Friday

Good morning.  After a very wet evening yesterday, it seems to have dried up again right now so fingers crossed.

I've been looking at my 'treats' list and, after seeing something on Facebook from Lindsey, I've booked up for a spa day at the end of February.  What a gadabout, eh?  I've never, ever been to a spa so it's on the 'have an adventure' list too.

I'm also umming and ahing about some more time at Bury St Edmunds, when the evenings get lighter again so I have longer days.  A while in the future, I know, but having a few plans is fun.

Yesterday worked out well.  I had to laugh; just before the meeting started, we were all sitting down when the fire alarm went off.  At first it was thought to be testing the bell, then a practise but no, it was a proper alarm.  So out we all went and waited in the car park until it was 'safe' to go back in.  It wasn't a fire, of course, but I have no idea what started it.  After that bit of excitement, the meeting passed without further incident, thankfully.

Pottery was frustrating.  The candle stand I'm in the middle of making was fine - nice and dry and I was able to smarten it up before putting it on the shelf for drying and firing.  The unglazed Christmas decoration that had somehow slipped through the net got glazed and that, also, is out for firing.
Then I set to and started making the second candle stand but would it go right?  Aaarrgghh.  Part of the problem, I think, was that it was a new block of clay, very soft and wet, and the 'panels' wouldn't hold their shape properly.  By the end of the evening I had achieved precisely . . . nothing.  It all went back in the bag and next time I will roll out a slab and dry it for a while using the resident hair/clay dryer before cutting it out and patterning it so it won't squish out.  Hopefully, next week I will have one to glaze and I must get online and order some spherical candles to go on top.

Today is an absolutely clear day apart from the cleaner coming.  After making sure the house is tidy and ready for her ministrations, I hope to drive across town to Galleywood common and have a stroll around there.  If the weather doesn't behave itself, I might go back to Oaklands Museum and have another go around the historical part.  I want to do something that gets me on my feel anyway.

I'm also going to start the month at a view sheet again so I can check the balance of what I do - not too much of one thing and not enough of another - and also to make sure I build in some rest and relax times.  At the moment the next weeks aren't too crowded but that does have a habit of changing quickly.

But first - another coffee.
Have a great day.  xx