Despite having a bad back I travelled to Scotland for our first woodfiring of the year at Gledfield Mill, Ardgay. It was great to be back in Scotland. This was the 13th Firing of Nigel’s Woodfired Kiln. We met up with Marcus O’Mahony and Jim Behan from Ireland. It was great to see them again and I was grateful as I was not able to do much to help with the firing due to my back. Nigel had already filled most of the kiln before we arrived. I glazed my pots the Friday I arrived and put them in the kiln. We built the door that evening and Nigel rather unexpectedly decided to stay up all night to get the kiln firing started. This made the next day much easier for one and all. The weather was very much April showers and with rather a nasty wind blowing towards the fire box which was rather a nuisance. As ever the kiln behaved herself and fired in a very relaxed way up to Cone 10 with an hour soak. We finished in good time around 19:30 in time for splendid supper cook my Helen. During the cooling we went and visited Fergus Stewart at Assynt in Lochinver. He was firing his very large salt glaze kiln which was great to watch. After 2 and half days we opened Nigel’s Kiln and were very pleased with the pots that came out. There was a good melt on ash glaze and the Tenmoku glaze bled well. Over all it was good firing.
David Mason Pottery 
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