Bartimaeus

We set off promptly to avoid the worst of the weather. We had expected an early clear window, but it was mizzling. It was probably still the best we would get.

We passed the twin bottle kilns moorings and  then spotted a moorhen that only had one leg, hopping around the bank. I wonder if that affects it when swimming. It didn't look too sorry for itself.

We could see a fisherman ahead. I wondered if they should fish from moorings but there was a long line of empty  moorings so it wasn't an issue really. Then we saw that there was a line of anglers too, stretching round the corner. It seemed a bad day to choose to fish and they all seemed evenly spaced. As we passed the first one we asked if it was a competition. Indeed it was. He didn't look happy with the weather but exchanged a few friendly words. Despite the higher than usual stakes, all of the fishermen spoke to us and smiled. Some of them specifically thanked us for passing smoothly and steadily, not stirring up the water. One added that they really appreciated it even if they didn't always say so. We told him we had indeed been told so by some others.  We certainly didn't want to spoil their fun. and I wasn't sure they were even having so much fun today, being forced out on a rainy day. They all had umbrellas up. The last one had a specific request to drive nearer him if we could, because then we wouldn't disturb the far side where his bait was and his long rod would be dangling over there. It was nice to have had a pleasant exchange with every one. One even mentioned that sometimes they didn't speak as they were lost in concentration.

We could soon see a large supermarket near the park. I jumped off with a rucksack and went to get a few things. I always get more than I expect. One staff member helped me find soya sauce. She was doing another job but kindly walked me all the way to the correct aisle and pointed it out before returning to heaving trolleys full of bottles around. At the checkout the man paused the conveyor belt when I was rearranging things in the bag and talked about people de-boxing at the till to make room. For a change there was not a queue and he was happy to wait and not rush me, and give me time to catch up - plus it gave him a scanning break. They don't usually have time to stop and chat.

Shane had spotted a 'hidden gem' museum inside a bottle kiln. We made our way there in the rain and found the museum free and unstaffed. We had to sign in to get a fob to use the toilet and we added we would be at the museum then. The exhibits were from another china ware company. There had been considerable archaeological digging to piece together the history and the china.

Some of the techniques were explained and a few tools were on show.

Cute as the idea of using the bottle kiln as the museum, it came with the  disadvantage that it was leaking a bit and not easy to reach the source. We stepped around the drips as went upstairs to see more. Bottle ovens are quite tall as ovens go.

Upstairs we found a specific display about the adaptation of he business in war time...not just the world wars but Napoleonic and Crimean and others. This display included two spouted teapots commissioned to speed up serving tea to troops. We wondered how well that worked. Were they hit or miss?

There were models of service men and Florence Nightingale. In the 18th century Ottoman empire 'Turquerie' figures were popular and went on in being made for several decades. 

The different international alliances were interesting to read about as we went round and then there was the absence of pattern, as utility ware came out. Invalids ranges were allowed then too. Innovative ideas were always being tried. A teapot where the lid cannot fall off was advertised and there was a prototype electric kettle.

Getting chilly, we went in search of lunch and pleased to find the cafe served savoury as well as sweet. The man serving us seemed unsure of the tea names and procedures. Another member of staff with Down's syndrome explained that this person was new. Both were very friendly but  the newbie didn't seem to catch on when we were double checking our order as we weren't sure he had it right. The more experienced staff member who brought our lunch to the table when it was ready did seem to know better how everything went and communicated clearly. The cafe had a very relaxed and friendly atmosphere and we enjoyed our filled Staffordshire oatcakes.

The rain was heavier as we left. The wind was getting up too. The storm was brewing. It was hard to check the map in the rain and we were coming back a different way. We passed the brightest thing around in that weather on our way back to the boat.

It was a good afternoon to be indoors and I managed to complete the scarf I have been doing on and off as an easy carry, easy to remember pattern alongside other projects.

Pattern names are often about places, seasons and feeling. This one is named after a conversation between the knitwear designer and her husband, a chemist, who took to asking her to supply undyed wool and experimenting with dyes. When she asked him why he had started doing this he said "to be close to you". He wanted to do a hobby that connected with hers even if he couldn't knit.

That's something out of the way. We need to go to meet Bryn, in the rain, since all his connections have gone smoothly.