Back from the Old Country

[Mabel Figworthy]

We had a lovely nine days in The Netherlands, a few days in the south first for a car rally, and then to Zoetermeer to see family and friends. I did get a little stitching done, but not much - far too many other things to do! The car rally is called the Molentocht or Windmill Run and we did see a lot of those, several of them working. And being in Zeeland, a province consisting mainly of islands surrounded by sea, you can bet we had a LOT of fish
On our way to my home town we stopped at Kinderdijk, which I think is a World heritage Site now, where there are 17 windmills in a very small (and watery) area, all of them in working order.
We also went for a walk along the beach on a gloriously sunny day, and I devised a walk through Leiden (where I went to Uni) to take in all five locations of a work of art called "Bagage" ("Luggage"). It consists of five sculptures of suitcases in different types of stone, all installed in places which are significant to the deportation of Jews during WWII, like the Jewish orphanage and two houses that offered shelter to Jews. It was very moving.
And now we're back, trying to get through the backlog of work and orders that have come in while we were away - but I'm expecting delivery of a new seat stand tomorrow or Wednesday, so I will have to have some stitching time to try it out !

[Mabel Figworthy]

We had a lovely nine days in The Netherlands, a few days in the south first for a car rally, and then to Zoetermeer to see family and friends. I did get a little stitching done, but not much - far too many other things to do! The car rally is called the Molentocht or Windmill Run and we did see a lot of those, several of them working. And being in Zeeland, a province consisting mainly of islands surrounded by sea, you can bet we ate a LOT of fish
On our way to my home town we stopped at Kinderdijk, which I think is a World heritage Site now, where there are 17 windmills in a very small (and watery) area, all of them in working order.
We also went for a walk along the beach on a gloriously sunny day, and I devised a walk through Leiden (where I went to Uni) to take in all five locations of a work of art called "Bagage" ("Luggage"). It consists of five sculptures of suitcases in different types of stone, all installed in places which are significant to the deportation of Jews during WWII, like the Jewish orphanage and two houses that offered shelter to Jews. It was very moving.
And now we're back, trying to get through the backlog of work and orders that have come in while we were away - but I'm expecting delivery of a new seat stand tomorrow or Wednesday, so I will have to have some stitching time to try it out !

[kingfisher2]

Glad you have such a lovely time in the Netherlands Mabel. Sounded like you had a reallly wonderful time. Good luck with the seat stand, I have one & would not be without it - a Siesta one.

[Mabel Figworthy]

Izzi, I borrowed a seat stand at some of the RSN classes, and I simply couldn't get on with them. Because I often wear long skirts I can't place the paddle between my legs (which feels rather undignified anyway, but that may just be me being silly), I have to place it under both legs inserted from the side - but when you do that the RSN seat stand (Elbesee, I think they are) does not allow the hoop to be tilted towards you! It can either sit completely flat (parallel to the floor) or if you angle it, it tilts down to your right instead of towards you, which is no good.
I found one at Barnyarns which the helpful chap at customer service (who got one out of the box to try and replicate how I would use it) says will tilt towards me even when inserted sideways, and they'd pay the return postage if I found it didn't, so I took the plunge!

[richardandtracy]

Glad you enjoyed the holiday Mabel.
I have only ever been to one car rally, and left traumatised. Someone had taken my favourite car (the Citroen 2CV), thrown the body work away, amputated a wheel, added nitrous oxide and turned it into a fire breathing, 140 bhp tricycle called a 'Lomax' conversion. Simply unbearable, unsupportable, awful. The polar opposite of a 2CV. Not again. So, I've never been back to a rally. A 2CV should never have more than 33bhp, being the slowest vehicle on the road is all part of the fun.

I love windmills, and even like the modern turbines. Would love to live near one of the 18th century windmills/wind pumps. They are fascinating bits of machinery, and always look cobbled together from scrap. Wooden gear teeth feature in many, honestly, what nutjob thought wooden teeth would be a good idea? Even crazier is that they really work quite well. Wonders will never cease.

Sounds as if you have an idea for an improved seat stand. Do you have anyone with a workshop nearby to try working it up?

Regards

Richard.

[Mabel Figworthy]

Richard, with a bit of luck the improved seat stand already exists - it's called the Sonata and from Barnyarn's website it looks like it tilts in my preferred direction; and when I rang them the kind man who spoke to me tried it out and seemed to think it did what I (very unclearly, no doubt) tried to put into words. It is *very* difficult to describe positions and tilt directions so that the other person can visualise them!

[richardandtracy]

That's why most engineers can't talk without a pen in one hand!

Good to hear it may exist.

Regards,

Richard.

[Squirrel]

It is great to catch up with family and friends in familiar surroundings and to have a car rally as well must surely make it a memorable holiday.

[Garnet]

Thst sound like a fabulous holiday, had it changed much since you last visited?

How exciting to have a new stand coming, how many is that now in your collection? I know I am always tempted by new ones, but do keep coming back to my Lowery.

[Mabel Figworthy]

Several changes, as there always are (and they never consult me before making them ) but still lots of old places to recognise fortunately, and some of my favourite shops to go to like the fishmonger's and the cheese shop, both run by old local families.

How many stands? Ehm, a few.... I'm thinking of writing a FoF about them, in a way I can understand non-stitchers wondering how many stands you need but the fact is they all do different things well!

[Garnet]

Well, how dare they make changes without consulting you

It's good to know the fishmongers and cheese shops are still there, yum, I much prefer fish to meat, and cheese, well I am first in line for cheese thank you.
.

Completely understand about the frames, they all do different things, and actually I realised I should not have asked, as I thought about how many I have and they, like the size of my stash are classified information

[Mabel Figworthy]

they, like the size of my stash are classified information

[poppy]

You had a very busy but wonderful time by the sound of it, Mabel. Did you bring back some food/treats that you can't find in the UK?
I am looking forward to seeing a picture of your new seat.

[Mabel Figworthy]

Did you bring back some food/treats that you can't find in the UK?

The boot of the car was only just big enough