Just got back from Stroud Book Festival where we went to “Dweller in Shadows” celebrating Kate Kennedy’s biography of Ivor Gurney. Those of you who know me well will know that I am fascinated by Ivor Gurney’s story. It is a poignant tale of a man who went to France in 1915. He loved the Gloucestershire landscape, and it features in his  poems and music, often written while at the Front. Kate was joined on stage by fabulous singers and a pianist sharing some of Gurney’s compositions. The evening was an excellent mix of discussion, poems and music. His story always moves me particularly with him being incarcerated in a mental hospital in Dartford for the last fifteen years of his life a man who yearned to see the Gloucestershire landscape yet only coming back to Gloucestershire to be buried.

We did our first Winter Square bird survey for two years because of the pandemic this morning (an OS map square). We always enjoy doing these squares because we are always allocated a square in a place where you would normally think of going for a bird watch- today we were only five miles from home by the Severn.

I thought that Alan Garner’s book would be a good title for today’s blog. I went looking for Short-eared Owls  late afternoon yesterday by the River. I didn’t see any but spotted a Barn Owl instead. However, this morning as I was driving across the Common on my way to football I was surprised to see a Short-eared Owl being mobbed by crows. They are super birds to watch.

The day went downhill after that magical moment. Sadly my football team lost to a very ugly team well versed in the dark arts of game management. It is always the hope that gets you!

The picture above is a Short-eared Owl but it isn’t my picture

A friend gave me a ticket to see Fisherman’s Friends last night in Cheltenham. A lovely entertaining old fashioned evening. A lovely reflection on our island’s nautical history.

Also had a great long ride with a friend yesterday with a fantastic cake stop!

Short blog today – sorry!

I forgot to mention one of my highlights from our time away was seeing a Merlin fly past the hide with a poor Starling in its talons. Normally when I see a Merlin our smallest falcon it is quick and some way away. I did right a story many years ago playing with the bird and the magician which I may revisit at some point.

Had a lovely time looking after young Owen yesterday. It was all action!!!! After crawling all over the floor with him I certainly slept well afterwards!

I was pleased the mighty Hatters won on Tuesday night especially after being second best in the first half and a goal down. Was beginning to think it was going to be a repeat of Saturday’s game.

Super ride today in sunshine with the trees looking wonderful in their subtle Autumn colours.

We are doing quite a bit of yo-yoing this week. Yesterday we were Exeter seeing our delightful granddaughter Ellen (now 5 weeks old) and were allowed a solo walk with her and Tully the dog. Tomorrow it is Maidenhead to look after our Grandson Owen. As a result decided not to travel to Luton tonight for football so will watch it on TV. A little apprehensive about it just  hope we don’t repeat the indifferent display we witnessed at Preston on Saturday where we were totally over run in midfield.

I had a lovely time at Kingshill House on Wednesday. I had a mixed age audience so had to be careful I wasn’t that frightening but still appeal to the older children. Humour and some audience participation was the way I went. It did work!

It was certainly a horror show watching my beloved Hatters yesterday. Second best all over the field- we did seem really sluggish. Hope we get our game back for the two matches this week.

I promised a few photos form our birding at Leighton Moss. A marvellous Nuthatch who posed for several photos. Also included is a Marsh Harrier and Black-tailed Godwits (one shot is my arty shot of the birds in flight some people  might think it is just a blurry photo!)

Currently on the Lancashire/ Cumbria border doing some birding. It is a birthday treat! I have Limited resources to write blog properly so apologies. I need to write about my Halloween Storytelling on Wednesday at Kingshill House also my brilliant sightings up here and hopefully I will be in a good mood to write about tomorrow’s football which we will be watching.
I will include pictures in the next blog!

A catching up type of day working at admin and tackling an ongoing gardening job. Spent quite a bit of time going over possible Halloween Stories for Wednesday at Kingshill House. It is a difficult one because you have no idea of the age range of the audience. I have some good provocative stories for older children but needed to have a few options for younger children that are not that scary! Think I have now plenty up my sleeve!

Thought we needed a picture today to make us smile – no link to the blog but it is  yours truly at a school fete. The theme was Kings and Queens so I went as Marie Antoinette! 

Been a busy action packed few days. Friday was a special day for us as it was the first time all the family had gathered together since our two grandchildren had arrived. Absolutely wonderful – little Ellen (now three weeks old) was much more alert and Owen (now ten months) was his usual charismatic self. Looking on how our incompetent government continue to be slow off the mark with the pandemic we may find we will have to have restrictions imposed on us again so it my be some time before we can meet together again.

I have just finished reading 1,000 Ships by Natalie Haynes which had me totally captivated. Those of you who know me well will know how much I love the Greek Myths – well this book was basically The Iliad, the Odyssey and other myths relating to the Trojan War focusing on the female characters. Certainly has given me food for thought for future Story Tellings.

Involved in a community litter pick today organised by Esther (aged 14)!

My football team rather ran out of steam yesterday but still managed to win.We were surprised to find we are now 5th in the league! Have to temper that to point out 7 teams are on the same number of points! We are really chuffed. COYH!!!!! 

Had to be that favourite old classic for today’s title as I have seen rainbows on successive days. Magnificent one tonight as I pedaled off for Story Telling at Wick Court-didn’t manage to find the pot of gold! I nearly stopped to take a photo. I brought out of the bag another old favourite to tell The Running Companion based on the Phillipa Pearce. story. It always causing a few nervous flutters in the audience!

We surprisingly managed to avoid the rain yesterday when we were bird watching with the young people at Wick Court. Pleased to see some Meadow Pipits near our hide.

Had a delightful Autumn Colours ride with one of my fellow Old Groynes today. Stunning!