1. By and large, I’m sticking to my “do it better” idea: every leftover scrap of my rolled out clay is dried to leather hard so that I can practise my carving. I try different techniques on inconsequential pieces – there is definitely signs of improvement in both precision and composition.

1b. I rush the glazing a little but my squat ziggurat looks like it’ll come out very nicely indeed. Fingers crossed.

2. John tells me the Kaufman is getting a bit big for cradling in his arms – Kaufman, my baby boy, is happy to be cradled but I know what John means. I pick up Lily, and half-cradle/half-sit her on my knee so that Kaufman will feel small again.

3. A mind-blowing shock – and being able to enjoy the pure emotion of other people’s reactions: horror sure, and tears from some people but also wide grins, pleasure derived from the fact that we knowledgeable, cynical people can still be surprised.