Final part of cruise travelogue

The last two days of classes were Portuguese whitework classes for me. Each day I was teaching two single day classes concurrently. Because the projects were so similar for me, it was not too hard to do, though other teachers had a harder time because their two single day projects were very different to each other. We were teaching two classes concurrently as this offered the students a MUCH wider range of classes that they could choose from.

A few of the students finished off their projects completely. It was lovely to see how much everyone learned, because Portuguese whitework is a new technique for practically everyone who does one of my Portuguese classes.

I had warned all the students that we would be working on 38 count linen, and that if they were at all concerned about the fabric count, they should bring appropriate magnification and lighting. Many found that my warning was very helpful, and true!

On the Thursday and Saturday nights of the cruise we had a sale night where the tutors with extra kits, supplies and books to sell all set up in one room, and we opened up to sell our wares. On the Thursday night, I arrived just before opening time because my dinner had been served to me quite late. I had to battle my way through the throngs to get into the room! Gary Clarke, one of the other tutors, was extremely kind in letting me share his table.

When they let the shoppers in, it was absolute bedlam, with people crammed into every single centimetre of space! Some reported coming to the door, walking in, and walking straight out again, because they just didn’t want to have to deal with the crush! The evening went well for us tutors though, so I was glad that I suggested the idea to the organisers the week before the cruise. As with many other instances, the organisers were very opening to listening to us tutors and making things happen for us.

The last full day of the cruise was pretty much my only full day off. And I felt a bit lost – not really knowing how to spend my time! I took the opportunity to go iceskating, as my daughters had said that I had to. My first few laps of the rink were a little wobbly, and I held onto the wall around the edge of the rink rather grimly. However, I regained my skating confidence (it must be 20 years since I last iceskated!) soon and was off and around much more happily.

In the morning I made a little bookmark for the waitress, Julieta, at our dinner table. She was so helpful and accommodating in making sure all my dietary requirements were catered for, and I was extremely grateful. Because of her and the kitchen staff, I remained well for the entire cruise.

Each evening, we were seated in the same dining room at the same table, with the same people. All the ladies at my table were just lovely, and it was great to get to know them a little better. My new friends came from around New South Wales and Victoria. Some knew each other already and were travelling as a group, and others, like me, didn’t know anyone else. They became the familiar faces I looked forward to seeing each night, and each day around the ship. Because I didn’t have my family with me, it was lovely to have those familiar faces.

On the final morning, of the cruise, we slipped quietly into Sydney Harbour before dawn, docking at about 6am. I alighted from the ship at 6:30am and raced home on the train. I was pleased to be able to see The Gymnast before she went off to school that morning. My husband and The Reader had already gone on their way for the day.

My dad picked me up from the train station and drove me home. We knocked on the back door. The Gymnast opened it. Her eyes went wide, she screamed and rushed to give me a great big hug. It had been particularly hard for her while I was away, as she’s a little younger and found it quite difficult with Mummy away.

It was lovely to be back home and reunited with all of them!

Would I do it again? Next year’s cruise brochure has already been released and all the tutors are a completely new set, so that no-one could be miffed by not being invited back. However, the following year – 2015 – they will start to invite tutors back. IF I am one who is invited back, then I would definitely accept the invitation! I did find it lonely being without my family, but the people I was with were lovely. And maybe next time my husband might be able to come with me. (Not sure whether the girls would be able to get time off school and gymnastics. We’ll cross that bridge if and when we come to it!)

In terms of the needlework conference organisers, as tutors we found them excellent to work with. It was a risk for most of us as we were not previously acquainted with them, and did not know what they were like as conference organisers. However, it all went very smoothly. They always had listening ears, taking into account our thoughts, needs and desires as tutors. They did an excellent job of keeping us tutors happy, and that in turn helped to keep the participants happy! I have great respect for them and would happily work with them again.

Many thanks therefore to Simon and Maureen Laughlin, and Clare McGee. It was very pleasurable working with you, and I was thrilled to have the opportunity and honour to teach on your inaugural needlework cruise.

Thank you to all the students who chose my classes from amongst the many on offer! I enjoyed my time with you, and I hope you were happy with what you learned (especially how to thread a needle with a piece of paper!). As I told you in your classes, please feel free to email or phone me if you have any questions as you are finishing off your projects. And I’d love to see photos of the finished projects!