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6/1/2006 5:53:46 PM
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Alice Trueman
Posts 1784
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Hi everyone!
I think we are all safely back from The Sma` Glen - I`ve heard from almost everyone now. `The Crew`, Jenny, Erin, Dot, Mark, and me, arrived back on Salt Spring in the evening of May 28, and the first 3 continued from here to Vancouver Island. We had had a wonderful time but were glad to be back. Unlike some of the group, we had no trouble with our flights either way. Yes, Zoom Air does fly - Vancouver to Glasgow direct, and with a brief stop in Manchester to pick up passengers on the way back - with no problem with knitting needles. I can certainly recommend the company. My children and I have flown just about every `cheap and cheerful` airline that has gotten off the ground in Canada, so I`m fairly broadminded about planes and perhaps not the best judge, but Mark, who has always flown `brand name` airlines and with great frequency whilst he was working, voted them to be just as good as any of the regular ones.
We spent the first week in Dunkeld - where the knitters got themselves to on the train - getting aclimatized and making final arrangements. This was well worthwhile. Dunkeld is a very pretty, old town on the banks of the Tay River. Beautiful walks, interesting shops, and good pubs. Daffodils in bloom everywhere. Patti joined us at the apartment there part way through the week. `Apartment` had five bedrooms and occupied two floors over the owners`shop. Better than any hotel!
Then we moved down to Dallick - about 15 miles down through the Sma` Glen - for two weeks. By this time, the second rental car had been delivered, but our luggage seemed to have expanded. The BIG grocery order arrived a few minutes after we did. I cooked supper while Jenny and Dot checked everything off. Of course, I woke up in the middle of the night worrying about things going wrong. Had I forgotten something? What if? I needn`t have worried, everything could hardly have gone better. We knitted in the drawing room with windows on three sides, with pheasants, cows, and sheep strolling about the fields, and dined by the light of candles at one very long table. The beds were covered with down-filled duvets, the towels hung on heated towel rails. Jenny had a well-equipped kitchen, and Erin moved between being the polished waiter in the dining room and master of the scullery with its commercial dishwasher which spun the dishes. Elaine, who lives on the estate, came and `did` the bedrooms, bathrooms, and reception rooms each morning. The only thing we really never figured out was what the ice-making machine did with the ice. It made ice all the time, far, far more than we ever used, but it never overflowed. Must have eaten it. For outings, I had arranged for a 16 seat Mercedes mini-coach, which worked out well. Both drivers had interesting stories to tell as well as being superb drivers.
Everyone knitted her swatch, tried to master an invisible cast-on, and decided on a pattern on the first day. By the second day, they had their measurements and calculations made, and were attacking short-rows for the shoulders with confidence. Everyone had the difficult parts completed by the end of the retreat with only fairly mindless knitting to complete at home. Now I must keep nudging them for photos as they finish. Anyone who gets really stuck can e-mail me or come in October for a refresher.
It was all great fun once all the arrangements were made, and I`m really pleased that I did it!!!
Alice
Salt Spring Island
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6/1/2006 6:22:56 PM
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Naomi Reimer
Posts 85
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I can`t say it any better than Alice did. My compliments to her and her crew for treating us royally. The food was 5star, bedrooms and baths sooo comfy, and the setting of Dallick a real treat. The top-down, saddle shoulder with set-in sleeves is a real puzzle, but I finally got it!! Must confess the first attempt is too small, so I`m starting all over. Not the least discouraged, just chalk it up to a learning experience. Thanks again Alice, Mark, Dot , Jennie and Erin.
Naomi
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6/1/2006 6:26:52 PM
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CatBookMom
Posts 6264
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Thank you for the travelers` tale! I`m going to have to google for a `16-seat Mercedes mini-coach`. I`m thinking it was *very* comfortable! And I also think you`ve helped your student`s to have a very memorable journey!!
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6/1/2006 8:59:41 PM
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Les
Posts 4243
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The surroundings, activities and accomodation sound wonderful. Ya did good, Alice! Looking forward to seeing the sweaters in October!
Les
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6/2/2006 4:46:53 AM
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bets
Posts 18976
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Alice,
It sounds like you did an excellent job-bravo! Kudos! I am very pleased for you. What`s on the SS schedule for the rest of the year?
B
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6/2/2006 8:33:44 AM
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Alice Trueman
Posts 1784
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This year on Salt Spring - Embellishments June 24 - July 1st (NOTE: it`s Saturday to Saturday instead of starting on the usual Sunday) and the fall Knit-In for Elann friends and others October 21-29.
I have had an cancellation for June (death in immediate family), so I could fit in one more, or two if you share a room.
Alice
Salt Spring Island
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6/2/2006 8:40:26 AM
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Alice Trueman
Posts 1784
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Barbara, go to http://www.ochilstours.com/Gallery/Gallery.htm and you`ll see a picture of the mini coach and its interior. Mark took a good photo of John, the Scottish driver, standing by it all decked out in his kilt. I`ll try to post it when he has his almost 500 images sort-of organized.
Alice
Salt Spring Island
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6/2/2006 9:46:21 AM
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SeeJayneKnit
Posts 5237
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Is the October event full? How does one get in on that?? I live so close, it would be a shame to miss it. Alice, I`m going to Galiano this weekend with a good friend. She has a nice quiet property, and we are going to retreat for a few days. I can`t wait.
J
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