I used to love doing assemblies on Trafalgar Day and engage children with the story of one of national heroes. Nelson is an interesting character, not sure how he would cope with the tabloid press if living today!

Clare has given me good feedback on my story so I am going back to read it through.We had a good laugh about giving it a title (Misty the Magician) was always a temporary title while writing it. Some of our suggestions today would need the censor’s scissors! I am also having a few new ideas to develop which I may share sometime in the future.

I cycled up to Forest Green yesterday to watch their cup game against Dartford and met fellow Hatter Mick at the game . Apparently I am being interviewed by local radio (One of my ex young cricketers) about the match with Luton next week

There have been some really high tides and quite a few flooded areas. Visited WWT yesterday with a friend Chris and were well rewarded by looking over the flooded areas. Little Stint, Grey Plovers and once again the Long Billed Dowitcher. Missed the Bittern.

Clare and I went to the Forest today to enjoy the Autumn colours, had a lovely walk around Symonds Yat and spotted the Peregrine above the nest site.

At last I managed to photograph the Little Owl at Wick Court! You may of read about some of my failures! Was difficult because it was in a pear tree and the wind was strong so the leaves kept casting a shadow over the Owl’s face. Patience was finally rewarded; I’ve made many trips but today was the day! Got several decent shots and now I am putting together information sheets on the birds of Wick Court.

Last night was a Book Club meal. The book was Robert Peston’s account of the collapse of the economy. So it was like Mansion House occasion and we were all in best bib and tucker! DJs + bow ties. Great food and a good company as always!

Well I have finally finished going over the “Misty the Magician” story and I have now read it through a few times. Clare is going to read it this week to give me her opinion. Let me know if anyone else out there wants to read it through and give me an opinion. I’ve asked her to let me know  another event/incident should be added and if it perhaps it needs a bit more humour in it.

My next task will be to see if I can persuade anyone to publish it. I am also hoping to start  rewriting one of my other stories next week. I may well rewrite my Quest for Camelot next.

Went to watch a poor advert for football today. Visitors showed no ambition and we didn’t show much initiative in breaking them down. Very different to Tuesday when we played some fluent football and lost, this time we won! Two great goals in the last five minutes saw us get the three points. Better ref today who showed some common sense was a pleasant surprise.Just hope we now find some consistency and get to the top some tough away games coming up.

Finished off our Festival visits tonight. We saw Alan Garner give a lecture which was a journey to his latest book which was a link to Moon of Gomrath becoming a trilogy many years after. We then saw Tupp another Storyteller who gave a dazzling performance.

We finished our bout of non-stop decorating thank goodness! Hopefully a bit of calm and writing time over the next few days.

We went to Cheltenham Literature Festival again. Clare went to a session on Nordic crime writing, I enjoyed looking in the Book Tent. We the saw Breton Fairy Tales told by Michael Harvey, he was outstanding. He had  excellent timing and a sharp sense of humour.

Football on Tuesday was disappointing it ended up 10 v 12  the referee made a real bloomer that cost us the game. I actually thought our football going forward is the most fluent I’ve seen all season.

Had a wonderful time watching Ben Haggarty, Hugh Lupton and Sally Pomme Clayton perform on Sunday night. Top class performing of old stories with music enhancing the whole performance. More Festival Story Telling later this week and also going to listen to the author Alan Garner.

Off in a minute in my suit and tie (an occasional sighting these days) to do our presentation for the Children’s Centre tender. The team have worked really hard and I think we have put together an excellent bid. Fingers crossed!

Later off to watch the mighty Hatters-hopefully a good day all round!

Cycled with George to Cheltenham, weather was glorious and met Terry there. So a third of our Book Club were at Cider with Rosie (an alcoholic romp through literature). The event was in a big circular tent and inside was a bar with tables. Several bottles of different ciders were on our table, plus cheese and biscuits. What followed was a performance almost slap stick with various references to authors and Picasso-they made out that his paintings were fueled by cider! We did enjoy it and we could sit and natter afterwards. Afterwards we had a great cycle back, about 45 miles altogether.

Tomorrow Clare and I are watching Ben Haggarty and Hugh Lupton who are two wonderful StoryTellers doing some tales from Grimm’s Tales, really looking forward to it.

Got back and found Luton had won!

Busy day today. Went back to Wick Court to update my Bird Count and try to take a picture of the Little Owl. Ground very wet, after a while I saw the owl in the tree but the leaves made the shot difficult. Walked along the hedge row to see if I could get a better picture. Eventually got back to my original view. Was about to click away and the little so and so disappeared! I will try again next week! Cycled back into Stonehouse this afternoon to work with the others on the presentation. Was pleased with our efforts-Tuesday is our big day!

Yesterday I was incensed after walking to the 100 acre to find the  gate padlocked from the canal. I have been doing this walk for years and I am getting fed up with land owners getting grants and when the 10 years are up shutting off access. I am going to fight this one! I have taken lots of children bird watching across those fields and was supposed to be taking an 86-year-old next week! Letters will fly off to the landowners and possibly the press. We are still living under Norman rule 1,000 years on! That land was snatched by the sword in 1066! Will keep the blog updated on the battle!