"ook?!"

a week away

2012-01-29T08:55:00.005Z

I've had nearly a week away, staying with Daughter and Family.
Then having a long day heading Northwards for the first time since 1998, reclaiming my routes, renewing old friendships, but also finding I'd missed a friend by four months. At least I could give his son and widow the gift of a small bowl.
I felt at home. This probably explains why I'm drawn to the higher places around where I live, why being with Mountain Man was right. My first memory is of travelling from Capel Curig along the A5 road with Tryfan on the left, towards Idwal Cottage youth hostel where we lived in 1954/5.

I had a wander round Machynlleth as it was market day.
and delivered a box of work to Crochendy Twrog in Maentwrog. Trefor Owen always sold my work well, and had two jars left, a small one and this one.....
I must make some more of these!
It was good to see Trefor looking well at 75 and planning to do some throwing.

Then further North where I left more work...and I'm hoping to hear in a few days whether I'll have work in a gallery shop here.....
I had a day's "officialling" work at Newport Velodrome yesterday, today's work is tidying the allotment a little (weather permitting- we have a snow warning) and preparing the workshop for throwing.

Aberystwyth. stormy sea

2012-01-28T21:37:00.000Z

Blorenge Mountain

2012-01-27T23:04:00.003Z

For Janet...this is the mountain beginning with"B" near Abergavenny....today, with snow!

Court Cupboard Gallery. pictures

2012-01-21T07:13:00.009Z

Ysgyryd Fawr (Big Skirrid) behind the gallery
Some work from courses run here (sugarcraft, painting,ceramics,basketmaking....)
Daffodils from the garden at Sioni Rhys Textiles
ceramics- Gwynneth Rixon . painting - David Haswell
Sioni Rhys Textiles from Pandy (which means fulling mill in Welsh) just north of the gallery
Y Fal (the Sugar Loaf) peeping over the top
looking down the lane towards Blorenge mountain

cat in a hazel tree

2012-01-20T23:00:00.001Z

Court Cupboard Gallery

2012-01-20T08:45:00.000Z

Duty day in the gallery today, 10.30 am to 4pm (Winter hours)

gardening escape!

2012-01-19T19:39:00.005Z

from sorting and de-cluttering!!

We now have a large heap of brambles and buddleia in the Walled Garden, ready to be turned into potash!! I started, and now finished removing brambles from a huge forsythia bush. The buds are just showing on it and soon there will be flowers. Now it will look good and be safe to prune after flowering!

The New Mugs and New Handles have been unwrapped, and just loosely covered with one sheet of plastic. They should be dry enough to lightly fettle on Sunday.

On my way home I came over the mountain (surprise!) to avoid the traffic, and drove behind a young farmer (in his twenties-we need more of his generation to carry on, when the average age is 58) on a quad bike as he moved sheep to a field half a mile up the road.
I didn't mind waiting, and it would have helped if someone impatient had come up behind. Two large lambs got a ride on his lap, and the two dogs hopped up behind him for breaks! It was good to be thanked and pass the time of day (and to be recognised...he keeps an eye out for me on my mountain walks.)

We are back to Spring weather again, with light showers. The forecast is to stay much the same, getting a bit breezy on Saturday and colder on Sunday, although still above freezing point.

We do need a dose of Winter. Just please can it wait until I'm back from North Wales!!

Ray Finch. RIP

2012-01-19T19:34:00.002Z

Glad to have met him first in 1982/3, he carried on the impetus and inspiration that Michael Cardew gave me in 1976.

He inspired so many and made beautiful, honest pots.

We are fortunate that his sons carry on the tradition, both of making and inspiring.

final selection

2012-01-18T07:59:00.002Z

Thanks to The Carpenter for his well thought out comments, the selection has been made and packed.......The red/brown bowl, the blue jug, the salt glazed box, the fishy sgraffito platter, the cookie jar and the green bowl with the pie crust rim.
Any more would have been too heavy!

Now to pack a selection to show to two other galleries who used to sell my work well...that should be far easier!

I've photographed pots to put on Etsy, just need to weigh them and set the postage and packing charges.

That should keep me busy today! It is still cold out there, although the temperature is rising again- it is playing "yo-yo" so you can't get acclimatised to any level. So staying in and getting on with it is not a bad deal!!

procrastinating

2012-01-17T11:51:00.003Z

It is cold today (ok, it may have been the coldest so far this year, and it is still warmer than many of you out there have it, BUT!!!!) so no digging or getting hands in cold water and clay!!

I've weeded out a huge bagful of dead clothes-about time too! Now I'm thinking, where to attack next!! Every time I look at something it says Hang On, You Never Know, Just In Case......

This is all putting off The Decision....exactly which pots do I choose to submit to the gallery? It has to be representative, but not look a random mix. I just don't know what they are looking for. Years ago they only had paintings and some sculpture, now it appears they are expanding their range.

The shortlist so far....
It has taken a week to get this far and I think The Carpenter would like the living room back!!

learning

2012-01-16T20:21:00.004Z

After housework wrangling and bill paying I spent a few hours with a friend, learning a different method of making mug handles.

It has been such a beautiful day, albeit cold. I really enjoyed myself, and the first two hours just disappeared!
Then one pot delivered to finish an order already paid for, and home as the traffic began to build up. A good reason to finish the journey by coming over the end of the mountain!! It is good to be up there, however briefly.

After all that,
I
am
tired !!!!

roamin' in the gloamin' !!

2012-01-15T19:27:00.009Z

A good walk to get up from the traffic noise, taking an old road up from the canal bridge, although not much of the surface is left. Coming home along the fire road following a route we'd done before. Just by myself this time. I'm not sure if that was a planet or a space station I saw to finish with, looking Westwards.

Back home to battle with technology..I think the phone I use as a camera is playing up and it is getting difficult to transfer images. Meanwhile, The Carpenter made supper. It is good to share work!

new pots

2012-01-15T18:52:00.006Z

More jars, only one lid not free so far, but I've no doubt that it will be fine. The one that was stuck from the last firing freed itself- and no obvious reason for sticking. I think I'll start using a very light coating of rimwash so that they don't stick, next time! (just alumina and china clay, which melts at a higher temperature than I'm firing- so just a matter of wping it off after firing)

The big platter looks good, I'm looking forward to making more of these. The bowl with the pie-crust rim fired well too.

More salt pots
and a bigger blue bowl

I'm not completely happy with everything...but who is?! No disasters, and all saleable work....relief!!!

frosty

2012-01-15T07:43:00.004Z

Late yesterday morning the frost was still there, just a crust on the surface so far. By the time I'd cleared the shed on the allotment I've given up you could break the surface and all the ice crystals had gone.
Just don't look closely at the greenhouse on the one I'm keeping on.....
The Carpenter helped load the car and I moved things to the house, workshop and shed until I get a shed on my allotment.

The weather was sunny so despite it meaning a late finish, the kiln was lit just after 2pm. Rather that than struggle to get it started and to get the flue to draw on a frosty morning.
It fired very well, only slowing down after 1100 C, partly because the gas bottles had started freezing and partly because it was trying to reduce. I aim for a balanced, oxidised firing partly because it uses less gas, but also because the green glaze is attractive and sells well!
There are parts of thje kiln that still reduce, even when it appears to be drawing through. This adds a variety of colour on a pot, a flash of 'movement' and individuality.
I'm learning more each time, but I like these variations even though I can't entirely control them.
The firing was finished by 9pm, which was a relief! Time to relax instead of just turning off and crawling into bed!!

This morning at 6.20am, the temperature had dropped to 342 C...it will be quicker because of the freezing temperature outside, but now is when it really slows down. Just under 300 degrees you want it to go slowly, as there is one of the points that the quartz crystals in the fired work change form. You take it easy, or get problems with the work cracking.
Now it is just after 8am, I might just go and check the pyrometer.....

Teigar Cat!!

2012-01-15T07:34:00.003Z

With The Oily One , just before he had a hair trim! She watched, from a safe distance!

She approves of woolly jumpers..but then food comes to mind (often!) and shes on her way!!

"no, I'm not going to pose" !!
Fourteen and still going strong.

just a thought

2012-01-14T09:39:00.001Z

work out who you are and what you need. Be honest.
Before you comment on this, have you, are you?
If you respect and like yourself, you can do so to others

Diwrnod i'r Brenin

2012-01-14T08:40:00.006Z

Literally "A Day for the King"....in other words, a day off. With fine sunny weather as well- although we'll pay for it with cold nights!!

Still busy though..I collected the rest of my work from Craft in the Bay, from the Summer Exhibition. I had assumed that the pots I'd packed into one crate would all come back in the same one, but they'd split them into a crate and a box...forgotten that they'd done so when I collected the crate in September...and I only checked the crate last week!!! Lucky indeed.

Then dentist. That Tooth has shed the top of its filling, so it received a temporary top and hopefully will be crowned next month.

I visited Oriel Canfas near Chapter Arts Centre in Treganna (Canton) in Cardiff.

No time for a cuppa in Chapter unfortunately, but it was good to see Anthony Evans working well in Oriel Canfas.

There was nowhere to park near where the Oily One works, which is quite near to Chapter too, so home for a cuppa!

The day was topped off by finding my way round Newport to find a Freegler (I should have trusted my directional instincts to save myself twenty minutes!!) and going to the Velodrome to help with the Cycling Club Cardiff track session and see friends.

A good day....followed by tidying the allotment today!!

a beautiful day

2012-01-12T21:48:00.003Z

Snowdrops under the Walnut tree.

I spent today with friends, firstly collecting bagged pony manure for this garden. Then I pruned brambles here, mostly under a warm sun with a few very light soft rainshowers.
It was so beautiful, the air was warm and breathable, birds singing, and a tractor chugging along in the distance.
We talked pots and potting too, planning next week's work.

Then off to Usk for tea with a friend, collecting a few belongings from elsewhere on the way.
More tea and talking ceramics and gardening and swapping travel plans.

It is good to be with friends and be relaxed and talk-and before you know it you can see how to progress in a blink, after having wrestled with ideas for an age!!

After a lunchtime shower it was dry again, but having been so clear it is getting much colder- but still not quite freezing.

cracking on

2012-01-11T19:30:00.002Z

Yesterday I fired the first bisque of 2012!
It went well, apart from one gas bottle running empty and finding the kiln back to 100 degrees C and dropping! A quick switch over and it was on the up again. If nothing else it meant that the bigger bowls and plates were fired nice and slow, so no bad cracks and explosions!!

It was good timing, the bottle running out as I'd just had a letter informing me of a gas price rise from today...so gas ordered yesterday came at the old price, thankfully.

This morning the kiln was down to just over 100 degrees after breakfast, nicely timed to crack open the door and let it cool further as I sorted the pottery tools I'd cleaned. Not many to go, as I'd had a good sort out a year ago, but back in order.

The glazes were ready , the gasman came, and after shopping and lunch...let the glazing begin!!

I'm trying this kilnload without waxing, to see if it gives a tidier finish.
All pots were plazed, fettled and packed back in the warm kiln by six o'clock.

Decks cleared and cleaned, then The Oily One made omelettes with cheese and chopped onion.
Served with plenty of salad and some good dark rye bread. Just the thing after a good day's work.

dusk walk

2012-01-09T18:19:00.013Z

I've cleaned a heap of tools, when they and the tool boxes are dry I can sort them and reduce them. All the greenware has been packed in the kiln ready for a bisque. There is room for more at the front, but I want to get this fired as soon as I can. Then it will be a fresh start for this year.

By four o'clock I'd had enough! Time for a walk near the village.

An oak looking haggard and green, so different from last year.

Looking down the Graig with the end of the Mountain bike Downhill Trail behind.
The eight foot tall bracken now brown and laid low
The sides of the fire road, including sizeable trees has been flailed back
Top of Cwm Fapi (the Lappy)
Down between the trees. The eyes see far more light than the camera
The first streetlight at the top of the Graig
sunset
looking down to the lights of Cwmcarn
Back to streetlights, that make it seem much darker

more de-cluttering

2012-01-09T11:12:00.003Z

The kitchen is looking better, I don't have to move anything to do something, or put something down!

The living room is livable. I have sofa, chairs, coffee table, I will have a dining table once I've decided which six pots get to go to North Wales.

The shelves and boxes of pots, the stack of storage boxes full of stock, the trays and files of paperwork. Well, it has to be a stockroom and office as well as living room. It is called trying to make a living, so that justifies them.

The Room of Doom.
The Carpenter is doing his best, The Oily One clutters it. My stuff there is at least sorted on shelves and I can't face it yet. I will be painting walls SOON which will reduce some of the clutter.

My Room.
Is looking a lot better. Sorted paperwork to return to the Living Room Office Shelf.

The Bathroom.
Is clean and tidy, although still waiting for the next set in up-doing

The Workshop
Is Next

The Greenhouse and Shed can wait a bit!!

thinking

2012-01-08T21:25:00.002Z

Considering who I am.

Considering what I need

Considering how I function.

Unscrambling thoughts as well as de-cluttering my living and working space.

I need to love and give and care, but I also need my own physical and mental space.

I like to work with and share decisions, but not to be ordered about and have things demanded of me.

I'm probably just like everyone else then!

first market this year

2012-01-07T18:53:00.002Z

At Usk this morning we had the first farmers' market of the year. Only a small market in the smaller hall with about a dozen stalls, far fewer than usual. It was pleasing to see regular customers turning out and the bright sunshine helped! This is the first time in fourteen years that the first market in January has been held, and it was successful due to the weather. Had it been like the past two years, most of us would have been unable to get there!

I didn't sell much, but more than covered costs and talked to many about the Court Cupboard Gallery. Hopefully this will mean more sales there.

Back home to carry on the New Year de-cluttering with The Carpenter. Getting there slowly!!

tidying

2012-01-06T17:48:00.002Z

Today has been mostly tidying..I've found the box of good pots I've been hunting...in an obvious place!!

Once I've decided which pots will be heading to North Wales for a gallery selection, I can clear the living room table.
I've "found" the sofa, the comfortable chairs AND the coffee table already...the room will be usable soon!!

Now I've got two months to decide what to submit for the Eisteddfod...there is even time to make brand new work.
Usk Farmers' Market is tomorrow morning, and the car is packed ready. I think Monday morning is Sort Out Workshop Day.

job done

2012-01-05T19:21:00.002Z

All the numbers crunched, job done!

I'm surprised at just how much I've sold so far...when you think that most people are reckoning to have a halved turnover this year.....

That is a real incentive to get out there, post regularly on Etsy and Don't Panic!!!

The Carpenter was riding home from work today. When he did (luckily) a seated acceleration from a traffic light....and sheared the legs of the "spider" of his chainset.....

I drove to the rescue, and we came home mostly via the lanes and smaller roads. It was a relief to get out after all that number crunching and nice to have good discussion on the way home.

quote

2012-01-04T17:05:00.001Z

I just followed Cro to here. and he had written a comment worth sharing, it is so good.

"One can usually tell the home of an ex-art-student. We tend to appreciate objects for their individual worth and beauty, rather than stick to accepted interior-design concepts."

Yesssss!!!!!

Thankyou

mountain walk

2012-01-04T16:14:00.013Z

At last I'm well enough to go walking again-I managed an hour before the weather turned to rain.

It was so good to be back up here.
But what a difference one year ago.

Aaargh, paperwork!!

2012-01-03T21:54:00.004Z

Luckily the weather today has been foul!! Strong winds and plenty of rain.
I've been out once this morning to buy milk from the village shop, wore my waxed jacket with the hood up and regretted not wearing overtrousers!!!
No excuse has been available to escape the paperwork sorting so I have gradually herded the heaps.
I found three more mushroom trays of assorted items this morning, I was not best pleased.

Now it is ten o'clock, everything is listed separately and it is time to fill in The Accounts Book....tomorrow!! There is a large bag of paper to be recycled too, most satisfying.

sorting

2012-01-02T13:21:00.003Z

I had help, thankfully, to get all my paperwork up to date and tax returns done (they still owe me £5!!) at the beginning of April 2011.

Erm....unfortunately they've gone pearshaped again. I used to be really prompt about recording everything as soon as it went out or in.
Still, it is only a matter of pulling all the information together as it IS all there, and then getting back into good habits. Just the bank statements and cash sales to check, then put all the receipts in date order.

It doesn't sound too much of a job written like that!!

I've been gradually tidying, making room, finding new homes for things and getting rid of stuff too!

I'm still not well enough to go out for long in the cold and damp, so no point sitting getting bored, be useful!!!

2012

2012-01-01T09:43:00.002Z

Lets find out what is there waiting for us....here's hoping we all have a good year

year review 2011

2011-12-31T09:22:00.000Z

2011? A hard and painful year and a hard-working one. The tactic is survival.

2012. I have A Plan.
However, having researched the realities, it has to be a long term plan. Bother.

loose ends

2011-12-31T08:50:00.002Z

I've just packed an order for FIVE salt pots...Wahey!!!! Have you noticed that however many boxes you already have, it is difficult to find one to fit!!

I've managed to pick up the sneezings and runny nose cold that is doing the rounds. I don't 'do' colds....unfortunately the uncomfortable throat has been sitting there for a while. I know, my body is saying "rest"....hang on, I did...and got the cold for my efforts!!

We have a Yuletide that is damp and feeling colder than it really is..not exactly joyous. Roll on 2012!

walk, Usk Valley, Llanfair Cilgedyn

2011-12-31T08:35:00.005Z

St. Mary's Church

and no, the house is still lived in, not abandoned.

Usk River walk near Bryn

2011-12-30T16:33:00.008Z

The oxbow lakes, filling at last
rapid erosion
In the foreground, fast flowing water by the river cliff. In the background, potentally what will become the next generation of oxbow lakes.
St.Mary's Pool, well known by salmon fishermen. The water circles anticlockwise, with a deep section below the bank on the right.

cleaning!

2011-12-29T09:46:00.002Z

We're cleaning the gallery at Court Cupboard today and tomorrow, ready to re-open on Tuesday!!

Pub names

2011-12-27T08:33:00.003Z

For Dru- The Monkey in Crosskeys was, I think, the Drum and Monkey in full.
Now recently closed, like so many other pubs.

I will try and find out why the King of Prussia is so called.

A couple of miles further on is what is now called The Hardwick....and in that, has lost touch with its history. It was The Horse and Jockey, being on the site of the grandstand of a racecourse.
There must be so many pubs having their names changed without reference to why the old name existed. Another example is the Owen Glendower in Cardiff, by St John's Church near Cardiff Castle. Originally called the Tennis Courts, because it was built on the site of Real Tennis ( that came before Lawn Tennis) courts.

There is so much history taken for granted.

side note...this is post 701....and I thought I wouldn't have much to write when I started the first one!!

pottering on

2011-12-26T17:37:00.002Z

I had a quiet day on Sunday, pootling around cleaning. Then at dusk I went to a friends' home where I was made welcome, looked after and allowed to help too. Watching presents being opened, joining conversation.
I took time out to check the pots I'd made in the new French clay, and they are looking good- all wrapped up now to get handles in a couple of days' time.

After supper we watched two episodes of "Blackadder" on the television....I will never be able to trim carrots again without thinking of Baldrick in the kitchen.....

Monday was washing day!! Washed the clothes and the greenhouse!!

I walked to the next village where there is a pub called "The King of Prussia".....It has a well painted sign, but no explanation. Luckily there is a postbox in the pub wall so there was no need to go another half mile to the post office postbox. Instead of retracing my steps along the main road, which at least has a pavement, I made a loop around the lanes.

The noise from the trunk road diminished and you could hear yourself think, feel the breeze and watch the birds. It doesn't feel like Winter! The clouds looked like rolls of raggedy trimmings from fleeces, all sorts of grey.

computers!

2011-12-25T10:00:00.004Z

I have been narrowing down the computer problems here...the W....isn't as old as I'd feared, it is x p (home version). The anti-virus is up to date.
Apart from the local competition for bandwidth, I've found that many things that this computer is trying to run are not compatible with I E, especially an ancient version of it!!

It isn't my computer, but I can make sensible suggestions....now would some fiery animal beginning with F be simplest, or G's metallic one beginning with Chr.....???!!

I had a lovely walk yesterday afternoon, finding a small lane, another old church, (probably mid 1200s like the church at the bottom of the garden here) and an empty cottage.
Now if I could win the lottery that would be good- a parking space, room to build a visitable workshop, a nice garden with fruit trees just needing TLC. All that and up from the flood plain too.

It feels wierd, as if Winter is waiting for the ice and snow to arrive. It doesn't feel real.
It hurts a little knowing what I have lost because of the last two hard Winters. Perhaps, though, that was meant to be, to save him a long lingering painful existence.

Meanwhile I'm looking after this cottage and having a nice quiet holiday.

I'm still here!

2011-12-23T15:21:00.002Z

I'm house sitting a 331 year old cottage. It is very cosy whilst being wet and windy out there.

However the computer system used is 15 years old and begins with W....and the browser begins with an I and an E......and being a bit rural....all of this adds up to extreme slowness!! But at least I'm here, with you all for company!!

There is also a garden to potter in, IF it gets dry enough!!

I went to collect a car-load of bagged pony manure at lunchtime from near Blaenafon, and the water was running off the mountain in streams. The Environment Agency has issued flood warnings, but we should be fine in this hamlet. (the cottage has its own flood barrier and it has never been nearer than a metre to the top!!)

I've posted off the last 2011 order, hand delivered another, so just one storage jar to go- but as the recipient has gone to the Nederlands until next week, it can wait!!
I topped up the stock in the gallery in The Court Cupboard this morning, with small mugs and pin trays and small pencil pots and bottles. They may be small, but they are selling, for which we are all thankful.

Now to light the wood burning stove and think of supper!!
Enjoy your Festivities, however you do them :-)

a good firing!

2011-12-21T10:24:00.009Z

BLUE!!!!

The Bee Boxes
and to prove that I do use presents from Daughter!! An order for mugs with impressed logo.

New storage jar shapes
Now what is in there?!!

It always seems so little when it gets onto the wareboards..one shelf per board...but here it all is, with more behind awaiting firing.
Now to see if I can get that last jar lid off, and to pack those for posting....if they're cool enough!!

mountain dawn

2011-12-20T21:59:00.002Z

Dyffryn Gardens

2011-12-19T13:07:00.001Z

Are at Dyffryn House, near St. Nicholas in the Vale of Glamorgan just West of Cardiff.

Now where else would Santa Claus have visited? ;-)

Gerrddi Dyffryn Gardens 3&4/12/2011

2011-12-19T08:18:00.002Z

cold

2011-12-18T13:58:00.003Z

Usk valley, looking over Llanover village towards Blorenge Mountain

cake!

2011-12-17T22:33:00.002Z

A little late perhaps, but today I have made two Black Buns!
Like a very fruity dark christmas cake. Just that it comes in a pastry case, and is for the New Year!!

That made the kitchen nice and warm for few hours, just the thing that was needed after a chilly farmers' mart. Sales were not brilliant, but at least costs were covered. I need to make four times as much sales to make a living.

I tried to add pictures to the laptop computer, but unfortunately I can't remember how!! This is not on Linux, and I find it difficult to use. I can't remember the sequences. I need an idiot proof set of instructions!! So unfortunately, no pictures yet.

another week gone!

2011-12-16T17:37:00.002Z

Spending life in two places is not advisable. Although it does improve one's "packing and planning for two or three days" skills!!

Winter is at last looking Wintery, with all except the valley bottom being powdered white, with increasing thickness as you gain in altitude.

Gardening is restricted to tidying, and increasing the pony manure heaps, while it isn't showering rain or snow. So far it has mainly been rain, but we do still need it as the ground water is low.
Generally the oxbow lakes in the Usk valley fill in September, but they have been dry until a fortnight ago. Places that rely on spring water are having to take care they don't draw too much.

The bisque went well, and today I've waxed the feet and rims of most of the pots in that firing.
The gas is ordered for Monday, weather permitting. If it comes early I'll be able to fire then, but it will probably arrive around luchtime, making it a Tuesday glost firing.

The last Usk Farmers' Mart before christmas is tomorrow, then nothing until the 7th of January.
Here's hoping for some good sales!
I returned from Abergavenny to find an order for mugs on facebook, and an Etsy order waiting to be sent. They are all sent, so now to pack the stock for tomorrow!

what a day!

2011-12-13T21:24:00.003Z

Today the Weather threw everything at us- rain, sleet, snow, hail, wind, thunder and....sun!!

Daughter brought the Twins here by lunchtime as it was so cold and chucking down hailstones like small marbles!!
I was firing a bisque kiln, and trying not to check it too often by attempting some housework.
Not the best occupation, as The Oily One isn't too good at helping The Carpenter with housework....even though the latter is doing his best!!

So housework, apart from floor cleaning and making the living room vaguely Clone-proof, disappeared- as did cake baking too. When the kiln reached about 450 degrees C after lunch we managed a walk to the local Forest centre cafe with the buggy...and were successful in not getting wet!!

As we had supper, The Oily One did a little mending on daughter's car before she headed towards the mountains and home....just hoping that they had a good journey with not too much snow on the roads.

back again

2011-12-12T21:01:00.003Z

After three days away. I'll be glad when I can get internet access sorted there!!

The apple pressing went very well, a beautiful clear and fragrant juice, and all the crates of apples sorted over ready for the next batch.
When it became too cold we retired indoors for lunch then set to clearing the workshop where I will be working. It feels good!

Sunday was a quiet day in the gallery, some visitors by lunchtime came to see us as they were in Abergavenny for the Winter Food Festival. It was a pity about the heavy rain showers in the afternoon, can't have done their casual visitor numbers much good either.
Daughter and Family broke their journey to Yeovil at the gallery, as did The Geek.....a Family takeover of the place!! The Twins are changing so fast, I wish I could see them more often

Monday, today was the day of the funeral. I drove to Yeovil, a good clear run in reasonable traffic.
The funeral was quiet, nice music and very few words. It was good to see friends of my brother giving moral support.
The Oily One took the wheel for the drive home. rain, wind, spray, heavy traffic....he did well and thanks for that.

The Geek needed a haircut as ever! Especially as he has an internal job interview tomorrow morning back in Manchester....the lad is doing well and it is good to see him happy. I don't envy his drive up there tonight, three hours and more in this weather.

and so life goes on.

looking up

2011-12-10T09:04:00.002Z

Etsy sales have picked up again- relief!!

Everything is frosty and white this morning.

Off to pack and send orders, then away to press apples!!

waiting

2011-12-09T16:04:00.003Z

for pots to dry.....

I've just finished the last ones for this firing, boxes with honey inspired decoration!
All the drying pots are in the living room, not ideal but hopefully they wont freeze in there!

I came back from Abergavenny by Blaenafon this morning, and there was still a dusting of frost on the fields and any water that had run over the road had frozen.

Tomorrow we will do the last pressing of apples for juice this year. We freeze it in plastic milk bottles. The weather is forecast dry which is a relief as we do this outdoors.
Then on Sunday I'm on duty at the Court Cupboard, what hardship...spending all day with a warm woodburning stove and good coffee!!
Daughter and Family should be calling by there for lunch, it should be a good day whatever the weather! Sales are steady there, which is a blessing. Lets hope that keeps up, or even improves!!

life moves on

2011-12-07T08:19:00.003Z

Someone who really cares has found me.

It is not easy to love again, when your heart is still so full of someone you miss.

His wife died a few years ago, so he knows how I feel and understands, he has been through this too. If we mention our lost partners it feels natural, not awkward.

Fresh start, moving forward but still working on things discussed with Col, as they are good, and he agrees.

chilly Tuesday

2011-12-06T19:41:00.003Z

At least charging round the house cleaning it keeps you warm!...So you can then sit in the workshop and work until you're too cold, or you finish the work...or both!!
Finials finally done..just the small boxes left to do. I'll wrap them for a couple of days, then they'll be easier to turn and stamp.

I have honey related themes in mind.....

I collected a new kiln shelf today, having knocked one over that was leaning against the kiln.....£34.80.......at least I can trim the broken one and still use most of it...can't not, at that price!!

busy Monday

2011-12-06T08:12:00.005Z

Monday was supposed to be up and at it, getting in the workshop asap....
housework intervened. Putting away the crockery from the dishwasher that The Carpenter filled and drying all the washing he did (YAY!!!). It was a chilly wind, but it dried well.

Moving the empty jars and bottles that await preserves and cordials onto a high shelf in the workshop.
Defrosting one freezerand organising the contents of both, now the smaller is just fruit/juice and the one in the kitchen has veggies and meals ready to be used. I portioned out nine helpings of the curry I made and froze that in shallow "take away" boxes-they fit well in the freezer and take less time to defrost. Thus removing a justification for getting a microwave oven!

A bit of cleaning then it was lunchtime already!!

I had a good workshop session in the afternoon, from two till gone half past six!
Small lidded boxes thrown, with some spare lids, and all eight storage jars finished and the lids turned and knobbed. The dozen salt pots are wrapped in clingfilm, ready to be turned and be-knobbed!

Then it was evening out!!
A small bag of hot fresh chips from the village chip shop cum cafe and I was off! I met The Carpenter on his way into the village and a few chips were welcome after a twenty mile bike commute. Another mile and the second village on, and I arrived at the Crosskeys Rugby Club for the Cymdeithas Twmbarlwm Society meeting.

The main focus of the society is the iron age fort of Twmbarlwm, but we are concerned for the state of the whole common and mountains that Col loved so much. I wish they had talked to him when they first started. They are finding many old farms, barns and buildings that he could have told them the names and uses and who lived where. There are still some people around that can help, thankfully. The society works with the landowners , the Commoners and other local societies too.

I was glad to have a lift home as it had turned cold, and happy to arrive as The Carpenter was dishing up supper!!

music while you work!!!!

2011-12-04T18:31:00.004Z

I had a fairly good day of sales today at Dyffryn Gardens, so , reasonable over the weekend.
We had fairly heavy rainshowers, which brought people in to the marquee, luckily they had finished by 4pm when we packed up.

The highlight of the whole weekend was this afternoon's entertainment was music from an early music ensemble called ContraBand. They have three CDs, if I can find any video clips of them I'll link to them when I find them!!

dyffryn gardens

2011-12-03T07:25:00.002Z

Half an hour and I'll be on my way to Dyffryn Gardens in Bonvilston/Tresimwn in the Vale of Glamorgan, the far side of Cardiff. About an hour's drive away.

The Christmas Fair is on there for two days....wonder who I'll see?!

working well

2011-12-02T23:18:00.002Z

Eight storage jars done, four sort of straight and four round and bellied!
I threw the jars with 1.5 kilos of clay, and also a tad softer than the clay I used yesterday!! So I don't need a hot water bottle on my hands tonight!! I'm hoping that they'll be the right size.

I like throwing with this weight of clay. It is enough to do a decent pot and not too heavy to do a run of them. I don't think that I could have thrown them any bigger with this amount of clay, but perhaps doing a real run of them would show that.

I worked through lunch so as not to stop the flow, and in coffee breaks and hand stretching breaks I got a batch of bread baked!!
As I took the washing from the line, mid-afternoon, the rain gently started falling.

Winter

2011-12-02T08:39:00.002Z

has begun. At last there is a chill in the air.

My mother died at 3am. She had said when in her sixties, "if I get sick I won't fight it"

I knew she had had a tremor in her hands since her late thirties at least. Then she came over with my brother to where I was working a few years ago and didn't try to dominate or bully. Eventually that was diagnosed as Vascular Dementia. She was asking to go into a home three years ago, but by the time she succeeded she didn't know why she was there. Then when she broke her hip, although it was healing, she just didn't fight to stay.

I don't feel a loss. Perhaps only of the mother she could have been.

Life moves on.

I am making new beginnings and so is The Carpenter.

He has work until Christmas, let us hope that it leads to more. He has gone the twenty miles to work on his bike today, as there is no money for fuel to drive. At least he is working in the same city as The Oily One, so he can have a lift some days.

He has started sorting and tidying the house and I'm glad to be doing this with someone else for a change!! Now we need to get The Oily One to drastically reduce his footprint in the house!!

I threw a dozen salt pots yesterday and they are looking good so far.
Storage jars today...how big a jar do you need for pasta shapes, and what size jar holds a kilo of muesli?!!

I think I need to use clay a little softer that yesterday.....my hands were complaining bitterly last night.

landed!

2011-12-01T13:04:00.002Z

Back home, and there is much catching up to be done.

I took a load of washing to my daughter's home...turning the tables!! It was good to see her and her family. Now I'm back home there is another load in!! Let's hope that it stays dry for a little after last night's heavy rain!

The stock for the fair this weekend at Dyffryn Gardens is almost ready. A few more pots need to be thrown for the next firing.

The house needs a mega-tidy, but that will have to wait until next week!!

light at the end of the tunnel?

2011-11-26T08:21:00.002Z

I've been away for three days...they've done the washing and the shopping....think I'll have to go away some more!!

Pity it is a bit too damp for them to hang the washing out.

AND....The Carpenter has some work, using his skills part of the time too. There are possibilities of more work as well.....here's hoping.....

working in the dark

2011-11-22T07:48:00.002Z

is no fun.

The Carpenter has made me a lamp, so that I have two to work by. Pots still don't quite look right, but better than looking flat. It gave me two more hours to handle cups and mugs, before I became too cold.
The weather isn't actually that cold, still just in double figure temperatures, but the dampness makes it feel so.
Another dozen handles still to do, and a platter and two bigger bowls to turn and decorate.
I still need to throw some salt pots, cheese bells and small boxes.

it is no fun metaphorically either. The Carpenter has just had a letter saying they've stopped his benefit from the end of October....but no reason given. He signs on, he is job-hunting, we can't work out why.....
The mortgage insurance is still dragging its heels too, asked for more details two weeks ago, still he hears nothing.....

These letters always arrive on Friday afternoon or Saturday, when you can do nothing but worry....

The Oily One helped Spannerman do a bit of welding on my car....it should last another two years or so. It is looking a bit tatty, but so would you after well over 300,000 miles!

shopping!

2011-11-20T21:39:00.003Z

I'm learning how to shop...and I can't say I enjoy it that much.

However I managed to buy a pair of boots yesterday.

Then today I went with Daughter and family and braved Cardiff!! So I couldn't chicken out without getting what I needed and we had time out together.

Result- proper sized underpinnings after being professionally measured and fitted. A pair of smart shoes that look good AND that I can walk in! Two tops and a cardigan. Also I know what style trousers I need.

I think I should get sewing again! If nothing else it saves braving the heaving hordes!!

marketing

2011-11-20T07:11:00.003Z

I did a farmers' market yesterday and sometimes I wonder why I bother. At least I covered stall rent and fuel cost.
It is a job to teach people here that a farmers market means quality food and goods, not cheap rubbish. I think the organiser needs to be far more active in publicising what is going on and he said so himself. So perhaps next year we'll see an improvement!

With luck and a bit of work we may get more visits to the gallery from those who saw my stall at the market. Even if they don't end up buying my work, any sales keep the gallery going!

a quote

2011-11-19T07:44:00.002Z

from George Herbert, seen as a comment on a friend's blog.

"living well is the best revenge"

Indeed.

misty mornings

2011-11-18T18:11:00.004Z

this day

2011-11-15T20:15:00.002Z

has been occupied with helping The Carpenter de-clutter. Working together is most satisfying.

Glaze materials bought, pots collected after an exhibition (and three small pots sold) and a plasterer's Hawk purchased for The Carpenter.
He wants to learn plastering, so he can do the undercoat in the bathroom. If he is good enough he'll do the top coat too!
He is teaching himself to weld and it is coming along nicely. Still no job though.

The runner beans have been taken from their pods ready to finish drying for seed. The shallotts are sitting in the kitchen waiting to be cleaned and sorted for storing. I need to check over the apples, potatoes and onions that are on stacked trays in the cool larder.

Next door is having their render removed on much of the rear of the house...I've no objections, the job needed doing years ago.....I'll be glad when they've done, however, as you can't think or work with the racket they are makingf!!

It has been dry and sunny today, but the wind is getting colder. I actually turned the heating on tonight!

big sheds

2011-11-15T08:46:00.004Z

In Abergavenny. Each side of a side road. About 100 years difference!

ginger cat

2011-11-14T21:25:00.003Z

Cato. Keeps an eye on me!

Usk River walk

2011-11-14T21:03:00.002Z

The river cliffs can be seen in the background and right in the foreground you can see how the river is moving its bed, more than a foot a year.

This year's calves watching the Canada Geese

new ideas

2011-11-14T20:07:00.002Z

stacking cups?
Very atmospheric...also cold and damp!!

being resolved

2011-11-13T07:33:00.002Z

to carry on cooking for one.

I would love to share cooking a meal though-working together is good.

Made a risotto with onion, garlic and a little fennel last night. sprouts and squash and carrots on the side, walnuts and mixed seeds on top. A glass of red wine (Merlot) on the side and some home pressed apple juice to finish. A meal I wanted to share the making and eating.

The builders had finished by 4pm, so although it meant finishing after sunset, I threw a dozen smaller mugs. Trying the belly shape on a smaller mug. Not as easy as you think, you have to balance what looks good with what will be easy to drink from. You don't want a mug you have to tip uncomfortably far to empty the 'belly' or that flares too much so that you spill liquid past your mouth as you drink!!

More mugs to throw for another order this morning, so that hopefully I can do impressed decoration and handling on Monday or Tuesday.

I need to get up and get on with it now, there's a bike ride planned for this afternoon and it looks set fair again!!

today

2011-11-12T15:02:00.002Z

Drying more apple rings to make Apple Crisps and dried apple for Apple and Ginger drink.
Cleared the bean haulms and planted garlic this morning, after the allotment committee meeting.
The air is still damp, but it has turned warmer again and there is no rain forecast this weekend.

Washing done and out, not that it will dry much.
Doing my own washing and cooking FOR ME!!!! Wondering when they’ll realise that I meant it when I said they’d have to do their own….

Builders in next door stripping off render today so I can’t think!! Making pots with that racket six feet away? No thanks.
Wishing that more people would buy my pots on Etsy, although it is nice to be Favourited!!

Thankyou to the Oily One and the Carpenter for doing some little jobs on my car.
Arranged for the welding to be done on the car too-it has managed to pass the yearly test for three years but it wont next March. So I'm getting it done before the worst of the weather.

Now to find how much more noisy work the builders have to do....

getting bigger...

2011-11-09T21:56:00.004Z

The ruler is a 12"/30cm measure. I can't really go over 15 inches dried in this kiln, so I must work out the plastic to ready to fire shrinkage!!

They were quite heavily thrown, as the clay is fairly soft , to support the shape. I think I need the clay a little less soft! Even though it is now ten months old it isn't the easiest to throw with, but it is improving slowly. I reckon it will be fine by the time I've worked through this ton!!
I'm planning a change of clay and having over half a ton left means I have the time to find a clay that suits me better!
I threw these with 4.5 kg each, starting with 1.5kg, centering, adding the next, centering again....so each third is centered and compressed and hopefully I wont have the cracks in the base that appear in the glaze firing. The bowl is still useable as they don't go all the way through, but don't look good.
These are some of yesterday's small pots (250gm)
It has been raining fine steady rain most of today..just the sort of rain you need to replenish the groundwater....just not during the day!!

I did my usual token housework before work- sorting my own things in the kitchen and ironing and drying my own clothes. After working this afternoon I made a large bean and pepper curry, and an almond and carrot nut roast..good freezer food!!

supper?

2011-11-08T18:24:00.003Z

Thirty small pots made today ( I know, not a lot!) but a delayed start due to housework.

When "bad light stopped play" it was 4.30pm, a quarter hour to pack up and leave everything clean then back to the house.
Both The Carpenter and The Oily One were computer watching....so I tidied the kitchen, kept the clean dishes and pans and put another batch of apple rings on to dry.

We now have no Oily One and a disgruntled Carpenter who has no wish to make supper on his own.

I thought they'd grown up....toddlers have "strops" about eating food, but enjoy making it. Seems like it turns the other way round after a few years and preparing and cooking it "too much of a faff" to quote The Oily One when asked to deal with some potatoes.

People say I shouldn't be doing all the housework and cooking.

Someone has to do it and I'm still living here most of the time so why should I suffer it not being done? Asking, saying or telling them what needs doing doesn't seem to work. Making a rota doesn't work when people don't say when they'll be here or not, which I always try to do.

Rant, Rant!! Well, ranting at them wont work, so I suppose it is better to let off steam here!!

Off to make supper........

cold and damp

2011-11-08T14:11:00.003Z

Well, it is November...

The heater came back into the workshop for the first time in months, as I started this batch of throwing.

It may be that the last (now deceased) scales were inaccurate, but the throwing weights seem wrong.
Perhaps I weighed out then, with stiffer clay? I don't know, but so far I've needed to add about ten per cent extra weight to get the right dimensions . I've checked that I'm not throwing thicker as well.

My hands are still achey but they are better for being back in use.

Back to the wheel now that lunch is over.

bike!!!!

2011-11-06T15:00:00.002Z

Two hours on the bike today, a nice little potter down to the Velodrome...again!!!

A reasonable cup of real coffee, say hello to friends and pootle back home...and no hills walked!!

The weather is beautiful, clear sky, sun and enough breeze to dry the washing without making it to hard on the bike!!

No pictures until I work out how to get them onto the laptop- the usb thing on the Carpenter's computer is playing up.

farmers' market day

2011-11-06T07:19:00.004Z

Friday afternoon and night was very wet, with a lot of standing water on the roads. The drains have blocked quickly. My regular Friday night journey to the Velodrome was...interesting!
Our club session has been pushed back an hour, so is now 8pm to 10pm. So we've lost half an hour of time, and lost regular attendees as it is too late, even if you don't have to travel a hundred miles or more to get home.

Even after leaving before the end of the session (I do the paperwork and help when needed) it was a late night before an early start! At least Usk isn't too far to drive and you only need to be setting up by nine for a ten o'clock start.

This Saturday was different, Usk Farmers' Market bustled from nine o'clock, the hall was full and there were ten stalls outside..lucky the sun shone too!

I didn't sell much this time, but it was good to see many regular market shoppers and be welcomed back. I'll do the next one in two week's time, and possibly a month after that too.
We'll see..it is a dilemma. You need to keep going to get established in peoples' minds....but after a while you've saturated your market.

Straight back to the velodrome from the market to work as a commissaire (official) at the Welsh Youth Track Championships. I just work at the signing on table. Even though the signing on doesn't last long you need someone there all day to field queries and direct people .
You need two or three on the table as you are posting results as they come through for the riders and team helpers to read as well. Then you have to get all the numbers and pins back in exchange for their racing licences!

The velodrome link is with Olympian Geraint Thomas, a previous member of C.C. (Cycling Club) Cardiff.

a good start

2011-11-02T10:08:00.009Z

First firing this year, and it went well all considering the cold and damp start! Once the flue warmed up, it started drawing air through and I could relax. Until then it can overheat at the top, and fill the workshop with fumes! Needless to say the door and windows are open to start with!!
I missed the first gas bottle running low, so it spent half an hour gaining three degrees, but after changing over to the other bottle all went well. I have enough gas for the next bisque firing, I wouldn't risk another glaze firing from it as I wouldn't like to run out mid firing!

This firing's Menagerie!!
My Best Black Glaze- almost finished now, and I haven't been able to replicate it with commercial oxides. A good reason for a visit to North Wales!!
I may have glazed this a little too thick- this glaze always needed to be thickly applied. It could also be that it is the end of the glaze bucket...
I'm still trying to learn how to work with this kiln, to regulate the atmosphere- there is evidence of reduction throughout the kiln. Here the inside of the green jug is pink!!
This glaze has a tiny bit of copper as well as cobalt, giving pink flashes on the blue glaze.

Always learning, never stop!

I feel I have to master working with this kiln before I move to another. It is teaching me much, not just about the basic firing, but also about how the weather affects how I have to adjust damper and gas pressure .

Lemon Yoghurt Cake

2011-11-01T17:21:00.004Z

I found this on a blog a while ago.....

Oven to 350 degrees F
grease and line 8" square cake tin

5 Tbsp softened butter

1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup lemon yoghurt
2 cups flour (nicest with 1 each white/wholemeal)
1 tsp baking powder
half tsp bicarb
half tsp salt

Beat together the wet ingredients, I use a slotted serving spoon. Add the dry ingredients. Mix well. Place in the tin, smooth thetop and if you like, sprinkle granulated or demerara sugar on the top

Bake until a knife comes out clean. This is an hour in my oven, could be less in other ovens, will be less in a fan oven.

I left it to cool in the tin, I'd say leave it in the tin until it is at least lukewarm.
Enjoy!

forgive me for not writing the link down too.
Whosever it is, many thanks as it works!!

You could add lemon zest for that extra bite, or use different flavour yoghurt...go on, experiment!!

New Year

2011-11-01T10:31:00.002Z

After a soaking night, the low clouds are lifting and the sun is shining through.
I'm risking the showers and am getting on with a mountain of washing!

The kiln took a while to draw properly, with the flue chilly and damp. Now it is gaining temperature nicely, so hopefully it will be not too late reaching temperature (cone 9 to 10)(1280-1300 C )

Samhain

2011-10-31T20:02:00.003Z

I've lit a lamp and placed it in my window, which is open.

I'm remembering my Father and my Man, celebrating happy times and good memories.

I'm thinking of my friends who are in Glastonbury right now.

New beginnings tomorrow, the start of the year, the wheel turns and life goes on.

Peace and Blessings Be.

by the seaside

2011-10-29T15:11:00.003+01:00

weeding

2011-10-28T17:31:00.002+01:00

It has been beautiful today, after a damp, chilly and misty start.

I've spent six hours on a sunny bank, alternately weeding and path sweeping, so as not to seize up!

Even better, I'll be paid for doing it!!

I even had the washing out on the line early and it has almost dried!

busy again!

2011-10-27T22:05:00.002+01:00

My back has eased quite a bit and I've been busy again. Before you say anything I'll be receiving treatment this weekend!!

Gardening work is developing steadily, and there is a possibility of the use of a different workshop in a beautiful location, with friends.
There might be another garden to tend as well, things are looking up.

So much to think about whilst my computer access has been limited!!

The weather has definitely turned autumnal, the past few mornings have been damp and misty after chilly nights. Tender plants are coming to an end, and bushes are being tidied.

Today I've almost finished packing a glaze kiln, just a few corners to fill before firing early next week. I've just done one craft and gift fair in a village near Raglan, plenty more Farmers Marts and Christmas Craft Fairs are looming!!

South Wales Potters at Bridge Pottery, Cheriton, Gower

2011-10-27T21:21:00.026+01:00

On the fifteenth of October I went to a South Wales Potters meeting at Micki Schloessink's Bridge Pottery in Cheriton, Gower, near Swansea.
We discussed making, firing and selling , and watched Micki making.

One she made earlier!

The spacious workshop, warmed by a woodburning stove, where we tried two of the clays that she imports from near La Bourne in France.
I made a horse in the "Terre Primitif", which is actually a made body!

The kiln is warmed by propane then fired with wood

Discussing glaze tests
Fleen Doran, who is Micki's apprentice on the "adopt a potter" scheme

touching base

2011-10-19T07:20:00.002+01:00

Just passing...

Marvellous potters' meeting

Lovely to stay with friends and catch up and relax

Good to see daughter and family (and twin chicken pox!)

Too much driving and twin lifting has aggravated an old neck/shoulder/back injury that was pulling a little last week. Aaaaargh!

It doesn't help the concentration one little bit!!

whirlwind!

2011-10-14T23:55:00.002+01:00

That has been today!!
Boiling beetroot, finishing juicing pears, apples and red wine grapes for juice (about eight pints), making pear with fennel chutney, and baking a cake!!
All this and two big washes (dried on the line too!) and unpacking the kiln! (pictures next week)

I've brought the onions in from the green house ready to be tidied, put in trays and stacked in the larder. With any luck someone else might do that, as I'm off to a potters meeting tomorrow, then to friends in Pembrokeshire, then Northwards to see Daughter and family!!

So the Carpenter and the Oily One can look after the Cat and the house for four days...I'm sure they'll survive!!

Autumnal

2011-10-13T10:29:00.003+01:00

re-packed!

2011-10-10T18:53:00.003+01:00

Today has been really windy, and on top of not the best night of sleep that makes me tired.

It has been an unsettling sort of wind, whirling about as it blows across the valley at the mountain top, causing turbulence at village level.

So a slow start and a long lunch, but today I've repacked the kiln already. Much was already glazed, but the new iron glazed pots had to have their waxed feet (and rims) re-wiped.
I hope that will work, but just in case I battwashed the affected shelf as it wasn't too bad, and used it for pots with that glaze again.

On a good note I had a rummage and found another full size kin shelf, so I have three platters in this kiln load.

I had a walk up the mountain yesterday afternoon to collect the crabapples Col had told me about and found some below another crabapple tree that he'd wanted to plant pips from.
So a good and productive walk. Amongst other things I saw that a gate that he'd fretted about it not closing properly had thankfully been mended.
The gate alongside it, that I'd never seen open before, stood open.

Read what you like into that.

unpacking the kiln

2011-10-10T11:34:00.014+01:00

Before and after
I photograph each shelf as I unpack. This time from the bottom upwards, as I was a little impatient!!

One glaze has dripped and spattered a little, looking at those yet to be fired , it doesn't wipe off the wax resist too well. Their feet will have to be re-wiped, possibly with a little liquid detergent in the water.
I'm not looking forward to grinding the glaze off the shelf, but at least it isn't a huge amount.
Here he is!! You can see how the wax resist hasn't worked so well on the rim, despite being wiped thoroughly and left for a day between waxing and glazing.
At least the platters look fine.

Glaze tests
and more!
Some that are showing potential I'll try again.
The blue/green cup in the foreground is my usual soft green glaze, put through a 200 mesh lawn instead of a 120s. It is still speckled, as I'm using Copper Carbonate, but like ball milling a glaze finer, seems to have brought the maturation temperature down a little, enough to make it easier to clean, without it being glossy.

The green glaze also showed touches of pink, but not excessively so, so obviously when the breeze is strong I need to have the damper open a little further to prevent a reducing atmosphere. The kiln fired well, I took it easy for the first 700+ degrees,(but not slowly after 300) so that I would not freeze the gas bottle! I then swapped over to a half-full bottle to finish the firing.

Now I need to get another kiln load glazed and through, before a fair on the 22nd of October.

There is so much to do, so much to learn. I could do without the pressure of keeping ahead of all the everyday paperwork and housework. This is why potters are usually men, with either wives that don't make pots or with a housekeeper!
Gardening helps, both paid and unpaid.

firing

2011-10-09T08:25:00.002+01:00

Kiln flue mended yesterday..it will need another section lower down before long, but the kiln is on and firing since 6.20 am!!
The weather is quite warm and breezy, but just over 300 C so far and looking good. I'm going gently, to get as much as I can from the first cylinder without freezing it. I don't want to send it back with gas in, that I could use! There should be enough in the other to fire well, and I'll be ordering more tomorrow. I should have ordered it Friday, but the flue hadn't been mended then....

decisions

2011-10-08T13:34:00.002+01:00

This is the result of 1.5 lb wine grapes, 3.5 lb eating pears and about 3 lb mixed apples....not a lot of waste!

The juice is strong and flavoursome but also a little sweet. Very drinkable! I washed the jugs with a little water and drank that...still good.

The pulp is nice as it is to.

My scales promptly died, so I froze the juice and pulp and dashed out and bought a better set!

Now do I make syrup/cordial, leave the juice as is or ferment it? Then do I go for fruit cheese or even fruit leather with the pulp?

comin mynydd maen, by ysgubor wen

2011-10-08T13:12:00.005+01:00

wind in the trees, rushing fast.

I tried to record the wind singing across the ends of the snow marker poles- all I got was the wind over the microphone of the camera! It was beautiful, like a mountain version of whalesong. You'll have to imagine it!!
looking towards Mynydd Maen
the old road goes ever on.

Now ask yourself, why would people dump rubbish behind the dewponds and burn out cars here?

loose ends and some beginnings

2011-10-07T14:48:00.002+01:00

The perry is now all in demijohns, looking good on the windowsill. This gives a little more room in the kitchen!

One batch of drying is finished-apple rings and pear slices...my "L" plate shows! They do taste good, which is what matters. Next time I'll peel the apples. The next batch is one layer of small dark red wine grapes, just to see how they dry.

A saucepan of grapes, pears and apples is cooking, for jelly and cheese.

Still waiting to have less wind at the same time as assistance, to finish mending the kiln flue, but at least the kiln is now packed and ready.

Everything clean has been put away...and the next batch of cleaning/washing is lurking!!

Next job is more allotment tidying and muckspreading. It feels too soon, perhaps too mild, to sow broad beans and plant the garlic.

I'm thinking of Crab apple vodka- that takes two years, but is worth the wait.

Keeping busy, but a little of me still feels a little lost, like an unravelling thread on a T shirt hem.
Must get mending!!

??

2011-10-07T08:31:00.001+01:00

Why does the wind get up stronger JUST when you've got the new section of flue to mend the kiln chimney?!!!

walk, Twmbarlwm

2011-10-06T11:36:00.006+01:00

time flies!

2011-10-05T08:10:00.003+01:00

The past two days have been full of bits of jobs-when you do many things but feel you have achieved little!
The week started with getting as much washed and dried as possible, with an eye on the weather.

I have a hole in the kiln flue, so I am sourcing a replacement section, hopefully in stainless steel this time.
Pots have been delivered to Llantarnam Grange in Cwmbran, then I drove about six miles at least to travel under one mile....when I can find the right roundabout, from the right direction, I can find my way. However even locals get lost, so I am consoled by that fact!!

I stopped by Twmbarlwm on the way back and went for an hour's walk. The mountain was empty, the clouds swirling about the tump. When they lifted, so did my spirits.

The glazing is nearly done to fill the kiln, including ten glaze tests! Once the flue is mended I'll do two, if not three glaze firings.

Today it is a garden work day...and it is raining!! Still, if I go tomorrow it will be raining more heavily, and be colder and windier. So today it is. At least it wont be all outside work.

South Wales Potters at Llantarnam Grange

2011-10-02T20:46:00.007+01:00

This morning we had a demonstration from Simon Hulbert of Brook Street Pottery in Hay on Wye.
Lovely Luscious Mud!!

It would be so tempting to do earthenware again, if I had both my wheels in the workshop!!

The weather was beautiful, consequently we held the AGM "al fresco", outside under the trees in front of the gallery!