Playing catch up!

 Whilst trying to catch up with my blog reading it becomes ever more apparent that the gap between my own posts is getting ever wider. So, this is a whistle stop recap of the past month or so and then I hope to get back into the rhythm of recording things, as much for my own benefit as anyone kind enough to be reading this. As I get older I can remember where I was in 1966 when England won the World Cup but I'm hard pushed to remember where I was the day before yesterday! I know I am not alone in that but some days it feels like it, therefore I need my blog as a visual diary.

So, as we enjoy the start of some warmth with the weather, I'm happy to say we are with bees again.We've got two colonies from two sources and they are so different. One hive is made up of quite small bees who are very docile and gentle. The other hive has larger bees who are a bit more active and more assertive , so we are hoping they will accumulate and thrive this summer. Early signs are looking good.

 On the creative front I have continued to explore glass, taking advantage of an advanced evening class type arrangement with Chris, my glass guru. The others all made large panels but I spent all my time making marks and painting on the glass. I have a ton of pieces ready to make into small collage panels and there is a glass book nearing completion. I am rather in love with the way it reveals images between the pages but will wait to photograph it properly when all the soldering is done.

I'm still planning and running book and print workshops and need to sort out the plans for the cyanotype day next month. I also travelled to Cheltenham this week to try out kitchen litho printing with my friend Sue. As far as I'm concerned it was a disaster. She had one success but we could not replicate it. She's written about it here if you want to know more. As for me, I am mentally parking that process forever, but will definitely try another she introduced me to. All printmakers please take a look at her post for transferring with acetone onto metal with photocopies prior to etching. Surely I can make that work?

Life is busier because I've also started a job on three days of the week. It lasts until the end of July and I'm leading a small project at the museum in Tenby researching all the men (over 500 of them) who volunteered for the Great War. It is both fascinating, heart breaking and humbling to read about these men . The museum has access to great archive letters which tug at your heart strings and when I come across photographs of serious looking, but very, very young men, I have to take a moment to gather my thoughts. As things develop I'll share some of the stories. Some will inspire and others will make you want to weep but I am finding the whole process all encompassing so no surprise that I am absent from this blog so much!

In trying to maintain some sense of routine we've got back into the cycle of moth trapping too. I loaned the trap out for a month and think I may have got someone else hooked on these beautiful creatures. As its return yesterday coincided with a hike in temperature we had to have a go last night. These are just a sample of the haul. I think there were about 70 moths which a bit low for this time of year. Let's hope they gather momentum as the weather improves.

 So, there's lots happening and I hope to get back in the groove soon. Keep well everyone and enjoy everything as Spring moves into Summer.