Needles on the Move

Hi, able to post at last after a few technical glitches and home distractions.

I am just home from visiting Tasmania – the absolutely beautiful part of our country that is chock full of scenery and history.

I went with friends to attend for the first time the Bothwell International Highland Spin-in, and had a wonderful time. The festival is held every alternate year in a little town in the Central Highlands – fine-wool country with a strong Scottish influence. The emphasis is on building friendships between spinners from all over the world, and activities are planned to facilitate this.

Some features that stand out in my memory: varied and inspiring displays, tempting trade-stalls (post to come on my stash-supporting efforts), fascinating presentations by several speakers and the 2-hour bus trip of the historical sites of the area. The Gordon Challenge, where teams of 2 spinners and 2 knitters had to produce a mystery article against the clock, was a lot of fun – and spinning greasy fine wool fast is a real challenge! The dinners were delicious and resonant with conversations and the concerts were fantastic. Blessing of the Fleece and the Sunday morning church service gave a depth to the weekend, and singing Auld Lang Syne, hands clasped around the hall, was very moving.

My head is still spinning (that was not intended to be a pun ;-) .