A “Boss” song title for today. I chose this one because last night we went to watch Martyn Joseph perform and he sang the above as part of his set. He is a wonderful Welsh singer mixing up gentle sensitive songs with emotionally charged “protest songs”. His song “Cardiff Bay” is one of my all time favourites a lovely song about a father and his son. It always makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up and I always feel emotional listening to it. The venue was interesting it was at Woodchester Convent which is now a small concert venue where they film the performance. I would recommend going to a Gig there it is different!

I enjoyed this morning’s Gig for SP3. We hosted it in Frampton and the stories went down well. I was pleased with my “Flowers on the Beach” story. I am thinking of doing one of my own stories when have the village pub gig next month.

Not a song title today but a story title instead. It is one of mine and I am telling to ladies from SP3 (Stroud Pyramid of the Third Age) on Friday. It is based on a Degas painting  “Beach Scene” I originally wrote it for a schools project (The National Gallery’s Take One Picture). I have upgraded it for an adult audience so I had to do quite a bit of research. currently learning that for Telling and two other stories. Back to my regular Thursday slot this week with children from Old Oak in London.

Busy spell for me with a long Children’s Centre Meeting yesterday afternoon. Today I was doing my voluntary Bird watching with the young people at Wick Court. Loads of Redwings over today! I eventually saw the Bittern in Frampton and looking for a Siberian Chiffchaff close to my house tomorrow.

They must do surely sometime soon!

It is hard to make sense of the news this year. Millionaires here and across the pond masquerading as “men of the people” telling outrageous lies, playing to xenophobic  audiences.

Still off to Book Club for meal and discussion of Paul Scott’s book “Staying On”.

Haven’t had a Neil Young song title for a while but as I had a busy weekend thought it was appropriate. Saturday was First Round of the F.A. Cup at Exeter. I went with our Dave and Vicky. A strange game where we at times poor and then some real flashes of brilliance. At least we won but I hope we start being more consistent over the whole 90 minutes. I also had a lovely birthday present from them as well, a beautiful poetry book with photographs of Gloucestershire (all the poems have a link with the county.)

Yesterday two of us went on a long cycle almost 50 miles to the wonderful cakes at the village of Hill. They now close for the winter-a long time to April! We met some others there who cycled back with us.

A quiet week on the Story telling front so I am decorating and reorganising my office. I am building up a decent library of folk tales from around the world.

A “Show of Hands” anthem for today’s title. Went to Cardiff last night to watch Show of Hands with Mike my brother and a mate Bernie. A delightful concert as always with a wide range of songs. First time Mike had seen them and was suitably impressed. Some moving songs around the Somme anniversary including a reworking of “The Keeper”. There was a real political edge to some old numbers  including a damming “Crooked Man” following the Chilcott report, and Arrogance, Ignorance and Greed to include Philip Green. Cousin Jack a wonderful song about the Cornish Miners (migrants of the day) was referenced with a comment about the plight of current migrants.  A great evening!

Following the Russian theme for song titles for the blog!

Interestingly enough there is hardly any evidence of the Soviet regime in St. Petersburg today. Not sure if St Petersburg ever fully embraced the Soviet era. Our Guide was baffled by the fact his birth certificate  says Leningrad (which no longer exists ) yet he lives in St Petersburg the same place. He later entertained us with the Rasputin murder when taking us to the Palace where it took place and moving us from room to room with the tale. Those of you who know me well will know how much I enjoy History and visiting historical sites. Always good to walk in the footsteps of the past.

We went to St.Petersburg  via Helsinki on the ship. So we spent two days in Finland one each side of the three days in St.Petersburg. Winter looms in Helsinki snow forecast for Wednesday. I had some wonderful views of Waxwings and Arctic Redpolls while we moved around the city and beyond.

Sorry about the title but at least it fits the location! Just back from a long day at the Hermitage. One can certainly understand why there was a revolution in 1917 the opulence of the Russian Royal Family is truly staggering. Interesting how Soviet period has virtually disappeared from sight here in St Petersburg. It is a beautiful city and masses to look at.

Enjoyed looking at the art a great collection of French Impressionists. My visit to the Winter Palace will enhance future tellings of a comic Russian Folk Tale (a favourite at Wick Court). Also brought a fantastic Russian Folk Tale book to develop my repertoire. Will blog properly when back home.

I have just been to the Tip getting rid of a collection of old paint tins so that gave me today’s title. I had also just watched Procol Harum on T.V. singing the above song;so it all comes together! A great song and one of the evocative sounds  of my formative years.

For once a fortnight ahead with no Story Telling so it means the voice gets a rest! We are off to St Petersburg later this week instead! Really looking forward to this my first visit to Russia. So if you are trying to get hold of me for a booking I may not be able to get back to you for a few days.

I am revisiting one of my stories I wrote about ten years ago. It was originally written for a school project based on Degas “Beach Scene” painting that is currently in the National Gallery. I am hoping that although written for school I can redo it for an adult audience. I have a Gig for adults next month so hopefully I can add it to the stories I hope to tell.

Had a great ride yesterday with one of my pals Peter. It is a tradition that we have coffee and cake. Well the cup of coffee I had you could have drowned in it was such a large cup! The cake was gigantic and you needed full climbing equipment to tackle it.

What a fantastic Test Match in Bangladesh. Talk about ebb and flow. You don’t get that in one day games. I actually felt sorry for Bangladesh not be able to win. Ben Stokes is a colossus of cricketer!

Finally good to see Autumn Watch is coming from one of our favourite places the Arne Reserve in Dorset. We usually visit once a year.

Chose today’s song title after Wick Court’s adopted cat “Compost” has caught both a rabbit and a shrew in front of me and the children at Wick Court. You might know the Al Stewart song. She is an almost feral cat who catches much of her food.

One piece of good news is the Little Owl is being seen again at the farm although the children didn’t see it this time. I went birding today doing the monthly survey by the River. Watched a pair of Stonechats for a while, lovely charismatic birds!

The old song (today’s title) probably sums up how I feel after last week’s busy spell. It is quieter this week on the Story Telling front. This afternoon I am telling Mollie the Sheep to two schools at a special afternoon at Wick Court. (I will be telling stories there again on Thursday). At least this week I don’t have to worry about travelling!

I have a couple of meetings (one tonight for the Children’s Centre) coming up. I hope to get down to a decent spell of writing this week-hopefully sorting out the Wick Court ghost story for publishing.