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!