Spent this morning writing some letters then went to catch the bus so that I could meet Tina in town. She had gone in earlier for an eye appointment and then for a haircut. The bus was on time today so I went to the hairdressers and waited for her there. We went to Thornton's for coffee and cake and then went to Debenhams to see what was on offer in the blue cross sale. Tina wanted some more trousers like ones she bought a couple of weeks ago. we found two pair, in the right size, and they were half price! I got a great, small rucksack, perfect when I am getting out and about a bit more, which won't be too far away I hope.

My knee was really painful today so when we went upstairs I sat in a great swinging chair while Tina looked around some more. She found this fab hook for me in the sale, she knows the sort of things I like!

We had a cup of tea and then came home for a couple of hours. I watched another episode of Morse, really enjoying them as if I have never seen them before! A bit later we went out, had tea and then did shopping at Sainsbury's, we had lots of offer tokens and went round finding the things so racked up quite a lot of points today. I got a 'proofing bowl' with it'sown cover, I think I will be making hot cross buns now! We drove down to see the sea after we had finished, it was very calm this evening but getting a bit cooler by then.
Feet up time now as I am feeling tired, but it has been an enjoyable day.

Stayed in again this morning, although I slept a bit better but still don't feel 100%. Got a bit of washing done and watched another episode of Morse. Had lunch with Darren and Tina and then they took me along to the studio as I was covering for a while this afternoon. When Donna and Sandy had gone off to their appointments I used some slip to fill is some spaces and one small crack on the pot I had made yesterday.

A man came in to collect a couple of items, Donna had briefly gone through the till operation for me,  but I made a pigs ear of it and after getting very stressed did manage to take his card payment. But by then the till was jammed and bleeping and I could not stop it! Sandy was out longer than expected so I had the bleeping for nearly an hour, but luckily no more customers! Sandy had put a little hedgehog on the sale shelf as it's nose had been knocked off, but you really wouldn't know. I sat and painted it as they are quite cute.

When Sandy came back she unloaded the kiln and I got to see my finished Easter trinket box. I went to a lot of trouble to get the paint even and have to say I am delighted with the result.

Sandy gave me a lift home which was nice, haven't done a great deal since. 
It seems that the lovely sky season is about to arrive, one of the highlights of being in these rooms.

I was sitting having my breakfast and although it was a grey day the clouds caught my eye this morning.

I felt weary this morning, no particular reason, but certainly didn't have much 'get up and go' today. I had a shower, the bin liner is lasting very well that I use to cover the boot, but I will be so pleased when I can just jump in without worrying. Phoned the number to have the sharps boxes collected, now that I have finished filling them up. They will be collected next Tuesday.
I watched an episode of Morse then thought I would go to the park after lunch. It has begun to spit with rain, but I only went as far as one of the shelters anyway. These flower beds made me think of my primary school, St Michael's, as the uniforms were purple and yellow.

I spent a while and a lot of snaps trying to catch the birds in flight over the lake. sounds easy, but I didn't have many that were worth a second look!

Lots of lovely flowers in the park as usual, these tulips have opened since my last wander through.

As I was walking back I looked at these geese and had the idle thought that I wonder if they sit and people watch!!

I was shattered when I got home, didn't even make a drink. or put my feet up, and dozed off for almost an hour in front of the tv!
Going to the cinema with Sandy this evening to see Beauty and the Beast.

I had arranged for Sandy to pick me up this morning to go to the studio. We have toyed with using clay to make things for a while, and today that is what we settled to. It is many years since I have tried coiling with clay, making a start seemed okay, although the clay was very soft and not keeping shape at all.

I started to try and go up with the pot but the base just kept getting bigger as the coils were sinking to the base!! I ended up with quite a thin and rather funky shape. It may well crack, so only time will tell.

That was done by midday and when I left the studio later this afternoon it had held it's shape, so first obstacle mounted, so to speak.  With the little bit of clay I had left over I made a little hedgehog.

A picture of them together on the board where they will be left to dry. They will be biscuit fired when they are dried completely.

I walked to the post office just after midday to send a couple of packages off as I had arranged to meet Darren there at 12.30 pm. The third wedge is out today and I managed the walk pretty well and quite a bit faster than I have been managing. Darren and I had a light lunch and got a bit of shopping then he dropped me back at the studio. I had a cute 'one off' trinket box on one side to paint. so as I want it to be an Easter gift I got on with that this afternoon. I forgot to take a picture of it completely unpainted but remembered when I had just done the fur of the rabbit!

I finished it off and think it will be fun when it is glazed and fired.

It has been quite a dull day today but the sun tried to make it out for sunset, not too successfully though.

Last injection tonight, so that means it is a very good day!!

A fairly quiet day today, but Donna and Sandy came round this morning for tea and cake. Sandy has visited once before but not Donna. She hadn't seen some of the ceramics I had painted and was quite surprised I think bu just how many items I have on show. They stayed for quite a while and we had some of the delicious Simnel cake that Anya has ordered for me.
When they were leaving Sandy dropped me off in town as I needed to get a birthday card so that I could get it sent off tomorrow. I got some crafty bits to send to Isobel as well. Sandy will collect me tomorrow morning as we may do some clay work or otherwise I have a one off piece put by to paint.
I  have watched another episode of Morse this afternoon, I have no recollection of them at all, maybe the later ones will rings bells, but so far no bells at all!!
I also finished the little micro jigsaw, they are fiddly as they just push together but don't actually interlock. I have put it straight back into the test tube, will probably take it along when Darren and I have a stall at the boot sale.

Broadchurch later which should be good. Another wedge out tomorrow and only two injections left now, so progressing along nicely.

The sunset yesterday was lovely so will start with that and end with today's which was much more muted.

This morning Darren and I set off before 8 am despite the clocks going forward as we were going to out first boot sale of the year. Darren will be away next weekend and the one after that he will be going to a Science Fiction show. We had our usual breakfast of a sausage bap and cup of tea and had a wander around. I managed about an hour or so and then went back to the car as the ground is quite uneven and I was using just one crutch. We both got some fruit and I got a great pack of postcards for £1 and also this heart shaped wire stand which will be an earring stand even if that wasn't it's original purpose, that was £1 too.

As it is mothering Sunday I suggested we go for a nice coffee, and cake of course, so we went to the Stained Glass Centre. Very quiet as it had only just opened. This great fire screen was priced at £950!

The colours were actually much more vivid, but the sun through the window makes it seem quite dull. It was absolutely gorgeous. The spring flowers around the trees where we parked were lovely too.

This afternoon I have felt quite tired. I had tea with a piece of the cake that Anya has sent me, that was very nice. Had a phone call from Lee which was a nice surprise as Mother's day in America is in May. I did make a start on the micro jigsaw but only ended up doing the border.

Watched the first episode of Morse which had been an early Mothering Sunday present for Darren and Tine, I have the whole series. That reminds me, memory like a sieve, we went out for a fabulous Chinese meal last night which was a real treat.
Will end with that more muted sky.

This morning Darren, Tina and I all went along to the Spring sale in the Parish House.Quite a good turn out. I won one of the little micro jigsaws, the ones in a test tube, on the tombola. Will post a picture when it is being done or even finished!Tina was still busy making sure she talked to all the stall holders so I took a slow walk home. Used just one crutch today and that seems to be much better so will stick with that now.
It was a truly lovely, spring like day, so took a walk into the park this afternoon. The daffodils by the trees looked lovely in the sunshine.

I just love this photo, the reflections are so clear, more luck than judgement, but a good one I think.

The swan boat will soon be giving rides round the lake, I really like the swan boat, have only actually been on it once with Isobel.

I walked on to the front as it was a nice day and walking with one crutch is much easier. The sea was lively today.

The beach was really busy, in fact it was busy everywhere, more like summer than late March!

The surfers were out as usual as well.

Walked past the shield of flowers on my way home, that hotel always has a nice display out front.

When I got home I had beautiful flowers waiting for me, lovely colours and hyacinths in there so sweet scented as well. From Anya and I still have the cake for tomorrow, so very lucky, and off to a Chinese restaurant with Darren and Tina this evening.

Spent a bit of time this morning sorting washing and some long overdue cleaning!! Caught the bus into town at lunchtime, sent off a package and did some shopping with refreshment breaks! After that I made my way to the studio so that I could see my finished pieces of the last week or so. I am really pleased with the peacock, it is staying in the studio for a while as an example piece as they have three more and no one has attempted one apart from me!

The bowl is certainly different!

Really pleased with the trinket box, I think some people will be getting these for Christmas this year!

Sandy kindly said that she would bring me home when the studio closed, so that was kind. Had a cuppa with Tina when I got home and then we had a drive down to look at the sea. Lovely sunset while we were out and I managed to get quite a nice picture when I got home.

Watching Comic Relief now, I bought a tee shirt today and am wearing it as I watch.

I battled on with the jigsaw yesterday evening, still discovering pieces in the wrong places, but finished it quite late with one piece missing! Found that just before I got into bed, so photo taken and I am pleased I stuck with it as I really like it.

I had said I would scrape and fill the paint pots at the studio this morning so left to catch the bus. It was late again, due to the diversions, and there were a lot of people waiting today. It wasn't quite as cold and windy as it has been so I thought I would take a steady walk there instead. I passed this pretty flower on the way.

I even cut through to have a look at the bay on the way, it was extremely windy on the cliff top.

I spent a couple of hours with Donna at the studio and managed to clean and fill all of the pots. My lid with the scrapings on was in the kiln, but I didn't get to see it. It will be glazed and go in the kiln again tonight along with the base. Darren and Tina called for me there and we went and had lunch and did a bit of shopping. Donna sent me a picture to my phone of the lid of the box but I don't seen to be able to get that from the phone to here! Tina went out again and I did call in, but by then Donna had glazed it ready for the second firing so I still didn't see what it looked like!
A parcel arrived this afternoon, a very unusual gift for Mother's day from Anya. A gorgeous little Simnel cake, I will keep it until Sunday.

I have broken the puzzle up and it is now back in the box, if I take it to the boot sale I will sell it with an insanity warning!!