Spring

Finally time to start again, after all the changes.
The PhD being finished, I left London, with regrets, and moved back to Paris. From there to Verona, Italy for a few months of work.
I have tried to fit some training in this new organization, in Paris and in Verona. The remparts surrounding the old town of Verona are set like a park, with trees, a small lane and grass. It is a lovely place to be when the sun is out, something all too rare this winter and spring.

For Christmas, we (design by the girls, execution by yours truly) made carzy patchwork balls. More precisely they could be described as Frankenstein Christmas balls. But it was fun! I even made myself one... To go with it I had made little garlands of crocheted snowflakes and simple granny squares in coloured linen yarn from Namolio.

I have also managed to crochet a little bit. in January I managed to start and finish (thanks to the trip to BHM) a scarf in Malabrigo yarn (Bobby blue, superb colour). Hook 1.25, just assembling squares on the go (square N°39 from Annie's attic 101 granny squares) with a border to finish nicely. It was given unblocked, so looks a bit rumpled. Next one finished will be the Armorique shawl...

Tai Chi in Taiwan

Just back from Taiwan and the 4th World Cup Taijiquan Championship in Taoyuan, Taiwan with the Longfei Team!
A brilliant 10 days in fantastic company, training in Daan park (3 - 6h a day), seeing a little of Taipei, enjoying the hot springs in Beitou before going to Taoyuan.
Massive competition hall, nice set-up and lovely people from many countries.
And guess what? We did well!!!! Won in both group weapons forms (narrow and broadsword) and got placed as well in some solo forms....
I did not compete in push-hands but those that did had a hard time though they seem to have enjoyed it :-)
I feel so grateful to Barry and the other team members for the experience!

argh! didn't have time to go into the shop!

Daan Park in Taipei - training

Taoyuan - competition hall

group demo > 650 people

 

National palace museum

Temple in Shilin - Taipei

Longshan temple - Taipei

Après la soutenance

Tout n'est pas terminé, certes, mais l'après soumission et l'après soutenance m'ont laissé un peu de temps pour bricoler et profiter de la flore locale et exotique!



Les housses de bouillottes partiront pour la France (elles sont attendues depuis longtemps). Il m'aura fallu du temps pour me décider sur les dessin et j'ai bien sûr fini par improviser, avec une photo pour la base de la chouette.

Le cadeau de naissance a été envoyé pour la France.

Une petite broche chrysanthème est partie rejoindre le macaron pour une future destination Japon.

Et j'ai demarré quelques ouvrages au crochet:
- une étole aux fleurs japonaise (la fameuse) avec un alpaga chilien importé direct (un vrai plaisir, c'est vrai, à crocheter) qui partira en vacances avec moi (crochet 3)
- un châle Armorique d'Eclat du soleil avec de la madelinetosh Prairie colori Micas (avec un crochet 3.5 )

Et enfin, puisque ce post est dû depuis longtemps, voici les quelques photos de fleurs qui se sont glissées dans mon appareil photo depuis cet été

lys dans le Valais Suisse

Edelweiss dans le Valais Suisse

Regent's Park

Culpepper Community garden Sept 2012

Anemone - Culpepper Community Garden Sept 2012

Rose - Regent's Park 8:00 Sept 2012

more Rose - Regent's Park 8:00 Sept 2012

still more Roses - Regent's Park 8:00 Sept 2012

Big Chi 2012

Already another year gone and we were back in the country for this year's Big Chi gathering again!
Another we of fun, sun and grass stained feet. Ah, and training also!

Pretty flowers and bunting

Chinese lanterns around the camp fire

Very different colours from Regent's Park which was still showing flowers the week-ends before ( no need to remind you how much I like flowers):