What's on the table at the moment is a pin wheel quilt documenting our 3 month long trip to England in 2008. Such a long trip took a bit of planning for me and Robin, and I took along a big pile of half square triangles, one side patterned and one side plain, together with my Micron archival pen for people to sign blocks for me as we travelled around. The first block was signed by our travel agent Petra, wishing us "Bon Voyage".
My 2008 UK Holiday tablecloth
Several blocks were signed on our flights to Singapore, where we had a stop over for several days. You know you are in foreign country when the breakfast buffet menu offers such delicacies as pickled lettuce, braised peanuts and mee gorang. It was such a thrill to see the Merlion, having a ride on the newly opened Singapore Flyer, and enjoying a day trip to Santosa Island. Then it was on to London.
The Singapore Flyer was so new our travel agent was unaware it was up and running
Our eight days in London was spent in a frenzy of sightseeing. Buckingham Palace was open so we quickly snapped up tickets for that, and we enjoyed a tour through Hampton Court. Both buildings are so full of English Royal history, which I love with a passion.
Buckingham Palace
The next week was a complete change of pace when we explored the Llangollen Canal onboard narrowboat Gypsy Rover, owned by our friends Dot and Derek. Leaving the canal behind, we picked up a rental car and went exploring.
We travelled around England, staying at B&Bs and starting each day with a "full English breakfast". We visited castles and cathedrals, and attractions along the way which were on our "must see" list, such as Stone Henge, Avebury Stone Circle and Hastings where the 1066 battle took place.
Avebury Stone Circle
There were train rides, boat rides, everywhere we went my HSTs were signed. During a visit to Canterbury Cathedral to see the shrine to Thomas Beckett who was murdered in the name of Henry 11, my HST was signed by Revd Jacky who wrote "May God bless this precious work with his love". I was so thrilled with that lovely message.
The blocks were assembled on our return home into a tablecloth. It's always so nice to read the messages and relive that wonderful trip.
Many happy memories
16 comments:
What a wonderful memento of what must have been an amazing holiday.
So many wonderful memories on your tablecloth.
So many wonderful memories of a holiday of a lifetime with your beloved Robin, inked and sewn in your lovely tablecloth, Jenny. The tablecloth is lovely.
Such a neat way to remember the highlights of your trip! Reading each block brings back snapshots of the places you went and the people you met. Beautiful!
What a lovely way to celebrate that trip!
My Grandson made himself a quilt from old t-shirts for his dorm room. So cool!
What a wonderful idea and so many happy memories. We have been up to Llangollen on our boat a number of times. We've also seen down to London by boat and visited Buckingham Palace and then moored outside Hampton Court Palace. Your work is always so inspiring. I wish I had thought of doing something like that on our travels since I retired in 2009. Love and hugs XXX Judith nbSerena
You may have to go over some of the messages before they fade. Or even stitch them
Simply a wonderful memory quilt!! I love things like that--signed blocks, photo quilts--I made a photo quilt of my Mom's and my trip to Ireland that I cherish...
so nice to enjoy those moments again...hugs, Julierose
That's an amazing story for your tablecloth--how special--and what good thinking and planning on your part before leaving--just delightful--
hugs, di
A written word is so special and what memories you have..
that sounds like a wonderful trip and so many memories!
What a lovely memento of your holiday.
What a fabulous idea for a souvenir! It really brings those memories back, doesn't it -- and they are memories of people, not just places, and not just items. I wish I had done that in 2010 when I spent five amazing weeks in New Zealand visiting my relatives. So many cousins in so many beautiful places! You have inspired me to dig up my journal and photos from that trip and make something to help me remember it better, while living so far away here in California.
Aaw this is a wonderful special quilt filled with so many warm memories. Thank you for sharing it with us. Hugs.
You cannot get a more personal, special memento of a holiday than that. It must be such a lovely trip down memory lane to sit at the table and read each entry
This is one of the nicest projects I have ever seen.
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