​I am back home after a WONDERFUL two week trip to England with 4 dear friends!

We had fantastic lodgings in London at the Marriott Maida Vale and I highly recommend the hotel. The hot cooked breakfasts got us going for a whirlwind of sight seeing and, when we were back in time, the 5:30-7:30 PM Happy Hour substituted for a delicious supper.

Day 1: We landed in Heathrow at 6:30 AM and took the Heathrow Express to Paddington where we hopped in a Cab to go to the hotel. After deciding who slept where in our 3 bedroom suite, we had Second Breakfast, power naps, and then used our pre-purchased Oyster Cards to hit the Tube! 

We bought tickets for the Hop On Hop Off bus across the street from Big Ben. We got a London overview from the top of the bus and then used our tickets to go on an evening Boat Cruise on the Thames. We were dropped off near the fabulous restaurant Coppa and they had room to seat and feed us. 

Day 2: What can I say, my companions are movers! Started the day with a tube trip and Tower of London Tour and a quick snack there at Ravens Cafe. Next, we took tubes and trains to see Hampton Court Palace, Henry VIII's home. Lundh along the way and we got back to London in time to grab a fun supper at the Duke of York Pub next to the Victoria Palace Theatre where we saw Hamilton. Tubes back to the hotel and stitching fun.

Day 3: Tubes and Trains - Paddington Station is feeling like home now. We were off to Windsor Castle and after a delightful lunch in the train station we were off to the Victoria & Albert. I don't have room for a full write up of our adventures here...but we kept going and enjoying the sights! We took the train and Ubers and had a tour of Highclere Castle and the Egyptian Exhibit with Tea on the grounds.

What else? We went to Portobello Market, Shopped and Shopped and Walked and Walked and took the train to Bath to make new friendships (love Joanna and Robbie) and fun. We took a 2 hour free walking tour that must have quickly covered 5 miles and did not quite do me in. We found the boarding house where Emily Tufton Brittain's Aunts In Law raised her 5 daughters. We had Jane Austen adventures, ate where Bridgerton's Modiste resides, had High Tea at the Pump Room, Bunns with Sally Lunn, added to the local economy including Bath Glass, and our spirits soared during Evensong at Bath Abby.

We arrived in Swindon after a tour of several charming Cotswold Villages and Mrs. Parkman's Academy of Needlework was WONDERFUL! My Scottish Castle Etui students in all 4 classes were fabulous and the castles they created from my basic design were delightful.

The private exhibit at Witney Antiques was breathtaking. The Needlework Academy lectures and classes and activities and shopping were engaging, educational, and fun. The food was delicious and Nicola and Sue and their team: Linda, Beatrice, and Elizabeth were all brilliant, gracious an on top of every single thing the whole time!

The best part...being with friends from around the world and making new friends who all share the love of needlework!

One of my students, Bettina Buttner, had the Hidden Queen Needlebook that I taught during my lecture in Swindon, England in 2023 with her in class. She said that it was her favorie and she uses it every day. I decided to 'declassify' it and just made it available on this website as a PDF.

The charts for set of Smalls I designed to go with the gorgeous raspberry Winterbury box Nicola, Sue and Hobby House gave us are sitting in my stitching chair. Sadly my desk and the surrounding area is stacked with files, papers, books, linens, threads, proposals and plans. I need to get things better organized before my grandsons arrive.  If I'm quick I can start stitching tonight!

Hugs,

Cissy

(Contact me at Cissy2449@gmail.com if you would like to discuss interactive lecture options, available classes, and dates. I need to update my Classes Page with new offerings.)
(Shops - please email me about the possibility of wholesale orders.)
 
 
 
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