Cycled with George to Cheltenham, weather was glorious and met Terry there. So a third of our Book Club were at Cider with Rosie (an alcoholic romp through literature). The event was in a big circular tent and inside was a bar with tables. Several bottles of different ciders were on our table, plus cheese and biscuits. What followed was a performance almost slap stick with various references to authors and Picasso-they made out that his paintings were fueled by cider! We did enjoy it and we could sit and natter afterwards. Afterwards we had a great cycle back, about 45 miles altogether.

Tomorrow Clare and I are watching Ben Haggarty and Hugh Lupton who are two wonderful StoryTellers doing some tales from Grimm’s Tales, really looking forward to it.

Got back and found Luton had won!

Busy day today. Went back to Wick Court to update my Bird Count and try to take a picture of the Little Owl. Ground very wet, after a while I saw the owl in the tree but the leaves made the shot difficult. Walked along the hedge row to see if I could get a better picture. Eventually got back to my original view. Was about to click away and the little so and so disappeared! I will try again next week! Cycled back into Stonehouse this afternoon to work with the others on the presentation. Was pleased with our efforts-Tuesday is our big day!

Yesterday I was incensed after walking to the 100 acre to find the  gate padlocked from the canal. I have been doing this walk for years and I am getting fed up with land owners getting grants and when the 10 years are up shutting off access. I am going to fight this one! I have taken lots of children bird watching across those fields and was supposed to be taking an 86-year-old next week! Letters will fly off to the landowners and possibly the press. We are still living under Norman rule 1,000 years on! That land was snatched by the sword in 1066! Will keep the blog updated on the battle!

Good spell tonight on my story. Went over the first five chapters.  I am pleased with how it reads so far.

More work on our Children’s Centre Presentation and again tomorrow.

Cheltenham Literature Festival starts this weekend, will write about some of them later.

A lovely unexpected visitor this afternoon. A juvenile Green Woodpecker on the back grass for over 40 minutes. Managed a few snaps through the telescope.

Spent most of today at Park Children’s Centre working on our presentation for the Children’s Centre bid. This is taking up time so not able to write and finish off my story.

Had a good 15 mile ride first thing and it was actually dry!

I am doing some voluntary work at Wick Court (a farm for City Children that we did the cycle ride for) and my job is to do a count of birds on the farm. I’ve been counting since January. I have been trying to take a picture of the Little Owls (a family have nested in an old pear tree) for information sheets for the children. They normally sit out and take little notice of you so are an easy bird to snap. Last week they waited till I got the camera out and then flew off. Yesterday it was a lovely morning so I thought they would be sunning themselves in the open. Did I see them? I spent over an hour hanging around but no sign! I’m sure they were watching me and waiting till I went before coming out.

Clare is off to London tomorrow to meet up with our Peter and visit an exhibition. I am preparing the presentation for the Children’s Centre bid!