South Wales Potters at Llantarnam Grange

This morning we had a demonstration from Simon Hulbert of Brook Street Pottery in Hay on Wye.
Lovely Luscious Mud!!

It would be so tempting to do earthenware again, if I had both my wheels in the workshop!!

The weather was beautiful, consequently we held the AGM "al fresco", outside under the trees in front of the gallery!

Autumn gardening

October has slipped in quietly with days too hot to garden in the afternoons.

I've started doing casual light gardening as a paid job. Enough to breathe a little easier and buy some things that are needed. Not enough to squeeze out anything else!

Autumn

and the water is low.
I was sure I'd get more than this from six pounds of pears and two huge onions....

garden construction

New compost bin...nice and tidy for the Winter and all my own work!!

With the Equinox has come some warmer weather with a pleasant light breeze, ideal for gardening. I've been sitting on my old milk crate, steadily weeding, and realised...I need somewhere to put this!!

saviac wheel

This is the SAVIAC wheel, designed by David Ballantyne (1913-1990) of Poole Pottery in Dorset,England. It is a collaboration between a potter and an engineer.
My version is not, I think one of the geared models, but with its cast iron flywheel it has good momentum.

Search After Values In An age of Crisis.

I would like to know more about why he named them thus, but it is suitable for the "interesting" times we live in.

No, that wheel wasn't cleaned especially for the photos! Unlike some people, I prefer to work clean, throw with slip and put any slop clay separate ready to be recycled.
No point in making work and wasting time!

harvest

I'm enjoying working in the walled garden!
nearly ready.....
Today is the Equinox.

Gathering on the Common. I had to turn off the car engine and wait- no bother. Good to sit with window open and breathe the mountain air

memories and fears

I hear your breath in the wind that surfs through the trees.

As I walk I hear your footsteps beside me, feel my hand in yours as your ponies greet me.

When I'm picking mulberries in the walled garden you admired, I feel the sunshine
of your smile in the warmth of the sun on my back.

As my work develops naturally in the way you thought it should I can hear your criticism and approval.

As the rain drops gently on my hands I remember you saying,
Find someone who loves you like I do, who can care for you.

I am afraid to. How can I know when to trust as we trusted each other.