In 1998 I was fortunate enough to attend my first (and hopefully not my last) textile retreat. I flew via Santiago, Chile, to Los Angeles via Lima, then by shuttle to San Francisco. This was an interesting journey, carting two huge bags, a Joy spinning wheel in its bag, a rucksack and a digital camera (from which last item I was later to be parted in LA airport by some light-fingered person). My trip included a night's stopover in Santiago on the way north - I had a whale of a time in the craft centre, El Pueblito de Los Dominicos and had to try very hard not to spend ALL my money there before I got anywhere near California... I hope to return one day! The return journey didn't require a second stopover which was just as well - I was broke by then...

Once in California I stayed with someone I had 'met' through emails for a while, as a paying guest. Then we both attended Fibervisions.

Robin Fouquette, a lovely lady who is herself an experienced spinner and weaver, offers an incredible annual retreat at Penobscot Ranch, in the glorious Sierra Nevada foothills. Ten days of intensive textile-related workshops, high quality tutelage and everything planned to the smallest detail without being in any way regimented. I'd heard such good things of this event that I was determined to attend. Clive funded my entire trip so that I could learn more about my favourite crafts and meet new people. We also hoped I could establish business contacts to help us found our mail order business, DHF Falklands.

Fibervisions itself was just amazing. Spinners and knitters of all levels of ability and experience, complete beginners to old hands, gathered together in a beautiful outdoor setting. Classes were held in the shade of huge oak trees or under canopies. Numbers are always limited according to subject and space requirement, so everyone gets a fair chunk of the tutor's attention plus room to work. (Dyeing classes took place in Robin's dyehouse near the ranch buildings.)

Workshops vary from half-day tasters to three day intensive courses - you can take just one class or sign up for the entire retreat. You may learn the basics of a new craft, just dip your toes into unfamiliar water during a half-day introductory session, or improve your existing skills in a favourite discipline - or all three, as I did! It is possible to borrow wheels or drum carders, thanks to Robin's and others' generosity, if travelling far. The Joy being new, I also borrowed a Traveller; I felt that a combination of new wheel and new techniques might just crush this old camel...

Classes offered were varied and enticing. I had planned a full ten days' worth of classes, with Robin's help via emails, striving for a nice balance. In the end I was more than happy with my schedule.

Among other things - I felted (with help from tutor Katrina Worley) a pretty cool hat - started tapestry weaving (tutor Lou Anderson got me hooked) - produced a 300 shade dye sample book thanks to Sara Lamb - and learned the basics of Around the Bend Knitting with Bev David (now a firm friend and a brilliantly inspiring teacher). I also took Using Colour Effectively with Bev - that was an inspiring class - and re-learned spinning (had thought I could spin, well I had been doing it for over 20 years hadn't I?!) from Kathryn Alexander. Had a ball in Deb Menz's Colour in Drumcarding class... what a lovely lady! Also tried combing, with Laura Cunningham, without drawing blood (though Robin even provides plasters in the goody bags). Also with Laura's help I improved my Navajo Plying, which I love, even though I mostly spin crazy multicoloured yarns nowadays, thick-and-thin, two-ply. (see ?Island Dreams?)

I also tried Twining Rag Rugs with Bobbie Irwin (who is a wonderful tutor), which proved fascinating, though I won't be carrying on - I need five lifetimes to do all I would like to do as it is, must concentrate on woolly crafts...

Another full and happy day was spent with Frenchwoman Monique Anglin - a sweet and gentle lady. (Spinning the Naturals, and Spinning Precious Fibres.) She ran a Fimo class too making buttons etc but this clashed, sadly, with another class I wanted to take.

At meal times (first-class catering, though I was usually too busy talking to eat much) Robin stationed herself at the head of the queue, armed with small colourful stickers. Everyone wore a name card in a plastic neck pouch - useful for meal tickets and personal mini-timetable. 'Good' girls got a sticker on their pouch, which inevitably led to grown women arguing over their hauls - 'You've got a sparkly sheep!!!!!!! not fair!!!!' 'Well how come you got a horse and you haven't even been riding??????!!!!!' etc etc... (When Robin was absent one mealtime some serious sticker-theft occurred as they were status symbols to some and lots of fun to others - and I am not  'fessing to either...) Debby Schnabel, one of the tutors, even knitted a miniscule mock-entrelac coat for her sticker dog, using Kathryn's 'energized singles' yarn method and lace weight needles. My own sticker-obliterated pouch is much treasured...

Pouches, reminders, meal tickets - all were carefully planned by Robin. Also goody bags when we arrived, plus folders of details and a campsite map. (Prior to arrival all received lists of what to bring plus itemised lists of what would be provided under 'materials charges' etc.) Robin's well stocked shop is also open 24 hours during retreats, with an honesty policy - go there any time, choose what you want, note your purchase on your own index card provided, and settle up on final departure.

Ice, iced water and drinks, and coffee both decaff and kick start (boy did I need some of that in the mornings) were always available, and an insulated water bottle was an essential during the day - I even carried mine on the evening rides and was glad of it. All drinks included in the extremely reasonable charges - other than the chilled sodas. Early birds were up at six, making the coffee; lights out was at ten which wasn't too early for most of us after a more-than-full day. In the evenings we sat round in a circle under generator-powered lights. Plenty of chatting, spinning (wheel or spindle), knitting, visiting or just mellowing out... and sometimes there would be a speaker. On Saturday evenings there was a Fashion Show 'n' tell - wow what amazing talent... I was in awe. With Kathryn Alexander, Lynne Vogels, Bev David - and other talented people too. The tutors combined to present a Sock Walk too, showing off some pretty classy socks in a choreographed goose-step...

I can thoroughly recommend Fibervisions - the setting, the atmosphere, the classes - Robin has it all just right. The food is wonderful, accommodation basic but who cares (you can live out, take an RV, or tent, or stay in one of the stilt-legged, flymesh-windowed cabins with bunk beds). I had an airbed in a borrowed, badly-sited two-room tent, and kept sliding downhill... my own fault. Loud whispers and snorts of laughter often issued from the cabins - like a load of schoolgirls in a dormitory... followed by snores, and some overworked pupil muttering in their sleep. - I must treadle slower... card another batt... try cable cast on... please Bev, I need help...

Two rattlesnakes were killed last year, so I kept my tent well zipped up!! - the cabins are up off the ground. Was almost disappointed not to see a rattler. But I did see adopted mustangs, wild turkeys, deer, and a wild bees' nest in a tree, also grinding/sharpening rocks used by Indians long gone... and heard woodpeckers hard at work and saw the effect they had on gateposts! It was so beautiful - 2000 feet up in the foothills of the Sierras, incredible scenery and so relaxing.

Riding was fun, and I was allocated little Cher, a grey Arab mare who looked after me beautifully. I took every chance to go on an evening ride. Robin's parents Jack and Joyce Gates rode out with us sometimes, and Renita (Robin's sister-in-law) came with us to ride herd on the beginners while robin led the ride on her paint pony, Poco. Robin's brother is the chief wrangler, and young people help out too during the day with the ponies, donkeys, goats etc that school children come regularly to visit. Joyce Gates puts on a nice little show with BP (Beautiful Pony) who is a renegade made good thanks to the love and understanding she receives from this lovely family. BP will shake hands, bow, take a kerchief from Joyce's pocket... and even count.

The washrooms, being designed for kids (the ranch is a summer camp in season), are limited, but clean. With no males using the cabins or tents, we females had access to four loos and two showers. I soon learned to grab a shower straight after the day's workshops finished - or after my evening trail ride! At night I lay admiring the stars, listening to the coyotes and crickets, and blessing the day I chose to book myself into Fibervisions! There was so much fun and laughter throughout the whole retreat - my abiding memories are of sheer happiness and total fulfilment. I came back with my head full of ideas and inspiration.

If you fancy Fibervisions 99 try www.spinnerscorner.com for full details - then you too could attend the coolest event of the year - at Cool, California. But hurry - it is in September! If you miss it, try for Fibervisions 2000...

I might even see you there... I can dream anyway!!

�@

�@

*****************