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Oct 31
in To Morocco 2013, Uncategorized

Reunited with Penny; cardiac ward; y Español

 

After a two month journey across the ocean in a container, we finally were reunited with Penny as she sat forlornly in a wet storage yard at Pier 23 at Tilbury in the UK; unbeknownst to us having been unloaded the day prior and sat overnight in pouring rain awaiting for us to collect her. At last she was with us again and off we went, excited to be on our journey toward Morocco.

That excitement was shortlived as within a few hours, Max landed himself in a cardiac ward in Royal Berkshire hospital where for 4 days he was managed for atrial fibrillation. It was a pretty scary time for us, but fortunately his medical care, prayers from family and friends and medication has enabled him to be discharged and was advised by the cardiologist that it was fine to continue on our planned journey and see a cardiologist for further management when we return in December.

For those who Know Max, restraining his exuberance is not something he does with ease – yet he is endeavouring to take things at a much more sedate pace than he usually does. We have amended our journey and decided to take the 24 hour ferry across the Channel and the Bay of Biscay to northern Spain, saving 4 days driving across France. The ferry ride was amazing and so much fun! We had a wonderful cabin with a HUGE porthole, which I kept peaking out at night and watching the white waves alongside the ship.

I loved going to the top deck where the wind was so strong that at one stage I found it hard to breathe, but I worked out how to tuck my nose into my collar and that quickly solved the problem of oxygen debt.  I had fun playing with contracting different muscles keeping myself upright in the strong wind. My camera in it’s bag stretched stiffly perpendicular to my buffeted body in the strong wind. 24 hours seemed to go so quickly and the next thing I knew I could see mountains on the horizon and Hola to Spain!!!

Hola… Estoy aprendiendo Español …. Mil novecientos veintitrés Vauxhall…. Me gustaría un habitation para dos por una noches por favor. … and tucked up for the night in Spain my Spanish wasn’t’ quite adequate enough to get us a room and the reception staff defaulted to English. I think a few more lessons and a bit more practice is required before I can habla Espanol!

On the road tomorrow but this time we haven’t a clue… until then..! Buenos Noches!

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About the Author: Julie
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.”

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Instagram post 2197125511554330218_7573063145 As an artist, all my creative expression is founded upon my experiences. 
Our recent journeys through Thailand, Laos and China have inspired a series of blankets I have hand woven using the most beautiful indie dyed wool from my collection. 
Seeing so much weaving in the rural areas, and participating in my weaving class with @theweavingsisters inspired me to recommence weaving which I havent done since I was an adolescent... quite a long time ago!

I'm so enjoying my 48" or 120cm Rigid Heddle Loom by @ashford_wheels_looms . I don't have any podcasts playing. No Audio or visual programmes in the background. I am accompanied only by my thoughts and the sounds of nature outside my studio. it is such a lovely space to be in to weave meditatively.

I hope you enjoy seeing how I translate my experiences into beautiful woven blankets. I have woven several more which I will share over the coming weeks. ***I've tried to include in this description here all the wonderful dyers of these beautiful yarns; so you can see how your yarn is used "in the wild", but it seems I cannot; so I've done so in the first comment below. .
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#weaving #indieyarn #handmadewithlove #loomweaving #weavingart #weavingaustralia #journeywoman #liveboldly #livingthedream #inspired #indiedyedyarn #rigidheddleweaving #rigidheddleloom #creativespirit
Instagram post 2181901153613465477_7573063145 Indigo blue; cotton thread; sewing and laughter. In Dali in South-Western China I sewed, wrapped thread and dipped my cotton into liquid blue; under the instruction of the local Bai women in a small village on the outskirts of Dali; and together with Max and our Guides, had the best day. 
This traditional practice of dyeing has survived for over a thousand years surviving the Cultural Revolution, when many other Dong traditions such as Shamanism, were stamped out by Communist ideology.
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This process of botanical dyeing uses plants such as indigo, woad and mugwort which are native to the nearby mountains of Cangshan. These plants are not only used for dye, but for food, medicine and ornaments.

Historically in this region it is the men who harvest and prepare the dyes, whilst the women weave, prepare the cloth and do the stitching and washing of the dyed fabric.

A couple of dozen plants were used for dyeing. I learned that both acid and alkaline mordants were used to modify the colours.

I also learned of the sense of ritual involved in the dyeing process. Dyeing within the lives of the villagers was only performed on goat days in the lunar calendar from June to October. 
Through our interpreter the ladies shared that they were trying to hold on to their tradition, but were fearful that their traditions were being lost as the young people moved away to the cities and their culture was being wiped out. 
I’m so grateful to have learned this unique and special technique from these fabulous ladies. I had the best day. Swipe for pics and more on my website - link in profile.
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Instagram post 2175476617724628608_7573063145 There is something quite lovely about wearing items which are crafted using one’s hands; and there has been time, quality materials, and one’s heart and soul embedded within them. My skirt; my jumpers and scarves that I knitted myself.. and my jewellery which was made by artisans I’ve met along our journeys over the years; all hold the essence of human creativity and soul. 
Most days on our journey I wore, the most exquisite piece of woven silk fabric I purchased from @ockpoptok in Luang Prabang in Laos… and held it up using the belt I wove with @theweavingsisters . 
Luang Prabang in Laos was a dyers and weavers heaven. At Ock Pop Toc  there was a beautiful display of weaving using silk. I learned so much about the different styles of weaving techniques… and had a really great time with the weavers there.  I’ve always loved weaving and after my fabulous day weaving my belt with @theweavingsisters, I was hungry to learn more… and considering purchasing a loom when we returned home so I could weave at home. 
What was wonderful about wearing an exquisite piece of fabric, was that I could adapt the tying style according to the country and when I was in Tibet, I realised that the fold was in the back instead of at the side as in Laos… so…. just an adjustment in the fold and my skirt was much admired by the local ladies… but for me, more importantly was that there was something quite wonderful about wearing items which had taken time, heart and soul to create and that I could let them live as I walked and travelled across land. 
Swipe to see more photos and more stories and photographs in my Journal on my website – link in my profile. ..
Pic at Everest Base Camp in Tibet, with Chomolungma )Mt Everest) reaching skyward behind me. .
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Samen Shawl by @westknits 
My motifs in Astrid by @junkookamoto212 .
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2017 All photographs created by and property of Julie Stephenson.
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