Joyce the geologist (and poet)

Joyce was an avid amateur geologist and could often be found exploring quarries and rock deposits, tools in hand, as she discovered interesting looking stones and fossils. They often featured in her work, including the family favourite below, from which the main rock depicted has survived and is displayed alongside it (see middle picture).

The past-time even inspired Joyce to poetry, as captured further down this page.

Watercolour painting of a group of stones
The central stone depicted in this 1975 was collected by Joyce, and remains with the painting in the family collection
Joyce’s eye was certainly caught by this rock. It’s thought to be slate with its distinctive top layer formed by an oxidized iron mineral layer (thanks for this identification to Reddit contributor /CrossP). It was collected by Joyce and featured in the painting above.
Poem surrounded by ink drawing of a rainswept landscape and a figure crouching over some rocks with a hammer alongside Grovelling in the gloriees of Grimley gravel pit, Sorting out the granite From the bits of millstone gnit: Suding down the sections Looks “Just a piece of cake" But climbing up the cliffs again I simply cannot take Squelching in the channels Of water, marl and sand Fills me with resentment And this isn't what l planned!And worse! Oh gosh! What agony!I’ve got a chronic corn!Don’t kid yourself it’s nothing Buta pebble - waterworn That’s found its way, don’t ask me how Into my rubber boot And somehow is embedded in my partly frozen foot! Why did I choose geology To fill my leisure hours? I thought of sunswept landscapes And refreshing summer showers -  And yet, in spite of all the pains, It’s problems make me think - And so, with rocks and hammer, I return home, to the sink
Poem by Joyce Austin, illustration by Katie Smallbone

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