Country walk and The Round House Gallery

I always like to explore where I am and even though on Google maps it didn't look like there was much to explore it's always fun finding out.

Nature is always inspiring. Here are some pictures from our four mile walk. 

We came to a cross roads and I check Google maps and we decided to do a rectangular walk. 

I'm so glad we did as we came across the most incredible gallery. 

Round House Gallery 

Set up over 30 years ago by it's founder Philip Evans.  Philip also has his own personal gallery that showcases his stunning work. Philip Evans Pottery

We were lucky enough to be aloud a viewing by Philip's son, who told us how his Father used to be an Art Teacher and upon retiring now travels the country buying stunning pottery from all over the UK along with producing his own pieces. 

The gallery now exhibits 30 crafts people and is supported by The Crafts Council. 

Each year they hold an exhibition called the Baker's dozen, sadly this year the event had to be cancelled, but last year they held the event with very talented people. 

For me their were 2 artists who's work I just loved. 

Age now 84 John Maltby is a much sort after sculptor his work has exhibited in many exhibitions along with the Victoria and Albert Museum.  His work is in very high demand and is influenced by the English landscape, myths and legends. Kings, Queens and Angels are frequently used as inspiration together with birds, boats and flowers.

Jane Hollidge is based in Cambridge, her work is by contrast very abstract and colourful. 

We couldn't leave without purchasing a piece and settled on one by Christy Keeney

Christy originated from Donegal Ireland studied at the Royal College of Art, after 17 years living in London he returned to his roots setting up home back in Ireland where he now works. Here is a Interview which very makes for very interesting listening. 

Here is my piece as yet unnamed. 

Thank you for taking time to view my blog, please do comment as it's lovely to know what you think. 

Broomhill Farm, Derbyshire

So this week we had the week off, it was meant to be to decorate mainly, but we got it done much quicker.  So we decided to book a couple of nights away in the van. 

Broomhill Beef Farm is a working Beef farm, run by Rosie and her husband and Pip the welcoming dog!  They offer really great pitches and shower/toilet facilities, which alot of sites are not currently.   

They have 19 incredibly free range chickens that wonder freely and you can buy the delicious eggs on site.  Alongside this they also sell there own Beef that they have reared. 

Rosie is very knowledgeable about the impact of rearing the animals and their wellbeing along with that of the environment.  All the Beef is grass feed in the summer and fed hay which they cut once a year at the end of July again to cause as little disturbance to the environment and nature as possible.  You can buy cuts of meat from the farm direct by contacting them.

We have only just purchased the additional side tent that attaches to the van so it took some doing working out how to assemble it!! 

Once it was up, goodness you could sleep 4 people in it!  We took it in turns one sleeping in the van, the other the tent. My turn for the tent later! 

This was me in the tent! 

Part ii is our morning walk and an amazing Pottery find! 

New shawl design

Over the past couple of months I have been working on a new shawl design. 

The design features both simple Stocking and Garter Stitch sections along with some textured and lacey detail.  The shawl is finished with a lacey border which is knitted sideways and added to the shawl. 

The shawl is the perfect accessory to take the chill off or to wrap around and enjoy. 

This pattern will be realesed shortly in conjunction with Kate Selene as a kit. 

 

A day trip in the Cotswolds.

We had booked a week off with the intention of heading off to Devon in our compact VW Camper.  But having seen the forecast we opted to stay home and have a couple of day trips.

Na has not seen much of what the surrounding area has to offer so I thought we would pick a couple of places to just give her a taster. 

Firstly we stopped at Bibury. Mentioned in the Domesday book and called the nicest village in England by William Morris.

Arlington Row is owned by the National Trust and the row of houses is depected in every British Passport. 

One of the other main attractions to the village is a Trout farm where you can go and catch your own tea!

We then headed to the next stop which was Burford.  A small medieval town on the South side of Oxford. 

It has one main street that is very popular with an interesting collection of shops, pubs and cafés. 

We stopped off for refreshments at a lovely cafe and obviously did a little sock knitting!! 

 They had the most beautiful delicate Hydrangea in the garden I've not seen petals like it before. 

 

 We then went to a walk up one side and down the other side. 

We came across this brilliant door and cottage name! 

We sat by the river and had our picnic and did a little more sock knitting. 

On the way back to the car we spotted this amazing classic car! 

We did treat ourselves to something perfect for the kitchen which we both loved as soon as we saw it. 

It's just perfect to house my Coke bottles that I use for my cuttings. 

For those interested in my sock yarn it is by  Pixie Yarn the colourway is Grorange.

Many thanks for visiting, until next time. 

The joy of plants

Yesterday I took some time to read my favourite, most inspiring blog writets post Attic 24 

I have had the pleasure of meeting Lucy over the years several times when myself and a dear friend Rosy visited Skipton for the annual yarn festival in September.  

I love to read Lucy's blog not only for her incredible skill in design, but the ease with which she writes is inspiring. 

Within Lucy's current blog she talks about the need for "space" to help with her wellbeing.  I too need quiet and happily can spend hours in my garden, just enjoying what I have built over the last 18 years. 

Alongside my outdoor space I also have always loved indoor plants. This time last year my personal life was very different, I was in a very controlling relationship where I was restricted in what was allowed.  Now thankfully I am with an amazing person who although she says I have "an obsession" with house plants accommodates my love of them. 

For me gardening be it indoors or out is an extension of what makes me happy and helps my mental health.  Seeing plants thrive that I have grown from seed or cuttings, or bulbs springing to life that I forgot about is just magical.