FInished now

At last plastering finished new window designed and fitted painted and varnished ready to go. I did have some video footage of the latter part of construction but unfortunately the files were too large and couldn't be uploaded. The window was made by printing an actual image of stained glass onto very thin copy paper. This was then soaked in Mod Podge the wonder glue and sealer. I then sandwiched between two separate pieces of glazing and fitted it behind the window. I thought this was  most effective as the paper controls the light the detail is as good as my image and it has a very soft and delicate appearance. My earlier attempts were I admit poor and amateurish, the colours being painted on and far to garish. Still on to the  next one now, which will be some old canal side terraces included a back street Pub, the canal and a small stretch of narrow gauge railway line leading to a canal loading yard . This time I shall make sure the footage will upload so I can show you what is going on as it is happening. Thanks.

Rocking and Rollin

Not much to write tonight, am watching BBC 4, a number of fantastic progs telling the story of rock and roll. Just watched the Bill Haley and the Comets story. What a fantastic period, I am so glad I am a dinosaur and old enough to say Yes I was a alive then and kicking! 

The Roaring Twenties

My good friend and neighbour Jim O'Neil , who has given me immense support with my Heritage work over the years, has come up trumps yet again. Jim never fails to amaze me how he can , without warning, conjure up collections of archive images , whilst I, more often than not plunder the internet and  antique shops often to no avail. Here are two super images , of the Paddle Steamer La Marguerite and a motor bus outing to the Doone Valley and Lynton and Lynmouth.
My word, I fear for the lives of those intrepid day trippers circumnavigating the infamous Porlock Hill. The poor driver having to rely on mechanical brakes must have had his foot riveted to the pedal.

I am wondering if the Lady wearing the fruit bowl, sorry hat ! in the centre of the back row, is acting chaperone to the young couple enjoying footsies under the travel blanket.
" My dear Felicity, I don't wish to dither, but pledging my troth I must reconsider, your father is breathing down my neck and its doing my Head In !!!"

Hidden Eyes

And as I walked through the  foggy winding alleyways, the eyes of fishermen lost, followed every footstep I made, over cobbles steeped in ancient folk lore , through low arches and up granite steps. And then as I was aware of the cold sweat pouring down my aching back, I found the safety of the  cottage, and realised that I had turned the colour off on  Paint Shop Pro and decided to watch the Liverpool V Stoke game instead of any further day dreaming.

1960s Coast Line

Yesterday I took delivery of around 500 35 mm transparencies of mixed subjects, but all from the early to mid 1960s. They are taken partly in the West Country and there are also many quite pleasant shots of the Scottish Highlands. As expected there is a variety of mixed hues, Agfa, Kodak and Ilford plus some Top Rank and Ferranicolour. It is incredible how the characteristics of old colour stock are the same according to the type of film. The Ilford seems to have kept its colour but has faded overall, while the Agfa stock has a definite  Magenta cast which is proving troublesome to remove. This needs to be done before I can add them to the main archive. However as a measure of desperation I have turned the colour off on a small number thus making them Black and White, in addition I have added a soft focus effect to one or two purely as an experiment. I don't agree with image manipulation but as long as the image stays as it was taken I think a softening effect is OK on this occasion.

Getting Plastered

The time consuming work of plastering the Church Is done and know I can look forward to painting the stone work, releasing those delightful textures , with firstly a light grey base coat and then a mixture of Ochres and the occasional daub of cadmium orange to give that age impression. When I have coloured sufficient individual stones the whole building will have two coats of mat varnish, At that point the windows with their tracery will be fitted, not forgetting the all important  stained glass window at the rear.
More Images to come soon.

How sweet you are

Dear St David’s Clinic,

I thank you for your recent letter, inviting me to attend the clinic, in respect of my recent blood tests for the second part of my diabetic review. I take notice of your comments, “There is no need for alarm.” This pleases me, as, taking into account the time in which you take to answer your telephone, I estimate that I will be able to attend in approximately 50 years’ . At which point I fear, blood sugars will not be an issue, but the question of fertiliser shall.

Yours in sugary bliss

Jan Preece