We had a lovely tour of Llanthony Secunda Priory in Gloucester this morning. It is a fascinating place and you certainly see in Gloucester in a different light. I would recommend a chance to join one of their monthly tours.

A late afternoon walk round Frampton. I went looking for Spring Migrants. A solitary Swallow and a far distant Wheatear was all I saw. Some pictures below from my walk.                                             

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Shadowfax my trusty steed  was heavily laden this morning as I cycled off to Tuffley Library Gloucester. I was doing stories as part of a bird walk in the immediate  locality of the library. I enjoyed my time with the delightful families that joined me many of whom had impressive knowledge of birds. I have some pictures from the morning but currently struggling with the format they are in. It was hard work cycling with a heavily laden bike so the body feels it now! For the young man who was holding a bird’s egg it could of been a Mallard’s egg although it looked small –Woodpigeon is another possibility (both are white eggs).

I have two Huddersfield supporters joining me tonight to watch the match – I hope they are disappointed even though they are friends! COYH!!!!!

If you are a regular reader of my blog you may of wondered where the blog has been over the last three days!

Well I have been on Grandparent duties we have had our Owen (sixteen months old) staying (and also his parents) so I haven’t had much time to write and exhaustion did set in as well! We were chuffed to do solo yesterday for nearly six hours in the day. He is a delightful young man and Gramps (my name to him) did much crawling and running around with him! So no wonder I was exhausted!

To finish off the weekend I went to a rehearsal for Between Severn Tides (performances in a fortnight). It will be all go now till we perform! I am missing a rehearsal tomorrow to watch the Mighty Hatters (fingers crossed because it is a vital game).

Tomorrow I am doing Flying Feathers and Fables (a story and bird watching walk at Tuffley Library) I tell bird stories while we look for birds!

I have had a few bookings for next term for a writing/story workshop post SATS for Year 6. It will look at where ideas come from and develop- hoping to make a practical fun session. Get in touch if you want me to visit.

Off later to tell stories to young people from Birmingham. Should be interesting as they are a secondary school- haven’t done that age for a few months.I went bird watching with them yesterday and we were blown all over the place! We did see a couple of Linnets don’t see them often at Wick Court. (not my picture below)

We had a delightful walk this morning and we were serenaded by several warblers. Many Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs were around the lake in Frampton. Also heard the explosive burst of song of a Cetti’s Warbler as well as the evocative call of Curlews flying over us. A picture of a Cetti’s below isn’t mine they are difficult to photograph. Also had a good view of my first Willow Warbler of this Spring.

Next week I am doing one of my Story Bird Walks at Tuffley Library.Just hope the weather is OK!

Bitterly disappointed by tonight’s football although the Hatters drew it felt like a defeat- we do need three points at this stage of the season!

We had an all day rehearsal for the community play we are putting on this month. sadly the virus is having an impact and we were missing several key figures today. We will have to keep our fingers crossed.

A topsy-turvey game at the Theatre of Dreams yesterday. We were out fought in the first half but we were more like our old selves second half and missed a couple of good chances. We did well to come back after conceding a late goal

Life goes back to normal tomorrow with football to watch again after a fortnight off. I am off to watch the Mighty Hatters again and hopefully another three points. Millwall are one of our bogey teams so fingers crossed!  It is getting tense now still keep pinching myself about our league position.

You will notice I have avoided mentioning cricket after the Test matches, hopefully the England  Women’s team can win the World Cup on Sunday morning.

I was relieved to see my first Sand Martins yesterday I have been looking regularly for the last week or so.

Enjoyed Story Telling last night.

The picture above should of been in the last blog In Search of Wheatears forgot to put it in! I hope you get a feel of how desolate it was!

Slightly different this morning as I was out by the River doing our monthly Bird Survey and saw the Tide come in-always a fascinating watch and never the same! It was really cold but at least it was dry. 88 Curlew, 27 Redshank 4 Oystercatchers , Jack Snipe were some of the highlights. Ironically saw my first Sand Martins and Swallows this morning when it was so bitter. I also did my weekly bird watch at Wick Court with young people from near Vauxhall. They were pleased to see a Chiffchaff. I am Story Telling for them tonight.

A dank damp day here in Frampton. A busy domestic day catching up on chores and admin. I went looking for migrants late afternoon-not a great success. I went to Saul Warth  right by the River on my bike. Sadly it resembled a desert apart from a few Rooks in the field nothing on the River apart from a vast expanse of mud! (picture below). Where are the Sand Martins and the Wheatears? I will keep looking!

Decided that the Supertramp song is just right for today’s title as I think it is back to normal here! I have been on the bike for the first proper ride since covid hit us! Obviously will take a while before I get my fitness back but wonderful to feel physically tired again!

I did manage to get out to a rehearsal yesterday afternoon but we were short on numbers because many people have succumbed to the virus. Sadly numbers are high in South West. 

Back to Story Telling later this week and hopefully to start planning future gigs.

Still haven’t seen any Sand Martins! I might look for Wheatears  tomorrow near the river.