#288

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Wenge and Titanium Colour Ballpoint Twist Pen

WENGE - Millettia laurentii

Usually pronounced WHEN-gii or WHEN-ghay, the wood has excellent strength and hardness properties, and is also dark enough to be used as a substitute for ebony. Heartwood is a very dark brown with black streaks. Upon application of a wood finish (particularly an oil-finish) the wood can become nearly black. 

Having left our fellow traders after a great weekend at Burton On Trent floating market we made our way to Alrewas. Its not a long cruise, only about four hours but there are not too many mooring options if you decide to shorten your trip. Not far after the delights of Branston water park the A38 dual carriageway hugs the side of the canal for several miles until you lock up to the river Trent for a short hop up to the Alrewas visitor moorings. 

I would have loved to spend some more time looking around the village or even returning to the National Arboretum a few miles away, but I had pens to turn. I'd spent a few evenings getting ready cutting, drilling, gluing and trimming the pen blanks ready for turning so I was already ahead of the game.

#288 was turned just above the river lock on the edge of the village of Alrewas on Thursday 28th May 2015. To make the most of the good weather I decided to leave assembling the pen barrels onto the furnishings for a day or so as I can do that part of the process inside the boat.