A family gathering and a big adventure

P1020249, originally uploaded by Ajay Jayne.

Well, this is Rob and his Mum, a photo taken on Sunday before Anne set off on her big adventure teaching for 4 months in Nepal. A lovely time was had by all along with far too much cake. Anne's blog, which is currently empty until she finds some internet service, can be found at http://www.eleanorannetownsend.blogspot.com

Some more photos

My garden, very overgrown, Watford

P1020109, originally uploaded by Ajay Jayne.

Well, a little bit of rain and the garden has gone crazy. The courgettes have grown so much that we can barely keep up with eating them and the lilies are full of hover flies.

Kiln is in place

P1010981, originally uploaded by Ajay Jayne.

How could I forget to blog this, rather excited to have rearranged my whole shed and now have the new kiln fitted neatly into the corner. Rob is away on tour but he has already noticed that I have nabbed the CD racks to make equipment pigeonholes. I am still reading the kiln instructions at the moment since I don't want to either set light to the shed or break the new equipment so it may be a few days before the thing gets a proper firing.

Was inspired by finishing the painted glass work on the course in London.

Here is the finished piece based on Tudor blackwork embroidery and inspiration from things around the garden.

Oh no, the Roman steps Wales!

Ady Sam mum Ang Wales, originally uploaded by Ajay Jayne.

Mum has a massive collection of colour slides that show everyone (except Dad the photographer of course) on various holidays. The collection features us wearing handknits by Grandma and high fashion from the early to late 1970's - Mum's dress would not look out of place in the current Wallis collection - and wellies. This is from the Roman steps in Wales, I know that Rob has a very similar photo of his family wearing similar clothes in the same area. Enjoy.

Ady and Fred's Window.

Can't believe that last weekend was the first time I got to see the Foxglove window that I made for Ady and Fred last year actually fitted in the door. So rather lapse on the visiting front - or maybe it was the first time I had my camera with me. Bit of a tricky shot since the door is set slightly around the corner but at least this gives a good idea of the final colours and shapes. I had photos sent from Ady's telephone but couldn't get them from there on to a screen. Better late than never.

St Georges Day

I'm not one for patriotism, but in celebration of my Grandfather George, my brother Ady who always sends me a happy St Georges day message and in recognition of a poet I really admire, this is to celebrate St Georges day.

The True Dragon
by Brian Patten

St George was out walking
He met a dragon on a hill,
It was wise and wonderful
Too glorious to kill

It slept amongst the wild thyme
Where the oxlips and violets grow
Its skin was a luminous fire
That made the English landscape glow

Its tears were England’s crystal rivers
Its breath the mist on England’s moors
Its larder was England’s orchards,
Its house was without doors

St George was in awe of it
It was a thing apart
He hid the sleeping dragon
Inside every English heart

So on this day let’s celebrate
England’s valleys full of light,
The green fire of the landscape
Lakes shivering with delight

Let’s celebrate St George’s Day,
The dragon in repose;
The brilliant lark ascending,
The yew, the oak, the rose

Back from Skye

Had a great week with my brother Sam and Debbie at their home (and excellent holiday retreat http://www.melrosehouseskye.co.uk near Dunvegan (and niece Holly briefly). They have guests booked until August but it was great to spend some time with them and we have been thoroughly spoiled. Our birthday treat of vouchers for dinner at the Three Chimneys were traded for the full taster menu on Thursday which was an unforgettable experience. We have been trawling around all the little lanes since it was Rob's first trip up to visit and visited Marcella and Ian at their home as well as going out to Talisker bay out in the sunshine rather than early twilight as on a previous visit. Strangely enough I have heard skylarks twice this week, once at the fascinating coral bay with the sound of the loch against the shore and once when we arrived back at Luton airport in the car park with the sound of planes coming in to land. Now having incredible withdrawal symptoms.

Talisker bay







The curious Giant Angus MacAskill museum at Dunvegan



Hello Kitty, enjoying a breakfast egg laid by ....



One of the girls.



Wish this was at the bottom of our garden - it is actually at the bottom of Marcella and Ian's garden. Check out their B&B
http://www.wilmarbedandbreakfast.com/