Crochet workshop in France

Brocante in Bordeaux

Saturday morning and it's off to Bordeaux to pick up tutor Jane and guest Sue. Jane arrives on the early flight from Luton, we make a dash to the car in torrential rain and head into Bordeaux for a bit of retail therapy, another visit to Le Droguerie then a wander around the shops, back to the spring market I visited last week with the amazing brocante and a sandwich and coffee in the sun.

Vintage linen at the brocante

Sue's flight is early afternoon so we head back to the airport to meet her than return to La Verderie. Culli picks up Cath from Angouleme and they are back in time for apero's and supper.

Gearing up for the workshop

Sunday morning, Sue, Cath and I take the dogs for an early morning walk. After breakfast we have a basic session reminding us of crochet stitches, I admit to the fact that I have hardly picked up a crochet hook since last October and I think Cath is not far behind me, Sue is a member of Jane's Crochet Club and has brought along her current piece for a bit of advice.

lunch al fresco

We brave the elements and have lunch in the sun, between the clouds and the wind. After lunch we all start on the project that Jane has brought along for her Coronet Rose Cushion an exclusive pattern from the Crochet Club. This is fantastic, Cath and I are both so excited to realise that we can actually read a crochet pattern at last...........

The centre pieces for our cushion covers after one afternoon

We have all reached the same stage on the cushion and are feeling the strain of the concentration so head off for a bit of fresh air with the dogs, it is a lovely clear but blustery afternoon, but very soggy underfoot as I lead them on a muddy trail through the woods. Culli has been busy building more window boxes to put along the front of the house and the planters are finished and filled with tomatoes, lettuce, rhubarb, beans, spring onions and chillies.

my new vegetable patch!

Apero's in the garden then supper of lamb with mojette beans followed by pavlova. An evening of lively discussion ranging from the Royal family to walking on the moon..........
Tomorrow morning it is the first Monday of the month and the huge street market in Saintes.