Watercliffe Meadows School and St Catherines were involved in Beacons this year and did really well on such short deadlines . We are hoping to put some of there work up on the site but the thing that really made it was when a Parent from Watercliffe said she would do some artwork for the forest walk. She told me it would not be very good as she was out of practice. I went to pick up her clocks on Saturday and they were BEAUTIFUL.... see photos on website...
Well heres to next year Beacons 2010 ..

Now where did I put that toast!

So one days grace and repacking the pants to travel to London to do Lost In Translation !! again (obviously that is me doing the show not an independant pair of sentient pants that would be ... well just strange)I love this show, I love the characters and the way it moves from anger to friendship and all points inbetween. I can honestly say working with Pete Chand has been wonderful, doesnt really feel like work and often at the end of rehearsals im tinged with guilt because I dont feel like I have gone through enough angst

Am due to start building a story cabinet with Bob for a new project based near Halifax . So this summer my hands will be cut to ribbons again but as there is little feeling there its more a question of making sure I dont botch the sculpture!

Am also looking forward to going to see Simon Heywoods new piece "Darkest England" at the Fat Cat next Thursday (14th May) and the other highlight will be doing a voice workshop in Derby next weekend with Frankie Armstrong! I have so little confidence with my singing voice so Im hoping with will instill a sense of, ... well I'm not sure what yet so will let you know when I find out.

So for now ..the moon is bright over Derbyshire as bright as a wolfs eye. The blackbirds have gone to sleep in the hedges and my Tomato plants are doing well so all is right with the world.

Off to "The Gathering" in Cumbria this weekend Izz and Charlotte on standby:-) and Pete and I doing a new piece that we have never actually rehearsed in person (although Skype came in quite useful last night!) Im off to listen to the comedy on Radio 7 its the only thing keeping my sanity intact at the moment that and rice cakes but thats another story

I am not cool. I will never be cool. I am a storyteller who is accident prone and I will one day learn that fact . But until then
I shall fashion a dress from the curtains, sweep majestically into the garden to peg out the washing and declare that "Tomorrow is another day"
PS:- I think the spelling is getting better but dyslexia still rules ko:-)

Where was I .... Oh yes Skyhook were brilliant. Couldn't get Izz to leave and carried him home feeling guilty about giving him such a late night midweek. That child can snore I tell you.

Have finally finished gigs for the year, so I get to stay home and work from there. This usually involves me tidying the house, then making coffee and then pratting about doing nothing till I feel guilty or Charlotte needs something and I haven't done it (this also involves large amounts of guilt).

Went to Belgium for work last week and was so very brave. Being dyslexic I always worry im going to get on the wrong bus, plane, train, taxi, house! and end up giving myself a headache. So usually I travel with someone (not possible this time) or moving with extreme caution from plane to taxi to destination , never stopping to shop (somethin Jon is eternally grateful for) or enjoy the view or sites (something Izz is eternally grateful for)..... BUT NOT THIS TIME. Oh no I branched out Charlotte set me a challenge to do some site seeing and some shopping. So on my way home I took some pictures (ok so they were of the station but you have to start somewhere ) did some shopping (In the shop next to the station) AND had a coffee (in the staion coffee shop) OK so I'm not making vast inroads into global exploration but for me its a start!!.

(PS brought home a dead mouse in my luggage last time I went to Holland but the bloody thing ate all the chocolate before it expired)

Looking forward to seeing Skyhook tomorrow night. They are playing in Sheffield. So for once Im going to be the one watching a gig... feel really excited, usually I come home and listen to Radio 7 with a cup of tea. My lifestyle is so rock and roll LOL

Seriously though Im looking forward to putting the final bit of the story in place and hope to publish it in all three parts for next years Beacons:-)

Told Heartwood in the woods tonight.... seem to be doing that a lot. The other day when I told it at the wood fair we sent the children on a quest and one of the things they had to bring back was the most amazing thing they found in the forest.... most children brought back leaves, acorns, moss that sort of thing, which we put in a pile to burn later in the festival. One boy brought back his Grandfather as the most amazing thing he had found in the forest.... that was so ace!!! but when I explained Grandad would have to be put on the fire he didn't seem that keen (can't think why?) I think the most amazing thing I ever found in the forest was a Stag!! Just standing watching me.... that and a complete bar of Thorntons Chocolate that was quite amazing too!

But Leaf Blowers they have to have been invented by a man. Sorry chaps but leaf suckers now that works but BLOWING THEM???!! I watched a man while I was stuck in a traffic jam on the way home. He carefully blew all the leaves off the road and continued down the road as the wind blew all the leaves back again behind his back! It just moves the problem really from A to B without solving it.

Leaf blower in a forest that would be fun in autumn