Alan took photos of the finished work on Thursday, I packed them the next day and on Saturday my neighbours, sisters, flew to England for a holiday in Cambridge. How fortuitous is that? Primavera has now notified me that the pots have been delivered.

Back in July Jeremy Waller was pleased with my jugbirds and asked me to get some more to him by now so that he could include them in his stand at ‘Innovations in Ceramic Art’. I had other orders to fill when I got home so in the end there are only five to add to my collection there, but I hope that they’ll make a good display with the earlier ones. In particular I was anxious to create some new or bigger pieces. He now has the largest Peregrine Falcon jugbird.

But a number of people had wondered if I ever make ducks. Duck bills don’t make for very good spouts! Nevertheless I threw a body, head and parts for bill and feathers for a duck. My plan was to have him swimming not standing. As I completed the shape I decided that it would make a much better Flower Brick than Jug so I cut holes for flowers instead of attaching a handle. Now that he’s painted and glazed I feel quite happy with the result and have included him in my UK group.

Here the only people to see him before I packed him up were Al, Tony and me. For sure I will make some more.

The other three jugbirds are a Puffin, a Rainbow Lorikeet and an English Blue Tit.

Meanwhile I shall wait with much interest to hear how the Primavera stand is received at this first major Clay event in Cambridge, at the Guildhall. I would love to be able to attend the two-day event, listen to yet another Walter Keeler presentation and wander past the stands and meet all the major British ceramic artists there.