Watching the skies and weather forecast carefully today. We have already postponed the cricket quiz for tonight. Tomorrow I have a gig in Stonehouse so I have been busy learning stories -they want stories on an African theme including one class wanting the Ancient Egyptians. Not sure I will be able to cycle to it! Also got a Trustees Meeting for the Children’s Centres tomorrow night in Stroud-we really to need to meet but there is more snow forecast -so I’ll keep watching the skies-what I usually do in the cricket season! There is  a Luton match on Tuesday; unlikely I think and then it is the cup game at Norwich fingers crossed!

My David’s birthday today. Makes me feel ancient to have a boy so old! I’ll put it down to being a very young father!

Had a lovely time yesterday at Dursley. Enjoyed telling my Super Hero story. Added some embellishments to build up the lead into the story. I have performed this story now a few times. Did a poem as well with the children’s participation. Cycled in on my old bike “Shadowfax” found the pedals hard because I am so used to cleats and this bike has toe clips-very uncomfortable.

Last night went to a meeting about flooding in the area. Lots of people expressed their opinions!!!!

“Let it snow, let it snow” It certainly has today! Christmas card pictures everywhere! Had two contrasting walks today. One was practical to the shop! Second one was looking at wildlife; bramblings, fieldfares, redwings, blackcaps, redpolls were all visible!

Book Club meal went well this week on a Zorro theme-masks, hats and swords were worn.

Busy, busy, busy! Working hard for Hill, Valley and Vale Children’s Centre-we have much to do so we are ready for April. Also much socially meeting friends etc. Doing a special gig this week for my old school-they have asked me to do my Super Hero story that I wrote two years for the Infants. They were prepared to pay me but it has been such a part of my life I have declined to charge! Working on re-learning it tomorrow.

I am not writing at the moment because I am so busy but had some good feedback on my story again.

Have a full day Story Telling  next week telling African stories but I am starting with my Harriet the Hippo story so the tutu will have to be dusted off!

Been doing several bird watching sessions with the children at Wick Court-great fun! One boy was so excited when he kept spotting things not always quite what he thought I nicknamed him “Hawkeye”.

Finally watched a Barn Owl for 45 minutes this afternoon-wonderful!

A real shock to the system on Sunday-we did 45 miles up and down several big hills! I needed a good long soak in the bath afterwards! I was fairly fit up to a chest infection before Christmas but the inactivity of the last 3 weeks meant it was hard work! We went up to London yesterday on the coach to see Pete. Went to the Natural History Museum and saw the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition. Superb! Also went on a nostalgic look at the dinosaurs. Still remember being bowled over 50+ years ago! We got back at just before 4 in the morning, a bit tired now!

Been working on learning some stories for a week on Monday. Telling stories on an African theme. Also telling my Super Hero story some time in the next week at Dursley.

Been busy on the Children’s Centre front with a  meeting this week and much on over the next few weeks.

Total football post-my team had an excellent day today beating Wolves in the cup. Just like the old days, great crowd and the ground was rocking. Not long ago we were playing Wolves as equals today there were 59 places between us! We played well and thoroughly deserved our win. Just have to cope with a fixture pile up!

We had a great time Bird Watching in Lancs, missed the otters! We even saw the Hobbit in 3D at Morecambe! Actually enjoyed the film and spotting who the different actors were!

Bike ride tomorrow with the boys! Got permission even though it is our wedding anniversary!

A sociable few days. Lovely party at the Swinglers to see in the New Year. Weather on New Year’s day was great and we had a super walk round the gravel pits.

Went for a decent ride today nearly 20 miles, first one for a while because I was unwell in that spell up to Christmas. Also met Alfie at Wick Court for a bird count. He proudly showed me his new telescope!

We are off up to Lancashire tomorrow -cheap hotel and two days at Leighton Moss -hopefully will see Otters and Bitterns!

Just finished a book by a Frenchman called the Dark Room at  Longwood. Interesting read because the author visits St Helena and compares his experience with Napoleon’s last days at Longwood House. It even mentions the holes in the shutters at Longwood Farm where Napoleon used to look out from. I’ve stood and looked through those holes! It is now getting on for 14 years since I worked on the island. It was a wonderful to be in a place where history was so tangible you could touch it every time you moved. I still wonder if they play me reading  “Bill’s New Frock” on Radio St Helena! I would love to go back to the island on a Story Telling Tour!

Had a pointless journey yesterday. We set off in pouring rain to watch Luton. Couldn’t believe it when the ref called off the game at just after 2.30 when it had stopped raining. 5,000 + already in the ground, we popped in to have a look no water on the pitch!Sounds like he made a big mistake. Just have to watch these fixtures building up-we have a league game on Tuesday and then the FA Cup games with Wolves when it should be like the good old days!

We pedaled to the WWT at Slimbridge between the showers. Enjoyed watching thousands of Plovers, Lapwings and Dunlin up in the sky.

Just watched the new Snowman and the Snow dog film. Enjoyed it and watched the programme on the making of it. Raymond Briggs and his work formed the main part of this programme. Forgotten what an iconic book/film the original was! Still moved by it!

Finished proof reading my story following advice. Ended up 21500+ words. Reasonably pleased with it-aiming to send it off sometime in the near future. Another ex pupil is going to read it without knowing who wrote it.

Christmas over! Dave and Vicky left us this afternoon. Despite our coughs we have had a lovely time (I do sound like 40 a day man!) Pete is still with us for while. We all travelled to the real Theatre of Dreams yesterday (Boxing Day). A straightforward win-hopefully we can start being consistent and push for the top!