Petra planning, Derbyshire hospitality, and John Maltby envy.

More snow, more cold but then on Tuesday we ventured down into tropical middle England for a couple of days with Pollie & Garry Uttley in Derbyshire.  Lists had to be compiled of essential items to pack for our trek to Petra, ( not long to go now!), strategies needed to be planned for the Potfest trip to Hohr-Grenzhausen in June, and in between wonderful meals and copious amounts of wine we still managed to fit in visits to Gallery Top in Rowsley near Matlock ( great John Maltby exhibition ) and the Harley Gallery at Welbeck near Worksop. Garry had planned a walk from the village of Youlgreave on Thursday, and whilst there we visited Jack Blackburn who has been bringing pots over from France for many years. His house is like a potters treasure trove - see some of his delights at Rufford again this year.

Just setting off  for the walk - the message in the back of the car in front states "They've escaped ".
That's about right.
The day was stunning - bright sunshine and not too cold if you kept moving. As a training session for the Petra trek, the exercise was probably negated by the quantities of food consumed. What the hell - you're a long time dead. Thanks P & G.