Alan and I returned from our latest adventure just over a week ago. This time we joined a tour of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. Al was anxious to make a return visit to some of the fabulous Mayan archaeological sites and to see some that have been revealed since he was there many years ago. I had never been there. Part of the fun for me was trying to take photos of many new and exotic birds. We are sorting out our hundreds of photos and will share some of them soon.

But we missed some lovely early Spring weather here. People in the rest of Canada are quite jealous of our good fortune. So, as soon as we got home I started on a little project I’ve had in mind over the Winter. I’ve been collecting old bricks, some were found here in our house last year and others have been scrounged from a neighbour’s renovation, and today I finished arranging them as a flower bed border. Just being outside, hearing the birds, seeing bees and admiring the first Spring flowers is such a pleasure.

Half a dozen leather-hard jug birds were waiting for my attention so I’ve painted a spotty Flicker, an English Blue Tit, and today a new Chickadee and a Goldfinch. I also made up a few more slump slab plates to complete a batch ready for another ‘Raid’. A group of five artists have asked to spend the day here again, painting plates, this Thursday.

And a reminder for my fellow BC Potters Guild members, and other potters; on Friday evening the ‘Dig This’ BC Clay artists’ show opens at the Gallery of BC Ceramics 5-7pm. That will be followed with a lecture at ECU by all four at 7.30pm. Unfortunately I won’t be able to attend that but I shall certainly be spending all day on Saturday at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, Burnaby. ‘Dig This’ will be all day and then there’s the BCPG’s 60th Anniversary Celebration Dinner at 5.30pm. Buy your tickets now!

So I’ll have several interesting events to blog about after the weekend.