I feel very proud that we have the NHS with such dedicated staff who have gone over and above the call of duty in these difficult times. It is a marvellous resource for all and makes you proud of our country. After the years of cuts and political interference (particularly from this government) you would hope we have learnt our lessons that will invest properly in this precious service. In fact you hope that all public services will resourced properly for too long they have suffered.

Slightly disappointed with England Cricket Team’s approach in the last session against India after such a good three and half days. Still fingers crossed for tomorrow!

Today’s Quiz inspired by the cricket is on India

a) What was founded in the 15th century by Guru Nanak in the Punjab?   b) Which state in Northeast India bordered by Bhutan is world famous for its tea and silk?   c) What type of bird is Pavo cristatus, the national bird of India?  d) In Indian culture, what is a bindi?  e) How many hours ahead of GMT is India (not difficult if you have been watching the cricket).

I’ll start with a photo for a change! Living where we do we are lucky to have a wonderful mix of wildlife on our doorstep. When I walk around the garden you often hear a mixed cacophony of Geese and Black-headed gulls especially at this time of year. We also often hear the distinctive threshing sound of Swans taking off and once airborne the rhythmic beating of the wings. Of course at different times of the year we hear other wonderful sounds, especially in the summer when we have screeching Common Terns flying over our house.The picture above I just managed to catch a Mute Swan in flight close to our home, You can easily  understand how they become tied up in myth and legend. They are such elegant birds both swimming serenely. I do tell a few stories with Swans in! I am actually playing with a few ideas for a story and gig (possibly as part of the Two Severn Bores) so watch this space (hoping that gigs might happen again sometime in late spring / early summer).

And yes it was cold out today in that wind! Not surprisingly most birds were seeking shelter today.

I mentioned previously our Book Club re discussing Cold Comfort Farm on Wednesday. I did enjoy reading it!

Yesterday’s Quiz with a Winter theme.

a)  A snowflake has six sides   b)  General Winter is Russia’s harsh climate as both Napoleon and the Nazis found out with their ill fated invasions   c) The “Roaring Game” is curling and sometimes called “Chess on ice”  d) Chamonix in France held the first Winter Olympics   e) Mukluks are Inuit boots.

No Quiz today it is Sunday!

The title refers to the weather forecast not Game of Thrones. It does sound like we are in for a cold spell. exercise might be slightly different. Ice on the road is one thing I don’t like on the bike don’t mind the cold.

Another early start to watch the cricket from India. I am enjoying watching old fashioned Test Cricket. Sadly disappointed watching the football this afternoon, it was a draw but it felt like a loss because the Hatters should of won.

Yesterday’s Quiz questions on Cricket.

a) Cricket Stumps are 28 inches tall.    b) Cricket bails are usually made from Ash   c) Don Bradman hit six sixes in his Test Career (he also hit two fives and 618 fours)   d) The first cricket radio broadcast was 1922 in Australia and 1927 in England  e)  WG was William Gilbert Grace

Today’s Quiz with a Winter theme!

a) How many sides do all snowflakes have?  b) “General Winter” often refers to the Winter Climate in which country?  c) Which Winter Sport is sometimes known as the “roaring game“?  d)  The first Winter Olympic Games were held in which country?  e) What are Mukluks ?

I thought I would share what is our ray of sunshine in these dark times that keeps us going! We get daily pictures of our smashing Grandson Owen, sometimes we get a video. Yesterday’s video was a delightful mix of those wonderful baby gurgles and smiles. I always find baby gurgles and joyful sounds make me smile of course when it is your own grandchild the heart sings!

How great it was this morning to watch Test Cricket from India on terrestrial television this morning – better late than never! Joe Root is a wonderful batsmen! Early start tomorrow!

Yesterday’s Quiz answers on Rivers

a) The Liffey flows through Dublin   b) The Tigris flows through Baghdad   c) The Tamar is the river between Devon and Cornwall   d) The Styx is the boundary between Earth and the Underworld  e) The Ganges has the biggest Delta in the world.

Today’s Quiz is on Cricket (but not quite what you expect!)

a) What is the length of a cricket stump in inches?  b) What wood are cricket bails commonly made from?    c) How many sixes did Sir Don Bradman hit in his career?   d) What year was live cricket first broadcast?  e) What do W.G, Grace’s initials  stand for?

Caught sight of the fastest animal in the world today. A Peregrine flew across the fields not far from our house today. I usually see them out near the River so a bit of a surprise where I saw it.

We won our quiz match tonight!!!!!!!!

Yesterday’s Quiz Answers on Books

a) Cold Comfort farm is in Sussex.   b) The Dursleys lived at 4 Privet Drive (Harry Potter)  c) Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha is set in Dublin   d) Midnight’s Children was mainly in Mumbai although it moved through different parts of India  e) The Wizard of Oz was in Emerald City

Today’s Quiz is on Rivers

a) What is the river that flows through Dublin?   b) Which river flows through Baghdad?  c) Which river separates Devon and Cornwall?  d) Where does the River Styx form a border between?  e) Which river has the largest delta?

The title refers to our current Book Club reading. We are discussing it next week and I have almost finished. Quite surprised I haven’t read it before. Have to say considering it is nearly ninety years since it was first published apart from a couple of things it still seems remarkably fresh. Our Book Club varies on choices to old classics, to contemporary books. I should think 70%  of the choices might be classified as novel/fiction but we do read non-fiction as well. We also do extras like favourite journalistic pieces, Desert Island Discs, cartoons, balloon debate etc. Sadly we haven’t had one of our infamous Book Club feasts on a book theme for a year now! I love the diversity and the inventiveness of our Book Club -we have also done a Dickens Cycling Tour of London and a cultural weekend in Oxford (there were many books or authors connected with the city.) We had hoped to do a Dylan Thomas weekend in Swansea last September (one for the future!)

Yesterday’s Quiz on Birds!

a) Norwegian Blue was the Monty Python Parrot!  b) The Eagles are Crystal Palace,  The Seagulls are Brighton  The Magpies  are Notts County and Newcastle   c) Louisiana is the Pelican State   d) Charlie Parker played the sax   e) Puck is  also known as Robin Goodfellow

Today’s quiz is all on Places in Books (well I did mention books didn’t I!)

a)  What county is Cold Comfort Farm in?    b) Who lived at 4 Privet Drive, Little Whinging?   c) What city is Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha by Roddy Doyle set ?   d) What city is Midnight’s Children by Salman Rushdie set?  e) Who lives in the Emerald City who might help some famous travellers? (it is a film as well)

Heard some noisy Mistle Thrushes today and then saw them. I recalled watching Winter Watch on T.V. and seeing how they defend clumps of Mistletoe and guess what that is exactly what I watched. One bird seeing off a rival and then disappearing into the clump! I also saw my first pair of Stonechats for a while. I do love this perky little birds that are often on the top of bushes. Always make me smile.

The ground is completely saturated and water is standing all over the place. The River Severn also looks high. When I have cycled recently the puddles have caused a few problems going through them!

Been thinking of my Story Telling and I am aiming to offer doing some virtual freebies for schools over the next couple of months while things are so awkward. I do sympathise with schools who seem to be given an impossible job by the DFE in the current climate. I hope they think about giving school staff the vaccine sooner rather than later.

Yesterday’s Fruit Quiz

a) Isaac Newton is connected with the Flower of Kent ( an apple tree of course)   b) Kiwi Fruit is a Chinese Gooseberry  c) The Bramley is the number one Cooking Apple in UK supermarkets   d) Avocado is the fruit with the highest fat  e) Mango is the most eaten fruit in the world.

Today’s Quiz on Birds (but you don’t need bird expertise!)

a) In the famous Monty Python sketch what was the breed of parrot John Cleese was supposedly sold?   b)   Which football teams are nicknamed “The Eagles”, “The Seagulls“, “The Magpies” (there are two teams) c) Which southern US state is known as the “Pelican State”   d) Which instrument was played by jazz musician Charlie “Bird” Parker?  e) What is the alternative name of the Shakespearean character “Robin Goodfellow” ?

Finally finished trimming our fruit trees today – phew! I do find exhausting bending, cutting and being on my feet for hours! I’m not as young as I used to be although I like to think myself as fairly fit I do normally cycle around 100 plus miles a week.

Quiz questions today is all on Fruit!

a) The Flower of Kent is associated with which famous historical chap?   b) By what name is the Chinese Gooseberry better known?  c) Which apple, a favourite ingredient in many puddings is the most widely sold cooking apple in the UK?  d) Which fruit has the most fat content?  e) Which fruit is the most consumed fruit in the world? (it might surprise you!)