Back from Bendigo

The journey to the Australian Sheep and Wool show in Bendigo is one full of expectation and curiosity. This year, with the GFC, you have to wonder how our farmers and related industries and towns are faring. If this years show is anything to go by, they are doing as well as can be expected and are certainly putting in a fabulous effort to put on a good show.

There were extra tents and sheds to explore with both new and familiar stall holders. Plenty of people admiring the work, talking to each other, catching up, and, of course, expanding stashes.

With friends, I travelled on the train, 7.10am from Southern Cross, rather early for me! It was lovely, sitting there chatting and of course, knitting. For the trip back we picked up some extra friends, just lovely. Just have to do it again next year.

Here is my stash additions:

1. Banksia nut drop spindle from Ron West

2. 5mm Victorian ash knitting needles from Lewis Harper

My spinning stash was enhanced with

1. Hand dyed corriedale mixture

2. Carded bump alpaca from Fibre naturally (can't wait to try this one!)

3. Two lots of mixed Merino/Corriedale top from Ray's Ranch

The knitting stash included:

1. Natural coloured 8ply corriedale from Jarob Farm
2. Cone of 2 ply pure Finn from Marueen Shepherd at Fairfield Finns

3. Three lots of dyed 8ply from Wendy Dennis at Tarwandcoort

4. Two balls of bright blue 16ply yarn (couldn't resist)

I just can't wait to get into this lot. A fabulous mix of colour and texture.