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Beadwork Retreat, Muncaster Castle, April 2006

In April, Fobbles arranged a four day Retreat at Muncaster with tutor Elaine Peel to do "Seascapes".
 
People started to arrive on Sunday afternoon where they met up with old friends and new beaders over homemade cake and tea. Plenty of talk and laughter was had over a buffet supper which everyone enjoyed.
 
On Monday morning the work started in earnest, if you can call indulging your hobby "work". Our tutor Elaine is a talented and very friendly lady with new and innovative ideas for her classes. Her choice of bead palette for the seascape was vibrant and colourful.
 
Every day little "Treats" would arrive, shells, whale tails, octopus charms, crystals in sea hues and a lampwork bead specially designed for the Retreat by Judith Johnston in the form of a fish.
 
The banter and camaraderie during the day was friendly and stimulating with everyone sharing ideas. There was a constant supply of tea, coffee, yummy biscuits and chocolates – never mind the waistline! The day-girls never wanted to go home, as the "boarders" always worked on in the evening after dinner.
 
On Wednesday afternoon some of the group went on the "Ratty" railway up into Eskdale, the views from this little train are spectacular, it was enjoyed by all who went. That evening the whole group went out for dinner to the Brook House in Eskdale, where we all enjoyed good food and conversation.
 
Friday morning, and it was time to visit the castle and have a private tour of some of the many textiles housed there. It was time to say farewell, and to look forward to the next time we would see old friends and the new friends made over the last week.
 
Alison Leonard