Quick blog. Yesterday the wonderful “Handlebards” performed As You Like It at Wick Court. If you haven’t heard about the Handlebards try googling them. They are cycling troupe of actors. Last night the rain started as the cars arrived and it got heavier and heavier and heavier!!!! I have never been so wet for a long time, even my wallet is currently drying out! For the first time at Wick Court we had the all female group. They were superb despite the weather.

I did my Story Telling at Wick Court on Wednesday night with the delightful young people from Holy Innocents Orpington. I did the Greek Myth about the Golden Apple leading to the tragic choice of Paris.

You have all probably noticed I have been quiet for a few days. The song title for today is a convoluted attempt to include where we have been. We went to Rye in Sussex to meet up with a group of old friends, that is why the chorus from American Pie is the title. Rye was a lovely old town with a wonderful nature reserve within walking distance. It was lovely seeing good friends who go back a long way. We came back stopping at Nymans a National Trust Garden. While there we watched a pair of active Firecrests close up. Great birds! There is the picture of a Firecrest at the end.

Busy preparing for my gigs next week with the National Literacy Trust and performing at Wick Court tonight. Continuing to learn a new story for the pub gig on July 19th will do more detail on that in another blog.

Seems an appropriate title for today’s title. My goodness we need a breeze at night, sleeping hasn’t been easy.

I did play cricket on Saturday in the heat and batted for a while until heat exhaustion took over and I struggled to lift my bat! Considering I was the oldest player on the pitch I was surprisingly sprightly in the field. Playing again tomorrow.

Currently learning a new story for adults. Gig next month in the pub. Story Telling tonight at the farm.

Still trying to get some cycle miles in as well.

Seems appropriate for today as I did a Russian Story earlier in the week and I was listening to the ELP version of Mussorgsky’s wonderful composition on vinyl. I have been busy on the Story Telling front this week telling tales at the Wick Court Open Day on Sunday, Nailsworth yesterday and my usual residency this afternoon.

I had an unexpected treat on Monday getting a couple of free tickets for the Pakistan-Sri Lanka Champions Trophy game in Cardiff. Lovely cosmopolitan atmosphere and an interesting game to watch. I quite enjoy Cardiff as a ground but it seems to have trouble filling the ground up.

I did the bird survey this morning and although the weather was good there wasn’t anything surprising although we found two Reed Bunting’s nests.

Book Club last night was a quiet affair last night when we had a positive discussion about Howard’s End.

I think I am growing webbed feet! I got an absolute soaking in Dursley this morning on my bike. I had been to the bank and was doing some errands. Even with overshoes on my feet got wet. This afternoon I was at my residency at Wick Court (the Farm for City Children where I volunteer) Story Telling in the Roundhouse. Again the heavens opened as I pedalled home. Wet clothes everywhere! It has been a busy week on the Story Telling front and I am performing again in the special Round House at Wick Court on Sunday when it is Farm Open Day. Anyone who wants to see the wonderful farm we are open between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. At the bottom of this blog is a previous picture of me in the Round House to give you a feel of the place.

Well a first for me an Abba title which may surprise those of you who know me! No it is not me! It is because I was Story Telling in Hereford today for the National Literacy Trust performing in the Odeon. I was telling stories to groups of young people from local schools I was mainly in a Screen which was fun but I got moved for the last one (not sure what film kicked me out!) Anyway the last telling was in the bar with the soundtrack still belting out. Hence I had to compete with the Dancing Queen! It was a good day and I am back tomorrow.

Yesterday was a good cycle ride from Bristol home stopping off for the wonderful cakes at Hill (I have blogged about Hill Cakes in the past). A little damp the pictures below are not from yesterday but is the promised photo of me at the top of the Tourmalet and my lads climbing towards the top gives you some idea of scale!

Short and sweet today! I had a meeting yesterday with Dave who does my web site about a revamp of the site. All looking good and we should have an updated site in the next fortnight or so.

Busy weekend and week ahead. Cricket, cycling and Story Telling.

More to follow soon!

Easy title for our last night in the beautiful Pyrenees. The scenery has been truly stunning. I actually think it beats the Alps although that might be unfair. I have clocked up several thousand feet of climbing on my trusty bike. It has performed superbly. Yesterday watched Bearded Vultures circling above us, they have a magnificent wing span.

I managed to write a poem about the Tormalet ride. I have written it in an epic style because that seemed appropriate. When I tidy it up I may if I feel brave put it on here.

Well I slowly made my way to the top. 4500 feet of climbing so it took a while! The views were stunning I will add the pictures when I get home. My two boys did go onto do another col. I wisely decided to do just another thousand feet before retreating to the bar for refreshment! Body not too bad but like the Tour and the Giro a rest day today! A walk and bird watching planned instead.

Technical issue with pictures so will put them on next week.

A non Story Telling blog today. Cycling and birds are today’s themes. We are currently in the Pyrenees with all the family. From our Gigs we have wonderful views and we are surrounded by birds and red squirrels. A pair of Common Redstarts and a pair of Black Redstarts are nesting in the garden. There is also a Great Spotted Woodpecker nest in a hole and have seen a young one poking his head out. Vultures and Black Kites soar overhead so for me it is like paradise!

We are cycling here and have already climbed 3 cols. We aim to do the Tourmalet tomorrow so feeling apprehensive as I write. Will blog afterwards and will attempt to add a photo to this blog and tomorrows.