February

Nothing much to report except the US shooting down a huge Chinese balloon and Germany and others have agreed to send tanks to Ukraine.

The snowdrops have finally come up but that is all. No blossom or helebore. 

British gas frustrating as the smart meter isn't working and I'm racking up huge credits which they won't refund.

But I have done this picture of a house up the East coast of NSW - really for the Jacarandas.

Also am in touch with Vereeniging and wonder if any of the people I was at school with in 1951 are still around. I have lost the photo but do have some names.

Here is a map of the situation in Ukraine to compare to last year.

Zelensky has been to the UK, France and the EU trying to get fighter jets, so far only training has been offered.

There has been a terrible earthquake in Turkey and Syria - expecting to have over 20,000 deaths. the political situation has made it all much worse with Assad still being sanctioned and probably stealing aid that does come. 

My first pots from the new course with Sue Drew. Experimenting with different clays and glazes.

Spent the day in Witney, collecting pictures that have been framed, dropping off stuff at Tom, tea with Sue Desebrock, we were both in Huffkins waiting for each other and did so for a while until I suddenly realised that the person across from me was also waiting!

Took Darcey to Burford Garden Centre for a birthday treat, she chose candles from Rob and dried flowers from me so I added in some chocolates in a nice tin. She was delightful company. I have bought the family a Lego bouquet to make.

On the 20th still no refund from BG also the Govt has given all those who don't have gas, ie have some alternative heating a gift of £200.

Today suddenly there are white lines outside our driveways. I think negotiated by Helen. Should keep people off the kerbstones.

24th the anniversary of Putin's invasion of Ukraine. A minute's silence sitting in Waitrose. Was just misrecognised as a 70 year old.

Completed the catalogue of my ceramics with the help of Sheila who took most of the photos and helped with the listing. Of course I could not remember some of the makers, mainly the Japanese whose pots I bought after the Fukushima earthquake when so many kilns were destroyed.