Stay sharp...

If you’re struggling and are new to spoon carving the BIG thing that will help you to develop is being able to keep your hook knife really sharp. 
Just posted a video which explains how to do this simply and effectively and (importantly) cheaply.
The same technique can also be applied to straight carving knives and kitchen knives.
Have a look and let me know what you think...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iq3O7cC7J0

Spoon Carving Discussion

Quite often during courses - http://treewright.co.uk/woodworking.php - there’s a discussion about the relative merits of which way you carve a spoon from relatively straight branchwood.
Right hand photo has the pith on the front of the spoon, at left it’s at the back.
What do you think about the different grain pattern?
Are there issues with relative strength of the bowl?
I found the one on left more difficult to carve and get a decent finish on. Admittedly they are from a branch of semi seasoned Ash which isn’t a wood I’d normally chose but it does have a nice grain...

Bump Gone

Several people have thought that I've had an accident or walked into a bunch of angry Millwall supporters but the truth is I've had a Basal Cell Carcinoma removed from beside my left eye.

22 stitches

Healing nicely

I asked the doctor what it was - she peered more closely and said "Right that's got to go and I'll fast-track you."  The surgical team was brilliant and had me in stitches in more ways than one!
So if you've got anything like this don't be afraid to ask and keep out of the sun and/or use a high protection factor suncream.