getting rolling again...

This year's seasonal cards have been started..I wonder if these will sell?

A batch of ink cartridges, with a10% off, cost about the same as our half-price new gardening tool....

We "bit the bullet" on both and bought, in the hope that we can earn something from them.

The Pirate enjoyed using his new toy, sorry tool!!

feeling a bit grey

Just like the weather.

We're back doing gardening to make ends meet and my hands hurt.

I'm feeling uninspired about making any images.  I feel I want to do them for myself, but can't justify taking up time or spending on materials if they wont sell.

The weather here is changeable, mostly damp and chilly.

The house in South Wales is hopefully near to selling, but even that is causing friction. Myself and The Carpenter own it..and we've been talking about selling for many years.  The Oily One moved back into it when he lost job and rental, has never fully contributed to the costs of having him there despite earning the most and spread his oily footprint over the property....he doesn't like change, but now he has to.
He loathes the Carpenter's fiancee who backs Carpenter up and stands up to  him.....families, who'd have them!

missing here

Not been for a year.

on Maybole Shore...

Walk before supper. The sound of water eases the Pirate's tinnitus and lifts our spirits.

Castling by bike

 The bridge and paths are mentioned here

 Dalquharran Castles old and new

 and a muddy track to return to metalled road

 and cafe lunch in Maidens by the Clyde

pottery progress

The clay has arrived,two dozen bags of white stoneware, thanks to The Carpenter and his fiancee.   He happened to be working in Newcastle and saw he'd have a day off...so spent it driving over to here for lunch and back!

Some of the clay needs re-bagging, but it is all good.

Today we moved some bike stuff and some rubbish out of the workshop and filled the remaining space with my Leach kickwheel.
Next job is a small pole barn for the kiln and a front extension on the workshop,which is only ten foot square. It will be a bit smaller once it has been insulated..and there are plans for a small woodburning stove....

We're still living in hope that our rent wont go up too much on review.
You have to push on and do things that are needed...but whatever we do,if we have to move, we'll have to move them too.....

sunny walk in Prestwick

 Looking towards Arran..
sea, sun, (small) surf....Sandhenge..

 Italian/Scottish ice-cream and sorbet...we need more days chillin'!!
 


 These speak for themselves...

back home

At last.
Both suffering from "Velo Virus"...stinking colds and coughs after a week in the velodrome, despite efforts to get enough fresh air.

No medals, much learnt, many friends old and new.

We came home on as little motorway as possible.  Just ten miles extra, with better views and more relaxed driving. Seven hours, including stops,for just over 200 miles.

The longest stop was in Kendal...a place I think I'll return to armed with a camera..but it wont be when it is busy...

You have to be careful,or you get a wheelie bin lurking in every shot...

 dew and mist this morning..not what you want in the middle of double glazing!

 mountains of washing, and a gift to us from a world champion from the USA, and his wife

 Jandals....for Scottish weather!!
and herbs from the garden in a vase from Borges Pottery on the Isle of Lewis

championships

World Masters Track Championships to be exact.

Messed up my standing start, luckily didn't realize until after by how much.  I did a marvellous ride over the two laps, did everything right, felt the G forces round the banking so I was going the right speed.....
you don't win when you lose 2 or 3 seconds at the start, however fast you go.....
roll on next year!

caterpillar ID please

Any suggestions?

Now found that it is a Peppered Moth...or rather will be next year!

Riding the Bikes

Riding behind the derny pacing bike at Maindy outdoor velodrome in Cardiff.

Enjoying the company of friends from Brisbane.  He rides and races on the bike.
She rides a bike a little but sticks to competitive weightlifting, being very short sighted.   I haven't seen them for about ten years, but its good to have a friendship where you just click in back together as if you last saw each other yesterday.

 We've been helping get the house ready to sell

 I snapped a chain on my road bike

 but had a good view whilst waiting for the Oily One to give me a lift home

 found an Elephant Hawkmoth caterpillar and put it safe after taking his portrait

 and saw the full moon going to bed in the morning