You probably wondered where I have been! My week started with the Story Telling on Monday and has finished with another Story Telling tonight at Wick Court. In between it has been cricket and DIY! I told a couple of old favourites tonight.

I played against Wales on Tuesday and sadly the game was decided by the toss – the only time batting became easy was when it started to rain and we had to bowl with a wet ball- we had been slightly ahead at this point.

I managed my only ride of the week this morning.

We are hoping to do some birdwatching in Somerset= so watch this space!

A real varied day that started with Story Telling at Bromsberrow Primary School in the North of the county. I had a  lovely time and I had super responsive audience.

I followed up with some hacking back of a tall bush in the garden that even with a long pole was awkward . Arms were aching afterwards!

Tonight at Splatt Bridge I heard and then saw my first cuckoo of the year (picture of one below – not mine!) Also saw a Cetti’s Warbler you normally only hear them! Finally there was a lot of Redshank activity over at the scrapes (another picture that isn’t mine below!)

Cricket for me tomorrow against a strong Wales team!

For those of you who having been reading this book for some time will remember we did a book for our grandson Owen called the “The Magic Blue Tractor”. It was a picture book with pictures of him with his small toy tractor that turned into the tractor above! Yesterday he met the above tractor and was in 7th heaven! Later when playing the usual refrain of “Come on Gramps!” echoed around our house! We had a our own “magical” day with our two grandsons (and their parents!)

I had a super ride up Frocester Hill in the sunshine on Friday!

Later on I am off to watch the last game of the football season and give The Mighty Hatters a good send off – hoping for a 12-0 win!

Story telling tomorrow up near the Malverns.  

An old picture I took of the Ross’s Goose that has been turning up regularly in Frampton. I have seen it the last few days while looking for Hobbies. The good news is I have had some good views of Hobbies but not taken any photos of them (not an easy to photo some poor attempts below from previous years.)

I have had a busy day in the garden today and doing a few odd jobs.

Off later to watch a streaming of Nye from the National Theatre with Michael Sheen in the lead role.

Short post tonight as we are currently babysitting our two grandsons.
Yesterday I managed to get in a game of cricket all the other 5 Gloucestershire Seniors teams had their games cancelled due to Monday night heavy rain. My bowlers were superb and we won the game comfortably. I had one my best days ever in the field with diving stops and to cap it all I took a memorable catch. I was in close trying to stop a single when the batsman launched a fierce drive, I threw myself at the ball sticking out my left hand in hope. Somehow to everyone’s surprise including my own the ball ended up in my hand. Afterwards I was dreaming I was a young cricketer again until I felt my aches and pains!

Currently starting to think of The Two Severn Bores next show and I am tentatively writing down ideas. Dan and I have thought of exploring Arthurian legend and so I am busy rehashing a story I must of written 40 years ago playing with modern day fable mixing up Merlin the magician with the Merlin the bird! Alright sounds far fetched at the moment! I am favouring maybe focussing the performance around Merlin more than Arthur. So watch this space!

I spent yesterday at Wick Court as part of their Blossom Day. I was bird watching with anyone who wanted to give it a go! I later went searching for a Hobby- no luck but the Oystercatcher and the two Common Terns below were good to see. I did manage to get a good view of a Hobby today! One of my favourite birds!

Well the inevitable happened yesterday the Mighty Hatters were sadly relegated from the Premier League after losing at West Ham. I know I am biased but I think we have been a breath of fresh air to this league that often forgets its roots. Some pictures from yesterday below including me with Tom Lockyer our captain who unfortunately had that cardiac arrest last November- a moment to remind us that football isn’t really that important. It was emotional when the players and all the staff came over to the fans at the end to applaud them and they got a fifteen minute ovation from the travelling faithful. One picture sent to me by my friend Colin (a screenshot from Match of The Day) is of me and others around me looking glum!

I have been at Wick Court Blossom Day today doing some bird watching with anyone who wanted to.

I had a delightful time with old friends from Ashmead Primary School Aylesbury this week. The young people really enjoyed the bird watching and we were all amazed they spotted 28 species. I managed to get a Chiffchaff for them to see in the scope- we also saw a few summer migrants. Last night I told them my old favourite Russian folk tale trick story – it is a good story and I do ham it up! The picture below is me telling that story a few years ago.

We are off to see Johnny Coppin tonight in Frampton Church. Tomorrow could be a sadly significant day for the Mighty Hatters – it could be all over! Of course I shall go with hope!

Summer has certainly arrived with Common Terns galore on the Sailing Lake near home. A couple of pictures of one particular noisy individual! I counted at least 6.

Talking birds some more pictures below of birds from Splatt Bridge a Dunnock and a distant Marsh Harrier earlier this week.

I actually managed to get a game of cricket yesterday despite Monday’s downpours. Obviously a difficult pitch and we sadly lost by one run.

The title is of course one of Bruce Springsteen’s anthems.

What a great night in Cardiff watching The Boss with probably 70,000 other people! He and the E Street Band  are superb performers and for three hours they never flagged in energy. One song followed seamlessly after another. His songs are so well crafted and the band are excellent musicians. The expanded brass section certainly made a significant difference. The Principality Stadium certainly rocked! I do enjoy the buzz of being in a large and expectant crowd. There was both pure rock and roll classic numbers and some poignant songs from his must recent album that reflect on his mortality.  Some pictures from phone below!

We have a few more gigs for different performers booked over the next months- nothing beats live performance! I have to say that as Storyteller who thrives on an audience!

Hoping to play cricket tomorrow against Oxfordshire (thunderstorms are forecasted there today!) In my little boy excitement of the first game of the season. I have already packed mykit  bag in anticipation!