Final Tour de Fleece 2025 figures.

I knew that I wouldn't spin as much as usual this year as we were away for nearly half of it. I've not included any half bobbins that are hanging around, just full skeins.

I had prepped around 1300gm of fibre, some is still in the bag but we have another trip or two planned so at least I have something to take with me.

All waiting to be washed, total 1.097Kg or 2.418 pounds, breeds.. Cheviot, Ryeland, Romney, Jacob, Shetland, North Country Mule.

The Cheviot and Jacob are from the Isle of Skye and will return there. The rest will probably join my knitting stash in the van.

I now need to continue washing and prepping fleece both fine and coarse for both of the e-spinners.

Leominster revisited

 Once again I find myself back in Leominster, last time I visited by myself due to Ian having a back injury however this time we both had the chance to explore.

The town was looking brighter this time, many flowers in tubs around the town. This is Drapers lane and I like the street signage.

We also spotted this lane, the sign clearly indicating the business that was sited on it.

as we walked around we also spotted Butchers Row, School Road and the river Lugg, very much a market town. Also Ryelands Road which maybe a reference to the wool trade and the importance of the local Ryeland Sheep.

We spotted this large embroidery in one of the antique shops, embroidered in chain stitch on hessian, some parts had been appliqued  to the fabric.

This is just one of a pile of pieces that seem to fit together ( See above) so If anyone is interested the original is at Drapers Lane Antiques, Leominster. or if you have any idea what it was originally intended to be.

The Guardian of the Grange has acquired a cloak since my last visit

After lunch at the Grange Court, we had another wander round checking out the small arcades and alleys.

Grange Court

then back to the campsite to pack the van before moving on to Shrewsbury.

quiet, meditative spinning

 We are back in Ludlow, lulled to sleep last night by Jess Glynne who was playing at Ludlow Castle and we could hear it across the campsite until the 10.30 curfew when it went quiet.

Today we went into town, did some shopping on the market ( liquorice, strawberries and cheese ) a quick trawl of the charity shops which turned up another plate for the collection, this time a German one.

Followed by coffee in the church

I had more pictures of the church and Ludlow but for some strange reason my photos have been deleted from the card so I leave you with just this one whilst I was quietly spinning in the Icon café based in the church.

a bit of bobbin lace

 On Saturday I went to the Nottinghamshire Bobbin Lace summer lace day and didn't take many photos, I was too busy chatting and making lace haha

However here is my lace pillow in Neros before heading down there, weird angle and untidy bobbins.

Once there  I bought a couple more ebony bobbins for the collection, forgot to take a photo so will try to remember once we get back, I did grab photos of the suppliers but that was about it, sorry but I was having an enjoyable day !!

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The end of Tour de fleece

Good Morning

 A slightly early end to the tour, I did spin yesterday but forgot to take a photo and today we are back on a campsite so I will do a full post about what and how much was spun in a weeks or so.

I have my Nano here with me along with my knitting but at the moment I'm just unwinding with some you-tube.

Tour de Fleece day twenty

 Another busy day, headed out to do some shopping and spinning on my nano, I was speaking to a couple of people in the cafe and one of them has asked if I can do a talk/demo on spinning to her over 55 group. We have exchanged details and hope to put something in place later in the year.

We have finalised the campsites for our Scotland trip, a few familiar places and several new ones to explore.

Eventually I had the chance to sit down at my Ashford wheel and spin.

100gm ish of Romney.

I'm nearly at the 1 Kilo mark, I set out with 1.2 kilo prepped in the main bag so not bad progress really given how long we have been away involved in other things.

Tour de Fleece day , eighteen and nineteen.

 We've been busy since we got back, mainly washing and packing, a few medical appointments for both of us, some shopping and most importantly planning our next tour of Scotland.

In-between all this I grabbed the chance to ply the Shetland and spin the North Country Mule. 

This is looking like the least productive TDF for me for a while but it started by the coast, continued back at the coast las week and the last two days include  a summer bobbin lace day and yet another travel day.

Still, I have plenty of time in August to continue to spin down the stash so I'm not disheartened.

Tour de Fleece day fifteen - seventeen, more boats

 Saturday was indeed a wash out, we watched a few boats come in then headed for a trawl round the charity shops.

Henry Frederick Swan motoring into the harbour, built 1918 and looks amazing with all the sails in use.

However sails were soon stored away and we made our way into the boat shed to shelter from the rain.

We eventually decamped to the Spa for coffee.

(did I mention that I managed to get sunburt on the Friday ? the weather is so changeable)

Sunday.

Ian dashed out at around 8 o'clock to meet the boat crews so I had a leisurely breakfast before catching the bus. As I arrived in town, the first of the boats was heading out, the Three Brothers 1912. It was chasing the pirate ship out of the harbour and was soon disappearing into the mist.

I didn't realise at the time that this was the reason why I didn't see Ian for the next couple of hours or so.

Yep, there he is haha. second on the left.

Other boats were soon joining in the fun as I headed down to the boat shed.

local musicians had gathered for the event around the harbour

along with longsword dancers

Back out onto the harbour mouth to watch the cobles return after the afternoon sail.

During the day, I did take time out to spin in the boathouse and chat to several people about the Nano.

and I finished off the bobbin later whilst Ian helped pack the festival down.

Not a lot of spinning in all ( two bobbins of shetland) but a very enjoyable , if slightly wet, weekend. We travelled home on day 17 so I took that as a rest day.

Tour de Fleece day fourteen, back by the sea

 Beautiful morning, set out to walk into town but didn't realise how humid it was.

Four of the cobles were out in the bay, taking advantage to the quiet sea. They are easily identified by their brown sails.

The first land train of the day went past on its way to Sewerby ( the direction that I had just come from) and by the time it turned around and headed back I was almost in town but actually dripping ! Having chatted with a couple of people on the way one of which told me that the humidity was about 97% I decided to jump on the train for the last stretch and cool down.

 My first shop was the craft shop for a cup of tea and a spin, Shetland once again on the wheel.

Followed by a coffee at the Spa with Ian, as we walked back to the harbour to look at the boats we realised that the sunny day with blue skies was fast disappearing under the sea mist.

Still, the boats had the flags on ready for the weekend but it is sadly looking as if Saturday is going to be a washout.

Tour de Fleece day twelve and thirteen.....minimal spinning

 I think these may have to count as rest days, On day twelve, after packing and housework, I finally managed to sit at the wheel for a few minutes. North Country Mule, an easy spin and hopefully I will be able to finish it sometime next week.

Day thirteen and we are back on the road again, heading east for the Bridlington Coble Festival.

 More about the Festival in a few days but again in means minimal spinning but tomorrow I will be out and about dodging rain showers with my nano so will have more to report,

But I did briefly get a spindle out and play with some Shetland so technically I did spin both days even if rather minimal amounts.

By the way, a coble is a type of boat ........................