Monday, August 5, 2013

Hope can always cope.






Our  collection of artisinal earthenware grows ever larger. This year three very large breakfast cups ( 'robust' says 'the font' ), a glazed bowl decorated with stylised palm fronds and two enormous bright red egg cups join the prior years purchases in the cellar.  In the garden a very large pot bought from a potter with a Lenin beard and a frayed straw hat. He'd said that he'd not sold anything in weeks. It weighs sixty kilos and needs two CC's to carry it home.

Monday morning. The whole of France is on holiday but not  the local womens cooperative. Aude,the decaratirce,and her shaven headed friend in bib overalls show up to do some plastering. They were supposed to be here in mid-May. '' Where are you going on holiday ? " I ask the tobacco chewing lady as she unloads a cement mixer from the back of the van. '' Holiday ? Too busy for holidays ! ". This said in a way that would lead you to believe it's only men who need vacations. Bob and Sophie observe their arrival and the building of the scaffolding in engrossed silence.

11 comments:

WFT Nobby said...

A garden pot that weighs more than I do. Angus, you have excelled yourself this year!
Cheers, Gail.

Bella Roxy & Macdui said...

We were afraid the cellar collection was going to be increased...oh, dear.

XXXOOO Daisy, Bella & Roxy

Unknown said...

Good luck with plastering. Better late than never. Have a marvellous Monday.
Best wishes Molly

VirginiaC said...

Well I must say that I like the "robust" cups, they're ideal for a healthy portion of onion soup.
I simply adore the huge 60 kilo pot (that took 2 CC's to lift to get it home)...if you ever get tired of it, you have my permission to send it to me....don't leave it in the cellar where it won't see the light of day. Thank you for giving the pottery guy a sale. It must be hard to pour your heart and soul into creating works of art, and then not be able to get them sold.
I love the ware with the blue flowers.
Thank your lucky stars that the ladies have finally shown up to do the plastering work.
Have a lovely day.

Whispering Walls said...

Winchester Cathedral hosting a pottery exhibition at the moment and the mortuary chests' (whose contents are being DNA tested) position in the quire has been usurped by tens of pots of various colours. Not a fan...

Kari said...

Take care with the giant pot's placement. You will have to move it again before winter or it will freeze and crack.
And do remember it's weight will increase substantially if filled with soi for planting. We don't want to hear you're being fitted for a truss.
Sophie thinks answered prayers.
Bob thinks let the digging fun begin!

Emm said...

Robust cups make good soup bowls. The gigantic pot is interesting, but caution on filling and placement essential. Sophie should be able to take care of the un-filling part.

Louise said...

Those peaches would do very nicely in the robust cups, sliced with a dollop of greek yoghurt and some granola sprinkled across the top.

Unknown said...

Silence? Are they OK? I approve the pottery choices; seems the day wasn't a waste despite the kiln fiasco.

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

Excellent selections.
Love the big pot!

JacksDad said...

It's so great that you're supporting your local artisans.