Thursday 2nd September – after the Belfast Quilt Fayre…

We have to apologise for the delay in publishing this blog. It has been a hectic few weeks with Chief Stitch spending time settling her son into his new home in Swansea.

The Witches in Stitches are going on a proper road trip!!! Including getting on that Stena Ferry. I don’t think the broomsticks could quite carry us all the way to deepest Derbyshire. Laden with tools of the stitching trade, the trusty portable fridge, a fan as we are ladies of a certain age, and a couple of non-descript small cardboard boxes containing The Postcard from Sweden, we set off. This project was purchased from The Tartan Reel back in May, and we decided that this was our perfect opportunity to get started.

The Trusty Fan The Trusty Fan

But first, we have that ferry. Parked up and ready to go, we await the sign that leads to boarding, and now there’s no putting it off, you must drive over that little bridge and onto the boat and then… and then… (in front of bored-looking Stena staff in high viz jackets)… you must drive up that flipping ramp! Let’s face it, you pray you don’t stall the car, that you don’t have to do the hill start from hell, and then if you make it in one run, you have to get the full lock on the steering wheel and effortlessly swing into position like “Hell yeah! I can do this, I wasn’t even a little bit nervous don’t y’know!”. OK – the Witches rock!

Thoughtful Mr Chief Stitch has booked us into the posh lounge, so there’s a wee glass of vino and nibbles before a welcome bed in the cabin. Then, all too quickly, it’s like a scene out of Good Morning Vietnam. Not so much the famous tones of Robin Williams, but the far too cheerful tones of a lovely Scottish lass on a 15-minute repeat of “Good Morning ladies and gentlemen, it’s O.M.G. early and we will soon be on side in Liverpool” or something like that. Mindful of Covid, we vacate the cabin straight to the car to a breakfast of BelVita biccies and some juice. We incant sweet nothings to that mysterious magical box known as the Sat Nav and it gives us an ETA – of 08.30 in the morning! Ah… The accommodation opens at 5 pm.

The magic box says there’s heavy traffic would you like a better route – NO! Then she says there’s delays – YIPPEE! Eventually, we decide to find a proper breakfast stop, which by now feels like lunch. Never has a cheese and Ham toastie from Costa tasted so good – and with a bit of real sustenance on board, we make a plan to take a rather scenic route. This takes us past the home of MERLIN. Jodrell Bank Observatory is the base of the Multi-Element Radio Linked Interferometer Network – and if that’s not spell-binding witchery I don’t know what is. Something to do with Astro Physics at which my brain implodes. The route continues through Macclesfield, through the forest and over peaks to Buxton, home of water of the same name, now available in bottles, thank goodness.

Beautiful Countryside Views Beautiful Countryside Views

We stretch the legs in the Pavilion Gardens, which is a larger version of Bangor’s Ward Park that has the biggest geese ever seen, and unfortunately, they poop absolutely everywhere. Honestly, they would rival sheep. And so, we gingerly dodge our way around the paths and make our way into the town. A quick sweep through the historical waters bit, and upon looking for shops we discover what is undoubtedly a witching chair! (Apparently it was for partaking of the hot waters, but that’s not what it looks like to us). Then a real adventure for the girls from Norn Iron, a trip to the hallowed halls of Waitrose. (For those further afield, such an emporium does not exist in Northern Ireland). Well, to be honest, it has that Asda green colour about it, but you know you are in Waitrose when you spy a product you have never seen or even dreamt of before. Cashmere Feel Toilet Tissue! Really? I mean, SERIOUSLY?! Who thought that one up? Passing swiftly on, we do a bit of food shappin’, and stock up on breakfast supplies. (No, not more wine – such essential rations are already on board).

Buxton Delights Buxton Delights

So, leaving to find the location of Thirkelow Cottage and Studio, we drive once again through the beauty of the Peak District, to find a small lane and the entrance to the property driveway. Still far too early, we look for a place to stop. Chief Witch executes a 15 point turn in a narrow lane, and reverses into the entrance of a field with a fabulous view of the surrounding countryside, not 15 yards from the entrance track to the property. It’s only three thirty in the afternoon, but as a celebration to getting this far, and to fortify us for what might be to come, we indulge in a sneaky cold glass of pinot in the car (you see, we had a portable fridge for a reason!).

Living the Dream Living the Dream

So……We’re here. We made it. Once parked up we are greeted by Kathrin from Q4CL, and quickly followed by the arrival of Maggie Lloyd-Jones and everyone else who was staying the weekend, except for two late comers who have had their own hurdles and dramas in getting there too. We got down to bagging a room (as you do) and unpacking the sewing stuff. Thirkelow Cottage and Studio is a lovely, modern and well-equipped space for a retreat in good company.

Over the course of the next three days we eat, we drink, we sew, not necessarily in that order!

It is a wonderful mix of very good food, and comfortable sewing in company. A good bit of craic, and occasional imbibing. A box of vino of the dark red variety passes up and down the dining table, and we introduce a few of them’uns across the water to a little local Gin of the Jawbox variety. Everyone else diligently work on Quilts for Care Leavers, but the Witches in Stitches work on the bright half square triangles that is the Postcard from Sweden. The weather is beautiful and there are occasions to enjoy a glass of Pinot G outside in the sunshine. Again, it feels like a real treat to be chatting all things sewing with other people in the same room, within the safety of those that have been double-jabbed and reported negative lateral flow tests. Wands aloft to the catering team of Maggie and Kathrin because we are right royally fed and watered. Salad Niçoise, vegetarian chilli, brie tart, chocolate mousse, plum crumble among the offerings and recipes are swapped along with lots of lovely fabric. Marian is a masterclass of free motion quilting all on her own, and we all ooh and aah at each other’s creations. But all good things come to an end and as Monday lunch dawns all too soon, we must say goodbye.

We Actually Achieved… We Actually Achieved…

We travel home with more than we went with. A total of thirty-six quilts to boost the NI collection, but more importantly, fab memories. Thankyou to all those new Q4CL friends who made us feel so welcome. We came. We went. We might possibly have conquered. Whether we get invited back may be another story 😉 Techie Chief Stitch hasn’t realised that her phone hasn’t updated, and has forgotten the golden rule to ‘turn it off and on again’, and that Sat Nav gives us one last challenge getting back Birkenhead. Her broomstick is flying a very weird route but thankfully we find the boat with perfect timing. After another round of Good Morning Vietnam, we come home thoroughly chuffed with ourselves but in need forty winks. Until the next time …..

Happy Stitchin’