Why is that when you’ve got a little plan in your head for a nice day out, things have a habit of going pear-shaped?
Lewes was my destination today to visit a weaving, spinning an dyeing exhibition at the Town Hall which takes place every two years and is a must for all people interested in textiles. I’d not been before because 2 years ago when it was last on, frankly, me and textiles had not got together! Now things are different and my spare moments are spent wrapped up in felt!
Listening to the travel news quite early I found there had been an accident on the A27 which would mean a detour to get to Lewes. Never mind, I allowed myself an hour instead of 30 minutes. Setting off at 10.30, I quickly got snarled up in traffic on my alternative route – seems everyone else had the same idea and, being ‘flexible’, I turned the car round and headed back to the station to retrieve the situation.
Once on the train, a change in Brighton and I made it to Lewes by 12.15 so not too bad really and certainly earlier than if I’d stayed in the car.
I haven’t been to Lewes often and went in search of somewhere for a bite to eat. Lewes main street is one long hill; my favourite coffee shop, Costa, was at the bottom of the hill and when I got there it was jam packed. Oh dear, my poor legs were already aching from my run yesterday and it was hard work getting back to the top again.
A bowl of soup later, I found the exhibition and was delighted to see lots of trade stalls as well as displays of talented crafter’s work. I gleaned some felting ideas to store away for the future and went round the stalls twice before I decided what to buy. Some merino/silk wools in variegated colours caught my eye and you could have as much or as little as you liked, some hand dyed curly wools that will look lovely in some nuno felted items (if I ever get enough time to do some nuno felting that is) and a selection of unusual yarns, again for nuno projects.
A quick coffee, back on the train and my day out finished with a trip to Sainsbury’s – perfect!
Pip's Place 