Papakura Knit Out

Had intended to go to Waiheke on Saturday but when one of the members of our Tuesday Domestic Craft and Contemporary Art group rang and asked if Iwanted to go I changed my mind and went. 4 of us ended up going out on the rather noisy train through the back yards of Auckland's eastern suburbs, all totally unrecognisable to my eye, but interesting. Knitted our way out there which made the 50 minutes pass very quickly. The Selwyn arcade was abuzz with (mainly older) women. There were stands with books, wool of every hue, knitted garments and a big area for afternoon tea provided by the local cafe, Boodles.

I discovered the Ashford stand where they were teaching people to knit socks on 4 needles . This is something I had never learned and took the opportunity of doing. We were given a bag containing 4 very thin bamboo needles, the most beautiful ball of multicoloured yarn, a German one , a pattern for baby socks and I was away. There was a tutor from Ashford, which is the place in Ashburton, home of the traditional spinning wheels who exxplained every step. Got my stitches cast on and after a couple of attempts joined them together to a round and completed the cuff and started on the straight bit up to the heel. Knitted on the train going home and Saturday evening, on the boat to Waiheke on Sunday morning, while listening to the radio Sunday evening, and on the boat coming home, Monday midday. I now have 1 cute little baby sock for Logan, Leny's new little grandson, born on 15 August. Must start the second one before I forget how.

We hadn't been to the island for a few weeks and had hoped the hearth would be tiled and the woodburner reinstalled, however this was not the case. The hearth was done in new terracotta tiles from Matakana but the burner was still lying around unassembled. Oh well, next time.

A woman and her 9 year old son are wanting to rent the place for a few weeks while she has renovations done to her own place so will have to go over a couple of times over the next 3 weeks and put some of our stuff away to make room for her's. And of course to enjoy the peace and tranquillity. The beaches were idyllic and we walked to Matiatia from Surfdale - about 3 or 4 kms to get the ferry home too take advantage of the fact we didnt have any heavy luggage to take home, the first time in months.