My first firing of the new year.

Another firing today. Mostly mugs but also little heart boxes and bowls. All with local Dorset scenes or Southern France.

Ready for the kiln.

The kiln is on and cooling down now. Looking forward to seeing how they turn out. I will have to have another firing later in the week as I have about 40 pieces that I've painted since Christmas to fire.

Finishing off some bowls this evening

Finishing off some bowls this evening. They are decorated with scenes on the sides too and have taken me a long time to finish this week.  These all still need to be glazed and fired. Hopefully in about a weeks time they will be finished. 

Hand painted bowls and mugs with littlke scenes and flowers.

Finishing off some little dishes and mugs that I started a couple of days ago. 

The weather this January and February in Mons has been very changeable, alternating with bright clear sunshine and wind or snow and wind. The mimosa is out everywhere now, in fact it's even the delightful mimosa fete in Roquebrun tomorrow to celebrate the arrival of the coming of spring. I wish it would hurry up, it's freezing at the moment. 
Today I walk at beautiful Minerve (one of the most beautiful villages in France) with it's wonderful gorge and delightful little medieval village standing guard over the rivers that divides the two sides of the gorge.  Returning over the snowy mountains and back home to the beautiful Caroux.
Yesterday we enjoyed a beautiful cliff top castle at Roquessels and the lovely chateau of Laurens. 
We've walked to lovely Olargues another of the most beautiful villages in France and with two of the most delicious loaves of bread you can imagine we went up into the hills and picnicked in the glorious winter sunshine. 
The beach at Valras was shining like silk reaching out to the turquoise sea. Just behind stood marshes filled with bright pinky orange flamingos.   

It's been such a beautiful stay in our dear little mountain sheepfold, but soon it will be time to return to beautiful Dorset and my beautiful family too. Hopefully I will have all my pots fired within a few days of our return but I think I'm going to be rather busy for the next couple of weeks with saying hello to all my dear little ones and frequenting myself with the lovely Dorset countryside on my walks. 

Mugs with Dorset Scenes and wild flowers.

Working on some mugs at the moment. Mostly Dorset scenes and wild flowers. Still all to be glazed and fired.