Wonderwool Wales Weekend Trip

This weekend – Friday-Monday, saw us get the motorhome out and go to Builth Wells in mid-Wales. We stayed in the same place as last time, next to the Wye.

I have been to the show lots of times, including far back, when it was combined with a Smallholder show.

This year, I didn't have much I wanted to buy. However, I usually bump into people I know and, over the years, I’ve got to know one or two stand holders and it is good to catch up with them and meet new ones.

We were lucky again this year as, until during Sunday night, it stayed dry and largely sunny. This helps, as it is quite a long way to walk from the campsite to the exhibition halls.

On the Saturday when I turned up, I entered the first hall and was met by a wall of people and it stayed like that until after lunch, when it quite rapidly cleared out and there was lots of room to move around. Judging by the car park, there weren't nearly so many people on the Sunday.

Although it was really chilly walking on the Saturday, particularly, the sun was shining and it was good to see flowers and gardens…

Someone has made this pretty, little space right next to the road....and nearby, 

there was a Hawthorn bush.

On the side of the road, outside the Showground car park there was a clump of Bluebells....

and some Celandines....

so, despite the very cold wind, it definitely felt Spring-like.

The exhibition was nothing if not colourful:

This is Caroline Merrell Felt.... 

...but despite my best efforts with the show guide, I can't work out which stand this colourful one is.

In the final hall, the 'Under the Sea' exhibition held centre stage. This was entirely made of knitting and crochet, made by Alison Murray.

The outside......

....and, the inside

...an amazing feat of construction.

Towards the end of both Saturday and Sunday, I spent some time with Lynn and Vernon Turnbull on the Gwennol stand. Lynn designs and makes beautiful items for children. Gwennol Designer Handknits.

As it turned out, I did meet several friends walking around the event, besides the one I had arrange to meet up with. I also did a couple of workshops of which, more in my other Blog The Ewe Who. A bit of purchasing took place (!) as well and some interesting conversations with a few stand holders and crafts individuals I had met in the past before making my way back - on Sunday, in company with the archaeologist, who had come along to the showground to walk back with me.

Next to the bridge over the River Wye....

...is the Wyeside Arts centre, which at one time, was a cinema. It has interesting windows overlooking the river..

On the Saturday evening, we decided to go out to eat. This was easier said than done. There are few places except noisy pubs and so we ended up in the same place as everyone else, the Indian restaurant, the only place where it seemed possible to have a quiet meal. Just as the archaeologist was being informed that we should return in around an hour, (the little place was packed), we were invited to join Lynn and Vernon at their table and so, we not only were able to eat in a timely fashion but had company as well; a very enjoyable evening.

On Sunday evening, the sunset was particularly spectacular.

Unfortunately, Monday morning turned out to be very wet and so I didn't get to call in at the local wool shop like last year, which I was disappointed about.

We set off, down the 'back' road, along the Wye to Erwood Station Gallery to have a look round and some coffee. I couldn't leave without a pair of earrings I found.....

Whilst we were there, we decided to go home via Brecon and the Heads of the Valley road, a route neither of us had been along for a long time. We were surprised to discover the improvements that had been made on it - that is until we got to Clydach, where the construction work is still in progress (until 2018) - and where we got stuck for a while and marvelled at the work being carried out: what a challenge! We won't be travelling that way again for a while as it is obvious that in high season there could be tremendous hold-ups.

It was good to be back in Wales and we're looking forward to another trip there when we can manage it. It was also good to get out in the motorhome again - despite the below freezing temperatures.