• How wonderful is the National Trust? After a tiring day in Okehampton School, I was on my way back to my hotel, when I saw a sign to Lydford Gorge. On instinct, I changed direction and went in pursuit.

    I arrived as they were closing, But the nice lady let me in! I so glad she did. The narrow gorge ends in the Devil’s Cauldron, a circular space around which the water rushes and crashes. It hadn’t rained fro a bit. I imagine, after the rain and in full flood, it must be really quite loud and spectacular. The gorge is lush and green and close to the quaint church and old castle of Lydford too. If you are in the area, don’t hesitate to have a look.

  • The Evil Lord Vorg!
    I should have learned by now – when it sounds like it’s going to be a small quiet country school it’s often quite the opposite. So I discovered on Monday, when I visited Okehampton Primary School in Devon. It is, in fact, the largest primary school in Devon.

    I had to quickly adapt my plans, but everything went off really well. The children had come dressed up – many of them dressed as characters from my books, which was a bit of a surprise. The picture is of The Evil Lord Vorg, from Ricky Rocket. There was also one particularly fine Viking Vik costume.

    I had a great day, telling stories and showing how to draw my characters. How ever often I do it, I’m always amazed at the wonderful, different ways children interpret my instructions – that’s what makes the world go round, I guess!

    Thanks for a great Day everyone and all the best.

  • I had a great day in Teddington yesterday, visiting St Mary’s and St Peter’s C of E Primary School, which is undergoing a major building scheme, following which the school will increse its numbers by about a third. Education is all go in the Borough of Richmond!

    I started off the day storytelling to Ks1 and Ks2 and then I visited two classes from year six and one year five class, where we discusses fame and celebrity and came up with silly story ideas for children with embarrassingly famous parents, which included a celebrity chef team that specialised in junk food, a mother who was the star striker of the premier league and a mother and father gender-swap comedy duo!

    The photo is off the wonderfully chaotic scooter park near the front entrance!

    I also discovered that children are getting more than bored by the constant discussion and reminders that we are in a recession!

    I hope you all found your way through the school time portals and got home safely for the weekend. All the best and thanks for having me.