Not Long Now!

   Thank you for the empathy shown re the "donated, " fabric. I have heard back from my friend D who came and took the rest of the boxes of fabric away. Some has gone to her grand daughter's Kindy; she cut up one of the hexagon tops and made quilts for their play house and she made 3 little people twirly skirts on elastic waists for their dress up box, out of the taffeta. A neighbour allowed her to put all the samples and hangers in his recycling and dump some more. So she did very well!
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Not long now. In less than 50 hours I ( we ) should be in the air.....ash clouds from South America permitting!  The bags are packed and rather full.   "The Lists, " are covered in ticks with just a couple of highlights left. 

My very old Auntie N sent the lovely card above - she seems very excited for us as she once had a trip to UK herself.( and hopes we see and do some of the things she remembers. ) Likewise my sister sent a letter card she bought at St. Pauls some years ago.

Very, very early on the morning of the 21 st ( the shortest day of the year ), we get collected by shuttle to travel to Auckland Airport where we later fly out to Singapore.( and arrive there on the longest day of the year ) We spend 2 nights there before flying to Heathrow. We spend 2 nights in London then travel with my younger son J and his lovely partner V  down to Somerset, Cornwall and Devon for 8 days.

We then return to London for 3 days then fly out to Ireland from Gatwick for 5 days ( 4 nights ) . Back to London for 3 days then up to York for one night and on to Edinburgh for   2 nights. The young ones go back to London and R and I spend 3 nights at Windermere in the Lake district.

 Back to London for 4 days then R and I travel by train through the Chunnel to Paris for 4 days. Back to London and our last 3 days there before flying back home on August 1st ; again via Singapore arriving back in NZ  at 10.25 at night on the 3rd and shuttling home by which time it will be early on the 4th August.  I think that adds up to just over 6 weeks or 43 sleeps away from home.

I have never packed a suitcase for 6 weeks before. .... It's going to be Summer over there...or better be....I am wearing woollies to the airport and will take them to Scotland. Other than that it will have to be layers. If my ward robe or anything else is wanting I will buy something!

Quilting friends - tucked in the bottom of my case is a small plastic bag with my etui, some thread  and some 3 " squares I am sewing into 1/2 square triangles. ( no needles on planes is a pity ! ) I  may be just taking them for the ride but who know I might need a odd moment with my feet up and a little soothing hand stitching. I wonder if that fabric will have any friends by the time I return?

My camera will be my constant companion and if I get to use the young ones' computers there may be the odd post here...but don't bet on it. If not there will be lots of photos here in August - please don't forget to keep following.

 ( see you soon, J and V, and P and K. )

Excited - you bet!