Echuca, a town on the murray river

 Echuca is a well known tourist town on the banks of the Murray river. The river here creates the division between the states of Victoria and New south wales.  It is best known for its paddle steamers that used to be the life line for the Murray and the inhabitants along its shores. Colonial stettlement of the region saw a thriving river trade.

Today the paddle steamers are for tourist pleasure but there are also a number of private river boats along the shore.

After a lovely walk along the river bank and stroll around the old town it was time to settle down for a spot of reading. We had a site at the caravan park next to the kids water area. Nice and relaxing sound of water.

The old wharf area.

One of the paddle boats as she wheeled past.

Rochester silo art

 I was wondering if there was something of interest to look at on our way to Our next stop today and silo art appeared on my radar. I remember seeing stories about the silo art trails across rural Australia and got excited when I realised we were passing right by one. And what a fantastic piece of art as well. 

This is in Rochester. A small rural town in victoria.

Aren't these just the cutest creatures around.

I love this huge platypus. They are such lovely and shy animals.

Bendigo woolen mill trip

 Another first for me was a trip to the Bendigo woolen mills. For years I have heard many stories from people I know, and strangers, who have made it to the back room at the mill and all its specials.

24 hours after leaving home we made our first stop at the mill.  And of all the places to stop first this was one I had been looking forward to very much.

The back room and all the specials. This is only a section of the room.

We took maya, our dog, for a little walk around to the back of the site and found a delightful old tram which had been turned into a cafe. It was very popular with bike riders as it was next to a pathway along side a small creek.

One convict among many

 I had a little stop over in Campbel Town on the start of my holiday. This town in almost in the middle of Tasmania, but a little more to the north. 

It has a long and old convict history with one of my ancestors being among those.

This house bellow was the solomon house and store just off the main street of the town

A few photos of the historic town as we wandered around.

I might have to stop at the book shop some time later.

Spinning retreat 2025, the spinning

 The 2025 spinning retreat in Bicheno was held in the hall and I just had to share a few photos of all the variety of spinning wheels that came together. 

I wonder which is your favourite?

Below are some majacraft wheels.

This is the new majacraft Luna wheel.

One of my favourite, the ever reliable traditional wheel.

Spinning retreat 2025

 Last weekend I went to the hwsd guild of Tasmania spinning retreat in Bicheno.  It was a great weekend.  Luckily the weather was good to us and I managed to walk to the lookout and here are a few photos of the town.

The local blow hole was only just a small splash this time, but still beautiful. 

I love a rocky seascape. The town is well known for its spectacular rock coastline.

Even maya loved it.

Sun dye workshop

 Last weekend I went to Nicheno on the east coast of Tasmania for a weekend spinning retreat with our local spinners guild.

While there I did a worshop using sun dyes. I have used eun paint before but this was the first time I had used sun dyes. We used both cotton fabric, below.

And also rice paper. Both were really interesting and so much to play with.

This was the dye we used.

Tour de fleece day four

 

Tour de fleece day four spinning. I have changed to my Hansen espinner so I can ply up my singles. 

I am so happy I am at the end of this spin and can finally move onto some wool.

Tour de fleece day three

 

Tour de fleece day three and I am still spinning my linen mix. 

Tour de fleece day two

 

Day two of tour de fleece and still spinning the linen/viscose mix. 

Tour de fleece day one

 

It is that time again am once again i have started spinning for tour de fleece.

Three weeks of spinning every day. I will start with a linen/ viscose mix.

Getting ready for tour de fleece

 As July gets closer it is that time of the year when I start to think about getting ready for the tour de fleece.  I thought I would start with some clearing of my bobbins which meant spinning up some plain colour to use to ply an existing bobbin.

All was going well until it wasn't.  My tension kept going slack and then....

My poor old band, which is the original one broke. I was trying to work out how old my wheel is but I am guessing the band has lasted close to 15 years. So I think it has done a great job lasting this long. 

It is just such a bad timing as I prepare for the tour. Luckily I have an electric wheel I can use as a backup. 

episode 61. May makings, eco dyeing, socks and animal crackers

Mothers day 2025

 This year I celebrated mothers day with the family at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Hobart.  One of my favourite Gardens filled with lots of memories from my childhood and as a place I enjoyed with my children.

I wasn't quick enough to get a photo of my children but I did snap this one of the older folk.

This is one of my favourite sections of the garden. The Japanese garden. The reflections, the movement of water and all those colours. How could you not enjoy the relaxing beauty of this style of garden.

Tha duck pond has always been a favourite as well. I used to dream of having a pond of water lillies but my ducks had other ideas. 

Look at that reflection, so beautiful. 

Eco dye fun

I have been revisiting some of my eco dyed samples. Since moving I have been trying to remember where I had stored all my fabric samples. Luckily I found these pieces which I hope to use as some slow stitched projects.

I am always drawn to the variations in cc colour and pattern that are created while eco dying. Finding where to cut these pieces will be the challenge for me.