Been using up this very crimpy Shetland fleece, trying to retain its lock structure, it is very soft, maybe make a hat out of it.

latest yarn

Here I have been having lots of fun with the dyes I bought called easy peasy dyes, as their name suggests these are so easy to do. I zap them in a microwave, i love the way the colours blend.

LOCAL SUNSETS

July 16th produced this rapidly changing sunset

SHETLAND PONIES

At the moment we are taking care of these two little chaps, Timmy and Mr. Bean, they belong to THE FARM ANIMAL SANCTUARY, Nr. Evesham, Worcs. They have been with us about a year and were very nervous at first , specially Mr. Bean, but he is very slowly coming round and responding to kindness, both of them had been knocked about and hauled round markets, Timmy when he was only 16 weeks old, the sanctuary saved them both and they are enjoying the grazing here and helping me with the orchard overgrowth. Both lovely natured ponies despite their bad start.

CIRCULAR SOCK KNITTING MACHINE

I have recently been ensnared by the complexities and mysteries of these old machines, fascinated by seeing one in action in the museum of industry in Manchester. Eventually being able to purchase an old Imperia on ebay, it was in nearly working order, took it apart to clean up, ordered some new needles and found that the spring for the cylinder could be found in an old defunct cine projector, so far I can make tubes and a plain sock, but with trial and error learning to use the ribber.

SPINNING WHEELS

I have a small collection of spinning wheels - 7 at present, these include a Timbertops Leicester wheel, a Timbertops chair wheel, a Louet S51, an Ashford Elizabeth, an ashford Country spinner (bulky), a Canadian Production wheel, (shown above) an antique Dutch upright wheel with ivory mounts and a funny little electric job, for plying when my ankles ache.

DONKEYS

I live in rural Worcestershire , in the Vale of Evesham for nigh on 30 years. We have a 2 acre smallholding and have kept various animals over the years. Most notable were Maggie Blossom and Dylan , the donkeys. Maggie was given to me in order to save her from the meatman, she arrived as a 3 year old in 1980 along with her very old friend Mr. Tuppence, they lived happily till Mr. Ts death of old age in 87, she spent a few years on her own till I found Dylan, he was a 5 year old in 93. Attending many fetes and gatherings, Maggie gave rides to countless children and I drove her in a cart for many years. She eventually found it very difficult to keep up with Dylan in that she disliked being chased by him, and didnt want to `play`. I made the very difficult decision to let her go to the fantastic donkey sanctuary in Devon, Dylan had to go with her as they have a policy which keeps donkey couples together. Once there though they went their own ways, we visited them and they remembred me. A phonecall came last April to let me know that Maggie had to be put to sleep as she had a brain tumour and a few other problems, she was just 30. Dylan has since been rehomed successfully. He is the dark brown donkey, Maggie the grey.