Tea and Cakes

Yes yes, yesterday was Valentine’s Day. It was also the first day of the Avoca Handweaver’s Yarn Sale, so five girls bundled into a car and headed off over the mountains in search of great value yarn and fabric.

We braved heavy fog and low visibility on the way over, pausing only to admire the burnt out cars and santa gnome shrine by the side of the road:

About half way there the sky cleared for a tiny bit, the sun came out, and some of the beauty of the mountains was revealed:

Lets take a closer look at that view:

We arrived at Avoca at about 10.30 - an hour after opening so we’d missed one or two tasty purchases (that earlier visitors were paying for as we arrived).

I’m happy with my purchases though - I managed to grab what feels like a 2kg cone of blue tweedy wool for €20 and one or two other pieces, including some lovely, lovely handwoven fabric that would usually become a high priced Avoca blanket.

Holly, Cheryl and I were very restrained, and there was even space left in the boot of the car…

So, after this photo Cheryl and I popped back in to buy more!

At the weavers in Avoca you can pop in and take a look at the wonderful hand and machine weaving in progress - it’s very colourful, mesmeric, and noisy!

Then, after a brief restorative rhubarb crumble and cappuccino, it was time to head back over the mountains. The fog had cleared, so we were able to appreciate the beautiful bleakness of the peat and heather.

Time for a quick cup of tea in the lovely Bell House, then home for wonderful Valentine’s evening with my love.

Super.