shrinkage

up before dawn this morning to light the second gas burner on the kiln after an overnight warm-up. in the kiln are the three last big pieces which were all just too tall to stand upright except in one spot. I packed them on their sides, and they don’t leave much space for anything else. the intention is to take the firing up to a higher temperature than normal for a biscuit firing, high enough to cause some shrinkage, so that when I glaze fire them they will be able to stand upright in the kiln. I talked to the manufacturer about the temperature at which this would happen, and they suggested 1150 C. apparently the crank clay has some nepheline syenite content, to make it less porous, and this will start to flux and cause shrinkage at the relatively low temperature.

luckily the weather has become quiet and clear, and it was a pleasure to be outside, even in pyjamas (plus a few extras like thick socks and sweater and coat). at 6:45 am the sky was navy blue with all the major stars showing, there was frost on the grass and no wind. it took until 2pm for the kiln to get up to temperature.

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we went out for a walk afterwards in the sun. there was still frost in the very sheltered spots along by the wood and on the track, and by the patch of woodland which faces North East towards the sea. the light was clear and warm in the sun, producing views of the sea from the top of the farm, and a lovely rich chocolate pudding colour on the new plough where the sugarbeet has recently been harvested.

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looking the other way from the green track, the shadows stretched right across the field three hours past midday.

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there is still bracken fountaining and sprawling along the edges of the track where the hedge shelters it; on the more exposed parts it is trampled into paths by the deer and other creatures who pass through the hedges and the ditch from one farm to the other.

bracken-sprawl.jpg

on our way back we passed an old flint wall covered in lichen which supports an overflowing orchard of fig trees, and some huge bright coral coloured rose hips. I couldn’t resist photographing them; I spent the morning choosing colours, trying to find an orange red colour we have in stock to replace one which is not yet available from the cashmere spinner. this is the very colour!

rosehips.jpg

2 Comments

  1. You really missed your calling as a naturalist photographer. How many times shall I say that your photos are amazing? I sound like a broken record.

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