George's first outdoor job was to turn the compost heap over - it's a big compost heap - a big job. When I strolled over to see whether he was ready for a cup of tea, I had to laugh. He had two chickens pecking around in the compost and one of the cats walking around the top of the fencing, watching the chickens - they were all being observed by Toby. I ran back indoors and got my camera but couldn't get them all in one shot.
Needless to say, it wasn't long before young Harry called around to see whether Grandpa would take him and Toby into the field ... so off they went. They returned with treasure - bits of old pot found in the mud of the field
The smallest piece is glazed inside and out. The large one was part of the rim of what must have been a very large pot and the orange one looks as though it was a very chunky handle... they are lovely. I wonder how many other treasures are lying around in the field waiting to be discovered. I love thinking about the people who made them, the people who used them, etc.
Apologies for this next bit, Jonny, you already know about my stone collection, but the pots lead on to ...
When we first moved here our son-in-law dismantled the rockery, and didn't want the stones, so I asked for them. They are marvellous - worked by stone masons, goodness knows how long ago, or for what building. They may have been from one of the local churches which now no longer exist, or somewhere very grand... what was the building, who worked the stones, walked through the doorways, or looked through the window arches, even the people who transported them to here... I will never know, but I love the stones just the same. Every so often I clear off the moss and just sit and think about them, trace the workings, admire the skill of those stonemasons of long ago. 
Aren't they wonderful? There is nothing there to show the scale and their size - plus of course they are stacked up and mossy - so you are not seeing them at their best. When I have more energy I'll clean them up and share their beautiful shapes and lines with you.
Much more recent history, to do with this lovely old converted stable/cow/cart shed in which we live
I dug up all of these bottles and jars (plus many more) they were approximately three feet and more under the surface of the soil. One turned up during building work and that was it then, I had to do my very own Time Team dig. It was thrilling. I know they are all practically worthless, but to me they are treasure. I can't describe how wonderful it was to gently work through the mud and the muck and scrape away and finally find an intact pot, bottle, jar. I found buckets full of broken china, lots of old, rusty metal work - including some wonderful old cogs - best china, everyday china, perfume bottles, an old shoe... eventually I had to stop excavating and allow the builders to continue to work in that area, but what treasures did I miss?
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