I had some sad news this week. Madge who was my first boss (Headteacher) died after a long illness. She was an inspirational lady who at that time was a bit of a pioneer because it was mainly male Headteachers in Gloucestershire Primary Schools in the early 70s. I learnt much from Madge about children. She never gave up on those high maintenance children who were up against everything and I held that close when I was a Head. I will remember many of the humorous moments we had then mainly thanks to Madge’s often determined and frequently scatty approach to a problem. She always went that extra mile to support families at school. She certainly influenced how I saw education, she wouldn’t have liked today’s straight jacket on the curriculum, because she was a strong believer in the arts in its widest sense!

So today’s title was  a memory of those happy times at Stroud Valley Primary School and was certainly the sound track of my first year of teaching!

I was doing the monthly bird count this morning and had two Common Cranes briefly fly over. It was a quiet morning but had a lovely view of a Kingfisher flying along the ditch below where I was standing.

I am Story Telling later, not sure if we are inside or out depends on the weather. I am away most of February but March is looking busy for Gigs. I have had a good 12 to 18 months with some interesting varied venues that I have performed at!

A song title from Gloucestershire and the River Severn nearby! I seem to have spent quite a bit of time over the last week or so cycling by the River. Currently one bike down hopefully not for too long. I have been out on my Mountain Bike and also my steel frame racing bike “Shadowfax”. I have to say it was good to cycle on Friday with no rain and some sun and it was cold but I enjoy a ride on a crisp winter’s day.

I have been working on developing my “Mollie the Sheep” story. The main story is almost finished but it will need a significant rewrite.

I went to watch a game at the “Theatre of Comedy” home of my beloved Hatters. We were marginally better yesterday (not difficult) but still a work in progress!

We are looking forward to our up and coming trip to Cuba next month. More in future blogs!

Winter has arrived! Certainly more like January weather. Will be interesting to see how cold it is when I Story Tell outside this afternoon. I am doing the coming of Merlin and another couple of traditional stories.

Bookings are coming in for the week of World Book Day but surprisingly still have the actual day (Thursday) free. So anyone who wants me then get in touch soon because it will go.

Last night it was our Book Club meal hence today’s title. We are doing Hemingway’s book next month so we all did variations of Tapas (well anything seems to go with Tapas). As usual it was a veritable feast and once more the boys excelled themselves with their cooking.

Anyone know today’s song title, an interesting group not my usual taste but a reminder of my youth? I was looking up songs with bicycles so this one came up!

I have actually even managed to do a good couple of sessions writing! I think the weather helps! I have started doing another story to go in the book with my ghost story based at Wick Court. This one is about an elderly sheep “Mollie”. She is a real sheep and popular with the children. I am playing around with ideas at the moment.

You can guess by the title I’ve done a few rides recently. Today we had a real soaking but a great ride.

Back at Wick Court later this week both bird watching with the children and Story Telling. Also a Book Club meal to cook this week.

First time I’ve used Creedence Clearwater Revival for a blog title! Thought it had to have rain in the title as that is what we have seen non-stop for the last month.

Managed to get lucky on Tuesday when I was Story Telling at Westonbirt Arboretum for children from Tetbury. It didn’t rain until I was driving home! I told the story of Baba Yaga’s Daughter to one group and yet another one to add to my Story Bank. I now need to get back into writing mode!

I have managed a couple of decent rides since the New Year but the roads are so mucky I have to keep cleaning my bikes!

You can guess by the title what this blog is about! So this is a non Story Telling blog and is all about sport so sorry for those of you who have no interest! I might even do a culinary blog in the next couple of weeks.

Yesterday I went through the agony of once again seeing my football team lose with not much more than a whimper. The best bit of our day was the pub we found near to the Rovers ground. it was a micro-brewery pub in an old shop. Fantastic beer and very welcoming to footie fans of both teams. Looking forward to revisiting, although I only have ever seen the Hatters win once at Rovers and that was when they were at Twerton Park!

Today as been spent watching Ben Stokes smash the South African bowling to what appeared to be all parts of Cape Town. What an innings it was absolute carnage! Johnny Bairstow also batted well.  As the rain cascaded down outside here, it was more horses and cows than cats and dogs in Frampton, I was absolutely transfixed by the cricket.

Happy New Year everyone! I’m not doing any resolutions except I will make sure my story “Don’t Look at Me Like That!” gets published. Just need the illustrations to be finished over the next month or so.

Have a great time!!!!!!!!

Well the first part of the Christmas Holidays has just about finished. It was even dry today although still windy and I managed to get a decent ride in with a climb up Stouts Hill. I had persuaded Clare and Peter to come to Luton with me on Boxing Day. My goodness what a dreadful game and that is being polite! I think we have settled for mid table mediocrity, so it looks like being a long second half of the season. At least the cricket is encouraging at the moment!

Obviously a quiet week on the Story Telling front but I am starting to prepare for next Tuesday’s gig at Westonbirt. Hope to also get on with some writing over the next couple of days.

Merry Christmas to all of you who read my ramblings on Story Telling and stuff!

I am currently looking up stories/poems suitable for K.S. 1 children for after the holiday. I am Story Telling at Westonbirt Arboretum at the beginning of January. I’ve got a few ideas but any ideas let me know please!

Busy getting ready for Christmas and I think we are nearly there! In theory a quiet Christmas here. Both boys are around and Vicky. Our traditional walk and “The Shoes” for a drink at lunch time are all on the agenda.