Andean Heights of Equador

This has been one of the highlights of the trip so far. We took a little detour off the Pan American highway and got a bus fron Latacunga to a liitle village higher again in the mountains to Zumbahua. It was a short taxi ride of 12km to Quilatoa. A Dormant volcano with the biggest lake in Equador at it´s centre. It took our breath away. We walked the rim and at 4000 mtrs it was tough enough on the ole lungs but the veiws were fab not only of the lake but also of the surrounding counrtyside. It was a patchwork of fields and Equador gives Ireland a run for it´s money with more than 40 shades of green. The hike took us three and a half hours and thankfully the cloud stayed away. On our way up on the bus we had travelled through thick cloud and were doubting our chances of veiws.

We then hitched a lift back to Zumbahua and got lucky with a family from Quito. He drove like a bat out of hell and with child in the back.  Car Safety is not a big issue over here. I have seen children sitting in the front no seat belts or on their mothers lap and dad is not driving slow. I don´t know what the stats are like for road accidents and I am not going to look them up but it is safer than India!!

 

Anyway we lucked out on our return to the village it seemed to be party Sunday in the main square which I think also doubles as the local sports pitch and market. There was a local band in the stands and then they had also hired in a swish looking band from the city. The music was jazz with plenty of brass on show which was quite surprising. It was a very jolly event with men and women dancing and drinking beer. Surrounding the square were women selling the beer and everyone was getting quite merry. The women are beautiful with their long dark hair hidden under felt hats, colourful shawls and velvet skirts.                           It was unusual to see the women holding onto bear bottles and pouring it into cups and drinking and spitting out the froth. We watched for  a while and then got our bus back to Latacunga.

We are now in Banos enjoying a little repreive from the alltitude and some water fun for a change. Will fill you in on another post.

Bus Journey’s In Columbia

Well we have been in Columbia almost a week and our main way of getting from place to place is on buses. We were a bit spoilt on our first bus trip from Bogota to Nieva. A super delux coach with air con blankets and pillows. They even videoed us before we set off not sure if that was in case we were kidnapped and could be identified???? We were entrtained with videos and even given food and drink ( a bottle of pop and savoury and sweet snacks). So we arrived in Nieva refreshed and well impressed with public transport. The next day we headed for San Agustin deeper south and in search of stone carvings. This bus was not quite as plush but got us to Pitialto where we got a connection into a Hi Lux with a driver who had the ultimate sexy fashion jacket and spent more time looking in the mirror at himself than the traffic.

We spent a couple of days in San Agustin and then headed further South to Pasto. The journey started with a layed back taxi to Pitialto and then a bit of a wait and another Hi Lux to Macoa and that was the beginning of a whole new experience. Firstly we were in the back of the truck and our driver fancied himself as Speedy Gonzalez. Yes it was a fast journey but my head and guts were not the better for it. It was a twisty road and plenty of potholes that were swerved around. I was not looking forward to the next leg of the journey.

After an hour I was feeling normal again and Paul got us onto a Mini bus instead of a Hilux. It would take a bit longer but for me I thought it would be a little calmer. It was calmer BUT we hit dirt track after 10km and it was twisty climbing and most of the time only room for one vehicle and if you did pass one it was a shear drop off the side. I am not normally a nervous passenger but I did think I might not see the end of this trip. What brought it more to the fore was that we then came apon a salvage crane blocking the road which was pulling up the remains of a bus that had gone over the edge. This delayed us for 2 hours and then the fun of trucks and buses wanting to pass. Our driver became posessed and took off like there was no tomorrow. It was as though he had to make up the lost time on this seriously twisty road and the light was fading. We did hit the tarmac again but not until we had endured 2 hours of nail biting road.Thankfully we got to Pasto by 10.30pm and a hotel was not too far away.

My final note is that why didn,t the guide book warn you about the road. It did say the journey was long but not why. I suppose if it did we might not have taken it!!!

South America Here I Come

Happy New Year to you all and hope you all had a good one and are all set for 2012. Yes I;m ready and the adventures are starting already. Myself and Paul are off today to Columbia and Ecuador for 6 weeks. Yahoo!!! I know how lucky are we it’s one of the major perks of being self employed and thankfully sales were good on the run up to Christmas to help fund it all.

So we fly out today and have a night over in Madrid to catch up with some friends of Paul’s and then on to Bogota. Not sure where we head after that or how we are not taking bikes this time but will probably pick them up somewhere along the way and lots of treking to be done.

Don’t worry will bore you all as the trip goes on and post up a few pics. Happy Days.

LAST MINUTE CHRISTMAS

Easy Christmas Gifts and Baking

  There are still 4 shopping days left until the the turkey lands on the table and all the presents are sitting under the tree.  Don’t stress because I have the perfect solution to your shopping dilemma’s.

The MADE in Kilkenny POP UP SHOP on Rose Inn Street will cater for all friends and family. A warm scarf from Cushendale Woolen Mills for Grandma or Dad. A generous mug for the tea and coffee drinkers. A glass bowl from Jerpoint Glass will look fantastic on any Christmas table. For the special lady in your life there are beautiful hat creations by the milliner Rebekah Patterson. 

So come and support your local craft enterprises  and meet the  helpful makers as you amble around the shop.

And for those of you that don,t have the time to make mince pies how about Danish Mince Pastries. They are so quick and easy.

All you need is ready rolled puff pastry and a jar of good homemade mince mixture. Lay out the pastry and spread the mince on top. Then roll it up like a swiss roll and put in the freezer for 2o mins. Then take it out and cut slices and put on a baking tray and pop them in a hot oven 180 oC/ Gas 6 for 20 mins.

Sprinkle a little icing sugar on top and put on a nice plate and serve.

I made these today and put them on my new Cake Stands. Yummy

CHRISTMAS POTTERY SALE

CRANNMOR POTTERY PRE CHRISTMAS SALE

It’s that time again when we are scratching our heads wondering what to buy for Christmas gifts.

Why not support local by buying an individually hand crafted piece of pottery.

I have lots of items to suit every budget  such as my new mugs for making hot chocolate, or maybe a cake stand for the home baker in the family.

There will be plenty to choose from and enjoy a mince pie and some non alcoholic mulled wine. Discount of 10-20% and free gift wrapping.

Starting on Friday 9th 12-7pm, Saturday 10am-6pm and Sunday 12-6pm.

Please tell your family and friends and I look forward to seeing you over the weekend.

DIRECTIONS

From Castlecomer: Take Paulstown road, fromAthy side of Castlecomer, travel for 4 miles to 2nd cross roads and turn left for Coolcullen. At T junction turn left and then take next right. I am on that road on the right.

From Carlow: Turn off Carlow Kilkenny road for Old Leighlin. Go through village and up hill until you get to the ridge Bar. Turn left and at the next cross roads turn right. after the bend I am the first house on the left.

CHRISTMAS IDEAS

HOT CHOC MOMENT 

Winter evenings have well and truely set in but      thankfully the snow has stayed away so far.  I have come up with a little indulgence to pass away a leisurely hour.

I have created a limited range in earthenware clay and have called it The Maple Range. The mug is a tall beaker with geometric patterns created using wax resist.

I have teamed the mug up with handmade chocolate cubes that are on a stick and are mixed with hot milk to create a hot chocolate moment. To make it extra special add marshmallows and a little splash of whiskey.

Find a comfy chair by the fire and relax and enjoy your hot chocolate moment.

The Hot Choc Moment comes in a box ready to wrap for Christmas with one of my hand thrown mugs and the chocolate stick. It has instructions of how to make your hot chocolate and to enjoy. The perfect Christmas gift for anyone for only €20.00.

I know it is technically winter but this morning I was in Glendalough with the sun shinning and the autumnal colours are still in strong evidence. Yes this is one of the perks of being self employed taking a few hours out of the day to enjoy some fresh air and soak up a beautiful part of t.he garden of Ireland.

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sonja Landweer at Visual

Today I took the afternoon off and went to Visual in Carlow to look at the Retrospective exhibition of Sonja Landweer. Yet again I am impressed with the space of the gallery and the work displayed takes up most of the gallery.

There is a selection of ceramics, bronzes, drawings, prints and jewellery and her work spans from the mid sixties to the present day.

I particularly liked the boldness of her bronze pieces and the beautiful patina effects that give these solid objects a sense of movement.

There is a large display of ceramic bowls and I see influences of Lucie Rie. They are thrown so finely with paper thin rims and wonderful earthy glazes.

In contrast to her sculpture forms she also creates very delicate  jewellery. There is a lot of use of feathers and fine nylon strands and sequin like beads.

It is a beautiful exhibition with a good volume of work for the visitor so if you have a spare moment don’t miss it.

Foodie Experience

Last Friday I had the wonderful experience of dining at Neven Maguires restaurant in Blacklion, Co. Cavan. It is well worth the six month waiting list and all at the table were hugely impressed.

Not only is the food an amazing sensation on the taste buds but the atmosphere is so warm and welcoming. The staff put their hearts into their work and it almost feels like you have stepped into your own home. Neven himself was there that night and had signed books for the ladies of the table and a genuine thank you. I can not recommend it highly enough it is well worth spoiling yourself to the McNeam House experience.

This weekend see’s another Savour Kilkenny  in the city, with cookery demonstrations and plenty of stalls supplying lots of tasty produce. Donal Skehan is one of the demonstrators and is working in conjunction with the crafts council. He will be using tableware supplied by local crafts people and yes he is using some of my Silk Range.

 

New Inspiration

Graffiti Range

This is a new range that I have been experimenting with on larger pieces. My Silk range is quite popular but for some people there is not enough colour. The Graffiti Range still has the base colour of the semi matt off white but with the looser decoration of slip trailed glazes purple and metalic brown.

I would welcome any feedback from folk on their thoughts on this new range. Like my other stoneware ranges it is dishwasher proof and good for the microwave and oven. This range will have the  influence’s of Italian and Spanish dinning with pasta bowls, serving dishes and tapas dishes.