Preparations

Yesterday I went and collected my internet felting friend from the airport. For nearly two years we have used FaceTime to exchange ideas and inspirations regarding our felting course with Artybird but we had never met, as she lives in Jersey and I live in the Netherlands. But now we have got together and are starting our preparations for our felting courses with Andrea Graham at fibrefusing which starts on Sunday.

Here is my rather somber batt, good for a rotting tree trunk.

And here is Paula's colour of the sea batts and fibre.

An exciting mix ready for pods

Leaving two small felting experiments drying in the sun.

Off sightseeing in and around Rotterdam in beautiful sunny weather.

Looking forward very much to the week ahead with Paula.

 

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A good boat trip

Oh I do like a good boat trip!. Thinking about river edges and looking for the inspiration for the next month of my course has really brought this home to me. I wonder why do I like boat trips so much?

Well I grew up within sight and sound of the river Mersey . The ferry across the Mersey was a reality for me on many occasions. The most recent time about fifteen years ago, was when I insisted my family accompany on the now commercialized tourist Mersey ferries as part of a family history weekend in Liverpool.

Then there were the many trips on ferries from England to Europe. Dover to Calais, Hull to Zeebruge , Portsmouth to Santander, Ramsgate to Dunkirk, Traveling down the UK over night with two small daughters in the back of the car to catch the first ferry of the day to go camping in France. Today there are the trips home , from Rotterdam to Hull. I get on the Pride of Hull in Rotterdam, with its car decks , cabins, cinema, cafe , bars , shops and karaoke nights, I watch all the lorries loading and I instantly relax.

I have had many wonderful boat trips in Scotland. From KIlchoan to Tomerbory, Oban to Craigmure, and Ardrossan to Brodick. Think about the wonderful Calmac Hopscotch rover trips . Some of their boats are quite rusty and weather worn, but my experiences of Hopscotching around the Outer Hebrides cannot be beaten.

But maybe it can ! Aboard the M.V. Frances Barkley from Port Alberni on Vancouver island, trips on the Mekong in Thailand , Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.... Here are the brick kilns on the edge of the Mekong photographed from yes of course a boat, which will be my inspiration for my next felting assignment , and has started me on this travelogue of watery trips.

Copyright  www.bizonderimage.com

Close to home now in Rotterdam, there is the tourist Speedo boat , with its riverside views of the orange dock, import point for Europe's vast consumption of orange juice, the container terminal and the floating dry docks , the fast ferry to Dordrecht , and the little black and yellow boat taxis , zipping in and out of the barges going up and down the Maas.

Enough enough , I could go on , I think its the wonderful memories that make me like boat trips so much. Please let me know your favorite boat trip.

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Onwards and Edgewards

Well today I have decided, I will go on and do the Level 2 Felt course with Arty Bird. I haven't actually parted with any money yet , but I am going to.

I have to decide on a theme. A broad theme that will keep me inspired for two years and which I can sometimes bring elements home. So I first thought woodlands, but I think it would be just to green for two years. I like urban decay but I think that could be a bit depressing . So I think I am going to use river edges. It's so broad - it can cover just about everything and can be anywhere.

I can bring home driftwood, flowers, pebbles, reeds etc if needed , and I can explore both the countryside edges , the suburban edges and the city edges. Add to that mix the UK and the Netherlands and I think I am inspired.

Today I have been to the photography museum in Rotterdam, to see the photos of Lewis Hine. 1874- 1940 He photographed immigrants to the US on Ellis Island, tenement houses and extremely dangerous looking working conditions all from the early 20th century. Very interesting and to think of just how difficult it was to make the photographs then.

Walking outside , on the edge of the river Maas in the heart of Rotterdam , we came across a old Russian tall ship tied up at the river edge. Luckily I had my camera and luckily technology has moved on since Lewis Hines day.    Here are my shots , perhaps inspiration for forthcoming felting if my theme gets approved.

Final shot , through the wonderful Erasmus bridge , to the city of Rotterdam, on the edge of the Maas.

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