The Travelling Goddesses visit the UK & Bath

Hello to all from Bath UK. The Travelling Goddesses (Kathy & Robyn) arrived in the UK on Tuesday August 18th following an uneventful but long flight.

Our first adventure was the the Birmingham International Quilt Festival & what a wonderful experience. When we arrivied at our hotel we could smell fabric in the air!!! There we fantastic quilts to experience - from traditional to contemporary to wonderful art quilts which from our perspective were the highlight. Unfortunately can't upload photos but will do so at the first oppurtunity. In addition to the quilts there were manay many stalls selling everything from books, fabrics, wools, felting, beads many other delicious arts & craft materials. The TGs hit the stalls with great enthusiam & shining credits cards!!!! the only thing that held us in check was our realisation that we needed to carry our purchases back to Australia. We met Kaffe Fassett & Amy Butler. Amy gave us an overview of a delicious range of rugs she is designing based on her recent ravels in India - all very nice. We now have our sights set on an international quilt exhibition in France in 2010. However TG Robyn has declared that she will only go if she wins lotto & we can take a first class flight - watch this space!!!

Since leaving birmingham we have had many adventures & travelled on highway & many by-ways in our trusty blue Ford Focus. Stayed at Bakewell in the Peaks District & visited Haddon Hall where the latest Pride & Prejudice was filmed. Also visited Chatsworth House - absolutely wonderful historic house & gardens, it is the home of the Duke of Devonshire & where The Duchess & also Pride & Prejudice were filmed. Unfortunately Mr Darcy wasn't home when we called - TG Robyn say he was out persuing other interests!!

We've also visited the Lakes District - cruised Lake Windermere & visited Hill Top the home of Beatrix Potter. Wonderful green & lush country side everywhere with ancient homes a many. Also visited the Quaker Tapestry Exhibition in Kendal - a wonderful display of 77 separate tapestry panels telling stories of the early days of the Quaker movement.

Also in the Lake District visited the Levens Hall, the home of the Levens Quilt one of the earliest english quilts from around the early 1700's. The quilt is an applique style & amazingly remains in good condition.

From the Lakes District we travelled to York, another wonderful ancient city & importantly for the TGs it is the home of the Quilting Musuem of the British Isles. Great excitment on approach, hearts in anticipation only to realise on we arrvied at the door that we had both run out of money - so a fast retreat was made to Lloyds of London to replenish our cash supplies!! More wonderful examples of old & new quilting & craft projects to excite our creative juices .........TG Robyn has booked in to do a quilting course in october!! We have so many creative plans there won't be enought hours in the day whe we return to Australia - I think retirement may be in order!!
On Friday we arrived in Bath & were joined by TG Barbara at our wonderful cottage in the Cotswalds village of Cold Aston. The cottage is called Rose Cottage & is just wonderful situated in a quaint village outside Bath. We enjoyed a quiet day yesterday exploring around Cold Ashton & the local country side. Getting the know the local pubs - enjoying the good food & of course a wine or two!! The locals are all very friendly & welcoming. Enjoying the sights of Bath today - have just been to the Roman Baths to 'take the waters'.
Thats it for now .......until the next blog. Nameste from the TGs Barbara, Robyn & Kathy