Ripley, WV - McGown Teacher Training 2019 - Day 1

Jennifer and I drove down to Ripley , taking 2 days and thoroughly enjoying the beautiful sunny weather and rolling, forested scenery.
The Theme for Day 1 was Orientals and I got into the class taught by Carol LaChance.

This was the pattern we were to hook. This one had been completed by one of Carol's students,

while she completed a larger one.

We started with working on the central motif and then worked on one of the other elements in the centre medallion.

There was information about Persian rugs, suggestions for hooking and teaching and lots of sharing of suggestions and hints among those of us attending.

Also instruction on the "herringbone" edge and fringe.

A full day of hooking and this is what I completed. The background of the central medallion will be navy blue. I am not happy with the centre flower and will probably rip out some or all of it but I wont do that until I have more hooking in around it.

Each year we bring back pieces completed from previous classes and originals. They had all been hung up by this afternoon and we were able to view the show and take pictures, after class.

Minecraft hooked by Deb Szwed.

Jack-in-the-Green hooked by Jennifer Curran

Ewe Too designed and hooked by Connie Bradley.

It was lovely to see completed the piece that I had taught last year. Water Nymph hooked by Karen Cormier

This one didn't have a tag on it and I will try and find out who did it.

Quilt Squares designed and hooked by Connie Bradley.

Connie has been busy because she also taught a large Oriental today. This is a close up of it, Kashi.

A magnificent Woodbound Morris, hooked by Jane Flynn.

Another by Deb Szwed, Old Time Oval, with a beautiful background and edge.

There were also a few of the Oval Counting Sheep, this one hooked by Claudia Lampley

and this one, hooked and then needle felted, by Lois Laitman.

Also the circular version of the pattern, Counting Sheep, hooked by Mary Sawyer.

The sheep appear to glow because of the pale blues around them against the dark blue, night sky.

We went out for Mexican food, most restaurants are closed on Monday in Ripley. More hooking tomorrow.

Bruce Trail - Dawson Rd to intersection of Taylor Rd and Cole Side Rd

My back felt a little better so we aimed for a slightly longer hike today, about 6km. We dropped Nicola's car, drove to where we were going to start hiking and realized that the walking poles were in her car and we had to go back and get them. Start time now, about 11:30.

Across farmers fields and then up into woodlands. We continue to see flowers we haven't seen (or noticed) before. Nic's App said this was Jewelweed.

It was cool but a really nice temperature for hiking.

Just like last fall we saw lots of different mushrooms. The red ones that I had pictures of yesterday are called Witches Cap. I believe this monster is a Giant Puffball.

Nicola observed that these look like coral and when we looked them up this evening we found they are called Coral Mushrooms.

Out of the woods and we had a snack before

walking along the track between farm fields.

Stopping at a pond we saw ducks and a kingfisher but left hurriedly as this water snake headed our way.

This sign was tacked on a hydro pole at the end of the lane and it was a good thing we stopped and read it, as the trail had been rerouted. We had been going to walk the roads from 1. to 2. as that was the original route. We were very happy to find that we could now go along a new route through fields and past a wetland. Although it did add a kilometre to the hike.

The cattle had really churned up the path and also created their own paths so we had to keep a sharp look out for the white flashes designating the Bruce Trail.

They just stared at us as if to say "what are you doing here?"

It took me insisting that we had the right of way to make them amble off and then they left one small white calf sitting on the wrong side of the trail that we chased off to go and join the herd.

This Eastern Gartersnake also did not want to concede the path. He puffed up and reared his head at us before slithering off. A hate a snake with attitude!

As it is a new section, stiles and bridges are brand new and it is very well marked.

We took a side trail to get back to Nicola's car, drove to pick up mine and prayed we would make it back to Wiarton as my gas light was on. We did and the Highlander guzzled $70 worth of gas.

Quick shower and we headed into Owen Sound for early dinner at Mudtown Station again.

Bruce Trail - Dodds Hill to Colpoy's Range Rd

The 10km hike, then blogging while sitting on my very uncomfortable trailer couch, left me with back pain. I had hoped that the day off yesterday would help, and it did a little, but we still opted for a shorter hike today than we had originally planned.

First we attempted to leave one of the cars up Colpoy's Range Rd

It was very rough with puddles that threatened to swallow up Nicola's little white Toyota Corolla rental. She slalomed her way between, through and beside them until we reached a hill that had rocks that she would have bottomed out on. She turned round and parked the car at the start of the road and then confiscated the trail maps saying I would never be allowed to navigate again!

One of many "apple hazards". We have walked through abandoned orchards and stepped through fallen apples and pears on each of the hikes up here.

We could see islands at the entrance to the sound, Colpoy's Bay

and the magnificent bluffs on both sides.

Nicola had suggested doing this section in case my back acted up and she needed to fetch the car to pick me up, so we were walking on a lot of road.

Still accompanied by numerous monarchs - on a pine tree,

on an apple tree.

The last kilometre was through a section of wood with these tiny little red mushrooms. There was also a lot of animal scat on the trail (with evidence they had been eating a lot of berries and apples).  We decided it was too small for bear (although we do have a bear bell in Nic's pack) and was probably coyote.

Stop at a pottery, hot shower and we were hungry and looking for lunch. We ate at the Green Cafe and Nicola was able to have the quiche as the crust was made with grated potatoes and onion. I had the tomato basil soup and she had fries.

My back had held up OK but I was glad we hadn't hiked any further. I am hoping a good nights sleep will set it right as we have one more day of hiking here.

Sauble Beach and Southampton

Drizzly and showers off and on all day caused us to delay hiking and instead take a bit of a roadtrip, exploring the area to the south west of Wiarton. We drove first to Sauble Beach. Disappointing. There was a beach, enough to actually drive on to, and a short strip of surf shops and arcades, all closed of course now. It all looked a bit tacky and rundown. It reminded me of Turkey Point , 30 years ago. Back from the beach there wasn't even a downtown. We stopped for a coffee and the waitress told us that the large campgrounds around drove the summer economy but only about 1000 people made up the year round population. (Wikipedia lists the population as 2,000)

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Next stop was Southampton

Quite a while ago the OHCG Annual was in Southampton and we walked around the town and found this art gallery. It has expanded since then, now taking up 2 floors, but still has wonderful art work in a variety of mediums. Back then we all bought glass earrings. I have lost one of mine but bought another set today. The young lady on the cash told me that the glass artist has just rejoined after quite a long absence. Fate.

We walked the main street popping into art galleries and clothing shops and then ate at the Walker House. Crab cakes and a greek salad. It was full and noisy and doesn't even indicate, outside, that it is a restaurant.

High water levels had not left much beach

I was happy to find

two lighthouses

to photograph.

Sauble had small, elderly cottages for the most part and looked quite derelict with many businesses shuttered or for sale. Southampton on the other hand had some lovely, affluent looking old and new homes. The main street was hopping and there were few empty businesses. It's permanent population is listed as just under 4,000.

Returning "home" the weekend RVs were dwarfing my little trailer.

As it had stopped raining we decided to have a fire. Nicola was quite proud of her lighting abilities.

Unfortunately no marshmallows.