Yet another super day and only half way through! This morning we went down the Colorado on a raft- awesome! We were able to swim by the raft so it was a wonderful feeling drifting down on the current but we hauled back in an undignified manner when we got near rapids. Yesterday we were in Canyonlands looking at the arches sadly words Don’t do it justice but it exceeded all expectations, the scale is hard to comprehend.

Finally came up with an allotment story to write, thank you Ron Nutall if you read this!

Just left Yellowstone and currently in Jackson Wyoming. Yellowstone was impressive hiked to the top of Mount Washburn yesterday just over 10000 feet. The view was stupendous you could see for about 30 miles in all directions and it was still Yellowstone! My mammal count now has the bison, very excited to see them.  I would love to explore Yellowstone some more!

Today we were in the Tetons and another marvellous walk the aspens looked wonderful in their early Autumn colours (should have said Fall colours)!

Starting to think of some rewriting of a couple of stories and even a sequel to Dreams. Maybe i am getting above myself! I should aim high!

Now on holiday part 2! We arrived in San Francisco on Saturday night and headed for Yosemite. Wonderful! I did a decent hike on Monday up to Nevada Falls. Very hot but some breath-taking views. Met a group of 20 fire fighters who had been tackling a fire for the last 6 days. Saw smoke yesterday and today. We are currently at Lake Tahoe and have just got back from a sunset cruise. Feel very chilled after enjoying our drinks on the catamaran. I could get used to this lifestyle! Will try to blog again in a couple of day.

Long drive to Yellowstone tomorrow where there is snow! Today the temperature was about 87 degrees how is that for a contrast!

Having a few gremlins trying to post a blog. Did post about the grizzly bear experience before but it appeared to have vanished on my tablet version! Apologies if this is a repeat.

We got really close to grizzly bears I think it was 16 we saw. Many with cubs. The only word I can come up with is awesome. One bear had triplets and we watched as she caught a salmon for them and then enjoyed watching the cubs squabbling over the fish. I never expected that we would get this close to these mighty beasts. I took many photos!

On the way back (a boat trip) we met a pod of over 100 dolphins who played around the boat. Fantastic! We have been very lucky.

Also did the Sleeping King story in the bar to confirm my international status!

Today we fly down to the states for the next part of our trip.

Just managed to restore yesterday’s blog so apologies for the repetition!

Wow!!! I thought the black bears we saw close up were something special but yesterday the grizzly bears were awesome. To be close to these great beasts was a real privilege. Several bears with cubs including one with triplets. Awesome!!I never thought it would be that good.more later.

Very close to a bear yesterday. Can’t believe how close we got. I even told a story yesterday and may have a booking later in the year as a result. Not bad when you are in Canada. Will try and blog properly later!

Great ride yesterday with the boys doing the loop around the Forest. We did 80 miles altogether and the weather was just right.

Have a Gig on Wednesday morning-interesting theme “Plague” for infants! Later we set off for our holiday. We will be away until the end of the month. If you need to get in touch for a Gig please use the web site and I will get back to you but please be patient it might take a few days!

Last game of cricket tomorrow for the Gloucestershire Oldies we have a quarter-final match with Kent.

Well my Dreams story has been dispatched for the Literacy Trust competition so fingers crossed! I will later in the year also see if I can get a publisher interested.

Started to clock up a few miles on the bike this week and the Old Groynes plus our Peter are going to do our version of the Tour de Forest of Dean. This means we are doing a loop around the river. I also cycled into Dursley yesterday for a story telling for the Children’s Centre. They wanted a story on a seaside theme it is always difficult doing these sessions  because the age range is from very young to seven or eight year olds and the acoustics are against you. So I did my own story so another one to add to the list.

Quick post about the fabulous day we had yesterday at Slimbridge Cricket Club to celebrate our 150 years of existence (no I haven’t quite played the whole 150 years!) We had attempted to dress as Victorian cricketers although our pads and gloves looked suspiciously modern! Surprisingly much facial hair had appeared in less than 24 hours, we didn’t do any tests to check for performance enhancing substances! Hats, braces, belts, blazers were much in evidence. The cricket didn’t matter!

Great evening with Beer and Books last night. We were discussing My Name is Red. really good discussion on a book we found an effort to read. Consensus was our history knowledge of the East was sketchy but it was a brave book for a Turkish writer. We also planned our programme for the next 12 months.

We had a lovely time in London and were relieved that Luton equalised in injury time on Tuesday night.

Did 30 miles on the bike today, just trying to get back my climbing legs.

Just to let anyone know I will be unable to perform during September but you can contact me through the website.