• Yesterday afternoon I began my South Devon Viking Vik Spectacular! Stowford School came in and Librarian Helen Cooper and her gang at the library were ready in their Viking outfits. Even the Ivybridge Library rhino mascot was dressed up. My wife and daughter were up late the night before helping me get the outfit finished. The cats had got my helmet and ripped the mapie wings off so I had to make a new hat. We had a load of fun and the children were last seen walking down the road shouting viking chants of, “Wo ho ah!”

  • My silver birch finally came down and the garden is looking so much lighter. It really had got a bit too big. On benefit is that the view of my neighbour’s Walnut tree has opened up. As if to highlight the fact the sun produced a rainbow to welcome the view.

  • World Book Day week got off to a great start today with a visit to Drybrook Primary School, which is just ten minutes down the road.

    I often drive past on my way to other school visits if I have to take the M5 north and get clogged for a moment as their children spill out of the narrow, village main road and into school.

    The reception year did some lovely work after I’d rad them How the Whale got his Throat. I showed them how to draw a whale and they did the most beautiful drawings. I love to see how very young children interpret my instructions! They did some great writing too.

    Thanks for a great day everyone and enjoy the rest of bookweek and your dressing up day on Thursday.