By 8am on the Tuesday, just over a week ago, we five were taking out the inner brick door of the kiln. Nancy and Gordon joined us to watch and later Jan and Ron, the local wood-firing potters, came to see our results too.

We were pleased with the orange peel and colours overall but I expect we reserved real study until after we each got home. Very quickly the pieces were lifted out, from both front and back, and set on the long table. There was some time to consider other people’s ideas, shapes and colours, but amazingly we were on our way to the first ferry by about 11 am.

Just as we do at the Shadbolt soda firings, we donned masks and gloves and speedily tackled the scraping of shelves. Kiln wash was applied to them and to door bricks and left to dry. Jackie was making fresh cone packs for her next firing while we packed up all our goodies. Jackie took Helen’s pieces back to West Vancouver for her.

Packing our belongings and clearing out the kitchen was done efficiently and all that was left to do was say our farewells.

Thank you Jackie for including me in this, your ninth firing of this kiln. You know I’ve been hoping to have some more pieces fired solely in salt for a while, and I shall treasure these pots. Most are intended just for me, or for gifts – although some may find their way to Circle Craft one day soon. Today I checked my notes and have learned more about which of your sprayed slips produce which colour. Coincidentally I heard from Fredi at Shadbolt that I can register for a soda firing in November so I will now have a number of new ideas to try out in that kiln, with soda. I did enjoy the workshop, noting Jackie’s meticulous process in preparing work, kiln loading and the firing, as well as the throwing demonstrations. The required waiting time for the kiln to cool was not a hardship in such a beautiful setting. I feel as if I have had a great getaway, fine food, really comfortable accommodation, plus we fired a salt kiln. Sounds like the perfect holiday!

Thank you also to Tidal Art Centre founder and owner Nancy Jeakins and her husband Gordon. I did enjoy getting to know you, and really am awed by the beautiful art centre you have created. I hope I shall have an excuse to find it again one day, to see a show in the gallery or check out the evolution of the clay facilities.

My drive home was fine. I only stopped in at Sliammon village to see the canoes lined up for races, found a store selling locally made clothing in the ‘townsite’ market by Powell River mill and met the other potters at each of the ferry line-ups.

It’s been a busy week here in Port Moody, which included the bisque firing of a dozen plates, and today six ‘Raiders’ were here all day to paint said plates. Some will need to be glaze-fired asap to be included in our upcoming show on Bowen Island in August.

Tomorrow I’ll try to find time to post good photos of all my sixteen salty pieces. Glad Al took them as I have allowed one to go to its new home in Strathcona this afternoon!