Goodbye to our space rocket

We have lived with a feed silo outside our kitchen window for the last year, and I've grown very fond of it. I've had dreams of painting it stipes of red and white - to look like the space rocket from the frint of one of the first TinTin books. But, instead, we sold it off. A man came with a big lorry and took it away at the weekend. A fond farewell (- if one can be fond of a feed silo...)

Spring is here - so it must be 'end of year'

As spring takes hold, activity on the farm is picking up. The muck collected over the winter has been spread on the fields and harrowed in to fertilise the grass for the next year. Daffodils are just about to burst forth, and the lambs will soon be in the fields. A magical time – and looking forward to sharing it with our son!

Random picture – a wonderful multicolour trailer parked up in a neighbours field. I’ve always been drawn in by the overpainted depth of colour…
I’m waiting on the lawnmower coming back from servicing. It’s a small ride-on, and I think I pushed it too hard last year, poor thing. It’s been in lawnmower hospital for a couple of weeks now; hope it’s let out soon, as it’s about time for the first cut.

Financial year coming to an end in the next few weeks – deep joy. Trying hard to chase up on the paperwork (remember remember - always get an invoice…). It has been a very ‘steep learning curve’ over the last few years, but with some explanations from some very patient accountants I think we are starting to get the hang of it.

Celia Smith’s wire sculpture course has already been booked up for this year. It’s a great feeling to be getting the ball rolling on the courses and putting the extra space at the gallery into a ‘creative’ use.

Tractor Barn coming to life

When we expanded the gallery we converted the old barn where we kept the tractor into 'flexible space' with the aim of using it for meetings and workshops. During 2009 we were so busy (thanks son) that we weren't able to dedicate the time to get the ball rolling. This year, things are starting to take shape; it feels good to see the space filled with people.

Last week the Moors and Coast Tourism Partnership held a networking meeting, and we have our first 'corporate clients' renting the space in a few weeks. Debbie has arranged course and workshops throughout the year, many by makers who are showing at the gallery (if you would like a place on Celia Smith's wire sculpture course you'll need to hurry - only 2 places left...)

It's a good feeling to be linking up with other businesses in the area - with the catering being arranged by Fine Foods of Yorkshire - the award winning deli in Easingwold. The more excuses I have sample their fantastic food the better!

Art of chocolate

Last week I headed out to Switzerland to visit an historic chocolate factory in the mountains north of Lake Geneva. A new centre dedicated to developing artisanal chocolates has opened in the top floor of the old factory and I am lucky to work with this team as part of my 'day job' as a chocolate scientist.

While there I had the chance to take part in a tasting session. What struck me most was not the flavours or textures (which were indeed sublime) but the amazing appearance of the pralines, truffles and chocolates. As part of my work I've made a few basic chocolates, but their creations showed a level of appreciation of form, combined with a mastery of the raw materials that goes beyond simply 'making chocolates'. Depsite being artistic creations, they were still designed to be eaten - and this touches on the long running form vs function debate. (I valiantly put such a debate to one side while sinking by teeth into yet another chocolate creation...)

Farewell to Spike...

The Lund will have a very different personality in the future, as last week we said our final farewell to Spike – our collie/whippet cross. He was out faithful friend for 14 years, and visitors to the gallery have been welcomed by Spike since we first opened four years ago (more enthusiastically in the last few months as he gradually became hard-of-hearing…).

He had a wonderful life, moving from the wilderness of the North Pennines, to rural Bedford, and finally having free range of Lund Farm into his old age. He will be greatly missed.

Northumberland Beach Holiday

Just back from a wonderful weeks holiday in Northumberland; our first holiday with our son. The back door of the holiday cottage opens out onto a wide expanse of sand, with the waves crashing close to the back door when the tide is in. Most days were spent drifting from breakfast to coffee to lunch and on through the day while watching the tides drift in and out. It was a very welcome break. Debbie spent time with sketch book, pen and paint, with the view from the kitchen being a continuing source of inspiration.

While we were away, I tried the boiler out on pellets (rather than wood chip) with the hope it would burn for a whole week on one hopper. As we pulled in back at the Lund following our week away there was a thin stream of smoke from the chimney – a big relief. We’ve also taken a bulk delivery of freshly chipped pine, still trying to find the best fuel for the burner. A balance between price, moisture content, chip size, and whether it’s in bags, bulk bags or tipped. This was tipped, and I still can’t get my head around how the driver managed to get such a huge tractor and trailer into such a small space.

We open the doors to the gallery again on the 6th Feb. The timing feels right; we’ve had time to redecorate, bring in some new and exciting work, have a family break and a ‘breather’, and return refreshed and ready to head into 2010.

… and the cabbages seem to have made it through the winter. Amazing.

Snow and a New Lick of Paint

Like many people across the country, we’ve been out with the camera capturing some images of the amazing snow and ice. This is our first Christmas living at the Lund, and it’s magical to have such a dramatic snowscape.

A lucky escape for Debbie… shortly after walking out of a shed next to our house, the shed roof collapsed with a suitably dramatic creaking, crashing, thud. The weight of snow was just too much for its old wooden frame – it was second hand when it arrived here many decades ago, so it's had a good life. Looking on the bright side, we’ll have a cracking view out of our front room when the carcass is hauled away…

We’ve taken the plunge with the roller and paintbrush over the last few days. Following four years of a white and grey ‘neutral’ gallery space, we’ve decided to warm things up with a bit of colour. White was the easy option when we opened, and of course it’s very traditional ‘gallery’ colour – but it feels great to be adding some warmer tones on some of the walls.

As for my veg - I am trying to be optimistic, but it will be a hardy cabbage that lives through this:

The snow might look nice, but as for many people it can also be an inconvenience. I was hoping to head on a roadtrip – picking up new work from the south coast, Bath, and Cumbria. But with the next wave of snow and ice heading in, it’ll be on hold for at least a couple of days.

With such a cold spell, I’ve been keeping fit by feeding the boiler with woodchip; it’s eating a full hopper every day. So I may be buying in some high energy density wood pellets for the next few weeks to make life a little easier.