Happy Easter. Episode 60

Oatlands by night

 Have I ever told you I love a Tasmanian town by night. I love the peace and calm of walking around towns at night, and I am lucky to live on a very safe island.

This is the Callington mill. It was built in 1837 and is a Lincolnshire tower windmill. It is the 3rd oldest in Australia. It is now part of the Callington mill distillery. I stayed next to the mill and found it full of atmosphere at night time. I was hopeful of seeing a past occupant while on my walk but nothing appeared. 

Maybe it was for the best, all was very peaceful.

Oatlands trip day 2

 One of the beauty spots in Oatlands is this lake. This is Lake Dulverton. It is always a stunning view, no matter what time of the year. And at the moment it is black swan time. 

I love black swans. And some pairs had baby cygnets with them.

Look at this amazing lichen growing on this bench. Beautiful pattern, I feel so lucky  to live with so much natural beauty so close by.

And if anyone was wondering, it is autumn.

A little holiday in Oatlands

 I had a little holiday in Oatlands. This is a town in the Midlands if Tasmania, full of lovely old houses and interesting shops.

There is a local history room and outside it is a little wool and sheep items. I love this clipped hedge scene.

Wool bale press.

Some of the gorgeous houses around town. I like to walk around and dream about which house I would love to live in. So many to choose from.

The mural at the local school. Just love it.

Bream creek show

 It is that time of the year again. I love a country show and the Bream creek show is one of my favourite. Here are a few photos from the day. 

I didn't manage to get photos of the light horsemen display. They had a fantastic replica display of WW1 light horsemen's horse skills. 

It wouldn't be a show without wood chopping and these guys certainly put on a great show.

Tasmania is called the apple isle and here's just a few for the judging.

And of course a few photos from the craft display. I did love these quilts.

Episode 59 has arrived.

 Hi, my February video is now up. Come and join me as I chat about what I have been making. 

I have some sewing, cross stitch and knitting to show you. If anyone has any ideas on what I can use my english paper pieced hexi flowers for please leave me a message below as I would love some inspiration.

A relaxing camping trip

 I had a few days away camping and it was one of the most relaxing trips I have had for a long time. We had a site right next to the river in the Huon valley. I had my new cross stitch with me but didn't even have time to get it out. 

Below is the waterhole where I managed to get a couple of swims in as the weather was nice and warm. The water wasn't too bad either. It was definitely much warmer than the river I swam in as a teenager near my parent shack where the water came from the snow, and felt like it too.

This waterhole is also very similar to the one my children swan in as children not to far away from our home Bishopstone.

And of course what fantastic bush all around. There were a few bushfires nearby. Some started from lightning strikes but nothing to worry us.

Did I say this was so very relaxing.

Bishopstone yarns episode 57. The forgotten knitting video. #knitting

Here is the video I forgott to post earlier. I hope you like it. 

Wooden boat festival 2025

 Every two years Hobart hosts the wooden boat festival. As the name says it celebrates all things wooden boat related. In the past I have posted here and on Facebook and Instagram many photos from the festival's of years past. So here are just a few from this year.

This is the Endeavour. The most accurate wooden boat reproduction. I just loved these windows.

And there was a display of divers. It took a long time for him to be suited up by two men but it was very interesting to watch and see him climb down the ladder and then disapear under the water.

It was a very interesting day and lots of inspiration, I feel like I should be making some marine inspired work at the moment. A mermaid, boats, water? 

Waterways exhibition

 I had a great visit to the Tasmanian art society exhibition Waterways. This is always a diverse and interesting exhibition held in one of my favourite sites. It is one of the old whare stores at Salamanca at the harbour in Hobart. 

These pieces are by a well known Hobart artist that works mainly in textiles, Mahdi Chandler. I love her work and her colour palette is always so earthy.

The original beams add so much to the feeling of the space. 

I love to see textile pieces and artists interpretation. These pieces are by Stephen Cronin, left, and Susan Lacey. 

A bit more of Ross

 This is the last post about my Ross holiday. I couldn't finish with out sharing some of the beautiful buildings. I really enjoy walking around this town, so much to look at and enjoy.

I would love to have a wall like this with a viewing hole in my garden.

Ross has a number of stunning sandstone churches.

One of the famous bakeries. This one has the traditional wood fired oven, still in operation from when the building was built.

We enjoyed dinner one night in this garden at the Man of Ross pub. The weather didn't fail to impress. I do love a historic building and you can't go past a great pub meal. Thankyou Ross for yet another wonderful holidays day.