Alan needed to consult and socialize with archaeology colleagues in Victoria last week so we opted to take the ferry over there for two nights and stay with friends Denis and Kim.

While Al was at the University of Victoria, recently-retired Kim offered to be my chauffeur for the morning. We drove first to Oak Bay Avenue so that I could deliver a new selection of earthenware pots to Eclectic Gallery.

There were some jugbirds left after the Shuffle and the owner asked for yunomis, bowls and plates as well. The photos show what I took in. Astonishingly, when Al and I dropped by to meet Chris the next day, most were carefully placed around the gallery alongside complementary pieces, and more fun, FOUR had sold in 24 hours!

http://eclecticgallery.ca/products.html

Kim and I gallery-hopped along the avenue, finding lunch in an Italian deli next door to Winchester Gallery. Outside there was a delightful and enormous Joe Fafard Rooster and inside I stole a photo of this fine Fafard Moose and his shadow. There were jars of ceramic pickles by Vic Cicansky, elegant forms by Mary Fox and much more. On the way down the back staircase I found these colour woodcuts by WJ Hughes. We are always enchanted by his work.

After leaving Oak Bay Avenue Kim and I drove to the nearby Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, along leafy streets of elegant homes. My next blog will show photos of pots, yes, pots in a municipal art gallery!

Since we came home I’ve had to turn around and prepare for my next adventures. First I needed to get some more slab plates made so that they can be drying and perhaps bisqued very soon for a hoped-for Raid in mid-July.

Then I wanted to get some more Shino glaze mixed up as a liner glaze for my upcoming salt firing workshop in Lund. Tomorrow I’ll pick up my bisqued stoneware pots from Jackie’s studio in Mergatroid building, bring them home to be liner-glazed and carefully packed. On Thursday I’ll take an early ferry to the Sunshine Coast, stay in Madeira Park, then take another morning ferry further north to join the others in Lund to get that salt kiln packed.

This was Canada Day weekend. I hope you all had a fine holiday!