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!!