• Im having a great time in Cannes today. I have the afternoon off an the sun is shining on the Croisette and Im researching palm trees so I can show you how to draw them when I get back home.

  • I’m here in the South of France with Bookbox International. We had an early start so we had time to get lost in Monaco before we arrived at the LEcole Monaco.

    I had a great day telling stories and showing the children how to draw pictures. See the photo on the side – that the view from a class 6 classroom!

    Now Im back in my hotel trying not to fall asleep before we go out to find something to eat on the sea front. Mmmmmm zzzzz!

    Many thanks for a great day, everyone. Au revoir, et bonne chance!

  • What an amazing thing is a modern airport. Im sitting in heathrow terminal five, watching a plane being serviced after landing.

    Its a bit like one of those large fish that turn up on a reef to be cleaned by smaller fish.

    The moment the engines stop turning, an army of handlers move in to get the next flight ready. Chocks are placed under the wheels and the plane is hooked up to mains power, an
    and water too, probably.

    The passenger walkway moves in as the cargo bay opens and luggage and cargo is transferred to wagon trains that arrive unbidden, like wasps sensing something sweet.

    Meanwhile the food wagon arrives and swaps food trollies as the cleaning crew sweep through from the back set of steps that theyve brought with them

    I imagine there is an enormous computer running it all, reading barcodes as various functions are completed and movements made.

    Amazing and apparently so smooth.