I cycled into Stonehouse this morning to do a story telling at The Fig Tree Cafe which is an informal monthly get together for people with Alzheimer’s and their carers. It was a lovely gig and I told a couple of old favourites that went down well. I am going back there in August.

Beer and Books tonight where we are discussing “Where the Poppies Blow” an interesting take on nature in the First World War.

Lots to mention from the last few days- certainly a varied time for us here in Frampton.

I have done my usual volunteering bird watching at Wick Court plus a story telling session with young people from Manchester. We were delighted to see 5 species of raptor including a Peregrine.

Clare and I did another Winter Square on Friday this time up at Ashleworth. Great morning and we saw a good number of birds including a resplendent male Yellowhammer.

Last week/weekend was Stroud Book Festival. We went to two talks together and Friday night’s talk was superb it was titled “Because the Night-Life After Dark”. Both speakers were talking about those people who work at night etc. Clare went to see Matt Haig speak on Saturday but I opted to go to football.

I decided to go to the F.A. Cup tie where the Mighty Hatters were playing our local team FGR- I travelled up with two friends who supported FGR. It was a poor game and although the Hatters won they didn’t play well (they had made 7 changes from the last game!)

A couple of pictures below taken in Nailsworth on Sunday where we visited an Art Exhibition.

The last two nights I have been looking for Short eared and Barn Owls – no luck but I saw thousands of Starlings going into roost. These were in many of small groups so not a massive murmuration. Did see a couple of Marsh Harriers and a Kingfisher. I will keep looking over the next few days.

Yesterday we did the first of our Winter Bird Squares by the River Severn at Elmore- we survey an OS kilometre square and note all the birds. We did really well 27 species spotted including a Woodcock flushed as we walking along the path. Plenty of Redwings and Fieldfares!

Pictures below of the River yesterday morning and tonight’s sunset.

Just been away with my two Grandsons and my son Pete. Lovely week but really tired now- it is all action! We also had my Granddaughter Ellen and my other son David join us on Tuesday. The three children had a great time!

The Mighty Hatters are at last hitting some form our fourth successive win today- big game on Tuesday at Huddersfield who are currently top.

My quiz team won their first match last Thursday before I went away. Also had a lovely story telling with a Gloucester school visiting Wick Court.

Some Autumn pictures taken this morning – light wasn’t brillaint.

We have had groups of Long-tailed Tits calling into our garden  regularly over the last week or so.

Football was wonderful yesterday- a great display of team work from the Mighty Hatters. Just need to have a consistent run now. Injuries are sadly mounting up now.

The title says it all!

Had a lovely ride down to  Arlingham with fellow Bookies to explore the recently reopened Passage Inn. Lovely ride and and pints at the end!

Tuesday night travelled up to watch the Mighty Hatters get back to winning ways! Telling statistic is we have had 45 shots in the last two games and have only scored 3! One day surely we will score a hatful!

Despite a wet first part of the Wednesday we had a lovely bird watch at Wick Court with young people from the centre of Gloucester. I’ve just got back from telling stories to them this evening and they were a lovely attentive audience. Off to our first quiz match later.

I was telling spooky stories today at a care home I visit regularly. I told the Phantom Inn which is a good ghost story and a local connection.

We had a lovely Friday evening with our two delightful grandsons taking them to Slimbridge for their Mystical  Marsh Lantern Experience. It was beautifully done and the highlight for me was watching them running and dancing at the silent disco!

Very disappointed with the Mighty Hatters losing to Mordor on Saturday – we must take our chances! I am off to watch them tomorrow night.

Have been fortunate to have seen The Severn Bore for a second successive week with young people at Wick Court while sitting in our bird hide. Although they were only small bores nevertheless it does engender a sense of awe and wonder! It did provoke a flurry of questions! This week the young people saw two different species of Wagtail (Pied and Grey). A picture of both species below (not mine).

I went last night to Cheltenham to see two storytellers telling tales from Japan. Really impressive performance their timing was excellent. (I’m always looking for ideas to improve my performances.)

Finally talking about performance don’t forget The Two Severn Bores are at Under the Edge Arts Centre Wotton on Saturday 28th November. Tickets are now on sale and we do want a crowd!

I haven’t told the Boudicca story for at least a year and today I cycled to Highnam Primary to do a  Boudicca telling. This involves me daubing myself with woad (blue paint) , wearing a long flowing red wig and a long cloak as well as waving a sword!   Feeling exhausted now it was nearly 28 miles on the bike!