The title refers to my feelings as a football fan. For my team the Mighty Hatters sadly doesn’t look so hopeful as I write. I thought we did enough to win last night and it was telling the return of one of injured stars scored a good goal and caused the Everton defence problems – just think where we might of been if he had made available more! Still I am off to West Ham next weekend!

Lovely Spring day here and we had a lovely walk this morning. Saw a Great White Egret (the picture below is one I took before). They are not as common as Little Egrets but their population in the UK is growing.

Enjoyed Story Telling on Thursday night – I told the Running Companion (Philippa Pearce story) for the first time in a long time.

We are excited to Cardiff tomorrow to see “The Boss”(Bruce Springsteen) – he is a wonderful performer and it will be the third time we have seen him live.

Yes we saw sunshine for part of today until tonight’s rain. It was actually quite hot when I was bird watching with young people from Sutton at Wick Court. One group with me got a good view of a Chiffchaff through the telescope. I am Story Telling for them tomorrow night.

Talking of the sunshine I cycled yesterday to collect cricket balls for our Gloucestershire Senior’s matches. It will be touch and go if we get our first game in next Tuesday!

It will be a novel experience having to vote tomorrow providing voter ID, sadly I feel we are beginning to replicate what is happening in the US with voter suppression.

Funny sort of day here. I had a good cycle ride over the hills of Stroud despite a strong wind. More bluebells up in Randwick woods. The rest of the day has been spent on catching up on jobs- some time in the garden and doing admin for Gloucestershire Seniors Cricket (still haven’t finished). I popped out before dusk to do a brief birdwatch (wind was awful). Saw my first Terns including one Arctic (the bird with the longest migration!) Also a Sparrowhawk shot past my head! (the picture below has been in the blog before it was a Sparrowhawk in the garden that Clare took!)

Had a delightful day yesterday playing with my two grandsons. I do enjoy being a granddad!

Less said about Saturday the better!

It is your proverbial “Cats and Dogs” here at the moment! I am off on the train later this morning on my trip to Molineux to watch the Mighty Hatters. Going in hope that a miracle might happen but deep down I have trepidation for the last few games, last week was such a shock and worry about the physiological damage it has caused the players. It is the hope that gets you! COYH!!!!!!!

Yes we won! So for the second year running we have won the quiz plate competition. So we felt chuffed -especially as our captain Steve was missing.

I mentioned I was rushing from Story Telling to the quiz- I had a lovely time telling two stories at Wick Court with a very focussed and appreciative audience.

I pedalled to meet Clare for a delightful walk in the woods near Sapperton. Some pictures below. We had lunch at the Daneway pub – I think the last time we ate there was well over 40 years ago. Great ride and I was really pleased with my climbing.

Loved the shape of the tree above!

A busy couple of days on the birding front. A lovely day yesterday at Wick Court with young people from Sutton. We saw a good selection of birds including a Blackcap.

Today it was the monthly survey out on the Severn (the Bore came up midway through). Highlights were Avocets, Lesser Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, Marsh Harrier, Whimbrel  and I was delighted to see my first Swifts of the year! I am full of admiration for Swifts and I am always learning something new about these charismatic birds.

Off to Story Tell at Wick and the rushing to the plate final of the quiz league.

Managed to get a quick ride in this morning and kept up a decent pace. I am looking forward to when I don’t have to wear a jacket- still got a nip in the morning!

I went off this afternoon to watch our 60s second team playing a pre-season cricket match. It was good to catch up with old friends.

On the story front I woke up early this morning with an idea for a story which I now need to play around with. I really ought to have a notebook by my bed to scribble down my overnight musings!

I can’t talk about Saturday’s it was depressing to see your team not even come second in a match! It was the first time this season where I didn’t think the Mighty Hatters didn’t compete which doesn’t auger well for the last four vital matches!

Dealing with my post match depression  on Sunday morning I went bird watching looking for Summer Migrants. I didn’t see the birds I had hoped for – my only migrants was a Whitethroat and a couple of Swallows. However, this noisy Mistle Thrush (above) got my attention!

We have just got back from 36 hours spent with our delightful granddaughter the  effervescent Ellen who lights up any day with her smiles. We are now worn out!

A lovely start to the day, the sun is shining and the birds are singing all around! Amazing after the wet Spring so far I had to fill both bird baths this morning because they had dried out.

Hoping that I will have a spring in my step later today as I travel to watch the Mighty Hatters in a vital clash near the bottom of the league! I will of course have my fingers firmly crossed! COYH!!!!!!!!!

The Two Severn Bores thoroughly enjoyed our gig at Newent Library on Wednesday night. It was our Destiny or Fate show and we are pleased with the way this has developed over our performances in recent months. Dan’s playing of the guitar and his songs are brilliant.

I have managed a couple of decent rides in the last couple of days. I have even managed to get my number 1 bike out!

Tonight the Bittern was booming again by Splatt Bridge – hope he finds a mate! Also saw the Marsh Harrier come out of the reed bed where I think the nest is.

Finally a couple of spring themed pictures- I took tonight.