It has been a busy time in Docs Den, and I have at last completed the Navy Sword display case for a friend. It’s not perfect but, as one of my boatbuilding tutors Bob Forsyth says, “We seek perfection, but accept what God gives us.”

Certainly, varnishing is not my strongest suit, but I am improving, which is the most important thing – well that’s what I tell myself! The aim is to get it looking – to quote another tutor – Barnaby Sheppard, “like a sucked lozenge.”

Just over a week ago, I did a two day woodturning course at the Wood Turning Shop, learning from Les Thorne how to do spindle work and bowls. Going back to basics, I learnt a lot about basic tool handling techniques, and now understand why the gouges kept digging in – not that I am never going to get ” catch” again … I just hope they’ll be a lot less frequent! Over the two days, we made a bud vase, a bowl and a lidded box:

Woodturning, like so many crafts, requires practice, practice, and then some more … practice. So, I have been working away at my dad’s old lathe, turning out (pun intended) some pieces, and trying to embed the learning.

Here are a few pieces from the last week:

Of course, the other thing required – in addition to lots of practice – is some more tools! Today is my birthday, and I have been given a new spindle gouge by Siobhan and David, which I look forward to using. Darryl and Libby gave me a super picture of our dayboat, and Sylvia continued the Gin theme.

First prize, for the stand-out birthday card of the year, goes to my brother, Darryl, who always excels at lowering the tone:

Well, I hope that made you smile as well as groan! And, I hope that, in these sad and difficult times, you can find things to smile and laugh about, and that things turn out well for all of us in 2021.