Glossy

This might not look much but I'm very proud of it, it's the new ceramics workshop at the Centre, decorated by myself. Still got the skirting boards and the window frames to paint but done the main bit- walls and floor. The floor paint was so smelly, I was as high as a kite by mid afternoon! Next project is to paint a landscape mural on the facing wall, got an idea for a Greek cityscape in pastel colours...

...and the days they seem to pass by you, so just, let them go...

And so ends another "travels through time". Today I was a Tudor minstrel, playing mandolin and vielle and doing alot of talking to the public! It was a very successful day all round. Victoria was looking cool as an eminent Tudor Lady.

We had a range of re-enactors around the hall. This is Cynthia and Keith who re-enact various bits of the 17th century, very convincingly. They are also very nice people and so deserve a pic on my blog!

Here comes Johnny...

Today was the first of two days of "Travels through time", our annual event ( which is why I built a cardboard TARDIS).

Today I was a medieval potter, demonstrating tile making techniques, which I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed! I don't often get to talk about cristobolite, salt glaze and reduction firing... (I can hear you falling asleep already) so it was a joy to trainspot with jo public.

"...you what? YOU WHAT?".....

Da da da da,... da da da da, ...da da da da,....ooow eeee ooooowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.....

This is my cardboard time travelling creation ready for the weekend, I need to add the flashing blue light on the top tomorrow. It actually does alter time. I started it last week and time has just flown, sticking bits of box and mixing poster paint.

Here is a picture of my home project, a little electric mandolin, ahhh...! just the right size for junior to get plucking, (after I've played it in of course!). It's made from a dead and butchered hollow body mandolin, plus a mahogony table top. Recycled folk rock!

Hammer of the gods

It's difficult to better the whirlwind that was last week, been abit flat really. Two things to report...

Did get to start work on building a lifesize TARDIS for our next event (pictures will be posted soon) and had a job interview of sorts.

I am now officially a teacher for the W.E.A. (the workers educational association). This means I get to study towards a Further Education Teaching Certificate, get vocational training and best of all- a pay rise! Only trouble is there are less hours teaching available, but far more opportunity to travel to other sites for work-which I like the sound of.

Damn it I will be a teacher even if it is by the long way round!

Mrs Somers is still being sick.

Here is a picture of a Viking Shield I made for childrens workshops last week, I even offered it to Elenor, which she turned down!

It would have complimented Camerons sword!! Ok maybe not, it is made of pie plates, tin foil and duct tape, not strictly medieval Scandinavian forge materials.

Pictures of you

It's been a memorable week, seems like this time of year always brings something new...

Even better than the real thing...

Today I met the mythical and legendary one known as..... Auntie El!

Elenor, hubbie Andrew and son Cameron all stopped off at Gainsborough on their way down south. It was so nice to meet an internet friend in the flesh, we are not just all pixels (to quote Elenor!). It felt like we've known each other for years, which we nearly have. Andrew is such a nice bloke, as is his son. I grabbed photos as usual, like Clint Eastwood said- "don't talk, shoot" !

We had an all too brief lunch in the Canute, before parting again, like passing comets circling the sun...

Keep a light on those you love...

Sunday was the start of what looks like being a memorable week. Started off at John and Carolines new house, which is gorgeous and full of potential,.. and not two minutes walk away!

After drinking strong Pims and waving to Isabella, I went to the pub, leaving Mrs Somers at home,tired! Reason for pub was Auntie Lils surprise 80th birthday party. All the family were there, what more can I say, roll the film...

My sister Elaine, Lil and moi.

My dad keith ( 1st left ) and his three brothers- my uncles; steve, barry and graham.

The whole clan, minus me and nigel propping up the bar. Finally, heres the cake...

Tomorrow I shall be meeting Elenor....

Way down south

Tuesday saw me and Victoria on a jolly off to Kenilworth Castle, to pick up a Henry 8th costume! Kenilworth is a wonderful place, really impressive. It was a two hour drive down, with a few difficult hairy bits but all in all a successful day.

This is the costume aforementioned, which is supposed to be for me for a future event. I'm not so sure I will actually fit into it, (not actually tried it yet). Victoria has a matching Queens costume, which also had a dead mouse inside it! They are quite dusty old things, having been displayed in Kenilworth's caverns since who knows...