During my investigation into the growing of flax for this your place and mine site I was given some precious flax seeds. These I gave to John Pattison's grandchildren who are featured in other pages of this story - See Timothy's report on his visit to the aircraft museum and Philip's report on his trip to the Linen Museum.
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Flax flowers.
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Flourished
The boys planted the seeds and eventually, with great excitement the plants grew and blossomed. Not exactly a field full of blue flowers often likened to a shimmering lake, but at least a handful of healthy blooms. |
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John Pattison helps Philip and Timothy pull their flax.
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Pulling
Recently I was invited to witness their flax pulling ceremony, as was grandad, John Pattison. In fact he joined in the pulling - the last time he had pulled flax was about 1943. So it was an historic moment for him to be doing this once again but this time helping his grandchildren. |
Retting
Then under grandad's guidance the stalks were put under water in an old bowl where they will remain for nine days. (To be continued.)
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