A red letter day here in Frampton! Having returned from my hunter gatherer role the door bell rang (I had braved the supermarket!) There was my  Beer delivery from a local brewery, just as I was carrying it in inside the postman came with a parcel! This was our lockdown treat-it contained for me this year’s Wisden and for Clare The Mirror and Light. (by the way it was not an Amazon delivery we try avoid them!) I’ve already started to read the Wisden (2019 was a special year for cricket!) It is probably the nearest I will get to any cricket this summer-ironically I had been to several net sessions in February and early March.

I promised some more on St Helena and the Saints(Napoleon will appear in a later blog not literally!)

I was going out with a Headteacher colleague to work with the island’s education service and schools with a remit to help develop literacy work in schools (there was one secondary school and a number of first and middle schools.)

The first Saints I met were on Ascension Island. They were the main labour force on the island (including the air base)and spent years on Ascension before going home. Many of them were interested in us and knew about us going out to St Helena.

“There were no indigenous people on St Helena when the first European landed in 1502. So the Saints are a mix of the people who have visited the island over the last 500 years and they are from all around the world. Much of the island’s fortifications were built by Chinese Labour, obviously many European sailors and soldiers have ended up on the island. When Britain outlawed the Slave Trade in the 19th century many slave ships were intercepted by the Royal Navy and the slaves were taken to St Helena. Boer prisoners ended up on the island at the beginning of the 20th century as well.

The Saints were cheerful and welcoming. The population at that time was just over 5,000.  I was invited to many houses for generous meals. When we were running training days we heard much about their anxieties one was they did not have full British citizenship (but shamefully the British armed forces recruited from the island-so you could die for Britain but not be welcomed in Britain). I was incensed by this and vowed I would take up their cause when I got home. Lucky for them the new Blair Government  was aware of this injustice. I did write to my MP David Drew and was  delighted when he sent me a copy of Hansard when full citizenship was granted it had a lovely quote from the end of the debate “…… there will be dancing in the streets of Jamestown tonight…….”

Many were obsessed by football and the Premier League and couldn’t understand why I supported Luton  “……yes but Bill who is your Premier League team?” Later back in the UK I did take two young Saints to a Premier League game at Villa Park they were amazed they were in a crowd 7 times the island’s population! The picture below is Harford Primary School  St Helena that I found on the internet I did  visit this school a few times while I was there.

Yesterday’s answers on speed.

a) The sailfish is the fastest fish   b) 9.58 seconds and 10.49 are the male and female world records for the 100 metres   c) The fastest goal was 2.4 seconds by Nawaf Al Abed (there is some dispute on this)   d) 54 balls for the fastest Test Century  e) Mallard holds the record for the fastest steam train at 126 mph

Today’s Quiz is on Books as they featured in my blog today

a)  Up to how many books can be made from one tree?   b) What charity did J.M. Barrie give the rights of Peter Pan to?  c) The three most read books in the world are The Bible, The words of Mao tse-Tung and????????  d)  What is John Le Carre’s real name?  e) Who printed the first published book?

I don’t know about anybody else out there but life here in Frampton has gradually got into some sort of rhythm. Our debate in the evening here is what are we eating tomorrow? Have to say we are eating well and being imaginative with things we find in the freezer and those lost items lurking in the back of the cupboard! The morning debate is when to fit in our exercise. I vary my exercise from a walk one day with my binoculars round my neck to a vigorous cycle usually involving at least one Cotswold Hill. My only new migrant today was on my ride was a pair of swifts (seems early for them) . Amazing, awesome, aviators  who spend almost all their time in the air only landing to nest.

Thanks for the comments on my St Helena ramblings. So today I thought I would continue with roads so there is a little repetition from last time. This is what I wrote while I was on the island about roads.

“All the roads are narrow more like our country lanes apart from it is flax that swarms along the roadside. There are very few flat bits on the whole island. Like in Jamestown the roads bend back on themselves tightly as they ascend or descend quickly. You do need your wits about you and the power assisted steering is a great asset! The secret is not to drive quickly, try where possible to think ahead and anticipate! The road down to Sandy Bay is incredible-you are turning the steering wheel at speed frequently in both directions as you descend and you pray nothing is coming up-the thought of reversing up is daunting.

I achieved a notable success on my third weekend while driving up from Sandy Bay. I came across a car that had stalled and the battery was flat. I end up taking control after several of us huff and puff turning the car around so it is facing down. the hill. I bump start the car down this dramatic, twisting and potentially dangerous road. My heart is racing and I feel the butterflies dancing round my stomach. Once the engine is roaring my next problem is I have to turn the car around!  How? I boldly attempt my tightest ever 3 point turn (this is what I failed on in my first driving test). If I misjudge this the drop is considerable (an understatement!)  What a star, what a hero1 I am smirking with pride as I deliver the car back to the owner watched by Mike Clancy the Deputy Governor.”

The picture below isn’t what happened to my vehicle but shows how vehicles were brought to the island because the ship anchors in the bay and everything is listed onto types of barges.There is  more on my driving experiences on the island which I might write about later. Tomorrow I will write something about the “Saints”.

Yesterday’s quiz answers I think they may of been fairly straightforward although the “Burnley Lara” would need some cricket knowledge!

a) Boz is Charles Dickens  b) Eric Blair is better known as George Orwell  c) J.K. Rowling is Robert Galbraith  d)  Lewis Carroll is Charles Dodgson  e) Jimmy Anderson is Burnley’s finest!

Today’s questions are all about speed as I watched those swifts today!

a) What is the fastest fish in the world?   b) What do 9.58 seconds and 10.49 seconds have in common?  c)How quick was the fastest goal in professional soccer?  d) How many balls did it take Brendon McCullum to score the fastest Test Match Hundred? What steam engine holds the world speed record for steam engines and what year was this achieved?

Today’s title came to me from my exercise walk with my binoculars today. I got excited when I thought I saw a Common Crane (there are a few around and one pair is rumoured to be nesting) when I got a better view it was a Heron impersonating a Crane! So later today’s quiz is will be on different names  (pen names or nicknames). Disappointed that I saw only one new migrant today- a Common Sandpiper.

Busy writing today on two fronts. I revised some of our Two Severn Bores script for podcast and another chunk on Pig the Legend.

I will do some more about St Helena in tomorrow’s blog.

a) Who was Boz?  b) What was George Orwell’s Nom de Plume?  c) Who is Robert Galbraith? d) Who is Charles Dodgson better known as? e)  Who is known as the “Burnley Lara“?

I promise I will pace the St Helena reminiscences over future blogs-so a bit about the  arrival on the island today plus the first experience of the roads. I will give St Helena a break until the middle of the week before I continue my adventure. There are a couple of things about today in Frampton  before I write about what for me was a  memorable day in August 1998.

Frampton:

Bird update from last night’s “exercise” walk. I saw about 250 swallows over the lake, a yellow wagtail (one of my favourite migrants), a whitethroat, 25 goldfinches and also a little owl by Frampton Church. Hoping I might see a hobby this week I have heard a couple have been spotted already. I’ve been told a cuckoo has been heard-I’ll keep listening!

Writing update- Pig the Legend is going well about 1,000 words in yesterday’s rain and some more today!

Now the first moments on St Helena in my words written about 2 or 3 days after landing!

“…………it all seems something of a blur, the anchor creaking into action, a flurry of small boats streaming out to us, bobbing up and down on the surf, people waving and shouting. There is no turning back now, once off the boat there is no escape! It appears that one part of the ship is unloading cargo (cars, food, machinery etc.) and the other part is unloading the human cargo!

As we are the islands special guests we are called to get on the first launch (I have never felt so important-apparently our arrival was announced on Radio St Helena). Nobody told us we would have descend a rope ladder down from the ship! I descend uncertainly,  the ladder sways under my weight. A tentative moment as I step down into the launch and you feel the pulse of the waves as I totter to my place. Soon the launch is speeding to the quayside, wind rushing past our excited faces. Knots of people are gathered on the quayside studying who is on the launch. Those barren volcanic cliffs become more and more impressive as we get closer. The buildings you can see seem to be a mix of white official 19th century styled government type with a major gateway through and practical red warehouse types. Once ashore you are aware of the resplendent bougainvillea oozing down many of the walls.

…………………….we are met by a trio of education officers ……………….

After drinks and some food we are bundled into cars (a white basic ford fiesta) for the journey to our accommodation (Seaview for me and the Judge’s Lodgings for Louisa. The road up the valley is a something of a culture shock and has to be seen to be believed, it is narrow with great rocks bulging from the hillside on one side and a white barrier the other to prevent you plunging into the valley! There are passing places in case someone is driving down while you are going up. The road bends frequently on the way up almost returning back through 360 degrees……you peep your horn as you approach a corner. I start to feel apprehensive about driving -there doesn’t appear to be much chance of ever getting out of second gear! I hope I don’t drive into the rocks or over the edge when it is my turn!”

More on driving next time and the accommodation. Below are a couple of photos I took of roads (apologies for quality but it gives you the idea) The second picture gives you some idea of how the road is cut into the side of the hill and again in the top right corner is close to our accommodation.

Yesterday’s answers (no quiz tonight)

a) Dustin Hoffman won the Oscar for Rain Man  b) Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid was where raindrops keep falling comes from c) Gordon Lightfoot wrote Early Morning Rain   d) Bungle was the bear on Rainbow! e) Gene Kelly sang Singing in the Rain.

Life seems to be settling into some sort of  pattern and there is likely to be little Story Telling to report on for a while (although there may be another gig on  the internet in the near future). So following a favourable comment from my mate Colin I thought I would continue with odd fragments from my St. Helena adventure of 1998 over the next few blogs. Picture of the RMS St Helena by Jamestown-I stayed in a house near the top of the distant hill.

I found some ramblings of mine from that adventure so here goes. Yesterday I mentioned Ascension Island and waiting for the RMS St.Helena. The first thing to say that those two days sailing cured me of any desire to do a cruise! it didn’t take me to long to get my sea legs. For two whole days all you can see is sea, an occasional bird (Madeiran Storm-petrel, Shearwater are two I remember). So I read, sun bathed and walked round and round and round and round the boat hundreds of times. The excellent food and limitless alcohol meant I feared for my health!   The writing below is what I wrote at the time about the approach to the St Helena.

“…..anticipation mounts as I stand on the Bridge looking at the radar. The circular movement of light at last detects a black smudge that grows closer by the hour. There are smiles from all the “Saints” on board………….much later the island is sighted excitement builds, we gather on the forward decks. The dark foreboding grey volcanic shape looms up from the sea. As we get closer the unforgiving grey igneous rocks dominate the view, emotions rise; I see it on these faces of these people returning home after their long economic exile.  In my usual sentimental emotional outlook I am moved by this moment. It is encapsulated by a family with children ;the mother, a “Saint” is returning home after nine long years. The children are going to see their “Granny” for the first time. This is told to me by the little girl (about 8) who has that  lovely optimistic glow that children of this age have…….”it’s going to better than Christmas”. The Captain lets her blow the horn when we come to anchor and we all applaud……….later as we are taken by launch as special guests towards Jamestown the cliffs are more dramatic than any picture or video I’ve seen. The cliffs are a variation of browns and greys, you can see why this island was chosen as a prison.” That was what I wrote at the time- although I mentioned prison and obviously it was for Napoleon and Boer prisoners it turned out to be one of the most romantic and stimulating places I have ever visited. History was touching you everywhere you went. (more of that in future blogs).

Now yesterday’s answers

a) Napoleon of course was born on Corsica b) He arrived in October 1815 and died 5th May 1821 so getting on for 6 years. c) His first rank in the army was Second Lieutenant d) Tchaikovsky wrote the 1812 Overture to celebrate Russia sending Napoleon packing e) It was the Rosetta Stone that was found by Napoleon’s men under the command of Pierre-Francois Bouchard who realised the importance of the discovery.

Today’s questions are all about rain as we had some for the first time today.

a) Who won Best Actor in the film “Rain Man”    b) What film was Raindrops keep fallin’ on my head written for?  c) Early Morning Rain was written by which singer/songwriter?  d) Who was the brown furry bear in the TV show Rainbow?  e) Who sang Singing in the Rain in the famous musical?

Below Cowslips in Frampton today.

More nostalgia from me today-well we do have time to reflect! Today’s title refers to my wonderful journey nearly twenty two years ago now. Many of you will know I left home in August 1998 to spend three months working on the island of St. Helena. I think the Napoleon question a few days ago must of triggered that recollection.

It was certainly an adventure getting there. It all started at RAF Brize Norton where I waited for the RAF VC10 to fly us to Ascension Island. A strategically important airbase on a volcanic rock in the Atlantic. The island inhabitants seemed mainly spies (GCHQ had a presence there), astronomers  and people connected with air base. We had to wait 4 days for the ship RMS St. Helena (sadly no longer in service). The highlight for me on Ascension was to walk through a sooty tern colony a bit like David Attenborough (apparently it has 130,000 birds), I also saw frigate birds and black noddies. The four days were fairly hot. The ship then took 2 days sailing till we got to St. Helena. I will do more on that adventure in future blogs and obviously Napoleon’s shadow will feature in those blogs.

My obtuse quiz answers on mountains

a) Colorado is the state where Rocky Mountain High (written by John Denver and Mike Taylor is one of two official songs.  b) Mount Olympus is the home of the Greek Gods. c) The Misty Mountains first appeared in The Hobbit (and later Lord of the Rings) d) Reichenbach Falls is where Sherlock Holmes met his death  e) Dinas Emrys in Snowdonia is associated with the wizard Merlin (one of my favourite stories to tell is from here).

Today’s Quiz is all on Napoleon

a) Where was he born?     b)  How many years was he on St. Helena (to the nearest year)  c) What was his first rank in the French Army? d) Name the composer who wrote a famous piece of music connected to perhaps Napoleon’s most significant defeat e) What did one of Napoleon’s officers accidently discover on 15th July 1799 in Egypt?

It certainly feels like the number in today’s title! Hope everyone is well and finding things to do! I feel so lucky to live in a rural setting and have a decent garden but feel for people in inner cities flats.

It is usually my exercise forays that give me ideas for the daily quiz questions. As I was pedalling up Frocester Hill today it came to me of course mountains!!!! Not that Frocester Hill is a mountain! As the day has gone on I’ve changed the type of questions about mountains.

First of all yesterday’s River answers

a) The Severn is the longest river in Great Britain (notice I avoided Ireland)-I have a wealth of facts about the Severn from our performances as Two Severn Bores last year. b) The Hudson flows through New York  c) The St Lawrence is the river of 1,000 islands d) The Tigris flow through Baghdad e) The Elbe flows through the Czech Republic and Germany

Mountain Quiz (a slightly different angle for questions about mountains!)

a) Rocky Mountain High is one of two official songs of what US State? b) Who might you find on Mount Olympus? c) Which book did the Misty Mountains  first appear?  d) Where in the mountains did Sherlock Holmes meet his death? e) Dinas Emrys is linked to what well known mythological  character?

Picture below has been in a blog before -it is me on the Col du Tourmalet nearly three years ago. A wonderful climb!

The title sums up today’s blog- I spent most of the morning writing. I am actually getting into the groove and will hopefully this will continue.

Later managed some clearing of the pavement in front of our house-it has been waiting for some time!. Later  a short ride delivering bits and pieces to friends who are in self isolation.

Yesterday’s answers

a) Baron Karl von Drais is recognised as inventing the first bike  b) Dunlop invented the first pneumatic tyre   c) Beryl Burton was the female cyclist   d) Eddie Merckx (the greatest cyclist)    e) Daisy Bell would look sweet on a bicycle made for two!

Today is all on Rivers

a) Longest river in Great Britain?    b) River that flows through New York   c) In which river are the 1,000 islands?   d) Which river flows through Baghdad in Iraq?  e) The Elbe flows through which two European countries?

Lovely evening at  Splatt Bridge on the Gloucester-Sharpness Canal. Went looking for migrants again and apart from a willow warbler I didn’t see any! However I did see egrets, curlew, lapwing  and a beautiful song thrush.

I have had enjoyed writing today and I am hoping to keep the momentum up tomorrow. It has all been  on my Pig the Legend story and have got a few new ideas to develop watch this space!

Yesterday’s answers started with a self indulgent question!

a) The record individual goal scorer on the 13th April was Joe Payne who was asked to play up front for the first time and he scored ten goals against Bristol Rovers playing for the mighty Luton Town!  b)  The hottest planet on average temperature is Venus  c) A Sloth is of course the slowest animal (should of said mammal!)  d) White Christmas by Bing Crosby is the biggest selling single   e) The most expensive painting is Salvator Mundi by Leonardo da Vinci

Today’s questions is all on bikes-sorry!  (It is my favourite mode of transport!!!!)

a) Who invented the first bicycle?     b) Who invented the first pneumatic bicycle tyre?  c) What British Woman won 7 World Titles and 96 British National Titles?  d) Who is the only cyclist to have won 11 Grand Tours  ?   e)  Who “will look sweet on the seat of a bicycle made for two?”

Today’s title referred to the feel good film we watched last night. Made us smile and a clever idea that nobody apart from our hero had heard of the Beatles.

I have managed to get some writing done today working on two different projects-hopefully will get on roll this week.

On birds spotted -on yesterday’s ride I saw a Yellowhammer -it has been a while since I saw one. Today’s exercise later I am walking with my binoculars hoping for some more migrants.

Today’s Quiz is Record Breakers (might of been done before on T.V.!)

a) On this day in 1936 a goal scoring football league record was set by what player and for what team?   b) What is the hottest planet in our solar system?   c) What is the slowest animal in the world?   d) The best selling single of all time (that concept might be difficult for younger readers)  e) What is the most expensive painting in the world?