Outing with the sharks

After the trials of hurricane Sandy, we eventually found ourselves once again in the Dominican Republic - 30 degrees and welcoming winds.  It was great to be back in the country we are going to be moving to.  After only a few hours back, we had made the decision to move out at the end of January. 

Playa Caleton

Only a few days into our holiday and I was able to try out my birthday present from Glenn - an underwater camera.  I am amazed at the capabilities of this little camera, as although the water was not completely crystal clear, I still managed to get a few shots of the fish swimming in the sea at  Playa Caleton along with a very odd looking creature!

First underwater shots, catching the fish before they swim away.

Point and shoot!

Odd fish.

Action shot ;)

Looking out to sea from Playa Caleton.

Gibraltar rocks!

Finding yourself in the middle of England at the end of Spain is a little disconcerting, but that's Gibraltar for you.  The weather was a welcome change from the grotty English weather we'd been having; the food lacking that Spanish feel we were expecting!

Above Catalan beach.

We had a few action packed days, walking the length and breadth of the peninsula, meeting the famous Barbary apes, and visiting the various tourist hotspots and not-so-hotspots in the form of a massive walk  down the Mediterranean steps! We spent our last day on Catalan beach, where we spent a good half an hour beachcombing, before braving the extremely (in my opinion) cold  late October sea.

Catalan beach, looking towards the Caleta Hotel.

Our most memorable trip was over to Morocco, where we had a guided tour of Tangier, traveling through all the different quarters,  and stopping for a traditional lunch and stroll around the colourful Medina.

Berber market day.

Weaving a different history in the magic carper bazaar.

Beautiful fresh fruit and vegetables for sale at the market.

The market is bustling with people.

Rumours and rustlings

Sitting here in the middle of hurricane Sandy, it's hard to believe that 2000 miles away in the Dominican Republic, the sun is blazing and there is a seafront hotel room waiting for Glenn and I.  We are currently riding out the storm just outside Newark Airport, staring out of the 5th floor window of our hotel shelter, and feverishly checking on news updates - a far cry from the life that awaits us in the sun. 

Apart from getting intimately acquainted with Sandy, which admittedly wasn't part of our initial plans, we were hoping for a business vacation, and to check up on the progress of the house...because, oh yes, we are planning to move out to the Dominican Republic, sometime in the new year! 

What's really exciting (apart from the fact that we will be moving to the Caribbean) is that I will be getting my own studio.  My life has taken on a new sheen, I'm feeling a bit like a butterfly, wings closed and waiting, ready to take my first flight!

Reaching Dunster beach

On my recent travels I found myself on the road back home from Minehead to London, remembering that I had visited Dunster Beach a few years before, I decided to make a detour and see if I could find some driftwood.  It was a beautiful day, and I just couldn't waste it by spending the whole day in my car!

Dunster Beach panorama.

One of my finds in amongst the sand and seaweed.

Merwood website

At last, the Merwood website is online! 

Huge thanks go to Tim Dale, who designed the website and took some stunning photographs of my work.  We have been through about 6 months of planning and designing, and it's finally done!

Hothouse taster day (Farnham)

The day started off as a rainy blur; the M25 was a nightmare, and after getting lost in the one way system in Farnham town centre, I was just a little late. As I entered Farnham Maltings, I was welcomed with a massive smile!  I needn't have worried about being late, and I soon settled down with a coffee, and an introduction to Hothouse taster day  run by the Craft Council.  It was a day full of very useful information, and lovely people.  At the end of the day the sun had made an appearance - according to my mini it was a staggering 19.5 deg C.  I walked up to the castle and just had to capture the May sunshine on my mobile... 

You Tube video

Thought I'd have a go at making a short film /slideshow of my figures.  I hopped onto imovie on my imac, and Bob's your biscuit, an hour later I had this up and running..