More from Shelburne Farms

This is the homestead on the Shelburne property which was built in 1899. It is now used as a visitor centre and for entertainments. These tall chimneys have been there for well over one hundred years so there could not have been any major earthquakes during that time. The outlook from the house and garden is over the very beautiful Lake Champlain.

Shelburn Farms, Vermont.

While I was in Vermont Christine and Robert took me to visit the Shelburne Farms. This wonderful old farm complex with its majestic buildings and settings is well worth a visit if you are ever anywhere near. To taste the two year old mature cheddar cheese made there was great - I wish I could have brought some home with me. I hope you can read the plaque as the information is very informative.

The Covered Bridges of Vermont

I had seen pictures of these bridges before and always thought that the cover was to keep snow off the deck but Robert tells me that it was to protect the wooden deck from rain and to stop the deck rotting. They are most attractive whatever the reason for the covers. Robert is in the photo to give a scale to the bridge.

Old Building, Vermont

Maybe a potter lived nearby but he was not at home - only the chooks to greet us. The old building was large but was on a great lean and, I doubt that it was being used although an aluminium ladder was placed by a small entry door. Can't say I would want to work inside such a building.

Potter at Lincoln, Vermont

Christine and Robert took me to visit Judith Bryant at Lincoln, Vermont. Judith is the one with the apron on with her friend, whose name I cannot remember, together with Robert and myself. Judith makes lovely porcelain wares with very delicate colours, like this plate, and decorations in blue and also black. They were very well fired and quite shiny which made them rather hard to photograph.

My Very Good Friends

My good friends Christine and Robert and some of the colour around their lovely property. I still have more to show of the Bristol, Lincoln and Burlington area of Vermont which I hope you will enjoy. I have had computer problems but I hope all is well again now.

Some of Robert's Pottery

These pictures show only a small part of Robert's work and none of Christine's lovely weaving. There were some wonderful hanging fish tanks made from clay with glass windows as well as very large vase shapes. All were well fired with lovely shapes and glazes. A wonderful place to visit.

More Workshop Pictures

It was fun to see one of Seaboard Joinery's 'Leach' wheels at Roberts. Seaboard Joinery was an Auckland, New Zealand, workshop which made these wheels that are now collector's items around the world. They were an improved version of Bernard's original design which he approved of when he visited New Zealand

Robert's Workshop

A couple of pictures taken inside Robert's workshop. Like everything at the Robert Compton Pottery (take a look at his web site http://robertcomptonpottery.com/) there was a wonderful orderliness both inside and outside the workshop. Shelves were stacked on stands, cleaned and ready for the next firing; Door bricks were stored in containers to keep them dry and out of sight until needed and the several kilns on the property were all beautifully built.

Robert's Pottery Complex

It would not be practical to show you all the images I took at Roberts place but there will be more. The top image shows the kiln shed and flue of the large kiln during the firing of the last chamber. The other image shows Robert and Christine's home and part of the workshop, obviously during the firing.

More Pictures of the Firing of Robert's Kiln

Two more images of the firing of Robert's kiln. Hollis laughed at me because I did not take a turn at stoking - only raked up some rubbish from around their feet. I firmly believe that the less changes occurring during a wood firing the better the results. Just to enjoy the sights, sounds and smell of wood firing was great.

Number Plates

I was jealous to see these number plates on Bob and Christine's vehicles especially the ANAGAMA one as Bob does not even have an anagama kiln. He has nearly every other sort of kiln but not an anagama. I would have had the same number plate but in New Zealand we can only have six numerals or letters.

The Firing

Night pictures of firings are always interesting although the contrasts are sometimes hard to compensate for. Hollis has been following my blog for ages and was pleased to have the opportunity to meet me - a surprising coincidence. Brad and Hollis were there it help Robert fire his kiln.

My Welcome at Comptons

What a wonderful welcome I received at Richard and Christine's place. The New Zealand flag was flying as that was where I came from and the British flag was where I was headed next. A firing of Robert's large wood fired kiln was in progress bringing back wonderful memories of our anagama firings - the sounds, the smell, and the excitement.