Still in Ravenna

It's lunchtime on day 3 so I have called into the hotel to get onto the internet. Don't seem to have much time otherwise. We don't usually finish until 6pm, & last night Lisa & I shopped until half past 7. Were meeting everyone for dinner at 8, so I showered in 15 minutes & was on my way. Didn't get in until about 1am. The lady who runs the course is taking us all out for dinner tomorrow night for our last night which is nice. WE are all scrambling to finish our mosaics today. At elast a few people have to finish so they can show us how to set them. Otherwise those won't dry by Friday. Mine is coming along. I am up to the border. Fortunately they have someone who will help cut our tessera for us. Much quicker & much more uniform! However we still have to shape a lot of them.

When we finish we can then do another piece if we want. Usually people do borders, partly because of weight in getting them home, & partly to learn how to do them.

This time it is much less complex. It's an indirect method so you reverse your pattern onto heavy paper & glue tessera onto it upside down with flour glue strengthened with PVC glue. You glue everything upside down so that the front surface remains flat. I think when finished they hold it all together with a mesh, turn them over & lay them, then scrub off the flour glue. We're yet to see that part! Also, being floors, these one are grouted.

Anyway, must go and finish mine as I'd like to try a border as well. Everyone's is completely different but so far look great. Weather's still chilly but OK during the day.

I'm starting to think of the horrible countdowns of "this time next week" I'll be flying home/home/back at work etc. It's good I have Mum & Dad's visit to look forward to.

Only 3 or 4 days to go...

Alora!

Luv,

Belle xxx