I promised I would write a bit about the animals we saw while away. We saw many mammals and got great views. I did manage to video Giraffes fighting hitting each other with their necks and you realised how much power they put into this. We skirmishes with Zebra (see pictures below) and Oryx as well.

When we were wild camping we were told to check the area for animals with out torches to see if any eyes reflected back. If they were far apart it would be a Lion so don’t get out of the tent! One night we saw a Hyena close to the camp they are not to be messed with, they will chase Lions off their kill. More tomorrow!

Sorry folks but this is mainly a sporting post. I have watched the mighty Hatters twice over the last week and they won both games! Saturday’s game contained one bizarre goal for the opposition which we can laugh at now because we won but at the time it wasn’t! Let’s just say our goalkeeper will never forget it! If you can find the goals from Luton v Shrewsbury you will see what I mean! On the sporting theme I’m off to the Test Match on Friday followed by a Book Club weekend in Oxford-watch out for the blogs after this!

Saw many beautiful birds in Namibia. This one is a Crimson-breasted Shrike! I will blog about the animals next!

I thought the Paul Simon song from Graceland would be appropriate for today’s title! Slowly we are getting back to normal after our African adventure. I did my monthly Story Telling Workshop at Hygrove House today and seemed to go well. I am also beginning to research new stories for next year’s ambitious project Dan and I have planned as Two Severn Bores!

I have been back on the bike after the fortnight off and had a scary moment coming down Crawley Hill at 40 mph, the whole bike wobbled and I just managed to stay on it. I think I have sorted the problem now -fingers crossed.

Looking forward to going to the Test match next Friday, it is all bubbling up nicely.

The picture is a tender moment from our hols!

I promised I would blog with photos so this is a quick one with me showing off my magical skills while we were away in Namibia. The picture is me holding my wife in my hand! More to come -I took plenty of pictures with animals in all shapes and sizes! I promise not too many will make it onto the blog!

Well the boy is back! We have just had a marvellous fortnight in Namibia watching wildlife. It is a lovely country with vast open spaces, mountains, desert and bush. We even went 48 hours without seeing another human or vehicle apart from our small group of 9. I will do a few blogs this week about our adventure and the animals we saw. I will also add some pictures to each blog when I have managed to work out how to download of my new camera.

I did see at least 104 species of bird. This included 3 different species of Starling that were really attractive with their glossy feathers.

Had a few ideas for the story I am currently writing and also an idea for a story to tell at our pub gig near Christmas that lends itself to musical accompaniment will let you know after I have spoken to Dan my musical friend that I perform with.

Delightful afternoon Story Telling at Tuffley Library. I did it in two sessions one Telling and one as a Workshop. I cycled and was certainly warm went I got home. This week I’ve been pushing myself on the hills trying to keep my climbing legs. According to Strava many of my times have improved.

Finally we had a superb Book Club last week looking at Grayson Perry’s book The Descent of Man. All the boys entered into the spirit of things so our appearance was interesting!

There may now be a bit of a break from blogging for a couple of weeks.

Back after a few days away in Suffolk where we almost melted until the Thunderstorm arrived. We were in Cedric (our camper) and pedalled around the coast. One ride was to Oford Ness and it was 33 degrees.

On Saturday we went to a celebration 10th wedding anniversary party for Eleanor (my god daughter) and Gary. time certainly does fly! Earlier we visited Sutton Hoo one of our favourite places. It was enhanced by some people dressed as Saxons demonstrating different skills like coin making, weapons, clothes dying and many other things from that time. It inspired us to visit West Stow Saxon village, wonderful!

We also walked round Wicken Fen.

Short blog today! I had a super day yesterday at Cheltenham watching cricket with good friends. Martin and I had cycled and gone by train to get there, we cycled back via Leckhampton Hill and Birdlip. A lovely ride especially descending down from Birdlip through the Slad Valley. The Cheltenham Festival is a real gem just hope the rather ill conceived future Franchise Tournament doesn’t erode this. I do sound like a grumpy old man don’t I!

Forgot to mention how Thursday’s Bird Survey went. A real surprise was a Cuckoo flying near us, we got excited about this, the adult birds  are usually well gone by this time of year. I think this is the latest I have seen an adult, I’ve seen juveniles in early September. We also saw a Redstart a rarity in Frampton.

Finally been on the bike quite a bit this week and yesterday Clare and I went to Nailsworth and climbed up to Minchinhampton, she is really enjoying her new bike!

What a fantastic race yesterday on Alpe d’Huez in the Tour de France. We found the afternoon absolutely gripping as the action ebbed and flowed with different riders looking like they would take the stage win. I think it was one of the best day’s racing ever. I am always in awe as they race for miles up and down these great mountains. Yesterday took me back four years when three of us cycled in the Alps going up Alpe d’Huez three times-don’t ask me why? However, it is great to watch a sporting event like this and have a go at it yourself albeit without the crowds and not racing or the three weeks continuous cycling!

Yesterday I remembered the fear that coursed through my veins as we first approached those imposing snow capped peaks and I questioned my sanity. Why I am I going to cycle up there? Those of you who have read my blog for a while will know I do frequently embark on some interesting challenges on my bike! I’ve put a picture from 2014 of my David, friend George and yours truly on top of Alpe d’Huez above the Tour finish at the snowline and one looking down at the bends of the Alpe, this is only a section but you get some idea of what faces the riders.

Had a lovely morning working at Hygrove House this morning with one of my Story Telling workshops.