Gone with a group for the post today (remember them-used to be a favourite of Beryl my old landlady when I started teaching) instead of a song title because I’ve done “Singing in the Rain” before! Just to say today’s gig has been rearranged because of the weather. I was prepared to cycle up that hill in the rain for the Gig. I may now slip down to the WWT (the hides will be dry)

Playing for the Old Men tomorrow away in Wales. I suppose it is an international still Port Talbot is a bit of a trek. Forecast sounds ok.

I’ve been writing all morning. I’m working on my dream story and I’m quite pleased with the way it is developing.  I’ve filled out the characters a bit more especially the witch like teacher.

A lovely Children’s Centre gig this morning. I cycled up Frocester Hill and found my way to the Arkell Centre Forest Green. It was a Teddy Bear’s picnic theme so I had to find some stories for children from babies to pre-school with Teddy Bears. I adapted a Martin Waddell story of Little Bear and Big Bear-delightful story. It was just right for the audience so I will do it again at Parliament tomorrow. Without sounding like Ernie Wise I also performed a repeating pattern story I wrote last night or should it be “Wot I wrote!”. Really pleased with it and I will tidy it up a bit and maybe ask an ex-colleague Ann to see if she wants to illustrate it you never know! I do sound like Ernie Wise!!!

Clare and I went to Rosie’s memorial service yesterday. It was very moving she was a remarkable person who touched many lives. Edwina one of my firends and an ex colleagues did a reading and Alice (Rosie’s daughter) read two moving poems. I was very emotional listening to these two read beautifully. I saw many old friends from the school community and grown up ex pupils!

I have just been listed on the National Literacy Trust’s Story Teller’s Map. There is a now a map pin close to the Bristol Channel! We will see if it is indeed a silver lining!  Now working on a teddy bear story for the two gigs this week!

A quick blog because it has been a frustrating couple of weeks with the site. I can now blog but yesterday the site appeared to be playing up. Hopefully the revamped site will be in place soon. I can then circulate people again with my details.

Next week looks fairly busy with two Children Centre gigs and other commitments. Sunday week we head to Northumberland/Durham for a week. Finishing with two days at the Test Match. Hope Australia don’t fold quickly at Old Trafford this week otherwise it will be very one-sided!

Football is looming. I do find it sad how football creeps across the summer. I have renewed my season ticket-hopefully this time we will be released from our non-league exile!

Just back from cricket wait for an unusual phrase-“rained off”. First decent rain for a while it is a pity it couldn’t wait till we were finished. For probably the first time this season I was well in when the rain started.

Sorry about the lack of posts we have had a few technical issues that have prevented me blogging for more than a week. Much has happened so I may miss out a few things!

So here goes-one gig last week which was for the Children’s Centre and was hard work because we were outside in this heat. Found it hard to keep the focus because of the weather and being outside. I’ve got a couple of gigs next week for younger children.

We had a wonderful Book Club meal last week it was on a Nigerian theme because we are discussing next month Half a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngoozi Adichie. As always the food and company was up to our usual high standards. I was pleased with my offering of Jollof Rice adapted so there was no meat in.

We saw Bruce Springsteen this week-he was outstanding and performed for nearly 4 hours. Amazing energy throughout.

The sad news is Rosie who was my outstanding school governor for many years died last week of cancer. Rosie was a remarkable lady who always championed those who in less fortunate circumstances. Rosie was instrumental in establishing the Children’s Centre  in Dursley and subsequently the Hill Valley and Vale developments. She was a great thinker and gave up her time for others generously. I used to call her my “rock” because she would always be around to listen and advise. She will be sorely missed and what a cruel bastard cancer is.

What a wonderful Trent Bridge Test Match that was, going right down to the wire! It has been compelling viewing and listening throughout the 5 days. I went to Cheltenham for the festival on Thursday and we were listening to that last wicket partnership between Agar and Hughes. Agar has been a wonderful story about someone living the dream!

It has been a busy week with HVV stuff, Wick Court and of course the cricket. Clare and cycled 33 miles today, she is pleased with her efforts.

It was very hot playing yesterday. I was batting well yesterday but then got a ball that shot along the ground.

A couple of gigs with young children over the next fortnight.

Well the biggest sporting rivalry starts tomorrow at Trent Bridge. Really excited about it, the arrival of those green caps is always special. Forget the events of last week at SW19 this is the one that matters! Although we are favourites I am still nervous! I think the Australian attack is capable of bowling us out twice. I am hoping to see Joe Root and Ian Bell score many runs. Come on England! I will be glued to the T.V. at 11 a.m.

Got to prepare some stories for next week – will be for the Children’s Centre at Parliament.

I have  to mention my catch yesterday, I hung onto a sharp catch at slip to a ball really travelling. My 200th catch for the club so a significant landmark. Also got a league wicket and for those of you who know my bowling it is a rare occurrence! However I blew batting when I was well set and I thought we could win to quote Mick and the boys from my last post “You can’t always get what you want!”

We are just off to ride to Bristol which will be warm!

Just spoken to our Pete about Glastonbury he was waxes lyrically about the atmosphere when the Stones came on. I heard one person saying it reminded them of a visit to see his Gran in an old person’s home! You have to say Jagger looks good for a man of 69! Reminded me of when I saw them many years ago-Jagger was in his prime then. Pete really enjoyed the festival.

Not sure if I mentioned last Saturday’s gig in Quedegely. It was hard work mainly because of location but reminded me of the gigs Mike and I do in Swansea. I am fairly unfazed with a mixed ever-changing audience.

Cornwall was great and on our last morning we fortunate to see the Chough chicks as the fledged that morning. Got back in time to do the quizmaster role at the county nature quiz final as always it was a tense affair but delightful. It is the last time Dave and Judy Clark will be doing it after sterling service.

I played cricket in deepest Devon yesterday for Glos Over 50’s we got stuffed!

I’ve had a preview of the new website banner -looks good so hopefully we should soon see a revamped web site.

Away in Cornwall in Lizard at a wonderful quirky campsite. Had some super walks on the coast. Back on Wednesday for the Nature Quiz final as I am the   one asking the questions! Had great views of choughs and really close to a hovering kestrel.