We had a wonderful night last night in The Three Horseshoes Frampton. It was The Beer and Books traditional entertainment. The pub was packed and there was a cracking atmosphere. We had songs, poems, and stories. There was much laughter and a few tears as well! A few pictures below, starting with me followed by my brother Mike and finally the musical Dan Everett!

I have been to two music gigs in successive days in Stroud. On Sunday my friend Terry treated me to watch the Unthanks on Sunday. I have always wanted to see them and what a delight! Gentle unworldly voices singing a rich tapestry of beautiful songs. You can see why tickets are like gold dust.

Last night we went to see the veteran group Steeleye Span (have seen them a few times over the years. They were on top of their game and had some impressive new songs.

Talking of gigs tomorrow night our Book Club Beer and Books is putting on our traditional entertainment at our spiritual home The Three Horseshoes in Frampton. I am telling a ghost story set in Gloucester It is a always a good night. All welcome we start at 7.45 pm.

Finally I have just watched my football team play a dismal game. It was awful (watching paint dry would be more entertaining!) and neither team deserved to win.

Had an interesting Friday and Saturday up North. We visited one of our favourite places RSPB  Leighton Moss in  Lancashire Friday afternoon and Saturday morning. A few pictures below from the feeders and one of the Hides. I waded my way through the flooded paths to Lower Hide and was rewarded by seeing two Otters and a couple of Marsh Harriers. Even managed to see a Marsh Tit on the way. On Saturday I caught a fleeting  glimpse of a Bearded Tit (brilliant bird).

Also upgrade my tripod as I had a few problems with the lightweight one I got earlier in the year. Really pleased with this one!

On Saturday we went to Fleetwood (one of the few remaining grounds I haven’t visited watching the Mighty Hatters) for the FA Cup tie. It was certainly a low key affair reminiscent of our non-league days where away fans outnumbered home fans. Sadly we failed to take our many chances and then gave away two sloppy goals. Penalties is a cruel way to lose. Hence the cliché now we can concentrate on the league!

I went out tonight to see if I could see the Egrets come into roost at Court Lake in Frampton. I saw about 300+ noisy Corvids (mainly Jackdaws) , Cormorants (30), Herons, Coots and a couple of Egrets including a Great White but little sign of a Congregation of Egrets. Just as I was leaving as the light had almost gone when 40+ flew in  couldn’t identify them.

Had a good meeting this morning of my next project which we are hoping will be type of picture book. Watch this space!

I walked up looking for a starling murmuration at dusk. Only a few small groups but did see a couple of Marsh Harriers. The moon looked good a couple of pictures below and a couple from 2022 (I was trying to be arty!)

Had a lovely story telling on Monday with my friends at Upton St. Leonards W.I. it was my third visit!

My body was aching yesterday after a cricket net for our India visit in February!

Finally I am amazed at how many people read my ramblings on the blog- we have readers from all over the world from Chile to Japan!

I went to watch the Mighty Hatters yesterday in a potential promotion clash with Bolton Wanderers. It was a really good game with Bolton shading the first half and The Hatters being the better team in the second. A draw was probably a fair result but we were disappointed not to win at the end after non stop pressure.

Mended the puncture this morning so hopefully weather permitting will get in a ride or two this week.

A busy spell tackling the many leaves in the garden in the winter sunshine.

Had a lovely ride this morning in the winter sunshine until disaster struck! I got a puncture about 3 and half miles from home! Guess who forgot his pump – had a spare inner tube and stuff! I made the decision to walk across the fields with my wounded steed rather than risk walking along a busy road with no pavement. A wise move although mucky under foot! I saw many birds including three raptors a Buzzard, a Red Kite and a Kestrel. The Kestrel was with me for almost a mile hovering and gliding over the hedgerow.

Today was the monthly bird survey out by the River. It was a slow start because there was quite a strong wind. We were treated to about 200 Wigeon flying up the river. Later when we walked what we called the Snipe Field we saw 45 Snipe and 4 Jack Snipe. One of our young members of our team got very excited calling out the numbers! Some pictures at the bottom of the blog of Snipe from previous encounters in different places.

Following the bird theme I did my weekly bird watch with young people at Wick Court. They had the drama of a marauding Sparrowhawk and later good views of a Great Spotted Woodpecker in front of them when sitting in the Hide.

We also went to a great talk on Tawny Owls last night with some brilliant photographs.

Just got back from my weekly Story Telling at Wick Court telling some old favourites. I now  need to learn stories for a gig on Monday afternoon.

Finally the football on Tuesday night was much more encouraging – we travelled up to the game  apprehensively after Saturday’s debacle! Fingers crossed we play like that again on Saturday.

I used to always get my blog titles from well known songs – I then ran out of inspiration or knowledge of enough songs! Today’s title of course is courtesy of the band 10cc! There is a little tale from today that makes it appropriate!

Tomorrow is my lovely Clare’s birthday so haven’t not got a birthday card yet (one day I will use Moonpig) I set off on my bike up to Whitminster to buy a card. All was going well till i tried to mount the kerb for the pavement to avoid the dangerous A38. Big mistake! My front wheel got caught in a groove and catapulted be in the air. I crashed into a gate and landed on the pavement. My knees are battered and bloody. I think I got of lightly but my dignity suffered! Hence 10cc’s song for today!!!!!

The title refers to me not acknowledging what a depressing sporting weekend it has been! The cricket was woeful on Saturday morning I got up at just after 5 to watch England’s abject batting and later their poor tactics in the field. Later on my football team capitulated spectacularly at a ground we normally do well at (at least when I go!).

Away from sport had a lovely weekend with our two delightful grandsons. It is great to see them fully engaging with books they love them as does my granddaughter in Exeter. They all love listening to me telling a story as well.