What another compelling Test Match. Not sure my nerves can cope with these games especially coming after the penalty shoot out my football team went through at the end of May! All three Test Matches have been keenly fought and Mark Wood’s explosive bowling (not forgetting his explosive cameos with the bat) making the difference. Certainly when I was there on Thursday watching him bowl was spine tingling! We were spending time yesterday with our grandsons but  we were keeping an eye on the cricket!

Went for a ride this morning and managed to beat the rain. As it is chucking it down now I am not very optimistic about playing cricket tomorrow- it is ironic when I have to select sides this year (I left out a few this time) it rains!!!

We were moving some things around to accommodate a toddler bed we have acquired for our grandchildren when they stay (getting beyond travel cots!) and I cam across a small booklet of Apple Poems that was competition  for celebration of the Apple to coincide with a Johnny Coppin concert in St Mary’s Church Frampton to raise funds. I submitted a poem slightly tongue in cheek that ended up highly commended and is in the said booklet! Here it is photocopied!

Another short blog – I am writing it as I watch yet another compelling Test Match. I was lucky enough to be Headingley yesterday to enjoy a wonderful day’s cricket. To see fast bowler Mark Wood steam in was particularly thrilling. My friend Dave had secured seats that gave us a fantastic view (picture below.) I love being able to watch Ashes cricket in the flesh  and have now watched  Ashes Tests at Cardiff, Durham, Lords, The Oval, Headingley, Trent Bridge and Sydney. I have also watched a one day England- Australia at Old Trafford. 

The other great sporting event that I love that is currently going on is the Tour de France. It is a remarkable endurance event cycling for three weeks all around beautiful France. I only watched it live when it was in Yorkshire. Yesterday was the Tourmalet mountain which I cycled up with my two sons six years ago the two pictures below are me on the top and part of the route we cycled up. Might have pictures from the Alps when they get there later.

Short blog today. I am off to Headingly tomorrow for the Test Match. I am in the posh seats behind the bowler’s arm you might see me on TV! Yesterday we had a forlorn journey down to deepest Somerset in pouring rain. Amazingly despite it pouring five miles from the ground it was bone dry at the ground! It didn’t last and we got 20 overs in before it rained! Better luck next week.

Had a lovely day with young people from Southwark today at Wick Court bird watching. Saw some lovely birds and nearly all the children got great views of a Great Spotted Woodpecker on the feeders. We were treated by a couple of Swifts zooming overhead.

I haven’t seen today’s cricket but for MCC members (not necessarily a group I sympathise with). to react the way they did my goodness something was obviously wrong. I meanwhile at the same time I was playing cricket against a great bunch of Aussie cricketers. A lovely friendly game of cricket which we won with two ball to spare. I even took my second international wicket in a week following the Wales game on Tuesday!

Enjoyed being at Eldersfield last night telling stories. Told a couple of old favourites – My own “Odd Tale” which ultimately pokes fun at me through the well known device of selling your soul! The other story I told was “The Man Who Couldn’t Tell Stories”. 

Depressing watching England being so careless in the Test Match. Hope we can get out of this one! Talking of cricket I am captaining a Gloucestershire Seniors Team against an Australian team on Sunday- another international following Wales earlier in the week!

My Story Telling with young people from Croydon was enjoyable last night. I am telling stories to adults tomorrow night at Eldersfield. Learning my stories tonight!

It was an early start yesterday for the monthly bird survey by the River Severn. Nothing surprising but plenty of Swallows and House Martins over the reed bed and 34 Avocets on the river. Finally pictures of a visitor on our feeders today.

Picture below is me in action at the Gl11 fete last Saturday. It was hard work!!! I wasn’t wearing sunglasses for disguise – it helps on high pollen days to protect my eyes! I am telling the Impudent Little Bird story!

We lost honourably at cricket yesterday. I actually took a wicket (won’t say how many wides I bowled)

Pictures taken in deepest Devon at the weekend. We went with our son David and our delightful granddaughter Ellen to Wild Wood. The bears and wolves were in large enclosures and we were lucky enough to see them.

Some pictures from the Two Seven Bores Gig last week. I have to say Dan’s songs are superb! Thanks Terry for taking the pictures!

Yesterday was an action packed day for me at Wick Court- I was out for 12 hours. I took young people from Birmingham bird watching. Hard work in the heat and a paucity of birds! The farm was holding its 25th anniversary as a Farm for City Children so we had many friends and of course the children that were there for a lovely party. It is a special place and I thoroughly enjoy my time there, for many children it is their first experience of the countryside and they thrive on that.

Now entering a busy spell on the Story Telling front that will involve much preparation.