wandering ponies

This one is cast, in iron I think. Seen at the National Eisteddfod in Ebbw Vale
Not sure what colour this foal will turn out. She is with her dam here, and the sire is grey
Snacktime!
Looking from the foot of Twmbarlwm towards Cardiff and the approaching rain shower
On Twmbarlwm, looking towards Cefn Rhyswg. You can only just see a little of Mountain Man's fields right in the middle of the bit of ridge in the picture-and it isn't one of the obvious bits!

Weather permitting we should be going to the far end of the mountain this afternoon.
What is the betting that they have come back down this end??!!
The weather is fine today with only a small possibility of showers. Twenty degrees C is forecast, but it will be cooler on the mountain, especially as it is breezy.

Meanwhile, washing proceeds apace and I have to throw saucers to go with yesterday's espresso cups, bowls to make into colanders and some mini jugs too.

Kiln Progress

Slow progress, but heading in the right direction- The Carpenter is turning his skills to metal, and has begun to fit the flue together.

Much grinding of metal, cutting, drilling....

and breaks to warm up as the weather is COLD!! Now I know why there is always "Potteries Fortnight" at this time of year!!

On the mountain, the chickens' water supply pipes are freezing INSIDE the barns.

The ponies are out wandering, they are well hardy!

The foals are still stabled after being chipped. It is making work, having them in, but at least it is indoor work when the snow is thick on the ground and frozen too.

weather!!

Yet more wind and rain, but at least today the washing got half-dry on the line between showers!

Mountain Man still has a cold and a runny nose, but as he has to keep going out in the cold and wet, it will take longer to get him well again.

My mobile phone deal means that I pay nothing for calls to him...talking is better than nothing.
It is no substitute for a hug, or a walk together.

Today I tidied even more!! Now I have a bagful of papers to recycle, a tidy stamps box for making impressions on pots and a lot more waiting to be fettled and fired.

We still don't know where the ponies are. They will be sheltering in the edge of the forestry where they can keep out of the wind and find forage. This makes them even more difficult to see!!

Weather

We managed to nearly half pack the kiln on Friday, but failing light and increasing rain put paid to any further progress.

I travelled home as the light faded and the rain increased, and turned to go over the NorthEast end of the mountain to avoid the traffic. There by the sheepfold was the grey mare and her grey daughter and granddaughter...they looked well, if very wet!
So where are the other twenty three!!

We should have finished kiln packing today, but the weather has ruled that out.
Gales and heavy rain have kept us at home.

The bowls I threw on monday had dried well, so turned and cut beautifully.
It is not too late to rewrap one and make it into a colander....

I could do with a working kiln to keep the workshop warm and dry!!

More rain and gales tonight. I hope everything is still in the garden!!

Pots again!!

It has been foggy and chill today, when gardening was good for a half hour warmup.

We went to one corner of the mountain in case the ponies were there but no sign. They will be sheltering somewhere out of the wind.

So home after lunch on the mountain and out to the workshop, weighing and balling up clay.

Then starting to throw and a dozen small coffee cups came easily-what a relief!!

As I finished the last one, the solar powered garden lights outside the workshop window flickered on-definitely time to finish for today.

Now I am reluctant to take my overalls off- I am nice and cosy in them and it is beginning to freeze outside!!