At school I always wanted to study textiles, I was a bright, creative active pupil I spent many hours drawing, designing and making clothes using my favourite Laura Ashley fabrics. I loved the outdoor life and was encouraged to study Landscape Design. It was a very creative course and I learnt how to design. I continue to learn more. The world of work as a landscape Architect seemed to be all about drainage and finance.

I joined the Embroiderers Guild and enrolled on a City and Guilds Embroidery course.

I began teaching and gained a PGCE. Looking back, it was hard, but I had found a career that I loved. I taught at Huddersfield Technical College for many years until all funding for City and Guilds classes were withdrawn and in 2006 I was made redundant.

I started running classes from my studio at home and realized that I needed to make quilts for exhibition (not just teaching samples) and started entering my work in exhibitions and competitions. To my surprise, I won a few prizes and my work was accepted into juried exhibitions.

In 2007 I joined the Contemporary Quilt Group and started to make Journal Quilts. I have been making one a month since then and currently have at least 120.

I receive invitations to exhibit my quilts all over the world and have exhibited and taught in France, Germany, Hungary, Israel, Czech Republic, Canada and South Africa.

It’s an exciting life!

Arrive to Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, India

NOTE we will collect you from the airport whatever time you arrive - day or night. 

There is no programme on Arrivals Day - our guests come from all over the world.

Sightseeing Delhi and gently easing our way into India. 

Lakshmi Narayan Temple- you always visit the Gods before a new undertaking and this temple, built by the Industrialist Birla in the 1930’s has a lovely feel. To the left of the main temple is a small description of the significance of the sacred swastika, it is an important Hindu symbol which is good to grasp at the outset as you see it everywhere and it can be a shock for Westerners (and the true depth of perversion of the Nazi’s use of it can be understood).

Raj Ghat- to pay our respects at the cremation site of Gandhi, the beloved hero of India. xx  

And a chance for people watching.

National Craft Museum – fabulous collection to enjoy and be inspired by.

In the afternoon we will visit the beautiful Humayan's Tomb - it has had a fabulous renovation and is set amongst beautiful grounds.

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We'll  jump on our bus and start early to head to Jaipur.

Along the way we will visit the wonderful Anokhi Museum and arrive in Jaipur in time to settle into our elegant and comfortable Palace.

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We will start our Slow Travel Retreat with a morning session with Gillian, looking at how the project will eveolve and getting started on backgrounds.

Then jump in a bunch of tuktuks and head  towards Johari Bazaar. 

The Mueseum of Legacies is in the neighbourhood. Housed in a 200-year-old building, the Museum of Legacies is located in the heart of Jaipur, it has a stunning collection of decorative items.

Nearby is haberdashery heaven to explore.

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We'll start with the morning in our Palace studio working with Gillian.

Then head out to lunch at Anokhi Cafe in the city and  out and about to look for blockprint fabrics to use in your projects.

In the evening we will enjoy a delicious tandori cooked meal.

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Let's visit Jaipur City Palace this morning - there is lots of details here to inspire you.

Take a wander around the corner to look at the iconis Hawa Mahal.

Find lunch in one of the local cafes and we will then head back to our Palace to work with Gillian this afternoon.

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This morning we will head out to Sanganer Village,  there are handmade paper making workshops to visit and the washing unit, fabric everywhere across the fields and hung high to dry.

Studio time and then a jaunt to a local Rajasthani Cultural Village for a thali meal and some fun.

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Off to Agra today, it is hard to be so close without going to visit the Taj Mahal, we stay in a lovely garden hotel and can polish off our projects with Gillian thios afternoon.

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Early start to visit the Taj Mahal in the morning, 

and then it is off to  Delhi.

Farewell Dinner - let's share a dinner together and celebrate new friendships, a stimulating workshop and travels through exotic Rajasthani India.

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Departures from Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, India

We'll drop you to your flight any time night or day.

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Materials List

Pencil, sharpener

Large scissors

Small scissors

Fabric we can buy this but it might be a good idea to bring some from home if you have something you like - we chat in preparation for the tour

Paint - a small set of acrylic paint

Plastic for their table 

Water pot 

Physical Fitness for Sightseeing 

This is a Slow Travel Retreat.

We will be exploring city palace and a few other fabulous spots but can take it slow.

We will be spending half of most days in our Palace and with Studio Time.

A good chance to have a taste of India at a Slow Travel pace.

Etiquette

• Be mindful when taking photos, especially in temples, on the ghats, or in private spaces. Always consider how you’d feel with a camera in your face. 

• That said, many Indian people love a good selfie—say hello, ask politely, show them the photo, and then ask if you can take one of them. Works a charm.

• Learning a few local courtesies in the language of the region is always appreciated.

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Food

Food is a huge part of culture, and we’re there to try it all. For group meals, we usually order a range of dishes to share, exploring local specialties as we go.

Indian food is cooked from scratch with fresh ingredients, so it’s usually easy to keep track of what’s in your meal. Manufactured products (soy milk, faux meats, etc.) aren’t common.

• Vegetarian – very easy

• Vegan – possible, but a little more challenging

• Chilli-free – not really possible, but we can order mild

• Onion/garlic-free – tricky

• Wheat-free – generally easy

Remember, for Indian cooks “no chilli” feels like “please don’t breathe”—but they’ll do their best!

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Health

Drink only filtered or bottled water—never from the tap, even for brushing your teeth.

Stay hydrated: aim for at least 2 litres of water a day. You’ll feel better and be less likely to get a wobbly tummy.

• See your doctor or a travel medicine specialist before you leave.

• Bring enough medications for the whole trip plus copies of your prescriptions.

• Menstrual products: tampons can be hard to find; pads are readily available.

And don’t forget bug spray.

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Money

• KNOW YOUR CARD PIN—ATMs will not accept tap.

• There are ATMs everywhere, and it’s easy to withdraw cash once you have your PIN.

Tell your bank you’re travelling so they don’t block your card for “unusual activity.”

• Travel cards can be handy, but check they work before you leave. Many guests have had good luck with Wise cards.

Have a backup card tucked away in your suitcase.

• Cash is good as a backup but can be tricky to exchange at a fair rate—ask at the hotel desk.

• Credit cards: less widely accepted, and sometimes incur extra fees.

Currency: Indian Rupee.

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Shopping

There will be treasures! Shopping supports the local economy.

If you know you’re interested in something (carpets, spices, textiles), do a little research—knowing prices back home helps.

Bargaining is the norm in markets. If you’re not experienced, Google a few tips and go in with a smile.

NGOs and social enterprises are usually fixed-price.

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Suitcase

A medium normal-sized suitcase plus a fold-up soft bag for extras works best. Big cases are hard to manoeuvre on the bus.

Recommended size for a medium suitcase:

60–70 cm (H) × 40–50 cm (W) × 25–30 cm (D)

or 24–28" × 16–20" × 10–12"

It’s not easy to buy decent luggage at the last minute on the road.

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Weather

Days are warm; mornings and evenings can be cool. Layers are your friend. A cardigan and socks are often appreciated.

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Power

Power is 240V. European two-pin adaptors are most useful.

The older Indian three-prong plugs are now rarely seen.

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Clothing

Lightweight, loose layers are ideal. Three or four outfits are usually enough, and you’ll find plenty to buy along the way.

A scarf is always useful—for cool air-con, temple visits, modesty, sun protection.

For temples, mosques, and other religious sites, wear long trousers or a mid-calf skirt and bring a scarf to cover your head if needed. Otherwise they’ll lend you a cover-up… and it’s usually a polyester sack!

Aim for modest tops: no cleavage. Midriff is surprisingly fine—just look at the aunties in saris!

Leave expensive jewellery at home.

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Shoes

Comfortable walking shoes—sneakers or well-strapped sandals—are essential. Footpaths can be uneven and you’ll be too busy looking around to watch every step.

A pair of rubber thongs/flip-flops is great for bathrooms.

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Laundry

Any two-night stay is a perfect time to send laundry out. Indian laundry is a joy—washed and ironed, and I’ve never lost a thing.

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Fitness

We get on and off the minibus every day. Markets, monuments, and towns all beg to be explored.

You should be comfortable walking for an hour or two, and expect some steps.

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• Begging

In general, please don’t encourage begging. Avoid giving lollies, pens, or treats to children—it creates a begging mentality. If you’d like to donate items, we can pass them to a school.

• There’s no pension system: giving a few coins to an elderly or disabled person is a kind and appreciated gesture.

• If you love interacting with kids, a friendly chat, joke, or shared moment is far better than a gift.

• OR bring a bubble blower - bubbles floating through the air are a universal language of joy.

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Tipping

Tipping is customary. Keep small notes handy:

• 20–50 INR for small services (bags, room service, laundry delivery)

• Around 100 INR for guides, performers, or street photo models

Please also set something aside for our driver - they keep us safe on the roads.

As a guide, think US$2–3 per person per day. Often a group volunteer organises a thank-you at the end of the trip.

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Environment

Tread lightly: conserve water and electricity, and carry your rubbish out where possible.

Say NO to plastic.

Please bring a cloth shopping bag.

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