Finally Open

After a few delays I have opened the craft Gallery at Bentley. It still needs some more products - a rocking horse wouldn't go amiss - but it's open for business.
Just a shame that this bank holiday it decided to thunder and rain a lot, so most people stayed away.

Anyway here's what it looked like before:







And now it looks like this:

Prague

Ann and I spent last weekend in Prague.
The best part by far is the Old Town, lined with historical and colourful architecture, and more churches than you can shake a stick at (should you want to try). The old town square also features an Astronomical Clock. The ornate clock shows the movement of the sun and the moon through zodiac signs and at every hour has a display which is of coursed watched by all the visiting tourists.

I have to say I was a little dissappionted with the movement, expecting something more animated and exciting, but still worth a watch should you be there.

The 13th century Charles Bridge (Karluv Most) with its smoke-blackened statuary is today lined with musicians, sourvenir vendors and of course generally crowds of tourists. The most famous statue is the oldest, that of Jan Nepomuk, and Is said to give you good luck if you touch it.
The bridge offers a beautiful view of Prague, day and night.

On Saturday we saw a man cleverly manipulating a clown marionette to play the guitar.

You can visit his website here:

May 10th 2005

The Law of Sod

Today whilst trying to get finished 3 pairs of double doors before going away to Prague, what happens?

The Planer breaks its drive gear.

Much annoyance and swearing followed....

May 5th 2005

Hopefully on June 10th I will be filmed puppeteering for an upcoming BBC Drama about Elizabeth I.

A few weeks ago I was called by David Morris, a props buyer for the BBC. He originally wanted me to make some marionettes for the film but the brief then changed to shadow puppetry. The story is to be George and the Dragon. I have quoted for the job which will be one days filming in Chastleton House, as well as making the puppets, screen, frame and background.

I was hoping to get a call from the director (Cokey Giedroyc) today to discuss in more detail what is required as time is ticking along but I would imagine she has a lot to do at the moment as I believe that filming may have already begun.

I had plenty to do finishing the doors for Leyden house, hopefully I will fit at least one pair tomorrow

Bentley Craft Gallery

Went to Bentley today and worked on the craft gallery. Hung a glazed door that I picked up second hand while Ann gave the walls another coat of paint. Started to lay some laminate floor but didn't get it all down, will have to finish off tomorrow or Monday. Still didn't seem very busy, given that it was a nice sunny day and a bank holiday weekend.