I have been very bad at writing here – probably not totally surprising as I have been incredibly busy in Sudan since I came back ten months ago.  But nevertheless, I am determined to get into my workshop for some days when I am back in July.  I have a great deal of wood stored away – some of it I should have liked to have turned wet, but was not there when it was kindly brought round to the house.  So now it will be dustier and more of a challenge to turn.

I have a piece of old vine – an old vinho verde vine that used to grow over the veranda and sadly died over the winter.  It makes beautiful bottle stoppers and I have already made a few stoppers form smaller pieces – but the larger piece I have at present is probably about a hundred years old – according to my friend Steve (he should know as he works in the port wine industry).  I am hoping I can make a few small bowls and maybe also carve a piece as well.

I also have a piece of pink ivory – such a beautiful wood, and I have been looking at this piece for a few months now and trying to decide how I should turn it.  It comes from a large trunk I have that was cut down for a road widening scheme in South Africa years ago.

So, watch this space and hopefully you will see some new pieces soon!