More leather stuff

Recently Pat discovered a leather merchant in Skipton, North Yorkshire, so one day last week we took a mad dash up the motorway to see what they had on offer. We left with enough leather to keep me busy for a while, the truck weight was up and my wallet weight was seriously down. Over the last week I have been having a little go at making some different bits, I began with a couple of simple belts. The top belt is made so that the buckle can be changed therefor there is no stitching. I then had a go at a small hand bag, very plain but functional. I have to say this was a bit of an experiment to see if I could get the pattern right. It is my intention to make some more elaborate bags in the future with a little carving or tooling for decoration. Finally, over the last couple of days or so, I made a carved and tooled belt, it may seem a small item but it took more time than anything that I have made so far.

I need a spot of fishing now, got to have a rest.

Early September?

It seems like the dust on the trail has settled a little just lately, it was our intention to have a week or two in Somerset, then our plans changed slightly and we were to go to Dorset instead. For one reason or another we will not now be visiting Dorset either, so what do we do? I have absolutely no idea. We have been holed up in Staffordshire on a new site that is quite close to the house, in fact, we can almost see it. We have been here for just over a week, I have been busy with the leather and Pat has made up a lot of new pieces of jewellery, sadly there is no fishing here or I may have been trying to bend my rod too. The mornings of late have been cooler (this morning was 9 deg. C)and I can't help feeling that September has come early, so we have been pleased that we have an electric hook up for a change. So, all's been quite dull I'm afraid, perhaps not such a bad thing while the country is taking it's annual summer break.

"Belting"

It's that time again. Time for my recurring summer apology, I really struggle to "Blog" during these days of warmth and long light evenings. I just cannot be indoors, there is too much time for that in the winter, so; sorry all. I have not been idle, far from it in fact, from the Lleyn peninsular after refreshing many old friendships we made our way up the coast to Anglesey, to one of our favourite haunts at Holyhead. We spent a week or so there and met up with lots more old friends. It has been really good to see everyone is well and smiling. We have some of the most amazing friends, and most of them would do almost any thing to help us out, should we need it. So while I think about it, to all of our friends and family thanks, you are all diamonds and I love ya. We are currently in Staffordshire for a few days and then who knows, maybe back to the coast for a paddle. I could do with a holiday. The last couple of days I have been working the hide some more, I have a fancy for making some elaborate belts, so I have been having a little practice to see what designs I could come up with, these are some of those I have done so far. Judging by the time that these small pieces have taken a full length belt is likely to take me about eight hours or so.(Glad I'm still only a 32" waist.) Maybe I should belt up now, so, catch ya'll later. Keep safe.