I love to travel, but spend hours in airport lounges, on buses and trains, wasting hours I could be using. I used to knit or cross-stitch, but can't take those through security. Recently it occurred to me that a crochet hook could not be considered as a dangerous weapon, so should be allowed through... though of course I couldn't take scissors, so I would have to work on a one-colour, non-cut item. In the loft - amongst over 20 years' accumulation of bits and pieces - I found a bag of balls of cotton, bought so long ago that I can no longer remember why I bought them. There was nothing suitable in my box of patterns, but an online search turned up a pattern for a crocheted cotton shopping bag... this was it! I had my materials to hand, and a travel plan booked which would take me through two lots of airport security. Time to try it out! At worst I would lose a hook worth only a pound or so.I started off my first crochet bag while waiting at Gatwick airport then headed through security - no questions asked, and I was able to crochet in the departure lounge and on my flight to Pisa! As we approached Pisa, the plane made a sudden "go-around" and one of the stewardesses was thrown against a bulkhead and was injured. She needed a hospital check, but was worried about being left alone if the rest of the crew had to continue with the aircraft - so, having several hours to pass before my next flight, I offered to stay around in case she needed some company. I gave her my mobile number and said I would stay in or around the airport for an hour while her crew got help for her.
The sun was shining, and though only mid-March, it was warm outside. In front of Pisa airport are benches facing the statues of marine creatures rising out of the grass! I was able to sit there, enjoy the sunshine, and continue my crochet, while waiting to hear if I was needed.
Fortunately the stewardess didn't need any help so I then felt free to go and investigate Pisa for myself - taking the airport bus into town and then walking around seeing some of the sights - including, of course the Torre Pendente!
The next stage of my journey was a flight from Pisa to Gerona (again no question at security), and at Gerona I had to wait for a bus to take me into France... so this first crochet bag is a four-country effort: UK, Italy, Spain and France!
