Time travelling with textiles

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For me, one of the most exciting things about my recent visit to the Highland Life Folk Museum was the way that the textile heritage of the area was represented.

The museum extends for about a mile, and consists of a reconstruction of a 1730s township, and then existing buildings dating from the 1800s to the 1940s that have been moved and rebuilt.

This means that unlike a standard museum, or a Trust property, the houses and contents are a snapshot of one particular period, rather than an accumulation of artifacts over the family’s ownership of the house.

I’m not sure if all of the textiles in each house originally belonged to it  but each gives a unique insight into the life, and textiles of the era.

I have talked before about the importance of textiles in portraying aspects of daily life, and it is really obvious here. The 1730s houses are about survival, keeping the people, and animals who shared them, safe and warm, especially in the winter days.

Textiles here are functional, spinning and weaving them yourself the only way to get them, and a continual set of tasks within the community. 

One of the displays showed the multifunctionality of the original tartan cloth, garment, cloak and blanket, all in one handy length.

As life starts to get less pressured, and as job roles diversify, you have the separate businesses devoted to clothing.These buildings originally stood in the nearby town of Newtonmore.

The tailors and dressmakers, aided by the invention of the sewing machine. The idea of having lots of clothes for different purposes,  the ability to own more than one of things, and the luxury of not having to make it yourself.

Clothing as status, the well tailored tweed suit, the modern kilt in clan tartans, all things uniquely associated with Scotland, and exported all over the world.

In the later period houses, those of the leisure classes, with time to spend on the ‘decorative arts’, textiles to show your skill, to make your home look nice.

An endless succession of tablecloths, tray covers, anti maccassars, fire screens and cushions. All created in the home with materials bought from specialist suppliers. A way to pass time with friends, or while listening to the radio.

It was marvellous place to visit, and one of my very favourite ways to spend the day. I was also exceptionally lucky that the weather was gorgeous, and the scenery stunning. Loved the three varieties of Highland Cow, just enjoying the sun and their grass.

I ended the day at a new aire, in Aberfeldy, just sitting watching the clouds as usual, and listening to the birds flying over the fields.

I have a few more posts to share with you about Scotland, it seems such a long time ago that I left, although it’s only a week. Hopefully,  good WiFi allowing, I can share more next week, as I am making my way to the final few campsites of this trip.

In the meantime, have fun, take care, stay safe and thanks for visiting.

Lots and lots of locks and lochs!

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I have wanted to visit the Cairngorms for a very long time, and it is definitely an area to return to as I only had a glimpse at its beauty.

The trip from Skye westwards took me first to Fort Augustus, at the end of Loch Ness. I had been there before, briefly with Jacky two years ago, but wanted to revisit, partly to stay at a new aire just outside the town.

The journey was so beautiful, passing through Glenshiel and past Loch Cluanie.

Fort Augustus is famous for being the other end of the Caledonian Canal, I visited Neptune’s Staircase a couple of weeks ago, and here are the five locks that complete the journey, allowing boats to enter Loch Ness, and travel to Inverness and the sea.

There is a great information centre about the canal, and also lots of lovely shops and cafés. I was lucky enough to see another group of boats go through, both the locks and the swing bridge into Loch Ness.

If you look at the map of Scotland, this is where it nearly spilts in half, a fault line known as the Great Glen. The canals allowed ships to cross Scotland without having to follow the often dangerous northern coastline.

This was an enormous undertaking, these canals were dug by hand and it took 19 years to complete, overseen by Thomas Telford. There are a total of 29 locks along outside length. It is just amazing that this has been preserved and restored so it can still be used.

I stayed overnight at the very nice Loch Ness caravan park. Like many aires this has been set up by a farming family and is a quiet site, a short walk from the town.

I really enjoy supporting small businesses like these, and it has been great to have so many options in Scotland, as well as the Caravan and Camping Club sites.

The following day I went over to the edge of the Cairngorm National Park, with a quick stop at Aviemore for supplies. I ended up at the Rothiemurchus Estate.

The estate offers lots of different activities, such as bike hire, horse riding, fishing, but also has brilliant hiking trails.

It was a beautiful sunny day, so I did 8km circular route to Loch an Eilein, passing Loch Mor with so many water lilies, and through stunning forests and heathland. 

There were also deer on the estate, a little far away for good photos.

Despite all my walks, I still haven’t seen a single red squirrel, the only disappointment about my trip to Scotland! Lots signs saying look out for them, but none to be seen 😔

I had a choice of aires and park ups in this area, because it was such a beautiful evening, I opted for staying at the Loch Insh watersports centre. 

It was such a lovely way to end such a fantastic day, sitting with a G and T in the sun, watching the wild swimmers in the loch.

My final day in the area I will tell you about next time, as I need a whole post to share all the things at one of my favourite types of museum, the open air Highland Life Folk Museum. 

I am now in my last campsite in Scotland, I can’t believe I have been here for 6 weeks. It is the most beautiful place, and I will have to come back. I also can’t believe this is my fourth September of not having to deal with the start of term 🙃 Still so, so lucky to be living this life!

Until next time, have fun, take care, stay safe and thanks for visiting.

Seeing rainbows

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This is my last day on the Isle of Skye. I have been staying at a wonderful campsite, right next to the Cuillin mountains, called Sligachan.

I spotted this site last time we were here, two years ago and decided to stay, which was a great choice. We are right next to Sligachan Bridge and these amazing mountains, so I have had a chance to do lots of arty photos.  

Not only is it a fabulous location, the staff are so lovely and friendly and helpful. We have had the tail end of a hurricane mid week, so although I pitched my tent when I arrived, I took it down the following day, as there were 40mph winds forecast.  They were fine with me staying in the van.

It has been a fantastic location for rainbows, I have never seen so many in one place. There must be something about the mountains behind the site, and the loch in front, that makes it the perfect place.

The weather has been mixed, but enough sunny days to go and explore, and some gorgeous sunrises and sunsets as well.

Last time Jacky and I came we did all the famous stuff on Skye, so I have spent my time just exploring the less visited parts in the north of the island.

I have been out to Portnalong, to Carbost, Uig and had a quick visit to the capital, Portree.

I visited an iron age broch, with views over Oransay, and the Skye Museum of Island Life.

The museum is located in a more remote part of the island, 6 miles along a bumpy single track road, and really gives you a sense of how cut off people were living there. There are a mix of preserved, and reconstructed houses of crofters.

Even now, with a car, it is trek to get there, but there are still lots of houses there, with amazing views over the cliffs. One of the most significant pieces of information was that children living in these crofts would usually not visit Portree, a 25 mile walk, until they were 12, and old enough to cope with the journey. 

As well as the artefacts, including some great textiles, there were photos and archive film of people living there in the 1930s, which was the best bit. All textiles were made at home, from flax grown in the croft, and wool from their sheep.

This croft was home to a family with 10 children, accommodated in two box beds, with their parents in a small bed off the living room.

A fantastic place, and well worth visiting for a taste of real Skye life.

I have also been following a YouTube channel called, ‘Living  the Skye Life’, run by an artist and musician, Sarah and Willie, who relocated here two years ago. It is a really interesting exploration of 21st century life here, and gave me lots of ideas of different places to explore.

Tomorrow I leave to go west, I am heading for the Cairngorms, which I am very excited about. I have some park ups for the next few nights, and will hopefully be visiting more canals!

Until next time, have fun, take care, stay safe, and thanks for visiting.

Gorgeous Glencoe

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Glencoe is justifiably famous as being one of the most stunning places in Scotland.  As you drive up the A82, past the countless peaks, and waterfalls streaming down the sides of the, you just marvel at the fact that this little slice of geology is there for us all to enjoy. 

And there are a lot of people here, which has meant that parking has been busy, so I have mainly been going to the quieter places around the valley to walk.

The weather was generally very good, better than forecast, and I had some stunning drives in the sun. Every time I go somewhere in Scotland I think, ‘this is the most beautiful place I have ever seen’. Then half an hour later, there is something equally, or more beautiful.

My first day of exploring took me to Glen Lochan, only 8 minutes drive from my campsite. This small loch, set in woodland has three different trails around it, so I completed all of the lochside and mountain ones, and part of the forest one.

I was lucky to be there to catch the reflections of the clouds on the still loch, with the mountain backdrop. Just stunning and a memory that will stay with me for a long time.

That afternoon I went to the Glencoe Visitor Centre, right next to my campsite.  As well as the amazing views they have some really good interpretation of the area, including the history of mountaineering, and mountain rescue.

There is also a reconstruction of an 18th century turf house, along with a video showing all the techniques used. It is really interesting and the setting just makes it.

I visited another waterfall later in the week, another Grey Mare’s, but this one was a mere 10 minutes walk, through a wonderful, damp,  green forest, which my knees appreciated 😀

My last day was gorgeously sunny, so I decided to drive to Glenfinnan, hoping to see the monument and viaduct, but again couldn’t get parked.

It was an amazing drive though and on the way back I stopped at Corpach, a little village with a canal and views of Ben Nevis.

That was brilliant, but even better was to come, as a short drive away is Neptune’s Staircase.  This is a series of eight locks on the  Caledonian Canal. 

Exciting enough, for me, but even better that eight sailing ships, from a range of places like Denmark and Norway, were going through from the top lock.

If you are a regular reader you’ll know how much I love canals, and this was definitely a highlight of the week.

I have now moved on to Skye. Two years ago my sister and I visited, as part of a longer trip where we also went to the Outer Hebrides.  I loved Skye so much, that I wanted to come back for longer.

Yesterday was amazing, and I will share that with you in the next post. I am at a campsite with fabulous views of the Cuillin mountains, or they were fabulous yesterday 😆 Today we are experiencing the tail end of Hurricane Ernesto, like most of the UK. I’m sure the mountains are still there somewhere!

So I’m in the van, having a day in reading and stitching,  but the local sheep aren’t bothered at all.

See you soon, for more of Skye. Have fun, take care, stay safe and thanks for visiting.

Watching clouds

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I have spent so much of this trip watching clouds. Partly because they are so fascinating, and to me one of the best things about a life lived mainly outdoors.

Culzean Castle was an amazing place for cloud watching, and the sunsets over Arran were just beautiful.

I also cloud watch so I can predict weather, I have been so lucky with this trip to Scotland, only a few really wet days, and there is something very magical about watching the clouds over the mountains after it has rained, or the joy of waking up to blue skies after a wet day.

So I don’t mind the rain at all, after all Scotland would be nothing without its lochs and rivers.

The grounds of Culzean Castle were extensive, and I had some excellent walks around the grounds. The gardens are so lovely and lush, quite tropical in their appearance. 

My favourite walk was the one along the rocky coastline, with more views of Arran and Ailsa Craig.

I also had a guided tour of the castle, which was very much a home built to impress visitors.  All these weapons were bought for the entrance hall displays.

After a great five days at Culzean I headed north to Sue’s house, just above Loch Lomond,  taking the scenic route via the coast.  I stopped at Gourock for a picnic, at the Lyles Hill viewpoint, with a panorama across the Clyde. 

It was only a quick visit this time, just two nights, but another old friend from Polytechnic was there as well, who I hadn’t seen for 5 years, so that was great. It is always a joy to stay with Sue, not only is the place amazing,  but she is also an excellent host.

We just had time for one trip, to the west coast to Crinan, where a canal was built in the 1700s to connect the lochs and give easy access to  the sea by Jura.

Gorgeous views again, a very different landscape to that around Loch Lomond. 

Then it was time to head north again, with a quick stop in Oban for supplies, and to visit McCaig’s Tower, a coliseum like structure, with views over Oban to the Isle of Mull, and more fabulous clouds!

I am now at the very iconic, and very famous Glencoe, and this is the view from my pitch. I have already had some great walks,  which I will tell you about in the next post.

Today is a rest day, it has rained a lot overnight, and this morning, so while I have been snug and dry in Katy, there have been lots of people packing up in the wet, poor things. This site is used a lot by people touring with tiny tents, but there are a couple of shelters for them to cook in and hang clothes.

I will be back soon, so until then, have fun, take care, stay safe and thanks for visiting.

Camping at the castle

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I have been lucky enough to camp at many castles in my time as a re-enactor. There is something very special about waking up within the ancient walls, and wondering about all the people that have previously been there.

This campsite is not actually in the castle though, but in the grounds. I am now at Culzean Castle on the West Coast of Scotland again, after having said goodbye to my sister last weekend.

The site is small and absolutely gorgeous, located with sea views across to Arran, and Ailsa Craig, and I am just spending so much time looking at the views and watching the clouds over Arran.

Jacky and I had a beautiful last park up at Craig’s Croft Aire, near Castle Douglas, where we saw lots of red kites, and other birds. Sadly no red squirrels yet, despite going up to their hide. They are clearly very shy.

We had been to a very remote nature reserve for the afternoon after leaving the Mull of Galloway, one near an amazing aquaduct called the Big Water of Fleet.

I had wanted to go there since I saw it on someone’s You Tube channel. It was an excellent walk across the structure, with stunning views. I feel like I am just going to keep saying that in every blog post, but it is so true.

We then moved on to a campsite for the final four days together.  It was located in the very cute little town of Moffat, just off the M74, and again had some wonderful views.

We had a very nice time there with two bbqs, two delicious wood fired pizzas, and lots of sitting staring at the blue sky. We have been so lucky with the weather  virtually no rain at all.

Ryan, my sister’s dog, really enjoyed his holiday, he loves being in the van.

Our first day, we just went on a short  riverside walk, part of the Annandale Trail. 

On day two, it was an epic trek up to Grey Mare’s Tail waterfall. It is about 20 mins from Moffatt, in a beautiful valley.

The guidance says that this is only a 5km walk, however it felt like twice that as the ascent is very steep. You can just about see Jacky’s van in the top right photo above to show how high we were, and that was only halfway.

Once at the top it is a long walk to Loch Skean  but well worth it when you get there. Just quintessential Scottish beauty.

Our knees needed a rest the following day, so it was just a little 5km on the flat, around Lochmaben Nature Reserve. 

After Jacky went back to Worcester, I had a quiet weekend doing my vanlife chores, reading, and visiting the little local museum. As always there was a plethora of interesting things including these lovely old promotional posters, and some textile treasures.

I am at Culzean for the rest of this week, and have already explored some of the castle grounds, there is a country park attached so there is a lot to see. I will share that all with you next time.

Then I am off to spend the weekend with my friend Sue, who recently visited me in Spain, at her house in Scotland.  Another old frend is coming too, so we shall have an excellent time catching up.

Then it is further north, to my next campsite at one of the most iconic Scottish locations. There will be some stunning views from there as well 😉

Until next time, have fun, take care, stay safe and thanks for visiting.

The delights and glories of Dumfries and Galloway

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I am currently sat at one of my most unusual park ups, watching the clouds around the lighthouse at the Mull of Galloway. This is the most southerly point of Scotland, and is our fifth park up.

My last day in the Lake District was a brilliant walk on St Bees Head, with views over to the Isle of Man and the Scottish coast. 

The following day I was there, meeting my sister for a 10 day adventure in this gorgeous area of Scotland. 

This is a little visited part of the country, people tend to head up to the better known parts of Loch Lomond and Skye, where we went a couple of years ago, and I will be returning to soon. However we had heard how lovely it was, and it is stunning. Forests and beaches and cute little towns, we love it.

Our first trip was to Rockcliffe, a small village with brilliant views of the peninsulas. Such gorgeous scenery and so many flowers.

We then went to the Galloway Forest, we have used two of the forest Park ups, under the Stay the Night scheme. This is where you can park in their car parks for £7 a night.

The first was at Dalbeattie, and the second at the end of Raider’s Road, a 9 mile drive through the forest with a stop off at the beautiful Otters Pools. Sadly no otters, but a gorgeous place.

We also had a little wander around Loch Ken.

Our other park ups have been a community one, and an animal sanctuary and rewinding project called Frugaldom. Jacky was very excited as she saw a badger.

The following morning we went to feed some deer at a small refuge  that was brilliant. They were so cute and friendly. 

We visited St Ninian’s Cave as well, the beach is full of such a variety of pebbles, they are fascinating.

The Mull of Galloway lighthouse is now owned by the community, as it is operated remotely, and they have a small exhibition including some excellent photography.  I bought a postcard of the lighthouse and dawn clouds one for my van, such an incredible sky!

We have been so lucky with the weather, look at these amazing blues.

There have been virtually no midges either, so that has been great. We are off to our last park up tonight, then on to a campsite for 4 nights for a bit of luxury. 

Jacky will then go south to Northumberland then home, while I continue to the north of Dumfries and Galloway for more adventures.

So I will see you all soon with more Scottish loveliness.  Until then, have fun, take care  stay safe and thanks for visiting.

Heading west

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I am spending a lot of time on the West Coast of both England and Scotland this summer, so my journey from Ellen’s was a brilliant scenic drive through my favourite Peak District and Yorkshire Dales, out to a little village, ‘where the fells meet the sea’.

I am staying at Ravenglass on a beautiful wooded site. No squirrels as yet sadly, but I have been feeding a very tame robin.

The drive in past the edge of Eskdale and Wasdale was just stunning, and the site is within walking distance of the Coastal Path along the estuary.

The village has lots of cute cottages, with lots of greenery.

There was also a very sobering display outside one from a local man who has collected beach plastic. A horrifying, and fascinating look into what has been discarded,  just look at all the lighters!

This area has been settled since Roman times, and is also famous for its miniature railway, once used to carry granite from Lakeland mines, and since 1960, preserved solely as a leisure railway. 

I was lucky enough to see one of the engines being turned, and visited the very well interpreted museum there.

The poster display on the platform was excellent, love the vintage styles here.

I have visited the Lake District many times before, but its beauty always amazes me. I had never been to Wast Water before though, the deepest lake, next to England’s highest mountain, Scafell.

I once climbed Scafell, as part of a charity event where we did Snowdon, Scafell and Ben Nevis in a weekend. However that was about 30 years ago, with much younger knees, so I settled for a walk around the lake instead.

The weather has been really good, better than forecast, with only a little rain, and lots of chance to sit outside with a good book in the evenings, and look at the sun through the trees.

I am hugely glad to be here anyway, as in Spain they are having a heatwave and it’s been 44 degrees there!

So much nicer at 19 degrees with clouds and a fleece on!

I have one more full day here, then it is time to head to Scotland to meet up with my sister Jacky for a little explore of the coast of Dumfries and Galloway. So exciting 😀 Although I enjoyed last summer’s east coast adventures  the prospect of even more lakes, hills and mountains over the next few weeks makes my little heart very happy.

I shall see you soon, to share more of this western beauty. Until then have fun, take care, stay safe and thanks for visiting.

Wandering and pondering

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I have just finished my only re-enactment event for this year where the weather was kind, the company wonderful, and there were excellent bands to dance to. It was the 40th anniversary of the Tewkesbury Medieval Festival, and I am so glad it went well.

Before the festival I had a brief visit to Worcester to see my sister  and hear the happy news that my latest great neice arrived safely.  My sister will give her the little mouse I posted about last time. The baby’s name is Mia Poppy, which is so pretty!

I spent the following week at the lovely Blackmore Caravan and Camping Club site  at the foot of the Malvern Hills.

The weather was really good, despite one wet night, where sadly my trusty Vango tent in the picture above leaked.  It has served me well for 3 seasons but has had to be replaced by a lovely new larger one, which I have named Eugenia. 

I spent most of the first afternoon making Katy look pretty, with her new bunting, cushion, and the blue campervan tin.

I spent a lot of time just relaxing in the sun and reading, the views from the site were great, so it was lovely just to sit and think. I did have a drive to one of the many quarries in the area, Gullet Quarry, and a walk in the woods.

I also tested my OS app on a full route of footpaths around the campsite, which worked brilliantly.  The views of the Malverns were gorgeous, and there were so many wildflowers.

I really appreciate the diversity that the different climate here in the UK brings. The little roses smelt wonderful.

I ended the walk at the local Catholic church  with a very lovely door and entrance porch.

I am doing some writing on the road, and it is nice to have wanders like this to think through plot lines and possible developments.  Much of my travels this summer will be this type of walking with planned trips to coasts, lochs and waterfalls.

I leave for the Lake District tomorrow, so hopefully will have some lovely views to share soon. Weather forecast is variable but I love moody clouds anyway! Until next time have fun  take care,

Yarn witchcraft

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For many, many years I have been trying to learn to crochet. I have been taught by some of the best people I know, including my lovely daughter, Ellen, who is a superb crocheter, and watched You Tube videos, read books, and done everything I can to get it to sink in. I have had some limited success with double crochet, and after Ellen was here in January managed to make some flowers for bunting, but I didn’t really understand what I was doing, or what it should look like.

However, the crafting gods have been very kind, and worked their magic, or witchcraft, as one friend recently commented on Instagram, and it has finally sunk in. I can do all this wonderful stuff, chaining, treble crochet, making incredible things out of wool. It has all clicked in my little brain and I am so happy!!!

I started with finishing off some little rosebuds that I had made with Ellen. I have a pattern for these from a book I’ve owned for many years, and found following the written and instructions and the diagram relatively easy.

So I thought that I would give granny squares a go, as I have wanted to make them for years. I found a simple pattern and followed a video on You Tube, not sure which one now as I didn’t save it, and ta da, there they were!

I’m not sure what I will use these for, so just did six. I may put them together as a little pouch when I get back in October. I have a black crochet style handbag that I love so thought that I’d try and find something I could use to make another more colourful version.

The first thing I tried was the Flower Hexagon from Emma C Makes. I have been following her for a while on Instagram and she has just released this tutorial. Although I loved doing it, in some variegated perle that I bought here in Spain and with a 2mm hook, it is still a little big for what I wanted. It finished to about 4 inches across so I will probably use it for a coaster in Katy.

The next two pieces were also from Emma C Makes, a small hexagon, which was really quick to do, and very pretty, and a tiny granny square, both made out of perle with a 2mm hook.

I have decided to go with the squares as they will be easier to make a bag with. I have lots of perle in different colours, and think I need about 40 for each side as they are 1 inch across. It is a perfect vanlife project as it takes up so little room!

There is a long tradition of crochet here in Spain, and they sell lots of wonderful perle to do it with. I will possibly do some bigger projects with wool as well, but you know how I love making small things!

Recently there have been some great public crochet projects here, we always have lovely sunshades as the lace days we visit, and the towns have had collaborative Christmas trees as well. We went to our local town, San Fulgencio, the other week to see the beautiful crochet sunflowers they have installed by the town square. They look so gorgeous, especially next to the outlines of the palm trees.

I have also finished two little animals from Julie again at Little Cotton Rabbits, using the textured dress and the dungarees patterns as well. The mouse is for a new family member expected this month, and the fox for my friend Sue’s first grandchild. Meet Fenella Fox and Miranda Mouse, my 31st and 32nd of Julie’s wonderful animal patterns.

I love the little flowers on her headband and shoes, I think they are from the New York trimmings I bought last year.

I have also finished a project bag for use in Katy, this was a re-make using a van applique that I made into a cushion but it got very faded and damaged so I repurposed it. I love the van fabric that I have had in my stash for years.

It has been a quiet few weeks here, mainly crafting, beach and pool, but we have had one trip out to the nearby city of Elda, in the mountains, for their Moors and Christians parade. It was a wonderful spectacle as always, with some of the most elaborate costumes I have seen. I love the attention to detail so that the back always looks as spectacular as the front. We saw the Moorish part of the parade, so the costumes were especially flamboyant.

The crowd were also dressed in gorgeous embroidered waistcoats, trousers and leather boots.

I am leaving in a couple of days to be reunited with Katy, so my next post will be coming to you from a campsite somewhere in the south of England, Wi-Fi dependant of course. I am on the road for three months, and have the most wonderful adventures planned so am very excited! Until next time, have fun, take care, stay safe and thanks for visiting.