Lochnagar from Westhall Workshops, Kincardine O'neil (Photo: Michael Zappert)

One of the drawbacks of working for yourself is working, more often than not, by yourself. Generally that's fine, but in the depths of winter, a bit of company can certainly warm up the workshop...

Over the last few weeks, Mike Z. has been working up at Westhall, making two large panels in a Frank Lloyd Wright style. It's been great - all the snow in front of the workshop has been cleared, and cake keeps appearing at lunchtime. His presence has even encouraged me to give the place a bit of a tidy.

On Thursday, as well as Mike, Hilary was up to work on a transom panel commission she is trying to get done. She's inherited Martin Farrelly's old workbench in her own little corner of the workshop, and the panel is progressing well.

The only downside to all the company is that now I have to remember to buy milk...