Today we had a more relaxed visit in Geraldine calling on the Barkers Jams and Chutney shop where everything was open for tasting. There was plenty to choose from and something for everybody. Next came the cheese shop but there was nothing to tempt our palates. The chocolate shop fared a little better with me buying a lump of Rocky Road.
After a bit more window shopping it was off to the Giant Jersey wool and knitting shop. On the wall hangs a woollen jersey 7’3” tall and 5’ wide designed and machine knitted by the shop proprietors Michael and Gillian Linton. It was entered in the Guinness Book of Records in 1991 and to date has not been beaten. The pattern design all has a NZ flavour to it apart from the Australian connection with 2 koala bears.
Out in the back room of the shop hangs a replica of the Bayeux Tapestry which has taken 20 years of pains taking passion and dedication. Two million pieces of spring steel measuring just 1/96 in area were glued on to tape and then a copy of the tapestry was hand painted on it. The Tapestry measures 42 metre’s and weighs 288 kilograms.
Historians have always maintained that part of the tapestry was missing so Michael and daughter Rachael researched the missing 3 month period up to William the Conqueror’s coronation and have nearly completed another panel which is half as big again which depicts the battle of Stamford bridge prior to the battle of Hastings. They hope to complete it by May this year.
Historians have seen their research and agree with what they have found and produced on the new panel. If you are Geraldine this place is a must as nobody could not be amazed at what Michael and Rachael have produced.
Back at camp the sun finally came out but it was decided an afternoon of rest was in order so I have been carrying out a repair on a cupboard door.
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