Learning lots about bread making

I recently had the luck be invited, along with a friend, to be a guinea pig on a  3 hour bread baking workshop. Now, I've made a lot of bread over the years, but I'm a bit slapdash, don't follow recipes, and anyway, I believe that there's always lots more to learn about everything.

we mixed

and kneaded
(wetter is better, I make mine too dry I decided)

mmmm, that looks good..

After it had risen we did this
(that's mine front right)

And they came out like this

And can you believe it, in between we also made these...

Pumpkin bread,
 this dough was pre mixed and risen

yum, we didn't get to eat these
as they were for a pumpkin supper that evening

And finally some soda bread
very quick to make, needs eating fast..not much problem there

We even had time for a cup of tea
And I was right, I learnt loads, and it was a lovely afternoon, with a room full of fellow bread making enthusiasts. Emma, who taught us is planning to do some more workshops. So if anyone wants to learn about bread making, or learn MORE about bread making from a very lovely person (who I've just noticed has recently won an award!), then watch this space.. (not mine, the one below)

http://www.realfoodexeter.co.uk/

oh dear and lovely......more wool

Look... can you tell I've just got the hang of some image editing software!

I've been to a few spinning groups, it's lovely meeting other people passionate about the same things. At this meeting there were 5 of us with wheels, all different, and one person learning on a drop spindle.

I made the mistake of admiring some black fleece that someone was combing. Uh oh. Before I knew it someone had trotted up the road and brought me back a feed bag stuffed with lovely black wool. That's it tipped out at home bottom left. It's a bit course, but nice and clean and barely needs combing before spinning. Which is more than I can say for the North Ronaldsay, which is starting to drive me nuts as it's so fine, sticky and full if grass seeds. However I'm persevering because I'm pretty sure it will be lovely once it's spun up and washed.

SO..I think if I spun continuously for a few months (or years?) I might get through all the wool I have sitting around the house in bags.

I wonder if that dinky wheel, middle right, will fit on a boat?!

We might get to sea after all

And so the Owl and the Pussy Cat may finally get to sea. Unfortunately it's a mostly white boat with bits of blue, and as you know colour is THE most important criteria when choosing anything like a car/boat etc. So, apart from being the wrong colour for my blog, it's a very lovely boat, and (once we have parted with some money) it should be ours to sail wherever we want...very soon!
These are the salesman's and previous owners photos, not mine...

The boat called Hope
yup, that's what she's called, cute eh?

The sitting room
Where am I going to put my spinning wheel?

The main bedroom
We'll need triangular sheets and a triangular duvet..

Kitchen, (sorry 'galley'), on right
Navigation station on left
Front door straight on

And I guess this should become my blog header now?

Oh my word I'm so excited I don't know if I'll sleep tonight..