Els, do you know what was the worst thing on this trip? I kept thinking that Keith will never be able to do it with me, and I would love to do it again. He could not even manage the airports, let alone the traveling within countries. I was impressed with how cheap the yarn and wool was in Germany. It was definitely the best buy. And for personal use, duty was not a problem.
Higs, Katherine
I just wish I had bought more!
Higs, Katherine
I never fail to be amazed at how this world and it's economics go...so to stay fit and healthy you have to be on a diet and eat porper food, and you find it's more expensive than all the quick rubbish fast foods....to have a hobby like knitting etc, is now a luxury and you've gotta have spare cash to do it with as the yarn and needles cost an arm an a leg to buy. I always check out the charity shops first before the wool shop now, sometimes there isn't any wool in the these shops for months as nobody seems to knit anymore...
Remember I was going to start up a wool gathering, in our local shop, well the shop owner remembered at the last minute that she had to have surgery so cancelled the date we had, so now I've gotta find a new venue and advertise, but wonder if it is all gonna be worth it. Have to see what venues are available cos even to have a coffee morning in a hall, costs the earth to hire the building.
I think this is a great way to do things, exchange where you can with others in different countries. I know you are ok at the moment whilst you still have the Euro's..but after that we'll have to all get to exchanging stuff.
Our cheapest shops sell wool but it is only DK baby wool of White pink blue green and lemon and ordinary wools in the school colours and and the primary colours not that nice at all. Our wool shop sells wool twice the price of the cheap rubbish, but now you want a mortage to just open the door..lol
hi Gwen, well don't come when I'm away for ten days from 6th June, providing DH's work runs to plan.
Almer I don't know, probably been through it and didn't know it's name, but Lulworth, and Lulworth cove I know of.
I'm near Chippenham Gwen in Wiltshire..so from Dorset you'd take the 361 out to Warminster and then onto Chippenham, and you'd come right through the Side part of Melksham Town where I am.. I'm sure nearer the time and when it's all decided we can meet half way or I can certainly drive to dorset no problemo. I have friends in Weymouth and Corfe Castle infact in all parts of Dorset...
Right I've just looked up Almer, and that is nearer to me than Lulworth, know where it is now, on the Stour road outta here...lol not far at all...
Whatever you get up to, you'll have a brill time I am sure...There is so much to see and do...when the time comes I'll private email you my phone number if I'm here I shall simply just have to meet up with you
higz cher
Ooh Gwen, if you're flying into London perhaps I can come up to meet you, or something, that would be lovely. What a great trip to be planning Love & higs Christine
Gwen, what about Scotland??
Yes, I have to wonder about wool One of the things I wonder is if it is like fish - where we pay incredibly high prices, while the fishers get less than minimum wages. Farmers - same thing. And I am sure that people who raise sheep (or other critters) for wool also don't benefit much from these high prices.
It's too bad, really.
Higs, Katherine
sp> I never fail to be amazed at how this world and it's economics
Yes, Ladies, prices are wierd all over - I pay $1.20 for a skein of DMC embroidery cotton for the cross stitch and translated into USA dollares that would be 90 US cents. I remember buying them in the US for around 30 cents each and on special five for a dollar. God Bless Gwen
With wool it isn't quite so bad, at least for the small producers who sell their own home-sheared handspun on the net directly to the consumer. Prices at the MD Sheep and Wool Festival were reasonable but not absurdlly cheap, too, and with no or almost no middleman, I believe a reasonable percentage went to the herder.
=Tamar
That is good to hear.
Higs, Katherine
I do not know about the people who rear their own sheep for wool for their crafts but the sheep farmer here gets very good prices for his wool - I admit that a lotof it is the finest in the world and so attracts the highest world prices.
I remember when I used to but wool for a pullover for the change from my purse. However good wool 5 ply yarn is now about $5 odd for a 50 gr bal ( apros 1.73 ozs) Therefore the average size pullover cost around $60 odd dollars as 5 ply being the fineist I can buy goes a long way. Certainly it is worth the money as it just never wears out or goes out of shape and "lives" in the washing machine. God Bless Gwen
AW ! Ophelia don't bring that up !! I just love Scotland and had just
*the* best five weeks there in 1996 and would love to go back but unfortunately the budget will not strech that far this time as we want to do things we know we will soon be getting too old to do - On the list is a game park in Namimbia - DD#1 insists we go there !We only have England on our list because of all I have found out about my family since I got a computer - we actually did the UK and Ireland in four stages - first Ireland (FK is Irish) then southern England then northern and finally the best Scotland. God Bless Gwen
Of course from 26 may til 5th June Edward is home, so I'm sorta housebound, but it won't stop me meeting you could even bring him along if I have to, then from 6th -16th I'll be in Cornwall..
Not to worry if I miss you it's how things go... but if I'm around I most certainly will make the effort.
higz cher
Well, maybe next time:))
O xx
Oooh what a lovely idea Ray. And how are you all getting on, how's Theo doing, and how is it being Mummy? Love & higs Christine
Gwen, besides Africa, is Vancouver Island on your and Frank's list.....I have coffee brewing. LOL
Els
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