Take two, week one

Hello Everyone,

I am glad to be back safely in Wales after an enjoyable month at home in the good ol' "603" (NH). I left Logan on Jan. 22 and arrived in Wales on the 23rd. My parents and my boyfriend Dan saw me off at the airport. I checked my suitcase and had a big backpack full of Stonewall Kitchen syrup, jam, etc (mostly in glass) and homemade fudge as gifts for my friends here. When I went through security the guy told me I had to check it as it contained liquids. Rushing as not to miss my flight, I left security, checked the bag, saw Dan one last time and finally boarded. It was a 6 hour flight but with the time change it was much longer, over 12 hours. I watched a few movies and tried unsuccessfully to sleep. When we finally landed in London I was exhausted.
Next came the dreaded inquisition that is called "customs". On my first trip, the customs officer gave me a difficult time. He asked me loads of questions and seemed not to believe that I was really coming to the country to study with a master potter. He treated me like I was a criminal immigrant but eventually let me in. This time, Phil had written a letter on my behalf explaining that I was not being paid and that I would be leaving in three months. Confident this would convince them of my innocence, I walked up to the counter, knackered but hopeful. I was met by a sour faced Indian-English woman who was even worse than my former interrogator. She asked how much money I had and told me it wasn't enough although I assured her it was enough last time. She asked me over and over the purpose of my trip. I spoke honestly as I had nothing to hide but she talked to me as if she suspected me of being a terrorist or something. After reading Phil's letter (which did not seem to impress her) she said she needed to talk to her boss. I started to panic thinking they might not let me in the country. After what seemed like forever she came back. After a bit more interrogation she finally stamped my passport with some special stamp and grunted at me to pass though. Phew! That was close! I found my way to the baggage claim and pulled my suitcase and backpack off the conveyor belt. Much to my chagrin, my yellow backpack was all bluish-purple. Sure enough, a bottle of blueberry syrup meant for Phil was smashed and got all over everything! Also, a small glass tube of tea tree oil had broken and a pot meant as a gift for the Rogers. If only I had taken a few minutes to pad all the stuff. I felt like drop-kicking the whole sticky mess across the airport but instead, I calmly brought it into the bathroom and cleaned it up, reeking of blueberries and tea tree oil. Thank God for the kindness of strangers; a kindly Latino janitor gave me some paper towels and a garbage bag to line my juicy, sticky backpack with.
I had pre-bought a train ticket that left London at 10:45 and it was only 6:30. With luggage in tow I plopped down on a bench and let out a defeated sigh. A smartly dressed black man sitting next to me asked if I was alright. I told him of my traveling woes and he chuckled. We chatted for a bit and he showed me where I could catch my train. Eventually I took the tube to the London Euston station where I had to wait more. Again, a kind stranger, a businessman on his morning commute, offered to carry my heavy suitcase up a terribly long set of stairs. I must have looked as weary as I felt!
After a few changes, I was finally on the train to Caeswrs, Wales. Remember on my last journey the doors wouldn't open when I was meant to get off there? I prayed that wouldn't happen. It didn't....something worse did. I drifted off into a much needed sleep. I awoke with a start and realized with dread that I had slept past Caeswrs and was at a place call Mccuntlytth (all very hard to pronounce). I got off there and tried to call Lynne. She did not have her phone but Phil answered and said he would try to get a hold of Lynne. After about 1 1/2 of waiting in the train station, Lynne walked in the door and said,"Come on you". Finally, I was almost home!
It was good to be back. Libby and Tess nearly knocked me over in their excitement. Phil was in the workshop making jugs. He said I was probably the only person who missed the stop at Caeswrs twice. He said he was glad to have me back. He was even more glad when I brought out all the goodies I had for them. Up the stairs one last time with my heavy bags and I was in my old room. The bed looked so inviting but I knew I had a few hours yet before I could become reacquainted with it. We had a nice dinner of ratatouille and watched East Enders. I called it an early night at eight pm and slept straight through until 11 am the next day! I had after all missed out on an entire night's sleep.
Since I have been away for a month Phil has a lot for me to do. I mixed up some slip for him and moved a load of pots that he is planning on putting in a solo show in March. It is in St. Ives, England. They are re-opening the Leach pottery so we will be going down for three days to attend all the events. I am hoping to meet lots of people there. I had to take an inventory of the nearly eighty pots, numbering them and writing descriptions. Phil and I photographed some pots, mostly Shimaoka pots who was a pupil of Hamada. Shimaoka just passed away in December I think. Phil will have quite a few of his pots in the Hamada sale. They will probably be in high demand now that the artist has passed on. Lisa Hammond delivered four soda fired jugs that I made and fired at her studio in London. I posted pictures of them on my website www.karispottery.com.
The weather here has been quite a change from back home. It has been mild in the 50's although quite breezy. Before I came there was some heavy rain and even flooding in the midlands. That has since stopped, thankfully. Phil and Lynne will be traveling to New York this week for nine days. Phil is doing a two day workshop at Clay Art Center in Port Chester. I will watch the house and the pups although two of the Rogers friends, John and Sue will be here with me for about five days. I will have a lot of time to do my own work. Phil has left me a to do list as well. I am looking forward to getting back into throwing this week. All kinds of new ideas are flying around in my little potter brain.
Phil is doing much better he has physical therapy once a week and has even been having acupuncture although he says he has more faith in the drugs. He has been teasing me mercilessly and can't seem to take it when I dish it back at him. Tonight Lynne said,"Now get along children". We do have loads of fun though. I made a nice chicken soup this afternoon. I popped in a Katie Meloa cd Phil made for me and happily chopped up veggies and the like. Katie Meloa is a very talented singer Phil introduced me to last time I was here. I like her music very much. Well, Monday morning comes early so I best be getting ready for bed. I'm still catching up on my sleep and have been unusually tired the past four days. Until next week...

Take care,
Kari