I took the young people from South London bird watching at Wick Court yesterday. The sunshine after many grey days was welcome. Despite only having two groups go out instead of usually three we saw 29 species. That equalled the record set last week! We were delighted to see a deceit of nearly two hundred lapwings. The other pleasant surprise was seeing our first bullfinches for five years at Wick Court.

I have just come back from story telling for this group.

Even managed to do my tax return today that has been hanging over me!

Book Club last night we discussed The Moon’s a Balloon by David Niven– an interesting discussion. A different world!

I am busy constructing a telling of a well known mythological story for our pub entertainment next term.

The pictures below are not mine.

We took our lives in our hands this morning doing our second winter bird square! There was no footpaths in the square we were given in Upleadon in the north of the county. So had to record birds from the side of a busy road (not easy). A lovely old church (picture below) was one of the few places I could bird watch safely!

This afternoon I went for a walk with an old friend catching up. I took her to see the starling murmuration -numbers are building up!

We enjoyed the film on Sunday although the subject matter was depressing – it did keep true to Claire Keegan’s beautifully written book.

Had a good ride into Gloucester yesterday to meet a friend. I am clocking up the miles for November!

I think I have mentioned before that we are giving two map squares in different parts of the county every November to do a bird survey. This year we were given Soudley Ponds in the Forest of Dean. 

We had a brilliant start down by the actual ponds where we had 24 mandarin ducks and 4 nuthatches! Sadly there wasn’t that many birds later but we had a super walk through the last of the Autumn Colours. A few pictures below.

We are off to see the film Small Things Like These based on the book by Claire Keegan which we read for book club.

The title refers to the disastrous football result today! The Mighty Hatters once they fell behind could of waved a white flag they were so poor!

Enjoyed story telling at Wick Court on Thursday evening. We also won our quiz league match comfortably afterwards.

Had a surprisingly bumper time bird watching with young people from Charles Dickens School South London. With the mist and mizzle I wasn’t expecting too much but we spotted a record 29 different species including a rarity for us a nuthatch. The previous best I had with a school was 28. Saw plenty of winter thrushes as well. I am story telling for them later.

Talking birds I have been looking out for starling murmurations over the reed beds near the canal. Numbers are building up hopefully we will get some good displays in the coming weeks.

I travelled up with my friend Mick to watch the Mighty Hatters last night. Good to see us win even if the football wasn’t great. Once again a referee missed a stonewall penalty! Resigned to watching Saturday’s game on TV as we have yet another ridiculous kick off time.

I had hoped to be able to have a lovely Autumn picture today of the trees near Cranham (usually wonderful at this time of year) but sadly a lingering mist ruined that! Had a good pedal up the Slad Valley (of Cider with Rosie fame) but couldn’t escape the mist (needed lights all the time). I went with my friend Martin who has to wait for me at the top of a climb (he is younger!)

Busy learning a story to tell in the pub- hoping to dop an adult version of Merlin and the dragons (I have told a child friendly version many times.) I am currently influenced by the version in  Amy Jeffs’ book Storyland: A  New Mythology of Britain – I like her slant on Merlin’s conception.

Many apologies for a gap in my blogs. last week was incredibly hectic. Three successive days for the library fun days which was exhausting- I also did my regular slot at Wick Court on Thursday evening so it was no wonder I was tired!

We travelled up to Luton on Friday – I went to watch the Mighty Hatters while Clare read back at the hotel. A pity we couldn’t get the win despite hitting the woodwork and being denied a stonewall penalty but encouraging signs!

On Saturday morning we made a nostalgic visit to  my home town of Hitchin paid respects to our parents at the cemetery. The Town has changed but many landmarks remain.

It was on to Colchester to visit our good friends Colin and Cee (loyal readers of this blog). Good to see them both after a traumatic few weeks for them.

So recuperating a bit now after our adventures! A long cycle ride with a friend planned for tomorrow!

A Short blog today! I am in the middle of a three days performing for Gloucestershire Libraries Special Half Term Activity Days  . I have been in Cheltenham the last couple of days and tomorrow it is Matson (Gloucester) tomorrow. Quite tired tonight!!!

I used to regularly use a song title for the blog (till I ran out of ideas!)- so I thought the Rolling Stones song might be appropriate today. It is my birthday and also two friends in the village as well. So we wore all invited to friends for a super lunch. Picture of the collective birthday cake below. I had a my granddaughter Ellen sing me a birthday greeting and then asked for a picture of her Dad as a baby. So i sent a few including the one below of “Gramps” with her Dad. Her comment was “Gramps” looks different – he is wearing a different coat!!!

Busy week ahead with story telling – I am doing work for the library service over the next three days!

Look at that hair!!!!

Had a wonderful Friday night at Gloucester Cathedral. We went to see Luke Jerram’s Mars: War and Peace – it was in the nave and was fascinating to look at. I then went on a tour to the top of the tower – brilliant at night. Some pictures below.

I won’t mention the football – we were awful and now in trouble. I really thought we would be near the top of the table not the bottom!

Had a lovely time with our two grandsons yesterday- delightful company!