Curious. Creative. Living Boldly.
Jun 03
in Europe 2013 0 comments

Paris to Madrid…. brakes broke :-(

Well my best intentions to keep up with my daily reports were thwarted by lack of internet and a pretty full schedule fitting as much as I can into the daylight hours of Northern Europe – which I must say are VERY long. It hasn’t seemed to get even remotely dark until well after 11pm in the northern parts… late dinners and very early mornings has meant that I’ve only had a few hours sleep each night so I seem to have become way behind in my intended daily updates.

We are now in Portugal and having an amazing time in this beautiful country – albeit a country suffering incredibly with the economic crisis… but more on that in a later email. Let me go back just over a week and share a little about the historic rally from Paris to Madrid.

Our first stop was the most amazing accommodation in Versailles.

OMG !!! My view from our room at the Tranion Palace Versailles !!! The first day was the scrutineering and preparation day for this 110 year historic rally from Paris to Madrid. I have never seen let alone stayed in such a magnificent and luxurious hotel – bordering the palace of Versailles. I went for a run early just as the fog was lifting with the sun on the horizon..which was VERY early around 4am and ran through the gardens of the palace and was so overwhelmed I cried. Statues of Zeus or Poseidon lunged out of fountains, statues lines boulevards, groves of trees formed patterned plots leading toward fountains along paths softened with floating flowers on soft stems; grilled gates pointed with gold leaf… And the sense of history and respect filled my lungs. This is such a pivelige to be a participant in this rally which was gifted to us.

We then all tinkered with our cars and ensured they would start…. some of which didn’t and required a push start.

Everyone was admiring all the beautiful cars in the car park. It was a real privilege to see not only the development of mechanical engineering of the automobile…but the respect that so many people had for this human ingenuity. Cars were disrobed from their covers, polished, hoods lifted so that engines could be admired and much conversation had about the lineage and previous history and ownership of each and every car.

        

And then we were off!!!!

..and a few stops along the way…

Did I mention I was the navigator!!! OMGosh… I didn’t have a clue what rallying was. I DO NOW!! We were given this beautiful leather satchel and in it were what is called a Tulip Book – with Tulips in it.. and NO.. NOT flowers.   These are the control point and the little icons with the instructions about where to go. I had to navigate our car – fast – to Madrid. I have to say that there aren’t practically ANy photos of France or Spain along our route because all I saw was the road in front of me and the Tulip book of instructions on my lap. It was challenging for the first hour or so with trying to get my head around everything …. but once i got the swing of it I was brilliant at it – except for one of the challenges on day 2 where I was instructing Max to take a route 8 when I should have been doing a Route 7. OOPS! No wonder things didn’t match up. I will NEVER make that mistake again.

Then things turned pear shaped.. well actually we are rather grateful that we didn’t lose our brakes going around a corner in the Pyrenees… but for about half an hour before we came to that conclusion, Max and I were quite disappointed that we realised we were out of the rally and could not complete our journey to Madrid.

We managed to get rides with other competitors and officials and participated in the reception and dinner at the Ritz in Madrid.. which was rather a special occasion.

  

…..So.. we are safe and happy. I had an incredible experience; learned new skills I didn’t know I was capable of; recognised that I actually liked .. perhaps even LOVED (hehehee) the adrenaline of going fast in a car (which was quite a surprise to not only Max but myself as well 🙂 ); met some beautiful, interesting and generous people… and all in all was just a fabulous experience..

My next post will be on our adventures in Portugal where we are at the moment… and thinking about popping of today to France and then to stay in Germany with friends for a few days before returning to the UK for a week.. then home at the end of June.

I think though my next post will be on CHEESE… glorious cheese… Until then…

Share this:
3179
0
About the Author:
I am a Journeywoman. I live my life as an explorer. An adventurer. An Observer. An Artist. There is no differentiation between how I live my life and the art that is an expression of it. It is through my experience adventuring the unknown, that I learn more about myself. My aim through this connection is to live where my expression is fully in alignment with the essence of who I am. “In the field of Fine-Art Photography, Julie stands apart from others with the way she sees the world and expresses her connection within it. Julie Stephenson’s photographs are sublime. Her work is an expression of her deep connection; and a gift to the world.”

Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.

Journal Categories
@skeinydipping

@skeinydipping

𝐌𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭 | 𝐇𝐞𝐢𝐫𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐦 𝐓𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐬 Luxury Handwoven Blankets 🌏Stories from life & global adventures 🧩Woven into unique collector pieces Explore ⬇️
  • A sassy older weaver who loves weaving! Have a look around and come follow along. I may even make you laugh!
  • Options?? Hmmmmm Beating the weft on my rigid heddle loom - is an option! Your thoughts?? :) I’m a sassy older weaver who loves weaving. Have a look around my space here and come follow along. I may even make you laugh!
  • Yes.. slooooow! I’m weaving with my rigid heddle loom, where I stand and walk rather than sitting to weave. My blankets are based on my experiences, many of my series are based on travelling the world in our 100 year old vintage car. What do you base your weaving pieces on? Found my weaving interesting, let your weaving bestie know. I share tips and ideas which may help your weaving, so come follow along.
  • Do you skip this step? Some new weavers don’t realise until after they’ve cut their weaving off their loom that the ends start to come adrift! I see it sooo often. Here I’m making sure I don’t catch the woven header, but making sure I secure the warp threads into small clumps, by Hemstitching. I’m doing a tutorial which I’m aiming to post in the near future. Your weaving bestie may also be grateful for this reminder. For more tips and ideas, come follow along.
  • Wish more new weavers would try this. Just two is all that’s needed! This is a very simple tip to use just 2 cardboard strips as a header. I see some weavers use as many cardboard strips as sticks of spaghetti in a packet (yes, that may be an exaggeration lol) , but as you can see, two is perfectly adequate; followed by a small section of woven header in a contrasting colour. Follow along to see the next step where I show the most important Hemstitching!
  • Hemstitching is important. Some new weavers skip this step and don’t realise until after they’ve cut their weaving off the loom that the ends start to come adrift! Here I’m making sure I don’t catch the woven header, but securing the warp threads into small clumps. I’m doing a tutorial which I’m aiming to post in the near future. Save this to remember.. and come follow along.
  • Woohoo! You’ve found my space here where you can see some of my experience and grab some tips and ideas and use for your next projects. I use a very simple rigid heddle loom, and combine that with a lifetime of experience as an artist, creative and weaver. This is a very simple tip to use just 2 cardboard strips as a header. I see some weavers use heaps more, but as you can see, two is perfectly adequate; followed by a small section of woven header in a contrasting colour than my woven piece. You’ll see why, in a later reel. Follow along to see the next step where I show the most important Hemstitching!
  • You bit ‘meh’ about starting your next weaving project? I’m an artist and weaver and I share tips and ideas in my space here which may help you to ignite your weaving mojo again! Follow along and see. I may even make you laugh.
  • A not very technical solution to a very important task. The warp thread clumps need to be separated evenly. A simple solution.  I’ve found that only two cardboard strips are necessary. I then weave about 1.5cm or an inch of header, using a yarn colour that I won’t be using in my weaving; so when I hemstitch I don’t catch the header yarn.  So.. the 2 cardboard strips and a small section of woven header gets the warp perfectly evenly spread ready to weave the weft.  I’ll show the header and hemstitch in an upcoming reel. Follow if you want to see some tips for those steps.
View on Instagram
A sassy older weaver who loves weaving! Have a look around and come follow along. I may even make you laugh!
View Reel on Instagram
@skeinydipping
@skeinydipping
•
Follow
A sassy older weaver who loves weaving! Have a look around and come follow along. I may even make you laugh!
1 day ago
View on Instagram |
1/9
Options?? Hmmmmm Beating the weft on my rigid heddle loom - is an option! Your thoughts?? :) I’m a sassy older weaver who loves weaving. Have a look around my space here and come follow along. I may even make you laugh!
View Reel on Instagram
@skeinydipping
@skeinydipping
•
Follow
Options?? Hmmmmm Beating the weft on my rigid heddle loom - is an option! Your thoughts?? 🙂 I’m a sassy older weaver who loves weaving. Have a look around my space here and come follow along. I may even make you laugh!
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
2/9
Yes.. slooooow! I’m weaving with my rigid heddle loom, where I stand and walk rather than sitting to weave. My blankets are based on my experiences, many of my series are based on travelling the world in our 100 year old vintage car. What do you base your weaving pieces on? Found my weaving interesting, let your weaving bestie know. I share tips and ideas which may help your weaving, so come follow along.
View Reel on Instagram
@skeinydipping
@skeinydipping
•
Follow
Yes.. slooooow! I’m weaving with my rigid heddle loom, where I stand and walk rather than sitting to weave. My blankets are based on my experiences, many of my series are based on travelling the world in our 100 year old vintage car. What do you base your weaving pieces on? Found my weaving interesting, let your weaving bestie know. I share tips and ideas which may help your weaving, so come follow along.
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
3/9
Do you skip this step? Some new weavers don’t realise until after they’ve cut their weaving off their loom that the ends start to come adrift! I see it sooo often. Here I’m making sure I don’t catch the woven header, but making sure I secure the warp threads into small clumps, by Hemstitching. I’m doing a tutorial which I’m aiming to post in the near future. Your weaving bestie may also be grateful for this reminder. For more tips and ideas, come follow along.
View Reel on Instagram
@skeinydipping
@skeinydipping
•
Follow
Do you skip this step? Some new weavers don’t realise until after they’ve cut their weaving off their loom that the ends start to come adrift! I see it sooo often. Here I’m making sure I don’t catch the woven header, but making sure I secure the warp threads into small clumps, by Hemstitching. I’m doing a tutorial which I’m aiming to post in the near future. Your weaving bestie may also be grateful for this reminder. For more tips and ideas, come follow along.
3 days ago
View on Instagram |
4/9
Wish more new weavers would try this. Just two is all that’s needed! This is a very simple tip to use just 2 cardboard strips as a header. I see some weavers use as many cardboard strips as sticks of spaghetti in a packet (yes, that may be an exaggeration lol) , but as you can see, two is perfectly adequate; followed by a small section of woven header in a contrasting colour. Follow along to see the next step where I show the most important Hemstitching!
View Reel on Instagram
@skeinydipping
@skeinydipping
•
Follow
Wish more new weavers would try this. Just two is all that’s needed! This is a very simple tip to use just 2 cardboard strips as a header. I see some weavers use as many cardboard strips as sticks of spaghetti in a packet (yes, that may be an exaggeration lol) , but as you can see, two is perfectly adequate; followed by a small section of woven header in a contrasting colour. Follow along to see the next step where I show the most important Hemstitching!
3 days ago
View on Instagram |
5/9
Hemstitching is important. Some new weavers skip this step and don’t realise until after they’ve cut their weaving off the loom that the ends start to come adrift! Here I’m making sure I don’t catch the woven header, but securing the warp threads into small clumps. I’m doing a tutorial which I’m aiming to post in the near future. Save this to remember.. and come follow along.
View Reel on Instagram
@skeinydipping
@skeinydipping
•
Follow
Hemstitching is important. Some new weavers skip this step and don’t realise until after they’ve cut their weaving off the loom that the ends start to come adrift! Here I’m making sure I don’t catch the woven header, but securing the warp threads into small clumps. I’m doing a tutorial which I’m aiming to post in the near future. Save this to remember.. and come follow along.
3 days ago
View on Instagram |
6/9
Woohoo! You’ve found my space here where you can see some of my experience and grab some tips and ideas and use for your next projects. I use a very simple rigid heddle loom, and combine that with a lifetime of experience as an artist, creative and weaver. This is a very simple tip to use just 2 cardboard strips as a header. I see some weavers use heaps more, but as you can see, two is perfectly adequate; followed by a small section of woven header in a contrasting colour than my woven piece. You’ll see why, in a later reel. Follow along to see the next step where I show the most important Hemstitching!
View Reel on Instagram
@skeinydipping
@skeinydipping
•
Follow
Woohoo! You’ve found my space here where you can see some of my experience and grab some tips and ideas and use for your next projects. I use a very simple rigid heddle loom, and combine that with a lifetime of experience as an artist, creative and weaver. This is a very simple tip to use just 2 cardboard strips as a header. I see some weavers use heaps more, but as you can see, two is perfectly adequate; followed by a small section of woven header in a contrasting colour than my woven piece. You’ll see why, in a later reel. Follow along to see the next step where I show the most important Hemstitching!
4 days ago
View on Instagram |
7/9
You bit ‘meh’ about starting your next weaving project? I’m an artist and weaver and I share tips and ideas in my space here which may help you to ignite your weaving mojo again! Follow along and see. I may even make you laugh.
View Reel on Instagram
@skeinydipping
@skeinydipping
•
Follow
You bit ‘meh’ about starting your next weaving project? I’m an artist and weaver and I share tips and ideas in my space here which may help you to ignite your weaving mojo again! Follow along and see. I may even make you laugh.
5 days ago
View on Instagram |
8/9
A not very technical solution to a very important task. The warp thread clumps need to be separated evenly. A simple solution.  I’ve found that only two cardboard strips are necessary. I then weave about 1.5cm or an inch of header, using a yarn colour that I won’t be using in my weaving; so when I hemstitch I don’t catch the header yarn.  So.. the 2 cardboard strips and a small section of woven header gets the warp perfectly evenly spread ready to weave the weft.  I’ll show the header and hemstitch in an upcoming reel. Follow if you want to see some tips for those steps.
View Reel on Instagram
@skeinydipping
@skeinydipping
•
Follow
A not very technical solution to a very important task. The warp thread clumps need to be separated evenly. A simple solution.  I’ve found that only two cardboard strips are necessary. I then weave about 1.5cm or an inch of header, using a yarn colour that I won’t be using in my weaving; so when I hemstitch I don’t catch the header yarn.  So.. the 2 cardboard strips and a small section of woven header gets the warp perfectly evenly spread ready to weave the weft.  I’ll show the header and hemstitch in an upcoming reel. Follow if you want to see some tips for those steps.
5 days ago
View on Instagram |
9/9

 

 

 

@skeinydipping

@skeinydipping

𝐌𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭 | 𝐇𝐞𝐢𝐫𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐦 𝐓𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐬 Luxury Handwoven Blankets 🌏Stories from life & global adventures 🧩Woven into unique collector pieces Explore ⬇️
  • A sassy older weaver who loves weaving! Have a look around and come follow along. I may even make you laugh!
  • Options?? Hmmmmm Beating the weft on my rigid heddle loom - is an option! Your thoughts?? :) I’m a sassy older weaver who loves weaving. Have a look around my space here and come follow along. I may even make you laugh!
  • Yes.. slooooow! I’m weaving with my rigid heddle loom, where I stand and walk rather than sitting to weave. My blankets are based on my experiences, many of my series are based on travelling the world in our 100 year old vintage car. What do you base your weaving pieces on? Found my weaving interesting, let your weaving bestie know. I share tips and ideas which may help your weaving, so come follow along.
  • Do you skip this step? Some new weavers don’t realise until after they’ve cut their weaving off their loom that the ends start to come adrift! I see it sooo often. Here I’m making sure I don’t catch the woven header, but making sure I secure the warp threads into small clumps, by Hemstitching. I’m doing a tutorial which I’m aiming to post in the near future. Your weaving bestie may also be grateful for this reminder. For more tips and ideas, come follow along.
  • Wish more new weavers would try this. Just two is all that’s needed! This is a very simple tip to use just 2 cardboard strips as a header. I see some weavers use as many cardboard strips as sticks of spaghetti in a packet (yes, that may be an exaggeration lol) , but as you can see, two is perfectly adequate; followed by a small section of woven header in a contrasting colour. Follow along to see the next step where I show the most important Hemstitching!
  • Hemstitching is important. Some new weavers skip this step and don’t realise until after they’ve cut their weaving off the loom that the ends start to come adrift! Here I’m making sure I don’t catch the woven header, but securing the warp threads into small clumps. I’m doing a tutorial which I’m aiming to post in the near future. Save this to remember.. and come follow along.
  • Woohoo! You’ve found my space here where you can see some of my experience and grab some tips and ideas and use for your next projects. I use a very simple rigid heddle loom, and combine that with a lifetime of experience as an artist, creative and weaver. This is a very simple tip to use just 2 cardboard strips as a header. I see some weavers use heaps more, but as you can see, two is perfectly adequate; followed by a small section of woven header in a contrasting colour than my woven piece. You’ll see why, in a later reel. Follow along to see the next step where I show the most important Hemstitching!
  • You bit ‘meh’ about starting your next weaving project? I’m an artist and weaver and I share tips and ideas in my space here which may help you to ignite your weaving mojo again! Follow along and see. I may even make you laugh.
  • A not very technical solution to a very important task. The warp thread clumps need to be separated evenly. A simple solution.  I’ve found that only two cardboard strips are necessary. I then weave about 1.5cm or an inch of header, using a yarn colour that I won’t be using in my weaving; so when I hemstitch I don’t catch the header yarn.  So.. the 2 cardboard strips and a small section of woven header gets the warp perfectly evenly spread ready to weave the weft.  I’ll show the header and hemstitch in an upcoming reel. Follow if you want to see some tips for those steps.
View on Instagram
A sassy older weaver who loves weaving! Have a look around and come follow along. I may even make you laugh!
View Reel on Instagram
@skeinydipping
@skeinydipping
•
Follow
A sassy older weaver who loves weaving! Have a look around and come follow along. I may even make you laugh!
1 day ago
View on Instagram |
1/9
Options?? Hmmmmm Beating the weft on my rigid heddle loom - is an option! Your thoughts?? :) I’m a sassy older weaver who loves weaving. Have a look around my space here and come follow along. I may even make you laugh!
View Reel on Instagram
@skeinydipping
@skeinydipping
•
Follow
Options?? Hmmmmm Beating the weft on my rigid heddle loom - is an option! Your thoughts?? 🙂 I’m a sassy older weaver who loves weaving. Have a look around my space here and come follow along. I may even make you laugh!
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
2/9
Yes.. slooooow! I’m weaving with my rigid heddle loom, where I stand and walk rather than sitting to weave. My blankets are based on my experiences, many of my series are based on travelling the world in our 100 year old vintage car. What do you base your weaving pieces on? Found my weaving interesting, let your weaving bestie know. I share tips and ideas which may help your weaving, so come follow along.
View Reel on Instagram
@skeinydipping
@skeinydipping
•
Follow
Yes.. slooooow! I’m weaving with my rigid heddle loom, where I stand and walk rather than sitting to weave. My blankets are based on my experiences, many of my series are based on travelling the world in our 100 year old vintage car. What do you base your weaving pieces on? Found my weaving interesting, let your weaving bestie know. I share tips and ideas which may help your weaving, so come follow along.
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
3/9
Do you skip this step? Some new weavers don’t realise until after they’ve cut their weaving off their loom that the ends start to come adrift! I see it sooo often. Here I’m making sure I don’t catch the woven header, but making sure I secure the warp threads into small clumps, by Hemstitching. I’m doing a tutorial which I’m aiming to post in the near future. Your weaving bestie may also be grateful for this reminder. For more tips and ideas, come follow along.
View Reel on Instagram
@skeinydipping
@skeinydipping
•
Follow
Do you skip this step? Some new weavers don’t realise until after they’ve cut their weaving off their loom that the ends start to come adrift! I see it sooo often. Here I’m making sure I don’t catch the woven header, but making sure I secure the warp threads into small clumps, by Hemstitching. I’m doing a tutorial which I’m aiming to post in the near future. Your weaving bestie may also be grateful for this reminder. For more tips and ideas, come follow along.
3 days ago
View on Instagram |
4/9
Wish more new weavers would try this. Just two is all that’s needed! This is a very simple tip to use just 2 cardboard strips as a header. I see some weavers use as many cardboard strips as sticks of spaghetti in a packet (yes, that may be an exaggeration lol) , but as you can see, two is perfectly adequate; followed by a small section of woven header in a contrasting colour. Follow along to see the next step where I show the most important Hemstitching!
View Reel on Instagram
@skeinydipping
@skeinydipping
•
Follow
Wish more new weavers would try this. Just two is all that’s needed! This is a very simple tip to use just 2 cardboard strips as a header. I see some weavers use as many cardboard strips as sticks of spaghetti in a packet (yes, that may be an exaggeration lol) , but as you can see, two is perfectly adequate; followed by a small section of woven header in a contrasting colour. Follow along to see the next step where I show the most important Hemstitching!
3 days ago
View on Instagram |
5/9
Hemstitching is important. Some new weavers skip this step and don’t realise until after they’ve cut their weaving off the loom that the ends start to come adrift! Here I’m making sure I don’t catch the woven header, but securing the warp threads into small clumps. I’m doing a tutorial which I’m aiming to post in the near future. Save this to remember.. and come follow along.
View Reel on Instagram
@skeinydipping
@skeinydipping
•
Follow
Hemstitching is important. Some new weavers skip this step and don’t realise until after they’ve cut their weaving off the loom that the ends start to come adrift! Here I’m making sure I don’t catch the woven header, but securing the warp threads into small clumps. I’m doing a tutorial which I’m aiming to post in the near future. Save this to remember.. and come follow along.
3 days ago
View on Instagram |
6/9
Woohoo! You’ve found my space here where you can see some of my experience and grab some tips and ideas and use for your next projects. I use a very simple rigid heddle loom, and combine that with a lifetime of experience as an artist, creative and weaver. This is a very simple tip to use just 2 cardboard strips as a header. I see some weavers use heaps more, but as you can see, two is perfectly adequate; followed by a small section of woven header in a contrasting colour than my woven piece. You’ll see why, in a later reel. Follow along to see the next step where I show the most important Hemstitching!
View Reel on Instagram
@skeinydipping
@skeinydipping
•
Follow
Woohoo! You’ve found my space here where you can see some of my experience and grab some tips and ideas and use for your next projects. I use a very simple rigid heddle loom, and combine that with a lifetime of experience as an artist, creative and weaver. This is a very simple tip to use just 2 cardboard strips as a header. I see some weavers use heaps more, but as you can see, two is perfectly adequate; followed by a small section of woven header in a contrasting colour than my woven piece. You’ll see why, in a later reel. Follow along to see the next step where I show the most important Hemstitching!
4 days ago
View on Instagram |
7/9
You bit ‘meh’ about starting your next weaving project? I’m an artist and weaver and I share tips and ideas in my space here which may help you to ignite your weaving mojo again! Follow along and see. I may even make you laugh.
View Reel on Instagram
@skeinydipping
@skeinydipping
•
Follow
You bit ‘meh’ about starting your next weaving project? I’m an artist and weaver and I share tips and ideas in my space here which may help you to ignite your weaving mojo again! Follow along and see. I may even make you laugh.
5 days ago
View on Instagram |
8/9
A not very technical solution to a very important task. The warp thread clumps need to be separated evenly. A simple solution.  I’ve found that only two cardboard strips are necessary. I then weave about 1.5cm or an inch of header, using a yarn colour that I won’t be using in my weaving; so when I hemstitch I don’t catch the header yarn.  So.. the 2 cardboard strips and a small section of woven header gets the warp perfectly evenly spread ready to weave the weft.  I’ll show the header and hemstitch in an upcoming reel. Follow if you want to see some tips for those steps.
View Reel on Instagram
@skeinydipping
@skeinydipping
•
Follow
A not very technical solution to a very important task. The warp thread clumps need to be separated evenly. A simple solution.  I’ve found that only two cardboard strips are necessary. I then weave about 1.5cm or an inch of header, using a yarn colour that I won’t be using in my weaving; so when I hemstitch I don’t catch the header yarn.  So.. the 2 cardboard strips and a small section of woven header gets the warp perfectly evenly spread ready to weave the weft.  I’ll show the header and hemstitch in an upcoming reel. Follow if you want to see some tips for those steps.
5 days ago
View on Instagram |
9/9