Had an action packed week and been doing a variety of things.

Every November and February we do a random OS map square for a bird survey – I did the first one this week the square we were allocated was near Hartpury College. It is always an adventure going to a place you don’t know and wouldn’t of considered birding. Saw over 30 species including plenty of Redwings and Fieldfares – even spotted a Kingfisher which I didn’t expect! The next square possibly this weekend will be near Staverton airport and the motorway!

Had a delightful time at Wick Court yesterday taking young people from Wimbledon bird watching. We saw plenty and I was asked some really thoughtful questions and they  tested my knowledge! We saw  20+ Meadow Pipits only been recorded a handful of times at Wick Court.  

i am looking forward to Story Telling with them later tonight.

Been busy sorting out technical issues on my bikes- fingers crossed I have sorted at least one of them out!

My football team have appointed a new manager today so fingers crossed he will carry on the progress of recent years!

I had to send some pictures today for publicity for Christmas Story Telling. Always hard doing this because I am poor at getting photos of me in action (I forget to ask someone to do take them). The one below is me at my Book Launch last summer which is one of the photos that I sent!

Talking of forthcoming events my Book Club will be doing our annual Christmas Entertainment at the Three Horseshoes Frampton on Wednesday 14th December. It is always a good night with old fashioned entertainment! (that includes a story from someone!)

I said I would mention sport today. Have to start with the cricket and England being World 20/20 Champions after a tense well fought contest yesterday morning! My finger nails have disappeared!  It was a brilliant team effort and Ben Stokes once again was there to see us home!

Saturday was emotional at the Theatre of Tattered Dreams seeing a Hatters legend Mick Harford taking charge of the team for the day after his battle with prostrate cancer. ( we have just lost our manager) The team responded well and gave everything. We wait to see who will be our new manager in the near future.

Pictures are all from Sunset at Splatt Bridge tonight. I think there were 3,000 plus Starlings – will hopefully see better Murmurations in the next couple of weeks.

I will blog about the weekend (sport will be prominent in my musings!) tomorrow.

I went to Wick Court yesterday for my usual bird watching slot with young people. It was our old friends from Old Oak School- I did visit them at their school about five years ago -telling Mollie the Sheep there!

There were several highlights throughout the afternoon – a Deceit of Lapwings on the mud of the River- first ones we have seen for a while with the children and great views of a Great Spotted Woodpecker through the scope. However, for me it was seeing several Crowds of Redwings over- migration always fascinates me! Will be looking for other Winter Migrants myself over the next couple of weeks. I’ve included a picture of a Redwing I took last Winter below.

We had a wonderful Book Club last night with our first meal since Covid hit. In the past we used to do a “research meal” in the month preceding our discussion of a particular book (the meal was always themed on the book and we all used our culinary skills!) Last night we discussed the book over the meal (an Italian theme as we were discussing Stanley Tucci’s book Taste-My Life Through Food.)

Football is a depressing subject having just seen our manager leave for the riches of the Premier League with two other members of the management team. He has done a super job for the Mighty Hatters and is a big hole to fill!

I thought the England Cricket Team  were awesome in the 20/20 semi-final this morning! Roll on Sunday!!!!

We got back to Frampton after a couple of days up North followed by two days down in Exeter having a wonderful time with my delightful granddaughter Ellen (and her parents of course!) Some pictures below from the birding on Saturday before the football (on reflection I should of taken a photo from the football!) Pictures of Wren, Long-tailed Duck, Pintail Duck and a Rainbow over Leighton Moss. I also took pictures of Starlings coming into roost but light was poor so the pictures are not great- will try and get some Murmurations over Frampton this Winter.

Playing catch up today. The big news is the impending departure of the Mighty Hatters’ manager. After Saturday I was optimistic we might be close again to the top of the table now I am glancing apprehensively at the bottom end of the table! Fingers crossed for tonight’s game so I am  not optimistic we will get a result with all the hullabalo going on!

Busy day tomorrow with Wick Court and Book Club in the evening.

Short blog today because we are currently in Exeter with our family.
This is after a lovely couple of days bird watching and football in Lancashire.

Plenty of birds and otters were spotted- might add some details in later blog because this blog is written on my phone. The picture below is from Leighton Moss.

The football was enjoyable the injury hit Mighty Hatters winning at Blackpool with a tremendous team performance.

Fingers crossed all bikes are just about OK on the puncture front. I didn’t lose my temper repairing the puncture on Gringolet (also the name of Sir Gawain’s horse!) – it is a difficult one because the rims on the wheel are deep so getting the lever under the tyre is a challenge!

Tried to watch Starlings going into the reed bed by the Canal tonight but once the heavy rain started – I beat a hasty retreat! Will try again next week. We are birding in Lancashire tomorrow and Saturday watching the Mighty Hatters at Blackpool – hoping we might have some defenders fit after the robust game on Tuesday night! We certainly had a makeshift look in the second half because of injuries!

Just heard that the former Health Secretary is going to be a “celebrity” in the jungle. Can’t believe these politicians can be paid and not do their job – it is incredibly insensitive at the moment. Mind you the former prime minister took a holiday when he is being paid as a MP! Parliament has longer enough as a recess. Many of these people often accuse British Workers as being lazy! Rant Over!!!!!

Enjoyed watching the cricket this morning as England managed to win! Hope tonight’s football is equally enjoyable for a Hatter to watch- not able to make it tonight. COYH!!!!