Well that was a year that was,

Lots of creations and a beautiful workshop better off than last time I posted,I am back in the blogosphere and internet land in general.Here to carry on where I left off with pictures poems and some laid back country living.Every morning when i see the view from my window and Drive through the beautiful winding lanes to the workshop I feel lucky,then i touch wood all day.

This 5 foot tall cross carved by hand in Holly has kept me busy for a good part of the beginning of this year.I had been promising myself some carving time since taking on the workshop early last summer.

After making a couple of Holly thrones with small carvings on (pictures will follow some time soon) among other things and getting the workshop up and running, I decided this is alovely wood to carve with a natural density, paleness and lovely finish not too unlike ivory

and wanted to make a versiopn of a Celtic cross with creatures I encounter regularily at the workshop on it.

I see the hawks in the valley by the wood,where the wood peckers call and are answered from drumming on the dead branches of the ancient oak behind and above the workshop,while rabbits play below in the orchard.The wren hunts for spiders in the nooks and crannies of the wall behind my bench and the swallows were raised and have flown and should return anytime to the nest above some old milking pipes at the top end of the workshop.

I am pleased with the result and only the other day turned to see a robin sitting on it where it stands near my bench.I like to think it approved even though it left a calling card over some of the knotwork. I love this place,it is my creative heaven.