Website shop back online!

After a little absence from selling my work, my jewellery website is now back up and running.  Please take a look!

Glass & Clay

I'm still in the process of adding more of my pieces, please check back for another look in a few days.

Off to the plot

What a gorgeous, glorious day today.  Perfect for a visit to the plot. 

The most exciting thing about our visit today was the obvious interest in our shed by our friendly pair of plot robins.  When we last went we noticed that a nest had been built in the corner on top of a shelf.  It was interesting, but we left it as we found it, thinking that it had probably been abandoned.

Then look what we found today!

Babies!!  Five of them :)  The robins didn't seem in the slightest bit worried about us being there and kept flying in and out of the gap where the plank is missing off the shed door with worms and the like for the babies to munch on.  They basically ignored us, or waited for us to get out of the way.  Needless to say, we did keep out of their way and went in the shed as little as possible (although we did have to go in as all our tools are in there!).  It was fascinating to watch them!

This pic is purely to show the gap in the shed door :)

We had spuds to get in - I wanted to sow most of the rest of my Anya salad potatoes in (holding a few back to put in when I take my first lot out - it's an experiment to see what I get :) ). I also wanted to get in a row of maincrop (Cara).

We are in the process of forcing some of our rhubarb - we did it last year and it was great.  You can see the unforced ones on the right hand side of the bin.  Granted they are younger than the one in the bin - however we were still amazed to see what awaited us......

It was monstrous (in the nicest possible way!)!!  We had Rhubarb Fool for pudding - yum yum!

Finally a photo of my cute bike all laden with rhubarb and flowers!  Set for a pleasant cycle home in the sunshine! Generally a very nice day!

Goodness, I ran 10K!!!

I got out of bed this morning with a plan to run 5K along a route that I really struggled on last time I did it.  However, today I felt totally different.  It's a lovely route taking in nature trails, river and canal paths - so I wanted to do it justice.

I felt great from the off, everytime I had a choice as to whether to extend my route a little or head on home I still felt fine so carried on.  Once I'd started to extend the run I thought I'd try to aim for 5miles, but as I've no GPS just my trusty digital watch, I had to guess the distance.  I ran on and on, finally getting tired and 'shuffley' and my legs were starting to ache, but I kept going until I got home. 

I checked the distance when I got in and it was 10K on the nose!  I was so chuffed, I can't believe I can actually run that far and for that long!  I took 1:25:36 which is pretty slow in the whole scheme of things but for me is amazing - I can run for nearly one and a half hours non stop! Yay!

I've Graduated (officially!) :)

Yesterday I set out for my second attempt at completing the 5K distance (first attempt resulted in me not checking the route properly and ultimately running 4.95K!!  I was not happy!).  Anyway, off I went yesterday, checking my route before I set off and completed 5.5K in 43.50.  My 5K time was 39.40.  I know it's not the speediest run in the world, but I'm really pleased :) I did it, I've finally completed the C25K properly and I can run for 40mins+ now - YAY!

Who would have thought that I could enjoy running so much??

I'm a C25K Graduate :)

Well, sort of.

For the past 9 weeks I've been following the Couch to 5K programme.  A programme that claims to get you running for 30mins/5K from nothing.  Well, it did!  Today I completed my final run - YAY!  I did the programme for time rather than distance so have actually only run 4k (as I'm super slow :) ) but am proud of myself anyway.  The next step is to complete 5K and then who knows?!

I still find it hard to believe that I can run for 30 minutes without stopping!  When I started the programme 2 months ago I couldn't even run to the end of the road!  Anyone who thinks they can't run should try it. It's hard, a real challenge, but I loved it! 

Sowing

Started my early sowings today.  Chillis, toms, cabbage, cauli, PSB, broccoli, celery and salad bowl CACA.  I know it's early for some I've found it's better to start early and re sow some if need be, than not and then have to re sow and risk it being a bit too late.  Works for me anyway.

About to begin!  Compost wasn't the right soer - far too coarse, but it was all they had in that size at the garden centre.  A bit of sieving was needed.

Here's a pic with my cute looking spuds all lined up like they're watching a film :) They are Anya and Cara.

Reminds me of Gormley again :) (Field for the British Isles)



And lastly my kitty.....just because!

New York seagull!

Rock Challenge 2011 is about to start and the school I work at entered last year and were AMAZING!  This year our theme is 'The American Dream'. My friend Katy does all the choreography and direction, I do the set, props and backstage crew, and Hayley does EVERYTHING else :).

It it a performing arts competition for schools to enter. Each team performs an 8 minute piece to music in dance or physical theatre to tell a story.  Some of the schools that enter the competition are fantastic.  Last year our school won the local heats - we didn't win the regional final, but the competition was very tough :)  Great fun though!

Anyway, I've started on the props - so far I've made a Statue of Liberty torch and my mate the Seagull-on-a-stick! :)

I've also got new set on order.  So will be painting soon too I hope!