Brambles Retreat Write-up

Brambles Retreat 2006
 
Students Views!!

All the Bramblers had a great time with Jill Devon, here is what Pauline, from Lancashire, has to say:
 
Brambles Retreat
 
I had been looking forward to this week for ages and I was not disappointed at all. The whole week was greatly enjoyed by us all. For me it started early by meeting up with fellow beaders, Lynne and Pat, on the train journey to Ravenglass on a wet and miserable Saturday prior to the retreat starting. So we had an extra day in which to revel in the delights of the area. Lynne and I had an interesting history walk around Ravenglass on Sunday afternoon, by which time the weather had done a 180 degree turn about and the beautiful sunny autumn weather continues right thought the week! We then met up with all our other friends for the week, had a ghost tour round Muncaster Castle followed by a delicious meal. Mention must be made here of Anne and Alison's culinary talents. Their cottage pie comes fully recommended and as for their deserts……..well there were those amongst us who just had to sample at least two of the choices, white chocolate bread and butter pudding and a mixed berry crumble and if neither of those tempted you there was an apple and sultana pie. The beading got going on Monday morning when we all raved over our bead pack for the project, a lariat, cuff and broach decorated with blackberries and bramble blossom, leaves and sepals. Jill was a patient, helpful tutor. She had to be with me as I am a novice. We received little presents each morning too, from Bev and Edna. I think the best was a limited edition intricate blackberry bead, made by Judith. The B and B at Muncaster is absolutely ideal for such a retreat, then there are the surroundings of the castle grounds which were ablaze with autumn tints and the view up the valley certainly needs seeing. As well as the chance to bead a.m., p.m. and for those of us resident in the B and B, the evening too, the week produced other highlights. Carol came in one morning with her lovely home made chocolate cake and we rounded the retreat off with a meal out on the last night. Pat's table were regaled with one of her "bedtime stories" so they were well entertained by her as we were one evening when beading just ground to a halt. It is impossible to bead, after all, when the tears of laughter are rolling down your cheeks! Ask Bev about her youthful exploits at the Pennington Arms too!! Darkest Muncaster on Halloween night was also enjoyed. Kathryn does a good rendition of "Land and Hope and Glory!" I have to thank her for the drive on our afternoon off. If remote and dramatic scenery is your thing, not much can beat Wasdale on a perfect autumn afternoon. So there you are, a rather personal write up. I hope you do not mind my individual reminisces but I trust that it gives a flavour of what to expect on a Fobbles retreat. They come totally recommended.

Hard At Work!