Directions and something tasty

Hello again!  We are working hard on lots of lovely things for you to enjoy in October at our first Small Wool Gathering.  Alli has brought back a few surprises from her long summer holiday in Canada and despite a case of serious over work on The Great London Yarn Crawl with Rachel, she is also working on something with Kathleen to cause utterances of delight soon after you arrive at Peddington.  Kathleen and I are also working together on a separate project so if you feel like a little more knitting (or knitting something little) hop over to Kathleen's blog, or mine (or both) and find out about a KAL using the fabulous Spud & Chloe Sweater yarn (don't you love the name?)

no connection with TSWG!  Just because S&C is so pretty!

We are trying to keep some of the things we will do secret so that you can have the fun of surprises on our weekend away.  But it's hard when you have been tasked to blog about the weekend not to give little hints and tease a bit.  So if you feel this is leaving you a little too much in suspense do pass swiftly on to the end of this post where you will find directions to Peddington Manor and other practical stuff for your reference.  Although Jenny has e mailed you we thought you might find it convenient for all the information about the weekend to be in one place... And that is right here!

At the moment Jenny and I are working on the food.  Jenny has devised the main menu with vegetarian options and I am adapting this for those with special dietary needs.  My family is a little over provided with cakes at the moment and find them selves handed a plate of some new cake or biscuit and demands from me to provide an opinion.  We have also discovered another way of testing menus... Parties and dinners!  Last Saturday was my un-birthday party (I was 60 earlier in the month EEK!) one of the meat dishes went down very well and will be served to you for dinner one night at Peddington.  Tonight JTH and I are having dinner at Jenny's house where the entire meal follows the proposed menu for the first night of The Gathering.  So you can see we are having fun getting things just right for you all.

this one's a little ugly, but tasted OK and is GF

Now for some practical stuff.   One of our classes with Amy will involve some spinning and, although all the equipment and materials you need for all the classes will be provided, it would be fun if you also brought your wheels and or spindles.  This is of course assuming you either have the equipment, are coming by car or have the inclination to add a large unwieldy wooden item to your packing.

There will be plenty of free time between classes and a free Sunday afternoon so lots of time to sit and spin together (and learn from each other) if you would like.  There are also good walks and places to visit nearby but more of that another time.

Finally here are the instructions for driving to the Manor.

Arriving by Car

Take the M5 to Junction 14.  Leave the motorway at Junction 14 and follow signs for A38.  At the A38 T-Junction turn right signed Berkeley.  Follow the A38 into the village of Stone.  Pass the left turn to Lower Stone then take the left turn signed Ham, passing a primary school on your left.  Follow this road a short distance into the countryside and you will arrive at Pedington Manor on your right.  It is a large three storey house next to a small brick cottage, with the entrance on the right between the Manor and the Manor Cottage.  Follow the drive around to the right and enter through the back door, on your right as you park.

Much love

Catherine

PS - Don't forget, if you are travelling by train, to let Jenny know what time you arrive at Cam & Dursley station  so we can arrange to pick you up.  

PPS - We have had a few enquiries about day tickets but please continue to spread the word the cost of a day ticket is £350 each or £225 for those who prefer to arrive Saturday morning and depart after Sunday lunch