Thank you, Gentlemen, are yes the abrasives...... yeah its been suggested I should have a sanding wench. But that would be politically incorrect.
I think I spend more time working through the concept than actually making it. This Blackwood is a bit stiff when it comes to sandpaper so you know you have had a workout and the layout, by comparison, is easy.
The competition is AWTEX Australian Woodturners Exhibition in Melbourne
http://awtex.com.au/ This piece has largely influenced by the resurgence of the Art Nouveau movement, which sits well with me.