Managed to live up to my name as The Story Traveller today by cycling to my gig. I always vowed where possible I would cycle and not drive. Of course it isn’t always possible. Today was a perfect day to be on the bike- lovely sunshine both ways! I was asked to do poetry today so I performed a mixture of my own poems and some well known ones.

Off to a quiz match later- think I might be rusty! We are currently second in the league- we might slip back later!!!!

No time to sort pictures today but I will keep putting India ones on over the next week or so.

We are both gradually adjusting to being home but at the moment we are tired and go to bed early only to wake in the early hours!!! I have been really busy with a full day story telling in Bristol on Tuesday and my volunteering today at Wick Court. Also story telling tomorrow morning – well the school has asked me to do poems.

A few random pictures from India below. The first one is the laundry in the Mumbai slums. Often 7,000 + items of clothing drying at the same time!

Below is me covered up at the Delhi mosque.

Some views from Shimla below!

Finally a cricket picture one of me just out has been in the blog before but I have fiddled with it! Do like the temple in the background plus the other games going on!

More pictures below to enjoy!

Busy week ahead for me – story telling all day tomorrow, my usual volunteer bird watching at Wick Court Wednesday and double story telling an a quiz on Thursday. At the moment Friday is free but we may be on grandparent duties!

Tried to get the crocodile’s reflection in the water in this shot. More pictures to follow this week!

We are now back in the UK and feeling tired- we both suffered from cramp last night after a long journey home!

A few pictures of wildlife –  some more tomorrow!

We have now reached Delhi the last part of our Indian adventure. Long drive from Jairpur and I was  asked to tell a story on the coach (perhaps to send people to sleep!) It was certainly a new experience for me with my back to the driver and coping with a microphone (not that successfully!) Clare says I have a loud voice anyway! As we are in India I told the Indian Folk Tale The Wishes of Savitri where Savitri cheats the god of death.
A few random pictures taken on my phone from the coach today. Don’t forget more pictures to come when I get home! Also spotted some new birds taking my total species count to close to three figures.

A few random pictures from everyday India.

Our last active day in India (Jaipur) before the long drive to Delhi tomorrow. Forts and palaces visited today. Managed to get myself an impressive turban style hat with a long streamer/ribbon for storytelling!

Great ride in rickshaws all driven by women – they are called the Pink Ladies of Jaipur. Traffic in India is interesting! There is also a picture of the milk market where milk is tested and poured into churns.

Sadly saw some animal exploitation- elephants to take people up to the  Amber Fort and a snake charmer.

We had one last drive in the park this morning to a different part of the park. Some stunning scenery but the nearest we got to a tiger was a paw print out guide said it was recent but how recent………? It was fairly quiet all round. A picture below. We are now in Jaipur and visited the impressive and imposing Amber Fort. (a couple of pictures below)

We are getting near the end now back on Saturday- who knows maybe Luton might celebrate my return with a win (did I just see a flying pig!) Be prepared for loads more pictures over the next week or so!!!

Success! Tigers spotted. What majestic animals! Also looked larger than I expected. Picture attached plus owls!

Great day yesterday to Fatehpur Sikri a deserted royal palace of the Moguls. Not so many visitors as the Taj! Beautiful red sandstone buildings some pictures below. On pictures I have taken many on my good camera but won’t be able to download till we get – lots of birds on that one!

We also visited a step well an amazing feat of building- the depth of at at least a three storey building to enable people to access water. ( picture below).
I am writing this between visits to Ramthambore National Park. We were up at 5.10 this morning hopefully to see tigers. No tigers but a mass of birds (right up my street)and other animals. We have an afternoon visit later and an early one again tomorrow. Again plenty of pictures on my camera including three different owls but a few with my phone below.