Hi Spiders Organised a coach to the NEC this year, a very early start for some as the coach made its first pick up at 6.15 am but we arrived at the NEC just before 11.00 am. The trip went without any hitches until we arrived at the NEC, despite having previously arranged and received an authority notice which should have allowed Alvyne, our coach driver to drop us off outside the hall, as he has done previous years, he was not allowed to do this. We were sent directly to a car park no shuttle service in sight, pouring with rain and one or two older ladies who really did not need this grief, so had to do quite a bit of apologising. I was not a happy bunny at this point - (have suffered a few too many fools this week!), but I thought it wiser to avoid the organisers office for a while to allow my annoyance to subside a little. I did have words later John ford was most understanding and apologetic and told us that we could arrange for the coach to pick us up out front - what fun that was - several NEC jobsworths didn't like that idea one little bit, didn't want to raise the barrier - so my husband, to put it politely, had words. I feel a letter coming on...........
Apart from this we had a brilliant day, as did the 34 ladies that came on the trip. I was able to obtain some German hooded bobbins from Kloeppelcentre Langendorf, which I want to learn to use correctly - anyone got any hints and tips on this - I did miss the fact that there were not more suppliers from Europe could this be to do with the Euro? Will just have to make up for it when we go to Tonder for the lace festival next June. Was able to commission some holiday commemoratives to be made with a couple of the bobbin suppliers - looking forward to seeing the Golden Gate Bridge, a cable car and Yosemite's Half Dome at sunset, Death Valley etc on bobbins, brings back nice memories while making my lace. It was lovely to meet up with Jessie Caunt in the afternoon, Jessie was one of the founding members of Suffolk Lacemakers, earlier this year she moved away to be nearer her daughter, she is greatly missed by us here in Suffolk but it is nice to know that she has been able to join a group local to her new home and is still enjoying her lacemaking. It was also a pleasure to meet fellow spider Korwyn, who travelled with us, thank you so much for the card Korwyn, the tatted snowflake is just soooo pretty, will hang it on our tree at Christmas. Was it my imagination or were there fewer people there on Saturday, it just didn't seem to be as busy as in previous years? We were able to stop and chat with suppliers with a little more ease this year. Anyway, we had a good journey home, everyone very pleased with their purchases and our NEC novices really enjoyed their first visit to the Lace fair and are probably looking forward to the next one. Here's to the Christmas Lace Suppliers Fair 2004. Thank you John and Jennifer for all your hard work organising the event and thank you to all the suppliers who attend and make it such an enjoyable and good hearted day. Nicky a very tired bunny in Suffolk, where it has been beautiful sunshine if a little cool. - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
