A knitting PS

Dedicated to Bob Marley and a bit of 'jammin'....

Grapevine Shawl in Fleece Artist Blue Face Leicester 2/8.

Pattern by Robyn Gallimore Reb Bird Knits.

Judged a success although the last rows took ages to knit.

Can't exactly say what this is but piccy taken in front of Pania Di Corfino. A limestone massive with one face turned to the sea the other to the Apennines.

PS Last weeks 'spaghetti tree' was in fact untreated hemp which I have challenged Ambra to so something with...

Ferragosto Bank holiday weekend

Encouraged by exceptionally nice weather for a bank holiday weekend we decided to cross over the Apennines to Garfargnana in Tuscany via the Passo di Pradarena (1579m). Following in the footsetps of medieval pilgrims travelling from Canterbury to Rome.Here we got our first glimpse of the marble Apuan Alps, separating the Apennines from The Med. before making our way down the River Serchio. The hills are completly forested with beech, conifers and chestnuts with olives and cyprus making their first appearance further downhill. The villages are all perched on hilltops in true Tuscan fashion.

But the main surprise was in the evening when we visited Barga. We should have been suspicious by the red phone box in the main square because the place was filled with Scots! After checking up on Internet I find that it is the most Scottish town in Italy. Locals immigrated to Scotland for work (what work?) in the mid 20th century and are now coming back. The waitresses were Scottish...the food undeniably Tuscan. It appears if we'd come a bit earlier on we could have joined in the annual fish and chips festival! But I can't blame them, a beautiful place.

Breakfast will never be the same again! Look at that view from the terrace.

Not to mention huge buffet and newspapers in every possible language.









Thunder clouds gathering over Tuscan Appennines

On our return we stopped at Orrechiella, a national park situated at the foot of the jagged limestone mass of the Pania di Corfino, home to Golden Eagles. Being a 'bad map day' and extremly hot we gave up on the signposted walks (we couldn't find any signposts!) and strolled. And even amidst the crowds we found a quiet spot to eat a picnic.


Savoury wheat pie and local ham sandwiches. One of us knit a few rows whilst the other nodded off. The area still has some traditional thatches cottages used by shepherds in the summer . Any wild animals were in enclosures (including a family of brown bears) but they seemed happy
had plenty of space and even a pool.

We crossed back over the Passo di Radici. A beautiful drive although I think V has done enough this weekend to last him for a while.

Summer nights

Last night they had a lovely firework display above the castle. You'll have to take my word for it and not judge by the photos. When we got up to the top of the hill I realised I had no idea how to use the new digital camera and by the time I'd got Linda on the mobile to talk me through the display had started. This was the best I could manage

August promises to be a very lazy month. I've given in to doctor's orders and to save the old gamey leg have decided to cut down on the walking for a bit.

A sly move really as it justs means more time for knitting.

Bamboo sweater. Wool Mondiale. To narrow the long self striping yarn I used two balls at once. The finished article is much warmer than I'd imagined. Definitely not a summer pull.

Trouble on the way. I've discovered a German online yarn shop. All in Euros and fast delivery.

I love this Zauberball sock wool. The colourway is called Tropical Fish...hence the imaginative scenario!!

But much too nice for socks I'm making a hat but I shall have to add dreadlocks to get the real effect!.

Now this may appear very uninSpiring to most but Ambra should know what it is. We were talking about it just the other week and then, miracle, I found some at the local flea market on Sunday.

What could it be?

Last but definIiley not least. More socks. The beauty in these being the heel which isn't very clear here but the model was getting bored.

Thanks to Laura for sending me this Sock a holic sok wool from the Knitters Brewing Co in US of A

Face to face...

Well this weekend I had my first ever meetup with a virtual friend. Ambra and Paolo popped up from Ferrara and we took them on a very hot castle crawl, starting with Votigno.
This ancient village is developed around a tower house and stands in the middle of nowhere.
Over the last few years it has been restored and injected with a Himalayan feel. In fact it is now known as The House of Tibet complete with authentic Tibetan monks. Even the Dalai Llama came to visit several years ago.











I wonder if my prayers will come true?


















And what more could one ask for on a hot Sunday afternoon...a bit of knitting in the garden with my new Rav. friend (and Less) .
Thanks Ambra you have given me some new good ideas which I can't wait to put into practice...beginning with the Sagrantino shawl.

Next visit ..a good LYS in Bologna!




And to end on a silly note.
A sweet tooth for Sylv. who is in need of a spare and this one certainly cost a lot less!

Ventasso (1727m.)

Regular readers of my blog(haha!) may recognise or even visited Ventasso. We usually just stop off at Lake Calmaone at the base for a picnic but every now and again feel the urge to get up to the top. The way up round the back involves a bit of climbing but nothing compared to last week's Snowdon (or Snow Don as my Italian husband pronounces it)





The ridge walk is splendid .

Just to show who got there first!

Time for some kip.

A handy word..knitters use it when they are Knitting In Public. My husband more literally translates it as 40 winks.

Sorry about the awful picture but it does show me making somehing Grrr.......eat for Laura's birthday.

Wandering in Wales

At only 1085 metres, Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales isn't much higher than the Appenines I'm used to. But what a difference a few degrees of latitude and temperature make?
It took me about 5 hours to pop up and down the miner's trail to the top whilst the others had a coffee, and yet another slice of bram brack at the end of Bangor pier.

Quite a view from the top!


















Lovely week. Lovely place packed with castles ...Grandma and Lindy strolling in Carnarfon...





And endless beaches....

Vetto

The village of Vetto is gloriously perched overlooking the River Enza. The views are splendid but we wanted to climb up even higher-to Monte Piano at 750Metres.

This time next week we should be at the top of another mountain (1,085 m.) with complelty different vegatation and climate, watch this space for aome interesting comparisons in a fortnight's time.

And this is the final destination. The infamous 'Taverna degli Asini' which we had already visited 4 weeks ago, only this time we were equipped with boots and plenty of money for cakes.

And I've also finished Slv's cardi, I'm quite pleased with it. A versatile pattern which I think fits well endowed ladies (like myself) and others less fortunate (HeeHee).