Greetings from Dublin

We're enjoying this bustling cosmopolitan city.  It's easy to get around on foot and the weather has been a little better than expected (i.e. more sun than rain).  We've had our first taste of Guinness--it's got an interesting mouth-feel and is a little sweeter than I expected.

Lloyd is attending a conference at Trinity College and I get to explore.  Yesterday I walked along the River Liffey in the old Docklands area (now completely refurbished as apartments, offices, shops, bars and restaurants but unfortunately many empty storefronts) and came across the Famine Statues.  This memorial is on the docks from where many desperate people left on ships in the mid-19th C.

These statues are taller than life-size but very skinny making this a very poignant memorial.

Lloyd and I took the DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) to one end of the line last night and spent a lovely evening on the seaside at Howth.  We were able to sit outside on the patio (white wine for me, Guinness for Lloyd) for a dinner of locally caught crumbed haddock.

The ruins of the 14th C St Mary's Abbey above Howth Harbour

I'm just about to walk off my second Irish breakfast.  We're staying at Shelbourne Townhouse.  Even though our room backs onto the DART line, it's very quiet, maybe because these are electric trains.  I can hear birds chirping in the garden and the wind in the trees.  It's about a 20 minute walk to Trinity College.

The DART just about to pass along the back of the garden

Scott's New Stole

It's always a relief to hear that a stole has been safely delivered, and a thrill to hear what the response has been.  I received this picture of Scott in his new stole with the following comments:  

"Our congregation was thrilled!! Scott loved it and says he will cherish it".

Knitting Retreat #14--a great success!

I hosted the 14th annual Okanagan Knitting Retreat at Sorrento Centre the last weekend of May.  I've spent the intervening week unpacking and putting stuff away, and reflecting on the experience.  I've enjoyed receiving e-mails and pictures from the participants--a selection follows...  (I didn't even take my camera out of the case so none of these pictures are mine.)

Patti Roberts sent me this photo of the Centre's office, the original home on the property,
"Spes Bona", taken just before we headed out on a walk. 

About 10 - 15 of us meet for a walk daily at 6:30 AM.  This year we enjoyed spectacular weather.  Patti also commented, "It was a beautiful weekend. I always leave the retreat full of inspiration."

Diane working on her head-band in the Fair Isle class.  (photo by Kathy Chapman)

Close-up of a headband becoming a toque (photo by Kathy Chapman)

This year we had our youngest ever participant.
This is Zephy in the lace class.  (photo by Zee)

I asked Zephy to speak at our wrap-up session about her experiences.
She's wearing her own creation--she developed one of the
lace samplers into a little scarf. (photo by Zee)

Zephy talked about how she had been wanting to come to a retreat for a few years and her mother finally agreed that she was old enough (she's ten and in Grade 5).  I joked about how she had already been to a retreat in-utero because her mother was at the first retreats.

For other great images from the retreat, check Myriam's blog  

Many positive comments have been received about the retreat.  This is very heartening because it's frankly more of a service to my community of knitters!  This is one way that I "knit my community together" so thanks to all my knitting friends for your support.  One participant remarked "You know an event is truly a success when the participants' biggest complaint is that it was over too soon.  Thanks for all you do...can't wait 'til next year!"  

Retreat #15 will be May 23 - 26, 2013 (It's always the weekend after the Victoria Day weekend).  Registration will open on February 1st on my website  The theme will be Celebrate!  Our favourite topics from previous retreats will be showcased.