats, 2 = bobbin lace,  the 3rd the lace of Luxeuil and 4 crochet". This conflicts with Christine's information (Luxeuil instead of Brussels) - but we are on the right track.

My only excursion today was over to Bridge Road - yes, I admit it - to the quilting shop again.

I began my seagull panel last night - another Embroiderers' Guild of SA piece for the Aviarius exhibition in August. My seagull is going on the back of a bench seat, coloured tan. I thought I had enough thread with me, but bench seats use a lot of thread! So I ventured over this morning to see if I could match the colour. Mine, of course was unmarked anonymous thread from a previous project.






To my joy, amongst their quite limited range of thread, was Anchor 341 - a perfect match, along with 339 to give me some shading options. Yes!


/



My luck was also in with the car Veronica took a fancy to from my previous post. It wasn't parked there yesterday, but was back again today and I got a much better photograph.








It is, I discovered (from the word conveniently printed under the windscreen!), a Citroen Dolly (1987/8). Veronica has good taste. You can buy one for about £6500











I also noticed a rather charming pub that looks as if it would be worth sampling - but I don't feel inclined to try on my own - need cousins!













I haven't used Hampton Court station while I've been here. The closest I have got is to the antique shops opposite. I love the lines of the building - there's an embroidery in there!

I have been observing the lovely lamp-posts on the Hampton Court Bridge. At sunset, on a bright day, the light catches the filigree and they shimmer.

I checked them out today at close range. The figure on the top of the light is a lion in all cases. I had thought they might alternate with a unicorn.

There's more embroidery potential here!






My main commitment today was to lunch at the Mitre with Andrew and Jean. Andrew and I are second cousins once removed on my mother's side. We met, through a family history connection,  last time I was in London and again when Andrew and Jean were in Sydney last year. We have loads in common and had a really relaxed and enjoyable three and a half hours over lunch, discussing family, family history, travel, work - and the many things we share. We missed my brother - who had originally planned to make this trip too.

Although I had issued the lunch invitation, Peter insisted it was their treat. Unless they make a return trip to Australia soon (not on the cards) the next one in London is on me (and maybe my brother!).

The weather reached a high of 17C here today and it was almost glarey sitting in the window of the Riverside Restaurant.At 5pm it was down to 14C and quite chilly outside -but still quite sunny - and beautiful. I am starting to like shades of grey! Must be time to go home.

Tomorrow is my last full day in London and I will be spending it at the Royal School of Needlework. I am disappointed that I have missed seeing their Stories in Stitch Exhibition. I had assumed I could just go to the Palace and see it in working hours, but you need to book into a session .There are very few sessions and the two this week were booked out long ago. Had I realised, I could have booked months ago. It didn't occur to me to check.




Tonight I tried to capture the beams of the setting sun on the lamp posts.

Only one is close enough for me to capture.

 

Then the sun set.
















I also videoed the movement of the water - so soothing. Hope you can see it.

Day 29: How bright, how solemn, how serene; a day on the Thames

One of the things I like about this hotel is the chance to sit and reflect on the river at mealtimes. At breakfast this morning there was never more than one other table occupied while I was there. I was able to choose my table to face East and see, without hearing, the traffic log-jammed at times on the bridge and to turn my attention to the flow of the water and the reflection of the light on the water and under the bridge.

It is very soothing and contemplative.

To continue the river theme, I decided to take the Turk Company ferry to Richmond and back - a trip that takes most of the day. Last time I was here,  I went as far as Kingston  and back.  This time, armed with my embroidery and a book, I decided to venture further.





I caught the first service - 11.15am from Hampton Court.
The boat was the large New Southern Belle,  built on the Thames with a paddle wheel on the back. Downstairs it has plush seating in booths with tables and upstairs an open floor with seats around the side. Obviously the company makes its profit from event hire with dinner and dancing rather than its regular Hampton Court to Kingston runs - at least at this time of the year.

There were about 15 passengers on board this trip including the dog.




The first thing we pass, of course, is Hampton Court.


















 Several of the Queen's swans were in evidence, along with walkers and rowers singly

 and in groups. I noticed a lot of the rowers are senior citizens - or at least seniors.

As we approached Kingston, our Captain lowered the funnels (cannon?) to fit under the bridge. You can see his hand out of his cabin window, winding them down on a pulley. Nifty.




























As we entered Kingston there were people out feeding the swans.













It looked a peaceful and companionable thing to do.

















At Kingston, those of us going on to Richmond changed boats to the smaller, if grandly named Richmond Royale. This has one floor of open table seating and space on the roof to sit. We picked up a few more passengers - maybe 20 of us went to Richmond.






Both boats have bars -
no doubt important in event hire. I don't think I've been on a river boat before that did not sell tea, coffee and snacks but was would sell you a cocktail, whisky or champagne from 11 in the morning to the end of the run at 4.45!









The run from Kingston to Richmond was picturesque and peaceful. I was interested in the variety of houses along the river - from mansions, to apartment blocks to modest cottages and what South Australians call 'shacks'.






















There is also a big variety of vessels moored,

On this stretch of the river we pass through the Richmond lock. Opened in 1894 and refurbished in 1994, there is a sluice gate that opens either side of the high tide to let vessels through. At other times shipping must pass through the locks to the side of the sluice gate.










We passed through the lock both coming and going.

This is the water level as we entered




and as we left.

Along the lock is a theThames Venturer, a restored Dutch vessel that serves an educational purpose - and was swarming with school children.









There were some lovely trees, shrubs and flowers along this stretch. The willows were magnificent.













There were also some lovely structures.



















a huge school









 and a variety of yacht clubs - mostly far from magnificent and very well used -











as well as the Twickenham Sea Scouts.
































The river is tidal at Richmond. I was returning on the 2.15 boat, which was fine, but the 4.15 boat would not be able to dock at the regular pier because the tide would be high.

The hotel near the landing pier marked this by an alternative entrance for high tide.

 We arrived in Richmond at 1.00 pm. There are some grand hotels along the river front near the landing. Most of the passengers headed for one of these for a buffet lunch.


I did not attempt the walk to Richmond Green, nor to the Art Galleries, as suggested by my good Watford tour adviser .










As I planned to only stay one hour, and make the two-hour return journey on the 2.15 boat, I settled for the humbler Slug and Lettuce pub. My tour adviser, I think, would approve - based on our Scottish experience!







There were only two passengers on the return journey - so I presume the buffet was successful!

 Back at Kingston, we changed vessels again. The funnels were once again raised after we passed under the bridge (you can just see the Captain's  hand on the right hand side and the funnel raising on the left).














On the return journey I snapped a few houseboats and other craft



















including teams practising













and derelict barges.


















There was an industrial structure or two











and lovely trees on the skyline.

The river is well used by walkers, joggers, mothers' groups with babies, wheelchairs, cyclists and rowers. I could have taken a whole series of photos to demonstrate.











I ventured a selfie with Hampton Court background (not my best hair day, and a bit evil-witch!)














as we returned to base.

So the sun sets again on the river. I have loved my day allowing the river to carry me along. Tomorrow I may focus again on that which is walkable. I have a yen to finish my last Robin panel and enjoy the precinct.

Perhaps after all, I do need something more from the quilting shop!