Short blog tonight. The Two Severn Bores performed last night in Thornbury for Eastwood Gardeners and we were pleasantly surprised at how many people were in the audience in these Covid times. We were given a very generous cheque for Farms For City Children. I am hoping tomorrow’s gig in Dursley goes ahead. Gigs are good for selling both books  and then I can sort out how much money goes to Alzheimer’s Society for Pig  the Legend book sales and how much to the farm for Don’t Look At Me Like That sales.

Anyone who wants a book let me know it is not too late for a Christmas present!

Nothing on Story Telling today but I will share a family discovery with you. I have been going through a box of photos and documents that came from my some of my sister’s things. I found my Grandfather’s identity tag (dog tag) from the First World War and a piece he had written about the Christmas Truce (see below). I have had his diary from 1914 which he stopped writing in early December so I was never sure if he took part in the Truce. He had gone to France with 17th Infantry Brigade which became part  of the Old Contemptibles. I have had a couple of his artifacts for some time his Princess Mary tobacco tin and a personal box with his name inscribed. Anyway I feel very proud he took part in the Christmas Truce here are his words written in 1975.

“By Xmas 1914 the brigade consisted of 1st North Staffs, 3rd Rifle Brigade, 2nd Leinster Regt, 1st Royal Fusiliers were entrenched on the outskirts of Chapelle Armentieres and on the German side was the German Saxon Corps. On Xmas morning some Germans approached our lines under a white flag and there was no doubt a truce was agreed with our people, when it was realised both German and British troops were out of the trenches and mixing freely in No Man’s Land.”

He goes on to say he has a picture but I haven’t found it yet. So a picture of him instead!

Classic Neil Young for today’s title as it sums up my busy weekend.

Yesterday I watched an absorbing game of football where the Mighty Hatters more than held their own against top of the table Fulham. certainly cheered me up after the gloom from the cricket!

Today we went for a drizzly windswept ride around the Longney Loop-good to get out! Later had a good go at picking up leaves. I love trees and they are great for our world but my goodness picking up the leaves is hard work and never ending!

Good news our male Blackcap is back in the garden. I went looking for Starling Murmurations towards dusk. Only saw a few groups of a couple of hundred but did see a  Barn Owl the pictures below are a bit fuzzy ( light was fading) but better than nothing!

Fairly exhausted with two successive Story Telling nights combined with some cricket watching. More gigs next week to look forward to. It has been a great to be performing to live audiences again but not sure how long for, certainly don’t want to be doing zoom tellings again! I feel my tellings develop the more I face an audience.

The title today is a reference to the cricket. A better performance by England last night but I think it is unlikely enough to stop an Australian win but fingers crossed!

I went on a decent ride today (to buy cheese in Stroud via Frocester Hill, Nailworth and Avening!) Encouraging  that it was dry today.

Just back from my Story Telling in Churchdown. I finished with my Christmas Angels Story which I am rather fond of. It does develop with every telling. I also told the story from our River Severn show that the Two Severn Bores did a couple of years ago.

Last night at the Three Horseshoes went really well with a delightful mix of poems, stories and music. My book club never cease to amaze me their many talents. We raised money for the community play Between Severn Tides that is being performed next April. My next gig is a Two Severn Bores gig for a gardening club down in the Thornbury area.

Not mentioning any cricket today!

We went on an interesting tour of the local incinerator today (still have concerns about the whole thing).

Why did I stay up last night for the cricket? My goodness I should of known to go to bed after the first ball! It is debatable if I put myself through that again tonight!

I mentioned briefly yesterday we went to watch Maddy Prior and the Carnival Band much of their music played with Christmas Themes. The Carnival Band are superb musicians with excellent voices playing a variety of interesting instruments. Maddy Prior is as always an excellent performer and she thoroughly enjoys performing. We came out feeling buoyed up by the whole evening just a pity about the cricket later!

Talking of performing I am Story Telling both tonight in the Three Horseshoes and tomorrow in Churchdown Community Centre.

Short blog written at 10 minutes to midnight waiting for the cricket to start. Good luck to England think it will be tough!

Just got back from Bristol where we have just seen Maddy Prior and the Carnival Band. Superb- will write about in more detail in my next blog.

Title refers to my technique on learning my stories for telling- I walk around retelling the stories that I am going to perform which can be embarrassing on occasions! Hoping to sell a few books at the up and coming gigs.

Sadly went to the funeral of one my cricketing chums. I had known Dave thirty odd years and had worked with his wife Sue before I knew him. A lovely talented artistic man.

Just come back from a rehearsal of my friend’s play Between Severn Tides ( it is in verse and heavily influenced by Under Milk Wood). We are performing next April. Picture below is the River Severn at Arlingham.

Talking of performances our Book Club are holding our annual Christmas entertainment in the Three Horseshoes Frampton on Wednesday night all welcome we start at 8. I will be telling at least one story! I am doing an evening for Churchdown Historical Society on Thursday night. (two more gigs next week).

Had a super day yesterday at my grandson’s Owen first birthday party (a family event) he is actually one on Monday. It was great to hear my football team won after a blip! Might come down to earth next week when we play Fulham. 

The title for today is the last song Ralph McTell played last night in St George’s Bristol. It is a song based on the iconic picture of Bob Dylan and his then girlfriend Suze Rotolo on the album Freewheelin’. It encapsulates the hope of the early 60s that was then shattered by the Kennedy assassination. (I tired to put the photo from the album on the blog but copyright won’t allow me!)

It was a wonderful concert and Ralph was on the top of his game . His voice is still excellent and his guitar playing masterful. Felt quite emotional listening to his wonderful songs live last night. The hairs on the back of my neck frequently stood up! He is one of the great post war song writers who like Ray Davies writes songs that comments often fondly about everyday suburban life. Ralph of course also has a great affinity to Ireland and writes and sings some moving songs about the people.