New Lynn trench clay

I'm making some kete with this clay to see how it goes.
The properties of the clay are :-
it is very plastic -
the colour varies from light grey to a yellowy brown -
and wedges well into a smooth even lightish grey colour -
it keys [joins] exceptionally well.

There are surprise bits and bobs to be found ....
lumps of hard clay -
vegetable matter -
vegetation that has turned charcoal like - the big bits I remove - the smaller stays!
It reminds me of Brickell clay in many ways, but it's not as grunty.

Thought I would be able to finish the kete I made this morning as it was up to 25 degrees today...
but no - they are not ready yet, as they are still too damp........ astounding!
So under plastic they go and will be finished tomorrow.

ps.... I finally finished reading Pat Perrins booklet..... she would have to be the biggest influence on my pottery making life after taking a coiling course with her at ASP around 1979. I still have the floor pot that I made .... could never part with it .... it is only glazed on the inside .... she gave such lovely feedback about it's shape. I used a file to decorate the outside hehee what an inspiration she was!

Well after two days of in and out of plastic these were still 'sticky' !!
Have persevered this morning to finish what I've made.
The weirdest clay I've ever used !!!!!

I had better luck making other things with this clay today.
Only one more lump to go!
As long as I don't use any metal, shell and very little wooden tools it's ok.
I've marked everything that I've made 'New Lynn Trench Clay'