Clay

Friday morning's arrangements required an early return from Nelson.

I'd signed up for a 'pottery' taster session with a neighbourhood acquaintance - a very accomplished ceramicist judging by the examples of her work populating shelves in her studio. There were slab built teapots, bowls, urns, vase, and teapots from the wheel, and a selection of sculptures (a spectacular stingray among them).

After a session on 'wedging' to align particles (many quips about alignment) and exclude air we were treated to some demonstrations of pinch pots and slab building then let loose on some clay.

I opted for a couple of pinched porridge bowls (look more akin to a well designed dog bowl - Scully will be pleased) and then modelled small animals and insects out of clay (because it was fun and easier than carving them from wood).

We were also offered the opportunity to try the wheel but after a few hours of working clay in the heat (even under shade) of Friday we all opted to end with the projects we were happy with.

Stupid me took no photos - well I was enjoying the activity and poking bits of clay.  Bronwyn is going to fire it all for us when she fills the kiln with her own stuff and then we are going back for a glazing session.  The deal is we pay in wine (fortunately I'd gone prepared for that anyway as she hadn't asked for any contribution and I figured some wine might be a fair swap for her skills and teachings.)  I'll do photos of the finished items.

Meanwhile here's Scully helping me with some track cutting over the weekend

Scully here - I bailed a wild goat - I had to send lots of vocal signals to F, and ignore lots of 'come hither' type signals from her before she got the message and came to my assistance. Fat use she was when she got there! That goat was stamping its feet and trying to hit me, and it tried to hit F. It wasn't running away from either of us.

Eventually F convinced me of the sense of abandoning that hunt and moving on.

I'm a real hunting dog now.....I chased a pig a couple of days before that. My k9 friends at the top of the road sent us their brag

I'm not going to be outdone.

Yours

Scully