• If I thought Cwmaman was at the top of the valley yesterday, I was mistaken. Way up high, much further on is Glynhafod Junior School, where I was today. A couple of hundred yards further on the village stops and the mountains continue – wild and empty.

    Year Five and six came up with a new idea for how Viking Vik invented football. Another school I went to suggested that he made a ball from a pig’s bladder, today we had a leather bag full of leaves and sheep’s wool, which was a more satisfying plot. One girl went on to improve the story by bringing in a bit of enmity between Vik and his half brother, Wulf. In her story they invent dodgeball!

    With year four, we got into a quite deep conversation about what the children would take from Earth to an alien classroom on show and tell day, as Ricky Rocket has to do in A present from Earth. One boy suggested a gun, which made us question what this would say about Humans!

    Year three came up with a great idea for Monster Boy. An giant Electric Eel is living in a pond in the Forest and is electrocuting things. Monster Boy puts it’s power to good use, lighting up a fairy light walk through the Forest that brings in the tourists in their droves – great!

    The school is almost 100 years old. In the staffroom is a wonderful push-button control panel, which I guess once rang bells in different classes. One button is marked, Master. Is this to call up a previous, frightening, overpowering headmaster or just a master button that rings all the bells at the same time? I’d like to think it is the former!

    Thanks everyone for a great day.

  • The days are getting longer and longer and the sun was shining this afternoon so, having got the lie of the land yesterday, I went for a walk up the the mountain above Cwmbach this afternoon. I think it’s called Tyle Robert. Either way it provides stunning views across the Cynon Valley. I can see all the schools I’m visiting this week from up there.

    I think I’m falling in love with Lichen. It’s something you don’t normally take any notice of – it’s just there – but it’s much more interesting and beautiful when you look closely.

    I was surprised by a vista that appeared through an avenue cut through the trees. I really was on the top as the view is of Merthyr Tydfil on the other side of the mountain!

  • I had a wonderful day with Cwmaman Infants today. The school is hidden way up at the top of the valley. I almost felt I was coming to the top of a fiord in Norway. Cwmaman is the home of the Stereophonics and this was the school they went to!

    I read Little Horrors to year one and then we tried to come up with a new idea the the children could write after I’d left based on the Little Horrors stories and characters. I’m not going to share with you the idea we came up with, because I think I might see if I can develop it myself!

    I did painting a d drawing with reception and the Just so Stories with year one. I managed to get most of them to get up and dance the hornpipe, as does the man of infinite resource and sagacity. As ever, my small, but very useful penknife was much admired!

    Afterwards the year ones were making Welshcakes to take on a school trip to St Fagins on Friday. Everytime I’ve had Welshcakes before,they have been at least a day old and probably older. I was allowed to sample a fresh cake, straight off the “hot stone”. It really was delicious and the best I’ve ever tasted. Just as they should be eaten, still warm. They are cooked on a very low heat, slowly turning them and moving them around until they are cooked. Yum!

    Thanks everyone for a wonderful day.