Well believe it or not there was snow overnight just beyond Shimla. Picture above is of some daft so and so wearing his shorts!

Went to what was once Lord Kitchener’s residence. The journey there we were surrounded by deep valleys. Visibility was poor but when the clouds parted it was magical. Some more pictures below including the breaks. Later I went into a bar in Shimla to watch some cricket and had a mango beer which was different and enjoyable. On the way back I joined in a protest about electricity with a group of workers waving communist flags!!!

Saw the remnants of the Raj today by visiting of what was the Viceroy of India’s residence. Views were once again spectacular (some pictures below including a distant view of the snow topped Himalaya .Hoping for better views of the mountains tomorrow but the forecast isn’t great! Spent some time walking round old Shimla this afternoon.

I am crossing my fingers for tonight’s football a vital game for the Hatters.

Well the reunion of the Churches has happened. Today we left Delhi had had nearly eight hours on two different trains including the world famous “toy train” up to Shimla. The journey was breathtaking as we climbed and climbed. In awe of the engineering of over 100 years ago. Some pictures below more tomorrow- the first two is the view from our hotel window. Body tired after the journey on the “toy train”

I am now about to leave my fantastic cricket tour of India. I am meeting Clare in Delhi tomorrow to start a tour- fingers crossed we both get there!!!

A picture of the two teams from our last game up in the hills. We are the team in yellow! Below if you click on the link is me batting there under lights.

a341c216-1e40-4248-a2d5-aa6680d7f82d

• Continue reading →

Mentioned we visited an orphanage a couple of days ago. It was a humbling time seeing these young enthusiastic boys. At one time I was surrounded by over 30 boys crowding into the small space in the picture below. They listened to The Golden Bird, Anansi and the cheeky bird!

Currently enjoying a relaxing time up in the hills north of Mumbai. It has been full on cricket and for old men it is a tough ask. The first picture below is from my room!

We have played cricket against some wonderful Indians who can certainly hit the ball a long way! The grounds have been diverse and have played two games under lights. The Brabourne Stadium under lights that has hosted Test Matches has to be one of my top sporting moments. Two more pictures below featuring yours truly. I am the departing batsmen in one.

I even did some storytelling yesterday at an orphanage. Will post a picture in my next blog.

We are here and have played 2 and lost 2! Bit like England! We started at Shivajjl Park which is an amazing place, over 1000 people playing cricket at the same time Sachin and Sonny two Indian legends started on this Midan. You encounter overlapping games, bicycles rocks, debris etc. Team picture below, the second game on the edge of Mombai (pitch picture below) where I got in some bird watching as well. Will try and blog some more this week.

I am all packed and ready to go for sub continent adventure. Just hope I haven’t  forgotten anything!

Went bird watching with young people from Swindon at Wick Court. We saw plenty of small birds fliting in and out of the feeders.

Short blog today as it has been yet another all go day in an action packed week. I visited two schools in the North of the County today storytelling (they were both run by the same head.) Despite being tired from my exertions but we went to Cheltenham Film Society tonight to see a French film “Night of the 12th – we are enjoying our film society membership.

I am called The Story Traveller because the idea is that I will cycle to me gigs whenever possible. Today I pedalled a round journey to Nailsworth of over 23 miles to tell stories in a care home that I visited just before Christmas. Had a lovely receptive audience. I get quite nervous on these gigs because I don’t want to patronise my audience because the  needs can be wide ranging. hard to get clothing right on the bike I was chilly to start with then far too hot!!!

Started packing for my sub continent adventure. nearly there! And yes I am story telling out there!!!