In April we visited our daughter in China. It was a real adventure travelling around and staying with friends.
We stayed with a family in the country and Mark couldn't resist the opportunity to help them in the fields. They have recently taken out their orchard and are replanting it with peach trees.
After a day in the fields they offered to take us out to the local town. Knowing they don't have a car we wondered how this could be done but not to worry the three wheeled motor bike and cart below seated 7 adults and 2 small children!! We all hopped in with our tiny stools and off we set.

 The weather was warm and the country side looked idyllic but we know life is tough for our friends in the winter. All the households had these wonderful carts and many were still using them.

 You can see the village in the distance. The houses are built in the traditional way with rooms opening off a central court yard from the outside all you can see are these large doors. The main room is both bedroom and lounge and has a kang which is a brick built bed which can be heated with a fire in winter.I was fascinated to spend time in the kitchen watching them make noodles which they cook on a wood burning stove.

 We went to a village school where my daughter and son-in-law teach English. Just to add some fun to the class we took along some clay and the children made little thumb pots.

 We couldn't find many pottery related trips but the main museum in Xi'an has a wonderful collection. They have the most wonderful tri-coloured horses.

 We visited this market that did sell loads of pots. Unfortunately I didn't take many photos.The tiny shops were crammed with pots of every sort mostly celedon glazed pots but I don't know where they were made.

 As most people in the city live in high rise apartments the parks are a very important and busy places. You never know whats going to be going on.It could be ballroom dancing, sword waving, Chinese opera and of course it's all going on at the same time.

                                                         You can also get your hair cut!

Now it's time to get back to work in earnest. I need to get plenty of pots ready for the summer festivals.