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Escape
from everything with some glorious knitting in wild,
romantic Wales and the elegant Georgian spa city of Bath.
Soon after your
welcome at Manchester Airport the road signs will change
to Welsh and you will see more sheep than people and
you will be on your way into the heaart of Wales.
A lunch stop at LLangollen, a market town and home of the
eccentric Ladies of LLangollen, and then arrive
at the
magical and atmospheric Lake Vyrnwy
Hotel commanding superb views (see right) over the Welsh
landscape.
Jean's
morning workshop followed by a trip to Powis Castle with
its spendid terraced gardens and topiary - its micro-climate
supports many tender and exotic plants. Glittering glass
sculptures at the Andrew Logan Museum. Knit your way t othe
fantasy paradise of Portmeirion on the narrow-gauge railway
from the historic Blaenaau Slate Mines. Set on the coast
of Snowdonia amid sub-tropical wild gardens and sweeping
sandy beaches (and the location of the quirky TV series
The Prisoner),  Portmeirion
is painted in vivid verdigris, terracottas and golds and
is a riot of eccentric statuary , tromp l'oeil and restored
architectural gems - truly inspirational.
Sasha's
workshop at intimate Cymerau Hall, overlooking Cardigan
Bay. Colinette Dyeworks to watch the textile alchemy of
her fabulous hand-painted yarns and marvel at the millions
of colours on the shelves. Chance to replenish your stash!
The end of your stay in Wales will be celebrated by an evening
of song and Welsh music by my long-time friend and guitar
virtuoso, Anthony Griffiths.
 Meander
along the picturesque Welsh borders to Bath, recognised
by the Romans for the healing powers of its natural hot
springs. Resplendent
with mellow honey-coloured buildings,
grand classical crescents and breathtaking views, Bath is
a stylish, creative city, brimming with history, fashion
and design. Step outside your hotel into streets little
changed since the days of Jane Austen. Knit in Lacock Village,
once home of the father of photography Fox Talbot, now an
18th-century time
warp and period location for films like Pride & Prejudice. Garden-lovers
will be spoilt for choice... including the Italianate Peto
Garden at Iford Manor,  Capability
Brown's Prior Park, and
the peaceful Abbey House Gardens in Malmesbury.
When
you put your knitting down,
time to explore the Museum of Costume in the Assembly Rooms,
indulge yourself in one of Bath's vintage textile stores,
visit some of the finest shops imaginable or - following
in the fashionable footsteps of such figures as Jane Austen,
Lady Hamilton and Beau Nash- take the revitalising waters
in the Pump Room.
| DAY
1 |
|
 |
am |
Start
Manchester Airport,
lunch in Llangollen |
| pm |
Plas
Newydd house and gardens |
| |
Settle
in Lake Vyrnwy Hotel |
| eve |
Welcome
reception
Jean's Lecture:
The Joy of Knitting |
| DAY
2 |
|
|
 |
am |
Jean's
workshop: Short-row knitting |
| pm |
Powis
Castle gardens,
Welshpool |
| |
Andrew
Logan Museum, Berriew |
| DAY
3 |
|
|
 |
am |
Llechwedd
Slate Mines. Ffestiniog narrow gauge railway to Portmeirion
|
| pm |
Portmeirion
village and gardens |
| eve |
Show
& Share |
| DAY
4 |
|
|
 |
am |
Sasha
Kagan's lecture at MOMA, Wales in Machynlleth:
Designs on Nature |
| pm |
Sasha's
workshop: Colour
from the Country
at Cymerau Hall
|
| eve |
Jean's
lecture: Colour in the Garden |
| DAY
5 |
|
|
|
am |
Colinette
Dyeworks and studio |
| pm |
Independent
sightseeing |
| eve |
Celtic
guitar music from Anthony Griffiths (with Jean on spoons!) |
| DAY
6 |
|
|
 |
am |
Travel
from Lake Vyrnwy to Bath via Welsh Borders with lunch
and shopping in the ancient town of Ludlow |
| eve |
Arrive
The Francis Hotel, Bath |
| DAY
7 |
|
|
 |
am |
Abbey
House Gardens, Malmesbury, with
eminent and eccentric gardener, Ian Pollard |
| pm |
Debbie's workshop:
The Perfect Finish
at the Old Bell, Malmesbury
|
| eve |
Dinner
at the Old Bell Hotel |
| DAY
8 |
|
|
|
am |
Independent
sightseeing and shopping |
| pm |
Visit
to the Italianate Harold Peto
garden at Iford Manor |
| eve |
Jean's
lecture: Colour in the Garden |
| DAY
9 |
|
|
 |
am |
Visit
Lacock Abbey and conservation village (home of photographer,
Fox Talbot) |
| pm |
Jean's
workshop in the Parish hall: More
Colour Will Do The Trick |
| eve |
Dinner
atSign of the Angel |
| DAY
10 |
|
|
 |
am |
Museum
of Costume |
| pm |
Independent
sightseeing and shopping |
| eve |
Farewell
dinner in Bath restaurant |
| DAY
11
|
am |
Coach
to Birmingham Airport for flights from 10.30
am
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Partners'
Programmes
 We
very much welcome non-knitters. There is a wealth of activities
and attractions for people not wishing to attend the knitting
sessions including: galleries
and museums; hiking and biking; golf; water sports; ornithology;
horse-riding; slate and lead-mining archaeology; narrow-gauge
and steam railways; alternative technology; and, of course,
many other wonderful gardens and historic houses. 10%
discount for non-knitters not wishing to participate in
the knitting programme.
Price
$3525 (£1960) single supplement
$595 (£330)
 5% discount on these prices if you book 150 days or
more before departure. Price includes all accommodation,
breakfasts, nine dinners and two lunches,
all travel within the UK, all workshops and lectures, admissions
to gardens and museums, specialist garden guides and everything
on the published itinerary. Almost the only thing that
is not included is your flights to and from the UK and
travel insurance.
Click
here to reserve
a place, or for more information
email jmtours@dircon.co.uk
or phone/fax +44 (0) 1904 646282
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'Extremely
well-organized and planned... Jean and Philip are incredible
hosts. I would happily sign on for a tour again' (Michele)
