Sulla strada verso Londa - on the road to Londa |
Prima veduta del centro visite - first view of the visitor centre |
In the Visitor Centre of the Foreste Casentinesi at Londa (about an hour from Florence) on the 7th and 8th of March I had the pleasure of teaching a spinning course. I am very grateful to the Sindaco, Vicesindaco and staff of the commune (council) who made us welcome in such a lovely place.
Venerdi Olena mi ha portato al centro visita per prepare per il corso. Un spazio ampio e tranquillo, immerso nella natura, direttamente vicino al lago di Londa.
On Friday Olena took me to the visitor centre to prepare for the workshops. A lovely big space surrounded by nature and right beside the lake of Londa
Lago di Londa |
mandatory gelato |
Then we went to Florence, one of my favourite cities, where we found lovely icecream and the bronze boar (touching his snout is supposed to ensure that you will return to Florence. I did it the first time I went there and it has worked four times, but I thought I'd better do it again incase the spell wore off!)
making sure I will return to Florence |
Sofia, Maitane, Antonio, Tatiana, Esther, DG, Olena, Rossana, Marina, Elisabetta (dov'e' Rossella?) |
a selection of samples |
Abbiamo a disposizione un vello di lana Shetland, proveniente da Jamieson & Smith, Shetland Woolbrokers. Soffice e caloroso, ma anche pieno di torba secca, causa dei venti delle isole. la torba e caduta mentre la preparazione della lana.
Early on Saturday morning we met and introduced ourselves, and then started with a display of samples before starting work. I had supplied a Shetland fleece from Jamieson & Smith, Shetland Woolbrokers, It was soft and warm but also full of dried peat due to the island winds. the peat just dropped out while we were preparing the wool.
Dopo dividere il vello in tre porzione secondo la qualita' della fibra, abbiamo pettinato e cardato la lana, fino all'ora per il pranzo. Sopra del Centro Visite e un ristorante pizzeria Da Fischio, dove ci aspettano, e abbiamo mangiato bene.
Ristorante Da Fischio |
After sorting the fleece into three parts according to the quality of the fibre, we combed and carded the wool until it was time for lunch. Above the Visitor Centre there is a restaurant pizzeria called Da Fischio where we were expected, and we ate very well.
Dopo pranzo commincia la filatura col fuso, tutti molto concentrate sul lavoro. Pian piano produce ognuno uno gomitolo di filato singolo, poi un altro, e finalmente ha doppiato insieme i due per un filato a due capi. Prima matassa creata!
After lunch the spinning started, using drop spindles. Concentrating on the work, slowly each person produced their first small ball of yarn, then another, and finally plied the two together into a two-ply yarn. First skein created!
posizione diverse, risulti uguali! |
Certi fra noi sono rimasti per prendere la pizza a Da Fischio, una serata rilassante e deliziosa.
buon appetito! |
Some of us stayed to have pizza at Da Fischio, a relaxing and delicious end to the day.
Domenica ci siamo troviati alla filatura col filatoio.
Tatiana molto concentrati sul filatoio, Marina col fuso |
Maitane (from Venezuela) and her interpreter (daughter Sofia) |
On Sunday we found ourselves spinning with spinning wheels. Two Ashford Kiwi 2's, Olena's with the red wheel and a new one I had shipped over for the workshop.
Jumper and socks co-ordinated with the spinning wheel! |
Antonio plying - note the high-tech lazy kates! |
Ci siamo divertiti, con amicizie nuove e lavoro soddisfaciente. Ringrazio Antonio, Elisabetta, Esther, Marina, Maitane, Rossana, Rossella, Sofia e Tatiana per farmi la benvenuta. Spero potere tornare in questo posto bellisimo per fare un secondo corso....... rimaniamo in contatto.
We had fun, made new friends and everyone seemed very satisfied with what they had done. Thanks to everyone for making me feel so welcome. I hope to be able to return to this lovely place and run a second course.... we are keeping in touch.
Sopratutto, devo ringraziare Olena Fossi chi ha organizzato tutto con precisione e cura, chi ha trovato una sede perfetto per il corso e chi e' stata cosi' accogliente mi ha fatto sentirmi davvero fra amici apenna arrivata.
Above all I must thank Olena Fossi who organised everything precisely and carefully, who found us such a perfect venue for the workshops, and who was so welcoming that I felt that I was among friends as soon as I arrived.