The Two Severn Bores performed our new show for the second time on Wednesday this time for Slimbridge WI. It was a lovely atmospheric setting. We had a fire behind us and it was mild enough for our audience to sit outside. Dan and I were delighted with how well it went and we had some lovely feedback. We are aiming to do some recording in an effort to promote us to wider audiences. So watch this space for details!

I did my usual volunteering at Wick Court with young people from The Charles Dickens School in London. They certainly enjoyed the bird watching and they were entranced by the story telling last night.

Last night Clare and I went to see Roger McGough at Stroud Book Festival- it is a long time since I last saw him perform. He was excellent and impressive for a man of his age. He read the eulogy he did for Brian Pattern’s funeral – it was very moving. We are seeing Michael Morpurgo and Jamila Gavin on Sunday.

Finally tomorrow I am off to Stockport to watch the Mighty Hatters – not that confident but looking forward to a good day which will include the odd hostelry with friends before the game!

Sadly on my cycle on Monday I got a puncture towards the end and guess who forgot his pump!!!! I managed to nurse my way to the Gloucester-Sharpness Canal and then walked home. When I went to repair it I found the tyre was starting to disintegrate (it was a fairly new tyre as well!) Punctures happen but are really annoying and inconvenient! New tyre now fitted.

Today I travelled down to the County Ground in Bristol for a photo shoot with the Gloucestershire Seniors who are going to India again in February. You will be amazed how long it took-herding cats comes to mind.

I have been learning my stories again for the Two Severn Bores Gig tomorrow- Bonfire Night! It will be a cracker and I’m sure we will sparkle (groan).

Thursday was our monthly bird survey out on the river. Great to see 174 avocets – I used to be delighted to see one in the past! We also saw plenty of small birds in the hedgerows. Later I had a lovely story telling at Wick Court with my old friends from Syston in Leicestershire. 

The Two Severn Bores are performing again on Wednesday- it will be the second performance of our new show.

It was very nearly a horror show on Halloween for the Mighty Hatters in the FA Cup. Comfortable for just over 60 + minutes when the team imploded and nearly lost- scraping home at the end. I am hoping for a big improvement on Saturday when I watch them at Stockport.