All our guests have arrived and are already well settled in. Canapés and Champagne were well received and after introductions an early night was had by all.
Bright eyed and bushy tailed most of us joined Claudia’s knitting yoga class at 8am as stretching our muscles and limbs seemed the perfect way to set us up for a long day of workshops and knitting.
Maestro teacher extrodinaire Claudia soon had everyone’s full attention as she set about introducing this year’s project theme: short-rows. Everyone received a very comprehensive hand-out pack and there was plenty of yarn for practice knitting available. Soon everyone had found their perfect spot for a knitterly workout.
We have brought plenty of samples and inspirational knits with us so that everyone can check out the different short row techniques, and we are always here to lend a helping hand.
I am already looking forward to later today to see how everyone got on.
Last night we had thunderstorms and this morning the weather changed quickly from blue skies to grey, low cloud cover and rain. This did however not deter us from venturing out, and donning all weather gear and best foot forward we set off for a morning hike around Lac Plagnes.
Even though we got drenched, we enjoyed the complete quiet of the lake, listening to the birds and a new stunning, sometimes mysterious, vista at every turn.
Refreshed and cob webs blown away we are now back at the Chalet with the fire lit and our knitting in hand. What more could we wish for and only one more sleep and all our guests will be here. Perfect!
Day two of the road trip was greeted with sleepy eyes in need of coffee and pain au chocolate. We found a lovely little cafe catering to our caffeine/sugar needs and soon we were on the road again.
The sock grew steadily throughout the day, and, after a few detours and a variety of weather challenges, we arrived at Chalet Mont de Grange. Made up beds and cooled wine was waiting for us, and after a yummy dinner we fell into bed sleeping like logs.
Totally refreshed we woke up to this…
…how could you not want to be coming here for some knitting, good food and laughter!
Just a few things to organise for the arrival of our fabulous guests on Sunday, but today I can be found doing mostly just this…
Hello friends! I can almost not believe that it’s that time of year already when we announce all the details for our next knitting retreat. So exciting!!!
Claudia and I have been working hard, together with my friend Julie, and we are so happy to announce that next year’s retreat will be in the beautiful French Alps. Here is everything you need to know about it:
Date: Sunday 7 May – Saturday 13 May 2017
Venue: Chatel Portes du Soleil, Abondance Valley, France
Workshop Theme: The possibilities of short rows, incorporating shape and surface design
Inclusive in price:
6 nights in 5* accommodation plus Breakfast and dinner
We will be staying in two privately owned 5* Chalets
www.chalet-blanc.co.uk
www.chaletmontdegrange.co.uk
6 x Dinner (3 courses incl. of vegetarian option) prepared from locally sourced ingredients by private Chef
Transfers to and from Geneva Airport
Daytrip to the Medieval Town of Yvoire on the shores of Lake Geneva
www.yvoire-france.com
All tuition fees plus yarn pack – We will be working with top quality yarns, learning how to utelise short rows in shape and surface design. There will be more information nearer the time for all of those who book a place
Knitting Gymnastic and fabulous walks in beautiful surroundings
Complete Tour organisation plus assistance on site
Total Cost:
Single: Euro 870 per person
Double: Euro 770 per person based on two people sharing
Not included
Air- or Train Fare, any entrance fees or other activities you may want to undertake whilst there, all lunches, drinks or other foods. A Supermarket is within walking distance.
Travel:
Transfer from Geneva airport will be leaving at 14.00 hours on Sunday 7 May and departing at 11.00 hours on Saturday 13 May 2017 from the Chalets.
Please make sure to book your travel accordingly.
To book a place
Please send an e-mail to heike.gittins@gmail.com stating clearly if you would like to book a single or double room and who you are sharing with. Please also advise if you have any special dietary requirements.
Upon receipt of e-mail you will receive a bill which can be payed via bank transfer into Heike’s German Euro bank account (bank charges if any to be paid by you) Upon money received you will receive a booking confirmation.
Payment
30% deposit upon booking your place
70% rest amount no later than 31 March 2017
Cancellation:
In the event of a cancellation the following applies:
Up to 31. March 2017 – 20% deposit refund
No refund after 31. March 2017
We will pay a total refund if a replacement participant is given.
The Programme:
The detailed programme will be announced nearer the time and you will receive a monthly newsletter with updates and general information from January 2017 onwards.
Good general knitting knowledge is required, workshops will be held in English and German.
There are 5 double and 3 single rooms available and early booking is highly recommended!
There has been a distinctive absence as of late by me writing and keeping you up to date on here, but as you may recall, I have been away on a little jolly with three of my friends.
We have been to the French Alps, where one of my friends has a Chalet, similar to this.
It’s in a beautiful small town called Chatel, in the Portes du Soleil region, and very close to the Swiss border.
Chatel
We had a very relaxing week, spending good quality time together as only girls can do. Our days were filled with brisk walks, knitting/crochet time, good food and wine, and all that in the most stunning and awe-inspiring mountain scenery that surrounded us.
We must have been good girls, as the weather gods were kind to us the whole time we were there. Blue skies greeted us every day, and most days we did not need to wear our warm insulated clothes when sitting outside enjoying a coffee or long leisurely lunches.
Inspired by all this beauty around me, I felt so uplifted that I managed to be quite productive during the week, making a few decorative things for the Chalet…
Doilies
A Garland
…and starting a Hexagon project, more in another post later this year.
Hexagon Project
As always, when having fun, the week flew by, and before we knew it we were back in the UK. Normal life has resumed and I had better get my act together and start working on projects for my up-coming workshops in Germany (details in the side bar).
