working at two castles in a week, France and England

The last 3 weeks have been hectic but fun. First I worked at Hever Castle in Kent, the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, an impressive Tudor castle with fantastic gardens created by Lord Astor in the early 20th Century. 

Is this the best spot to work a lathe ever?
and these are the porringers I made on the first of four days turning, based on an Elizabethan example excavated in Southwark quite close to the Globe Theatre.

We were camping in the grounds of the castle and after the public went home had the place to ourselves, a barbeque at the edge of the lake one evening was very fine.

and then I went out boating with Phil and Deb who do replica leather vessels.

after four happy days turning and evenings socialising it was off to France leaving the white cliffs of Dover behind.

and Bourlogne castle was our worksite. Quite a place. This is to be the venue for the major international bronze age exhibition we have been building the replica boat for.

Sometimes work can feel hard low paid with no holiday or sick pay but then there are times like these when I look at friends in offices and can barely believe how lucky I am.