making time

We're back, but sorting after the cycle jumble ready for the next is taking time.
There just seems too much to do keeping the basics going and getting up in the morning is hard!

I've managed to source some nice 250gsm card for printing cards and possibly linocut prints too. I'm trying to buy locally but it isn't easy...it would probably be cheaper to buy online and pay for several hundred sheets instead of buying card priced per sheet.
Still, it isn't too exorbitant and does help keep an art/craft/office supplies shop going in Ayr.  At best I can just walk to the village and catch the (2 hourly) bus in using my free bus pass...so I can get supplies within an hour and a half of leaving home!

No hope yet of a site for my workshop caravan -

This has been offered to us free...yet no-one will consider renting us a small patch to site it.  Probably it is the bias against Travelling folk and it isn't being seen as a shed on stilts....

I MUST this week re-stock my Etsy shop and get printing....

meanwhile it is nearly time for my turn on the turbotrainer.  We are not risking bumps and fractures by going out on the bikes when there is ice on the roads.

definitely Monday...

The water leak from the car has increased- so it should be easier to locate.   Unfortunately (?) that meant that I had to commute by bike. I chose the road bike, it being a lighter beast.

I found that I was limited...I couldn't use the two bottom gears...so down dale was fine, but uphill was a slow pedal followed by a slower walk.  At least Spring is now giving us proper May weather!!

Sheep  heads made,  gears slipping and jumping, I slowly  made my way the three miles to where The Oily One works. It is called Cardiff Pedal Power!! They hire all sorts of bikes there and he is, not surprisingly, the mechanic there....

My bike had a twist in the gear hanger, as well as cable outers showing their age.

Hopefully things are now running true and the gear and brake cables have had attention.   

I thought of riding another twenty miles...another two hours with my lack of fitness....
and wimped out!!   I had flapjacks and real coffee, a sit in the sun on the bench, and a nice natter with The  O.O.    Funny how you only realize how tired you are when you stop!

Then a lift home...bliss!! 

Unfortunately I forgot that I was supposed to go out to a meeting this evening...but talking on the phone to a friend did me much more good!

tired and more to do

By the time I'd reached St. Ffagans this morning, the rain had eased.

Back home by 3pm in the sunshine, but I'm finding commuting very tiring, even with jam avoiding tactics.

This little lot are now cooling a little more before I unpack them...ok, just an excuse as I'm tired! Then I'll re-mix the glazes as they cool properly. The clear glaze especially, needs to be not too thick on the pots otherwise it crazes, and warm pots soak up more glaze.

The Commission is looking good, I've cut the door and windows, and the roof is ready to be finished.  I know I should have discovered the dimensions of the lamp to be put in it before starting to make.....
I've made feet for it, but will not attach them. They will be fired in situ, which should allow the pot to shrink and move instead of sticking and cracking. I could just use placing sand, but the idea of fine silica dust about the place just does not seem very good.

Now it is just after 4.30pm, I've had a leisurely mug of coffee and a rest so here we go!!