The Road less travelled .........

A welcome appearance by a man in a small lorry with a shovel and a cargo of grit meant that we finally got the car out on Friday and ventured gingerly into Keswick. The first mile along our country lanes was quite hairy as I'm not a great fan of going sideways in a car, but we survived the trip, replenished food supplies and I purchased new walking boots and trousers for my 2010 project. I'll be 60 this year, and not being a great one for parties I'm treating myself to a week off every month throughout the year to go walking. The highlight will probably be the 9 day trek into Petra in March - most months are a lot more mundane - some aren't even planned yet. The downside is that 4 weeks work has to squeeze into 3 every month.
The Potfest website  has been updated with all of this year's exhibitors -  we're currently deciding on the competition theme for the 2 shows, and planning the fliers and posters. I've managed to get into the workshop most mornings this week and am slowly getting back into the swing of making.
Some of this week's production drying out - could have been more but .....

The road less travelled .......... spot which doorway has had the heaviest traffic - the workshop on the left or the log and coalstore on the right

No contest.... toasty warm by the fire, or freezing in the workshop.
Disappointment of the week was not getting into the free Soda-firing workshop at La Meridiana centre in Tuscany in April, and finally getting to meet Canadian potters Tony & Sheila Clennell who are running a course there the week after.  Best laid plans and all that .....

Resolutely into the new decade

I'm full of good intentions to keep you posted as to the goings on at Potfest and Cox HQ throughout 2010 - so here goes.

The run up to Christmas and the new year have been interesting. We've been snowed in since Dec.19th. and although we're only half a mile off one of the main roads in the region, I think our car's in till the spring thaw comes around. Cumbria seems to be economising on grit this year.

We walked out several miles to pick up our turkey a few days before Christmas and have been eating it ever since, as no-one else has made it through the snow to get here to help us dispose of it.

 Beautiful sunny days made for lots of walks from the house but then eight days mail finally got through and now we're back in Potfest mode with a vengeance as  the space allocation is under way for the Park. Geoff has application forms spread out all over the house and I'm hunkered down with the computer trying to get the website updated.

My year has started well with an acceptance to exhibit at Rufford in June - how great to be able to do a show where someone else has to do all the worrying. Happy New Year everybody!