Had a super day out yesterday in the North! Great pub before the game. What happened afterwards was a pleasant surprise. The Mighty Hatters brushed aside the league leaders also nicknamed the Hatters with a good all round team performance. Is this the start of a recovery?

We enjoyed seeing Michael Morpurgo and Jamila Gavin this morning at the Stroud Book Festival. They were talking about their books that had war themes as it was Armistice Sunday. Both read extracts from their books which were poignant.

The Two Severn Bores performed our new show for the second time on Wednesday this time for Slimbridge WI. It was a lovely atmospheric setting. We had a fire behind us and it was mild enough for our audience to sit outside. Dan and I were delighted with how well it went and we had some lovely feedback. We are aiming to do some recording in an effort to promote us to wider audiences. So watch this space for details!

I did my usual volunteering at Wick Court with young people from The Charles Dickens School in London. They certainly enjoyed the bird watching and they were entranced by the story telling last night.

Last night Clare and I went to see Roger McGough at Stroud Book Festival- it is a long time since I last saw him perform. He was excellent and impressive for a man of his age. He read the eulogy he did for Brian Pattern’s funeral – it was very moving. We are seeing Michael Morpurgo and Jamila Gavin on Sunday.

Finally tomorrow I am off to Stockport to watch the Mighty Hatters – not that confident but looking forward to a good day which will include the odd hostelry with friends before the game!

Sadly on my cycle on Monday I got a puncture towards the end and guess who forgot his pump!!!! I managed to nurse my way to the Gloucester-Sharpness Canal and then walked home. When I went to repair it I found the tyre was starting to disintegrate (it was a fairly new tyre as well!) Punctures happen but are really annoying and inconvenient! New tyre now fitted.

Today I travelled down to the County Ground in Bristol for a photo shoot with the Gloucestershire Seniors who are going to India again in February. You will be amazed how long it took-herding cats comes to mind.

I have been learning my stories again for the Two Severn Bores Gig tomorrow- Bonfire Night! It will be a cracker and I’m sure we will sparkle (groan).

Thursday was our monthly bird survey out on the river. Great to see 174 avocets – I used to be delighted to see one in the past! We also saw plenty of small birds in the hedgerows. Later I had a lovely story telling at Wick Court with my old friends from Syston in Leicestershire. 

The Two Severn Bores are performing again on Wednesday- it will be the second performance of our new show.

It was very nearly a horror show on Halloween for the Mighty Hatters in the FA Cup. Comfortable for just over 60 + minutes when the team imploded and nearly lost- scraping home at the end. I am hoping for a big improvement on Saturday when I watch them at Stockport. 

It has been a busy first part of the week. On Monday I had a lovely walk with a friend from my last school- she was treating me to lunch at Stroud Brewery.

Yesterday Clare and I cycled to the pub to celebrate my 21st birthday (!!!!) Great ride and we were impressed by the food. Later we went to Cheltenham Film Society as celebration of their 80th birthday. The film was the 1922 silent film Nosferatu (a gothic horror) and it was accompanied by four brilliant musicians. It was an excellent night!

Had a soggy day at Wick Court today bird watching with young people from Leicestershire. Highlight was a goldcrest and nuthatch. Some great questions that stretched me!

Smiling at last at the weekend! Had a delightful day with my two grandsons yesterday running up and down Cleeve Hill. Both boys were keen for Gramps to tell them stories! A picture of them running away from me below!

I was certainly relieved that the Mighty Hatters at last won a game yesterday! Is this the start of a recovery?

Had a good day bird watching with young people from Gloucester at Wick Court. We saw plenty and one girl was delighted that she spotted a wren on a post. I had  a lovely  story telling with them last night.

Talking of stories The Two Severn Bores had a rehearsal last night of our new show last night for our next gig. We are now actively looking for new venues for this show (village halls, arts centres and pub)- any readers out there that can help.

Had a a pleasant surprise yesterday when I saw a goldcrest in the garden. We have also had active coal tits in the garden in recent days. A picture below not mine I have tried unsuccessfully today!

Short blog today!

I was watching the Women’s World Cup cricket from India. Today’s game was from the DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai. Those of you who have been reading this blog for a while will remember I have been twice to Mumbai to play cricket. My first time was February 24 and we were fortunate enough to play at the DY Patil Stadium– the crowd was significantly smaller than today’s game (there was about 20 + then) A couple of pictures from that memorable day!

        .

The one below is my shirt airing at the end of the game.

Lovely day in deepest Gloucestershire today! I cycled to Highnam Primary School for a story telling gig. The lovely Year 4 class teacher had asked me back to reprise the Boudicca Revolt (I was there last year) . I also told stories to Year 5 and 6 classes. Doing Boudicca involves me in a wig (red long hair), cloak and my face painted with blue paint! Very tired now after cycling 27 miles and performing all morning! I will see if I can get a picture!

It was a busy weekend – I was at the football on Saturday not great!

Sunday and Monday was with our Exeter family especially the charismatic Ellen our granddaughter!

The title refers to the turmoil at my football club. It has been hard work this season and that is being polite! As a club we are reluctant to dispense with managers but something had to happen! So now the Mighty Hatters are employing a former premiership footballer – time will tell if it is the right gamble. i will of course being going on Saturday! The FA Cup draw has seen local side Forest Green drawn to play us and on current form you have to say they will be favourites.

Lovely day at Wick Court yesterday with young people from East London birdwatching. I am story telling there later today. Currently learning stories for a school visit next week- will be doing one my old favourites Boudicca– so the wig will come out!

Had a grandparent’s delight again yesterday as I was looking after Ellen for the night (her grandmother is away!