Field and Fence Panel - Grouting

After much painstaking work it was finally time for Carole Miles and Lucy Anderson to grout the Field and Fence panel. It is also at this stage it's very easy to think ......

"Oh my goodness, where has the all the colour gone!"

as the tiles temporarily disappear beneath the layer of grout. Because it was such a warm day it was also important to work swiftly and not allow too much excess grout adhere to the surface. Once they had checked that all the gaps had been filled, the grouting team set to work gently removing all the unwanted grout from the panel whilst ensuring that they didn't remove too much from between the tiles.

After the washing down was complete and the grout had had time to set, it was time to do one of the most pleasurable jobs, buffing and polishing the surface. It is at this point the tiles reveal their individual and collective beauty. 

Ta Dah! 

Field and fence - panel number five is complete!

Detail

The aftermath - tools and gloves soaking

Lucy and Carole checking diaries to see when work could continue on the remaining panels. It's hard to believe that just a few weeks ago Lucy had never worked with mosaics before and now she is raring to get on with another panel. Bravo team!

The Brixworth Day Mosaic Continued in the Studio

After the day at the Country Park artist Carole Miles continued to work on the Spring / Summer Panel. Here are images taken in her studio as the mosaic grew!

You can read about the walks that inspired this panel here and here and the Flickr sets here and here

The panel has now been grouted with black grout.

Scoping the Brampton Valley Way (again!)

We had always hoped to site mosaic way markers along the valley way and it has taken three years to raise the money - many thanks to Northamptonshire Community Foundation and Midlands Cooperative Society for helping to make this dream a reality. 

Rangers Chris Howe and Dan Hurst opening the gates so we can scope the Valley Way by van

Under the bridge looks like a good place

Near this bench perhaps?

Exploring the Triangular Meadow

and finding the Great Burnet

One of the bridges near the Market Harborough End

Artist Carole Miles will be creating 12 designs based on photographs taken during our photography walks. Carole will make 6 panels herself and work with groups and individuals on the other 6. We are excited to see what she will come up with!

Almost Autumnal

Whilst out for a cycle we were reminded

that it hasn't been the best of summer's!

We noticed that the acorns are fattening fast

the colours are changing

this feels like the bridging moment 

between Summer and Autumn.

  The sky is often bleached out by cloud cover,

 there are strange contrasts to be seen

seed heads and rust

 

lush greenery damp underfoot, interwoven in complex patterns.

There aren't many sloes but plenty of elder berries ripening, it's hard to tell whether things are coming on early or late! The Woodland Trust has an interesting feature about the weather and it's effect on fruiting this year.

There are still small bright patches of colour to delight the eye. 

It hasn't only been the weather that has been unpredictable, due to unforeseen circumstances it wasn't possible to stage an August Photography walk but there will be a return to Cottesbrooke walk. Details to follow soon, get your walking boots and cameras ready, the Sphinx awaits you!