jealousy!

We got back before the rain really closed in again...rain that is really needed.The river is really low.

a dry day!

In which the third wash of the day nearly dried, ironing was done, floors cleaned.....

stencils cut and used....
I did several "mel" (honey) jars and a couple of "cwrw" (beer) tankards then pulled handles on a boardful of milk jugs.
The pots with words on are developing well. I'm concentrating on those where the Welsh word has a different root to the English.  These should sell better. Thanks to a customer for that point...I think she could be right!!

I've found the pattern for the tyre tracks stencil. Just need to draw and cut it and use it on some tankards .
There is just over a fortnight to the delivery date, which should be fine, weather permitting that I can dry everything enough to get them in the kiln!!

I'm working on a Celtic style pattern for a plate with horses on it.
Rhiannon was apparently the only Celtic goddess adopted by the Romans, as Epona.  You can see her symbol at Uffington....The White Horse.
It isn't an easy design, it needs to be simplified and a little stylised so as to flow and look natural, without being totally realistic.    Three of them, within an eight inch (20 cm) diameter circle. 

I worked until about eight then the light was going as it had clouded over and was raining again.     The Carpenter was just serving supper as I came in from the workshop...good timing!!

Talgarth

I had a Day Out today, and after picking runner beans, blackberries, rasberries , cucumbers and parsley at the allotment I set off for Talgarth, at the foot of the Black Mountains, where the Black Mountains Festival is on this weekend.

I wandered round the town, to the various sounds of rock music, a silver band, a fairground ride , a stilt walker and LOTS of people! I met a few friends in the craft fair and country market and talked to a pair of large (16-17 hands) black, very smart carriage horses. I wanted to go to the newly opened water mill to have a tour and see the garden and visit the cafe and the acquaintances who run it...but, good for them, it was full! Long queues and full cafes are not my thing!!

Instead I followed the river upstream and found a tributary. I must look at an old map to see how many mills were here at one time.
This is where the mill leat runs off, to the left of where the people are standing.
I enjoyed a walk around the back lanes, seeing old houses and cottages being cared for, and orchards of fruit ready to pick.
A visit to Hay on Wye followed that, then around via Peterchurch and Pontrilas and back to The Court Cupboard Gallery for a much needed cuppa as they closed! I was lucky with the weather, only a few light showers, and only when I as in the car.

Day One of "Art in the Yard" had been a success- two days to go!

It felt odd having a day out...and odd being alone.

my day at Court Cupboard

I was all ready to go, when....no keys!!! After 45 minutes of hunting, they turned up where I'd already looked several times, when they wanted to be found!!

I arrived to find a queue and another member just opening up. Luckily I was only ten minutes late.
The gallery had a good day, starting with one of my pint jugs. The afternoon was quiet, but I heard that the town was busy, probably as it was the first day of the Green Man Festival.

The oregano was full of honey and bumble bees (above).

The Walnuts haven't all succumbed to the ravages of the squirrels, unlike much of the unripe hazel nuts, beech mast and acorns.
and just to prove that not everyone visits by car to the gallery...
after a chilly start it must have been a beautiful ride in the sun