getting organised

 I went through the pot shed today, separating out which pots from my collection can be sold. 

I've started photographing them so I may still see them... and hopefully they and a lot of other stuff will be away late tomorrow afternoon.

Escape!!

 After more than a morning of sorting...a bike ride!

I took the bike in the car to Greenan Shire and rode up the NCR 7 which goes up the prom by the Clyde...saw the Blackstone Clydesdales being prepared on my way up....slowly through past Ayr as the beach was busy and along the prom at Prestwick to Mancinis....for a cherry Gelato!

Another cyclist was there having just finished his ride. We had a few local friends in common, but he wasn't a club member now just goes out with an informal group of blokes. Isn't that how many cycling clubs started?! A nice half hour chat anyway...and retrace steps in time to see the Clydesdales at canter! An awesome sight, but I wasn't quick enough to get a photo!!

Ayr Harbour

On the lang scots mile...(it is longer than the English one)

Tbe view from Prestwick to Aran 

A lovely sight...and sound!!

Frustration

 Back to square one to quote the football commentary....

after a slow (but quicker than yesterday!) start I started hunting for the kiln equipment. It is frustrating not being able to find its "safe" hiding place!!

Which has changed to sorting things to go to the secondhand/antiques emporium.

He has given me a good price for things in the past and I had mentioned to him about doing this , last week.

And in other news my daughter celebrated her 44th birthday today!

More sorting and clearing tomorrow.....

Hopefully more physical and mental space.

Stretched

 Mentally so....up at 10 for coffee, sourdough wholegrain toast and chocolate spread...

Now I know why we'd been splitting long journeys!! But I also know that I CAN do it if needs be. Just don't expect to do much the day after!!!

I took some full moon photos last night.

It is a bit better when you set the camera to Night!!! (as in the first photo)

French conversation was good, although my concentration left much to be inspired!!  

Success!....and wildfires...

 Off before 7am this morning I missed the message that I was sent by the vendor...so he thought that I might not be going today! 

I arrived at 11.30...after 2 traffic jams going through Glasgow...and a mile of single lane roadworks a little after Stirling...and dualling roadworks by Pitlochry...then at the last minute driving past the pottery (closed) ...twice !! 

Then there was noone in....so I had some of my packed lunch....and his daughter arrived..and phoned him!

Coffee and a nice chat all round...and I chose some shelves and prop connectors

There is no WiFi there....so I had to learn how to use  data in order to pay!! Every day a schoolday!

The ex-pottery was near Nethy Bridge which is below the Cairngorms fires...fortunately for the village, the wind changed direction.

Apparently the smoke can be smelt in Aberdeen...

I carried on a little way north to Grantown on Spey before heading back south...so could see across the valley....

Still burning....today's rainshowers will help..but the high winds will not.

Retrace wheeltracks to Perth then down and across to Fife to call past our friend there. Unasked for...I was presented with a salad supper ! I was ready for that, and a break from driving. Plus catching up on news.

Having a break also meant a bit less traffic going through Glasgow..but with the Games on it was bound to be busy.

With fuel getting under ¼ tank left I thought to get fuel at Sainsbugs...which would mean a shorter journey home....Apart from the fact that the fuel tanker was there....it was £1.61.9 a litre!!..…back on the motorway to Prestwick....and 20 miles on the warning light..but still ⅛ tank left...408 miles!! and the fuel cost the same as yesterday. £1.51.9

There is not usually THAT much difference...but the Games are on....

10pm....and my sunflower...

and today's purchases

When I think how much they are new...and how much carriage costs..today was worth doing

Rain

 All last night it rained (I woke every so often..as usual..) and through the day we have been having fairly long steady showers. Nothing  heavy, thankfully.

The garden has heaved a sigh of relief....and the water butts have been refilled just a little.

This morning was the time for the weekly Scottish Potters' Association webchat. 

Four of us having a good blether!

After lunch I just happened to browse  fb marketplace..on the offchance....a pottery in the Highlands has closed and is selling everything.  Unfortunately I've missed the glaze materials....but there are kiln props and shelves. 

Road trip tomorrow !!

Kiln revival

 This morning my joiner friend brought roof and wall insulation for the inside of my studio ..an special waterproof stuff to wrap it!!

This afternoon I worked from a 2011 photo of the kiln to work out how I did it then.....

Then on getting shelves in found that I'm short on shelves and props....four moves in the past 14+ years could mean that the small props and connectors have gone AWOL....

and things went bzzzz

and then it rained....