Everyone arrived at the Chateau where we enjoyed tea, cake, and a welcome while our bags were carried to our rooms. We then enjoyed the first of many amazing meals by our chef for the week, Phillippe!
In the morning we breakfasted, then headed for the delightful village of Saint Antonin Noble Val for the Sunday market where we tasted, purchased, and admired all that was on offer!
Meanwhile, Andie from Renaissance Yarn set up her selection of Naturally Dyed French yarn for us back at the chateau. She gave us a wonderful talk about her business, and the story of the French sheep farms (with female shepherdesses) where she sources her Merino and Poll Dorset wool, describing its journey from farm, to mill, and then to Andie for botanical dyeing!
Then it was lunch and time to wind yarn and get everyone set up with their projects for the week! After more wine and another beautiful meal we were ready for bed, sated with drink, food, and fiber.
We had a luxurious day of knitting - with breaks for a swim in the salt water pool and/or a walk to see the sunflowers in the fields surrounding the chateau. Lunch at the chateau featured the melon this area is famous for and it did not disappoint!
We chatted and knitted all day, and ended with yet another lovely meal from our chef Phillippe!
We spent the day knitting, swimming, walking - with lovely meals and a late afternoon visit from Fabienne, a vintage textile dealer. She unloaded her treasures onto the lawn and we shopped for vintage linens - towels, napkins, bedding, and fabrics - all lovely!
(See Ven Ven, the chateau cat, snuggling in the vintage linens - left.)
After more knitting and relaxing at the chateau, and another fresh and delicious lunch, we ventured to nearby Puylaroque for a truly stunning dinner at Les Sen.
We set off after breakfast to Bruniquel to visit the fascinating castle and village. Then we enjoyed a picnic lunch in the castle garden and wandered back down the little cobbled streets for our ride home to the chateau.
Our last full day to relax, knit, and enjoy our surroundings; we also managed to squeeze in a visit to the local hat maker, Willy’s, in Cahor. They’ve been making hats - from straw boaters to Paris runway creations - since 1824. We all came home with a hat we did not intend to buy - how could we not?
Saturday morning everyone scattered to the four winds. Some for home, some for further adventures…but everyone with fond memories and a good start on a precious sweater that was truly of the place and time.
Fancy joining us next time? Check our Events page to see what we have on the calendar.
More information on past and future retreats can be found in Sheep to Sweater Retreats: Terroir Knitting.
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