Yes, the view from my hotel room every morning over St Aubins bay down to St Helier in the far distance. The beautiful sandy beach that was perfect for morning walks from the pretty little harbour at St. Aubins. Ok, ok, I know you aren't in the least bit envious!
We started our week with the opening shindig at The Harbour Gallery. Opened by the Minister for Tourism, followed by a short speeches from Jan Beaney and Jean Littlejohn and then an introduction to Diane Bates new work on portraiture.
The Harbour Gallery is a registered charity that runs to support the Arts and Crafts in Jersey and The Textile Showcase is one of the many activities run each year to support the charity and keep the gallery open. The Textile Showcase is run by two amazing ladies who manage to put on a week long event of workshops, exhibitions and competitions and a large gala dinner.
Once the opening ceremonies where over we began the serious business of eating.
In between the eating we did manage to attend some workshops
and ERTF's Gina Ferrari run a masterclass for ERTF members in Jersey on Design
We all particularly enjoyed working together as a group with Gina.
Another highlight of the week was a talk by Louise Gardiner
and several of our group had attended various workshops with Louise which involved dancing to music and drawing without looking! Great work came from this.....
Jan and Jean where other tutors to run a full day workshop working as Double Trouble with machine soluble and the embellisher.
Great tuition and inspiration from two masters of their art.
ERTF was also luckily enough to be able to invite Jan and Jean to an ERTF private dinner at the wonderful Boatyard in St Aubin - a trendy, modern bar/restaurant overlooking the small harbour. Caroline, who arranged the whole trip, called this dinner "In Discussion with Jan and Jean" and it was a wonderful opportunity to talk to Jan and Jean on an informal basis.
However, sorry to Jan and Jean but I am afraid you were eclipsed by a man! Listen carefully here partners and husbands - Mr Caroline McNarama arrived unexpectedly at the dinner off a flight from the the UK, he stayed the night and went back to work in the UK at lunch time the next day..............why did he do this................it was Caroline's birthday................ahhhhhh, we were all quite gooey eyed.
So a terrifically wonderful time was had by the 10 in Jersey and I can only stay that if we are in a position to offer the trip again next year grab the chance as it offered great value for money and was expertly organised by Caroline.
Oh, yes did manage to fit in a bit of work.