• Today is the Seventeenth of May or Syttende Mai, as it is known in Norway, the day Norway declared its independance in 1814. You can learn a lot more about it and all the celebrations that will be happening in Norway here.

    Why should I mention it? I’m half Norwegian. My Mother has just been in to say “Graulerer med dagen“, which translates as congratulatiosn for the day – which is what you would also say for happy birthday and any other anniversary too. with any luck she might make waffles for tea!

    Graulerer med dagen! Alt for Norge!

  • Learn to draw beautiful bluebells.

  • I visited the last two of seventeen schools in Rhondda Cynon Taf on Thursday and Friday. Cwm Parc Primary clings to the side of the hill, way up at the top of the Rhondda Valley, and spreads across two floors like a rabbit warren, whereas Llanhari Primary, almost in the Vale of Gamorgan is wide open and has a wonderful garden out at the back.

    I had two great days telling stories and doing drawings. My website went before me at Llanhari, and the children were already drawing from my video lessons. It was quite a revelation for me. They were also expecting me to be able to draw, whereas I quite often arrive at a school and they don’t realise that I do the pictures too.

    Years three and four were wonderfully appreciative. Every time I did a drawing, they clapped! Seems like an easy gig to me – it comes much more easily than writing!

    Anyway, thanks to both schools for looking after me and bringing my grand tour of the Valleys to a brilliant end. It’s made me think a lot about Oracy and it’s role in writing and literacy too.