We have just been looking after our delightful grandsons for the last 3 days so feeling a little weary!!! On Tuesday we took them on the local heritage railway near where they live. We got off at Winchcombe station because there was an indoor train sets and push long trains mainly featuring Thomas The Tank Engine. Really impressed by the range of equipment the young people could engage with.
Now catching up !!!
Bird Survey on Thursday was interesting – we had some good sightings-Yellow Wagtails, Whinchat, Curlew, and Great White Egret among the highlights. One surprise was a Greater Flamingo on the mud of the river. Apparently it had escaped from Birdland in the North of the County.
Told some stories including some old favourites at Wick Court on Thursday night to old friends from Liverpool.
I have managed to cover a few miles on the bike in the last few days.
One picture below from the Circus – might be a couple more in future blogs. The picture by the lake is Clare, Ellen and I spotting dragonflies.
Story Telling later today to young people from
Booked my first away football ticket for the new season (I still have my season ticket!)
We have enjoyed a variety of culture over the last ten days or so.
Last Friday at Stroud Subscription Rooms we were delighted to see Sunrise at Sunset a celebration of Laurie Lee’s writing. This had two outstanding actors accompanied by some superb musicians- the actors shared extracts of Lee’s writing while the musicians played a variety of evocative numbers including a Spanish flavour to chime with his experiences in the Spanish Civil War.
We managed to see The Odyssey last weekend and it certainly was epic! The scale was breath taking. The accents of some of the characters jarred (sorry to my American readers) and I felt Nolan skated over and sanitised Odysseus stays with Calypso and Circe on his journey. Having made that point thought the scene with Circe and his men was excellent as was the Cyclops!
We had an emphatic win against Somerset last week and once I was in the runs but was reduced to playing on one leg with my troublesome Achilles (that is a tenuous link to Odysseus!) We are away to Wales this week.
Finally had the delight of my Granddaughter’s family staying this weekend. We took them to Giffords Circus– it was brilliant and Ellen’s face was a picture as she watched the tumblers and acrobats!
The World Cup has finished. I do think this format wasn’t great for the environment with thousands of air miles being clocked up. FIFA do act like cheap spivs! Please get rid of the hydration break- it should be two halves not four quarters! Finally to my American friends who read this font-size it is not the Super Bowl half time is 15 minutes. I enjoyed watching teams like Cape Verde DR Congo!. .A culture round up in the next blog!
Well I can’t ignore all the hype about the new film- it is a story I know well and is among the many Greek Myths I tell. Last year I read Circe by Madeline Miller who gives a damming feminist view of Odysseus! I am looking forward to watching the film. The reviews are positive!
On the story telling front it was busy at the end of last week with 3 gigs in 3 days. I also told stories to young people from Sunderland last night at Wick Court.
Sadly the football ended up in disappointment- seems like England shouldn’t score too early! We appear to always end up trying to defend our lead instead of going for another goal.
Last Sunday I lead a Gloucestershire Seniors Cricket Team team to Andoversford to celebrate Andoversford Cricket Club 125th birthday. A lovely day played in a celebratory spirit. I of course gave myself a bowl and took two wickets.
Busy three days on the Story Telling Front! I do my weekly Teller in Residence at Wick Court tonight. Tomorrow I am in Hereford with the National Literacy Trust and Saturday I am at a Fete in Cam. All three will be very different in style and stories!
Currently enjoying watching the Tour de France– today it is climbing the Tourmalet. We had a wonderful time cycling in the Pyrenees a few years back and we climbed the Tourmalet.
Tired here in Frampton after an amazing night watching the football. What a game Mexico v England was! England battled through adversity (altitude and losing a player to a red card) to win in the formidable Aztec Stadium. I was really gripped by the football and thought every player for England performed well. Of course France and Spain look really strong. It is the hope that gets you!
I am playing cricket again tomorrow and hoping we will get through the heat. Think we will get this one in- the weather has plagued my Tuesday cricket this season!
All my story telling is booked for the end of this week.
Many apologies for a quiet period on me blogging! You may of guessed I have been busy. It has been the usual mixture of Story Telling, volunteering with young people at Wick Court and cricket. I have also managed a bit of bird watching as well, plus a good number of miles on the bike. The bike rides have certainly been easier in the last few days not nearly so hot.
I actually played cricket on Tuesday although the weather didn’t allow us to finish- we would of won as well. I had my longest and best innings for a long time. Suffering afterwards with the inflamed Achilles again which is frustrating. I am playing club cricket tomorrow where I am likely to be the oldest player on the pitch!
Hope I may have some pictures from a recent gig soon- I’ve been told I am in the local paper from another recent performance.
I hope this goes away after this World Cup but being cynical and knowing how mercenary FIFA are I doubt it. It certainly disturbs the ebb and flow of football. It would of been far more sensible to only have them when the temperatures and humidity are a health risk. Mind you watching England at times feels like a health risk!
This Test Match has been a roller coaster – it just proves that it is by the far most interesting and compelling form of cricket. I am keeping my fingers crossed I might get a game in this Tuesday so far we have only played two out of six games because of the weather (either rain or heat)!