2 Sep 16'
"A wonderful day last weekend at Snelsmore Common, Newbury, on a spoon carving course, with Vallis Green Woodworking. From a log of Poplar to spoon (actually a spatula, now in use mixing my ponies’ feeds) in a few hours, splitting the log, using a handaxe to define shape, then paring & curved knives for shaping and carving bowl (though the spatula didn’t need much carving). I’m their first student to have completed a fully tooled spoon - ie finished off by knife, not sandpaper! Very chuffed!! Fab instruction from Nigel Wylie, spoon carver extraordinaire and great to watch Simon Vallis working his magic with green wood in many ways. Both men are wonderful, peaceful souls, truly working in harmony with their environment and materials. Apart from a couple of thunderstorms (which meant tools down & under cover as lightening prefers sharp metal) there was a real sense of peace and serenity working amongst the trees, like being in a natural cathedral. Plenty of hot water for drinks courtesy of the wood fire, plus carrot cake topped the day off! In the words of Arnie...”I’ll be back!""