Carry on...

 I took this last night.... Instagram thought that it was a commercial image.....

This morning dawned cold, wet and windy....single figure temperatures that reached the heights of 5⁰ when windchill was factored in....and it felt colder!!

So today started indoors...messaging and texting friends and rellies being supportive.

The emptiness is there but not so bad...fill the space with doing things.

I packed just over a dozen cards to go to the gallery tomorrow 

Then did half an hour on the turbo trainer...after which the sun tried to shine through the clouds...and I went for a walk around the village...just another half an hour as it was still cold, but not so much as the wind had eased a little...I got a little damp but not too much!

It was sad to see all the litter...three years ago there was a push to keep the village and the approaches clear of rubbish...but it is back in force.

Talking to my friend in France, his son has been planting potatoes.....and I saw these as I prepared supper and thought....why not?! They are organic, so no chemicals or sprouting inhibitors on them....

I haven't grown tatties for years.....

Pirate's Anniversary

 Is today, the 15th of April.

His good mate..his "wee bro" ...almost exactly 20 years younger..with whom he often shared birthday celebrations....and who took him to Brisbane for a month just before we married....

Came here for a day...just talking, remembering good times and history and escapades and laughing and smiles.....and bearing coffee and oatcakes!!

Just what we both needed...he hadn't long lost one of his real brothers...

And lunch out in a nearby village community hub that has a café , after a walk around Hannahston nature reserve by our village here.

And new card blanks and envelopes and cellophane envelopes arrived in the post.... onwards and upwards.

Doing things that Pirate rightly said that I should be doing....

It  feels like he is just around the corner, keeping an eye out.....

Weekend

 A busy Saturday, printing cards, then starting to handwrite the backs. 

I quite like the results.

As the 6" square ones worked, I made some 4" ones as well for the smaller craft shop..and ordered more 4" cards online as the shop's branches are either too far away or slightly nearer and difficult to get to.

We have started getting some rain at last. Not much so far, but it has helped to damp down the fires and assist the fire service in their job. 

It has returned to colder temperatures too, so back to jeans from long shorts.

I was feeling rather empty and lonely on Sunday morning, but a "chat" on messenger with a friend and half an hour on the turbo trainer helped that.

We do "chat" at least every couple of days and often briefly every day. Both in the same boat really!

Then after getting the vacuum cleaner out and having a bit of a tidy I cut a new print block...but forgot to reverse the image!

Bother!!

I quite like it..so a chance to do it again...but better next time.

After that it was an early supper and an evening spent with YouTube, watching the progress of a friend who has moved back from France and to Arran (Lorraine Turnbull) and archaeology with Time Team...and making more progress on sewing Our Shirts patchwork.

All resulting in a decent night's sleep for once!

Friends

 Yesterday I made a trip down to see our friends...a beautiful day and a lovely visit.

Talking about all sorts of things, looking at my photos of my trip to NZ...

and back home in the sunshine.. although the smoke from fires is in the air so must still be burning 

Then at home put the latest yoghurt production in a jar..and the small jar is the starter for the next batch.

And the sunset... smokey..

Today was the day to buy tickets for a trip.in August, before all the affordable ones went!!

Plus some calligraphy supplies for writing card backs!

On Duty

 Gallery duty day today, again with another member there to "nanny " me..this time the one who has her studio in a side room to the main gallery.

As ever, cold..but sunny too.  I'm gradually learning the ropes, but still not 100% certain of not making mistakes!!  Two big sales helped our stats anyway..most people in were families on their Spring school break..not very interested in buying Art!!

Another view of the courtyard, looking in this time...the café is where the row of smaller arches is.

I am finding that 10-4 or 4.30 plus 35 minutes drive each way washes me out for the rest of the evening!!.

I intended to get things ready to print the new block... could I find it?! Only when I stopped looking and it turned up, in the open, where I had been hunting.....

I did some gardening instead, hoed off all the weed seedlings and sowed broad bean seeds after soaking them for an hour or so.

9.10 pm and it is dark....time for bed!

Bike!

 Yesterday was good....no work done....just down to the usual parking spot in Prestwick and a ride up to Irvine Harbour 

Mainly on a shared path.

Arran is over there through the haar....

Then as soon as I arrived, turn back as it was rammed with mainly younger folk heading for the beach!!

Crowds are not my thing.

40km/25 miles, only spoiled by the effects of tree roots growing under the tarmac in some stretches making it rough...and in dappled shade you can't see the raised parts...

Exasperated

 Two good spots in the day... 

Physio appointment....he worked into my ankle as the damage has eased with the exercise it got on NZ...gave ankles knees and hips full marks for condition and worked on my neck. I am now standing taller!! And more relaxed.

Then bought the backing board for behind the kiln flue and stove flue...and the good quote I received last month came down further..plus I could get the sheets in the back of my car so that saved £20...and I spent that on external paint for the sheds!!

The frustrating part of the day has been trying to print some card backs....the printer doesn't want to listen to the laptop...

But it does to the tablet!!

Daughter corrected my design so that the writing was going the right way....but somehow printing on A5 format isn't working...not sure if that is printer or tablet...the latter I think.

I'll just have to hand write card backs!!

First day

 This morning I couldn't open my window to air the bedroom..we are getting a little smoke from the nearest wildfire...and it was freezing....ice on my windscreen!

It was my first day at the gallery....I arrived early..at least I know how long to allow for the journey..35 minutes...and sat on a bench in the sun to wait...and my coworker was late!!

It was really cold in the shadows..and not very warm in the gallery as we keep the door open. If the door is shut, people assume that it is closed.

So, a long day, and not too busy. This meant that I could learn to use the Sumup machine without pressure.

I sold two of my own bowls as well!

I arrived home at 5.45, as I had a hot chocolate and cake in the café before it closed...staff discount!! ...and a chance to warm up before driving.

I'll know to wear even warmer clothes next time!!

Once home I "crashed" on the sofa ..and had a quick supper....A long day, and change of routine!!

Easy day ...with visitors

 I photographed the stock that will be on its way to the gallery in Kirkoswald 

I haven't much left!

So it is a good thing that I was discussing the new flue section with the Oily One this morning!! Two steps nearer....

Not a heavy day atall... A bit of tidying, putting things tidy....no time to go out on the 

But 

I did discuss the new flue section with  X1 son...he is making it......

More pots on the way out.these are the choice....

Then I sat and sewed the Shirts Quilt for a while ..it is surprising how much recycling there was from her corner,..

Lovely to see them and show them around.

They'll be back on the ferry at 6pm..

I haven't done much atall since they left...having a restful day..

Getting there....

 With the thought of friends calling, the house is gradually getting presentable.. although there are still stacks of boxes to be dealt with they no longer dominate the living room!!

Today's promised visit didn't materialise, but that gave me more time to work slowly on a new block...

First test prints done and it looks fine.

Computer wrangling to be done tomorrow to sort out the printing on the back

I have started seed sowing at last...three rows of beetroot in the square bed that has the frame for the peas.... although I might grow  small squashes there as it isn't really tall enough for six foot tall peas!!

I've put one sort of beans, and peas to chit...one way of quicker germination and checking if they are viable....saves time and potting compost!

After a day spent sitting I went for a walk around the village at the end of the afternoon..just 3km and 35 minutes...not the quickest, with two short sharp hills..but I. Am  Not Fit.....again.  The wind was chilly and sharp so I wrapped up well....down in the village is 2⁰ warmer....and it was noticeable when I reached a sheltered stretch and felt a tad overdressed!

The wind has risen again and after a clear day we are forecast a cold, possibly freezing night.

Spring

 It has arrived..but don't shout too loud in case you scare it away!! It is still fairly cold overnight....and this morning didn't warm up until nearly 11am.

Still working on tidying....as I had a request for some work for the small gallery at Souter Johnny's in Kirkoswald (also national trust)

That meant hauling things out of the pot(ting) shed....some things went in the bin, others to other sheds with other Things To Be Sorted....and one box of stock came to the house. Not a lot...kiln mending and making pots are getting urgent!!

What is left in the pot shed is my collection and my personal pottery archive...

After a quick snack lunch, I went by car to collect my new business cards from a local printer in Ayr...and then parked near Prestwick Sailing Club where the NCR goes onto the prom...and thence by bike to Troon as I needed something from a specific shop.

They were by the shop! All lined up.

Then back to Prestwick for a gelato...and sit in the sun to eat it...

Arran is over there.... through the haar..I could just about see it.

Ok day... eventually

Today I discovered that seven year old lino blocks don't really work...they go stiff.

So I carved a new version....

It my be the time to change to woodblock, at least for the smaller prints.

I've a couple of ideas for new small prints..and its no big deal to recarve the older blocks...good practice if anything!!

So not the best of days, but ended ok.

And the kiwifruit...

Ended up looking like this....but tasty!!!

Green crisps!!

 

Spring?

 Nice sunshine today..but the breeze is still chilly and it gets decidedly parky as the day goes towards the evening!

Washing done...and dried quickly on the line..today has been about tidying and cleaning, off and on. Not something to do a solid day of!!

I went for a walk this afternoon, just a shorter way around Hannahston and back up the field..then gave what lawn there is a trim..enough to mulch the garlic patch with the grass clippings.

Air France...freight

It feels odd not to go through a kissing gate with no kiss to go through....

Back to do battle with the computers...

Find then adapt the card back design, on the laptop....email it to me, download it on the tablet....as that talks to the printer...then print 48 cards on their back....

Tomorrow I need to handprint the front....

An amount of sorting and moving things around in the kitchen has been done....it does look better.. possibly!!

Useful day out

 Off to Thornhill...flue bends ordered, secondhand flue collar bought....

Card Backs bought from the marvellous emporium in Castle Douglas....

A lot of driving done on a lovely day....but very tiring. Practice for the Family Visiting Trip whenever that will be.

Evening clouds.

Carrying on..

 Tidying, sorting... hunting for things...

Yesterday's weather was wet cold and windy...again....

I managed half an hour on the turbo trainer...which warmed me up nicely!

Last thing Saturday night some news arrived on fb..... confirmed on Sunday morning..

One of my best cycling buddies in the women's masters track cycling died on Friday after four days in intensive care...one of her daughters found her unconscious at home on Monday.

Someone in her 50s with everything going well...a caring partner, new legal partnership (family law solicitor) . A person who cared, and danced, and worked hard on her fitness and enjoyed her racing.

Two daughters growing up well...it is just tragic.

Today started sunny but with high winds...I put extra pegs on the washing and it dried at high speed!!

After lunch I drove to Ayr.... recycling light bulbs at B&Q ( like Mitre 10, Tigger's mum...but not as good!)

Recycling batteries and water filter cartridges at Sainsbury's...and picking up reduced things there and Asda...six packs of kiwifruit looking rather lonely...I will slice and dry them,that makes a nice nibble.

And going to The Range where I usually buy blank cards and envelopes for printing.... nothing...and in the Kilmarnock branch just four inch square brown ones...which I have anyway.   The staff member I spoke to was very apologetic..she remembered it as it used to be too, with a good selection of all sorts of art stuff.

Home again, going a longer way just because, on a sunny afternoon in a warm car!

Winter still here

 I didn't have a brilliant night's sleep....so was running late with everything in the morning..guess who trotted after the green waste lorry to ask if the wanted me to bring my wheeled bin to the lorry?...towel around wet hair and sandals on feet!!!!

They took pity and reversed three houses back to mine !!

It has been cold all day, with strong winds and heavy squalls of rain...even the ferry service to Arran was disrupted...despite sailing from Troon which is usually a better harbour in rough weather than Ardrossan.

I raised my laptop to a better working level...

But it still refuses to communicate with the printer (which does work with the tablet) despite having what should be the right printer driver installed.

It was definitely a stay in and keep warm day...hang the expense!!

I got on with Our Shirts patchwork a little...two of the four central big blocks are now together and I've started on the fourth.

At four the district nurse who cared for Pirate in his final weeks called round .I had texted her at the beginning of the week...

She is in need of bedding plants and I have geraniums!! Plus some primroses and snowdrops. 

She hadn't been sure if I'd want her to call..the association with Pirate's demise...but we get on so well, so it's a good friendship both ways.

It is still getting dark quite early...I'll be glad when I can have an early supper and do things afterwards!!

So it was a good time to be in contact with our Friend in France and plan my visit there in September!! 

So much I want to get on the way before then !!!

A good day in parts.

 Today started with sorting the cook books for next door's granddaughter to look at, the over the road for Paddy Over the Road's funeral, starting in the house.

As we left the house I picked up a carnation head that had fallen from a wreath...one of his four sisters said "that was meant for you"...she didn't know that Paddy had given me a wee bunch of Carnations when Pirate died...as he remembered Pirate talking about his (Pirate's )sister taking cuttings when given carnations...

Instead of walking to the graveyard as it was raining she insisted that I go with another sister and her husband in their car...and that meant we followed the hearse on the lap of the village..before going to the graveyard where the pipes were playing and even more of the village people standing there..plus a grey Fergie tractor..,at one time Paddy had three...I only knew two of them...and he used to go on the annual tractor runs...

His cousins arrived from Ireland in time, thankfully, then Daniel O'Donnell singing Danny Boy was played.

Then down to what used to be the Bowls club in the village for chat and funeral spread.

I walked home...the rain had eased a little..with a mutual friend who lives along the road from me..he is a mere sprightly 89 years old...nine years older than Paddy was..

The afternoon has been more than a little frustrating...wanting to phone an artists organisation for insurance....they are only there from 10-1...

Going to cut a window in mounts for prints to be set behind....I thought, metal patchwork template, ideal....if I could find it....

The small label printer that I purchased...I can't print the tax invoice off the phone or the tablet, has to be the desk top version ...but the printer is refusing to talk to the laptop even though the driver was installed for it....

The card backs that I need to print are on the laptop as well....

I need an office / tech organiser in house!!!

I could also spend a couple of months concentrating solely on sorting reducing and tidying....but then I wouldn't get anything done....but.... because that needs doing I'm not finding things that I know I have..... somewhere!!!

Infuriating at times...

Artist statement

 Not as much as a CV....

"I have been making in clay for nearly 60 years, on and off.

I studied ceramics at Cardiff College of Art. I have worked for several potters including David and Margaret Frith.

I established my first clay studio in 1981.

I moved to Scotland from Wales in 2012 and returned to relief printing as until now I had no facilities to work in clay"

Short and sweet.

Today's gallery set up went well. 

Meeting half a dozen other members of the cooperative...having lunch at staff prices in the café! Pricing my work....not easy!

Easier when you can do the sums...

Materials + Time + profits = wholesale price.....

Courtyard door looking towards Culzean Castle 

And sunset tonight 

Night all...its been a long day!

Busy!

 A busy couple of days.... nothing unusual!

On Monday after getting two washes on the line I went to see the dental hygienist who gave me a clean bill of health! I started sorting the stock of prints...

Monday afternoon then bread machine got busy...

Results tried for lunch today..a nice change from soup..tasty plain or toasty!!

It was nice and sunny this afternoon, so I had lunch sitting on the garden bench...then potted up (and repotted some) plants for a friend.

Someone I used to know put a query up.on fb, looking for an older bike to ride on the Tweed Run...ridden in retro style tweed clothes on older bikes ... unfortunately the one I have to sell is too big for her...but it is an incentive to get all the modern equipment off it and sell the frame. 

I'll get a proper price for it all that way.

So I ran out of time to go out on my own bike....

This evening I've been doing the most difficult things....my artist CV for the gallery, and pricing my pots...