Saturday, 11 July 2026

every cloud has one




 hopefully!!



Back to one

 It has been a relaxed but busy almost week with the Oily One..

Jobs finished or nearly so. Others earmarked for Next Time. And some recognised as a job to pay someone else to do!

He also discovered that my Berlingo has a pollen filter...as it has aircon...the old one was dark grey....and dated 2017. 

He also bought the new filter for £10....old stock, also dated 2017, but pristine!! Better than getting new stock for £46 😳

The kiln is almost ready to fire up to air it and also kiln shelves and furniture. I don't want to risk damp supports exploding as they dry too fast !! They haven't been in a working kiln since the beginning of 2012....

So now he has gone southwards....and the place feels oddly empty and too quiet...odd, as he isn't noisy in himself!

Today was mid 20s again after a cool start.

Now it is nearly 9pm and is just beginning to feel fresh. 

Time for a short walk to help me sleep tonight.


Just a spider shell

A job started..I can use the back gate now..a must for gas delivery!
and the kiln....getting there!!


Friday, 10 July 2026

steady progress...getting hotter

 You could tell from first thing this morning that it would be hot today. I think eventually it reached 26⁰. So today was not hurried!

Gradually working towards our goal..plus. looking at more things, more jobs to decide how to move forward on them..and not necessarily doing them myself!

We bought the right disc to cut a kiln shelf to make the damper..and this afternoon collected two glass cases that were not needed in the gallery. These I have given on semi permanent loan to the little arts and crafts shop in Ayr.

Supper was delayed until the temperature eased a little..then we went for a short walk...




that was at 9pm....at 10pm it changed...




Thursday, 9 July 2026

Nice and warm!

 Today was a very pleasant 21⁰...and we got a lot done. 

First stop was get xrayed and scanned as I'm getting new plastic teeth at the top...nice to know that sinuses and fillings are in decent condition!!

A coffee to celebrate before business started in earnest...sourcing things that I need to get the kiln going, mainly gas hoses 

I've got the main hose , so I'll be able to use one gas bottle at a time to dry out the kiln , shelves and shelf props.

Lunch out!! Really pushing the boat out!!

Then home to get on with things. The Oily One got very busy....and looked at my car as well. I DO have a pollen filter...aand it us dated 2017, the year before I bought the car!!

I didn't know it had one. I've had them in other cars I've had (all Peugeots).

All that and washing nearly dry too!! (started too late)


The wee beastie of Beastie Bites cafe....it had to be a mouse...

Wednesday, 8 July 2026

gallery day

 I commuted by car today...can't desert the Oily One for 11 hours having got him up here !!

We are actually having some hot weather ..just over 20⁰ !!! 

people were commenting how nice and cool the gallery was..but in it all the time it was just chilly. For most of the afternoon we were covered by an intermittent haar (sea mist) and you could see it billowing past. 


One of our members has sadly left so the gallery has been shuffled around. My work is looking  very nice on the glass shelf unit




then the sun shone....



The Oily One got me out for a walk again after dinner...which he mostly made..I could get used to that!!

and with a clear sky, it was still almost light at 11

Although a friend sent me this....she is at Burghead, further north than here...



Tuesday, 7 July 2026

Flue!!

 The Oily One arrived just before lunch...and this afternoon I was the assistant..as with Pirate, finding things and holding the ladder!!



I've messaged a joiner friend about doors for the kiln shed.
like me, OO is usually behind the lens!!

next step , new gas hose....

and while he was busy I looked at the garden....

beetroot

carrot
carrot with beetles and bugs
sunflower

and we had half an hour's walk after supper.

I need to get back to that.

Monday, 6 July 2026

Damp

 I'd hoped for a dry afternoon...and did the sheets and things hot wash and the everything else wash...it didn't get to the line!! Maybe tomorrow.

Otherwise a day of bits. Having baulked at buying granola for £4 for 250g (?) I made 500g!! A mix of porridge oats, jumbo oats. oil. golden syrup and assorted seeds.

In theory in the oven at 140 for an hour. In practice I check the oven every 10 minutes as the oven gets too enthusiastic...It was done after 40 minutes!

In the short period of nicely dry weather I picked more fruit. The competition with the blackbirds has now extended to the blackcurrants!!


I turned the living room light on again....

and that is all for today!!