Making mugs, drying jugs, and visiting Hampden

I made two dozen mugs today, and should be able to put the handles on first thing tomorrow morning. I made a similar number earlier in the week. Other tasks this week included getting a bisque firing done, and trying to persuade my larger jugs (pitchers) to dry in weather that, though pleasant, is getting ever colder as autumn enfolds us. I took this picture today of a group of my larger jugs "sunbathing" in my studio in attitudes of complete abandon on a table.


I dry pots upside down when I can, but inverting these would probably injure their spouts, so I have resorted to a more relaxed pose for them.

Here follow a few more photos of things that are inspirational.


The seed pods of Harakeke (Phormium tenax) New Zealand Flax

These seed pods fascinate me. Their sculptural form is wonderful at all stages, from flowering to the final demise of the pod after it has opened. Harakeke are also an important source of food for several species of bird.


Driftwood on the beach makes interesting textures


and can record the lapping of the waves at high tide in sweeping curves and wiggles.


Seagulls with wet feet make repeat patterns


or mass together as dots and speckles.


To the North



and to the South, headlands push out to sea, or contain the bay like protecting arms.



The river pools, trickles, and chuckles its way to the sea.

The photos of the coast were taken about half an hour's drive to the North of us at a village called Hampden. Hampden has streets named after English towns such as Lincoln, Norwich, Ipswich, Durham, Lancaster, Chester, Shrewsbury, York, and Carlisle. Wikipedia defines it as as a "populated area less than a town", which seems a little unfair. I think that you could have a very nice holiday there camping in the Hampden Beach Motor Camp near the sea.