making more pots again

I saved two of the last batch. I think I've just about "patterned" to this shape after a dozen.
I made seven, then stopped for lunch, went over to Cwmbran to retrieve a jug from a gallery- they hadn't even put it out!- I've sold it via facebook to a friend.
At least they think I've sold some other work, should have the cheque next week.

Then we checked that the ponies hadn't returned to the spot we'd moved them away from...relief! No ponies and no fresh evidence- one good thing about the rain we have had.
Then I delivered Mountain Man to his Mountain and returned to throw five more.

I'm trying a new jug shape too. I want "elegant" but also "practical". You must be able to clean them after use!

The clay is still a little gloopy at times. I think reclaim needs a little more time to rest before use.
Halo round the moon. Looks like the forecast of rain will be fulfilled.

New Year's Day

More pot photography this morning, that is all the stock I have here done and just a few archive photos to take of work I've done since 1966.

Yes, I do have my first pot- a trailed and feathered slipware dish made from a slab!

One phonecall from Mountain Man and I'd grabbed a quick lunch (good thing I hadn't frozen the left over soup!) and was ready by the time he had walked down to the village.

Then we were off, parked near our usual place at the Easternern foot of Twmbarlwm, walking around the fire road. The errant ponies , a mare and two foals, were just where he had left them the day before after moving them up off the field where they had been kept safe.
He managed to dose the mare (worming) but walkers with dogs unsettled the foals. No way were the foals going to agree to being haltered and dosed then!

So we walked up to Pegwn y Bwlch then up Twmbarlwm, Mountain Man leading the mare and the foals following and myself bringing up the rear. At the top, by the ramparts of the Iron Age earthwork, we split and I went around the Northern side. From there you can see a fair way along the common, but no more ponies were to be seen-although much evidence was underfoot!

Going around the other way, Mountain Man had found half a dozen others, so left the wanderers with them. We think that more are in the forestry where there is shelter and a fair bite of grass for them, but it is going to be a job to find them! (and bring home the mares and foals.)


Then a special treat for New Year's Day, a drive up to Merthyr Common to visit friends who own the stallion that Mountain Man has on lease. When we arrived, another couple from Markham Common were already there, and before we left, another couple came to visit, brother of the man we were visiting and his wife.
So much pony talk amongst the men, life in general with the women! Much tea drunk and the world put to rights all round!!

The Weather is turning cold again and there is talk of more snow in the longer term. We'll just have to deal with what She throws at us!!

Thaw

Going up the lane from Upper Cwmbran up to the Mountain Air was like driving up a small river.
It will be even worse by now after three more hours of heavy rain and snow melting.

At least I saw thirteen of the ponies, one of the usual family groups with the dun mares as leaders. All rather wet but not miserable!

I went to an exhibition opening at Llantarnam Grange Arts Centre (see them on facebook)
It wasn't my sort of thing, but still it is interesting to see how other people interpret their ideas and challenges.
Good excuse for lunch out too!!

The workshop has that solid chill feeling that hits you as you step over the threshold-but at least it is a little warmer now!! I must get in there tomorrow and do some finishing and making before the weather freezes again!