Quiet sort of week, trying to do writing. Some of the time working on a much longer manuscript, and some of the time struggling with the charms of synthetic phonics for an early reader. Have just begun tutoring a "grown-up" writing course for the summer too, which is certainly a different world to sheep puppets with four-year olds! But very interesting, too.  ¶ 9:34 PM

Last Friday I went over to Yorkshire's East Riding, for a celebration of the re-furbished WITHERNSEA LIBRARY, where I met some lovely four-year-olds. The afternoon was spent with early years classes at PATRINGTON PRIMARY SCHOOL. A day of much fun - especially the buffet at the bright new Children's Centre. (Thank you!)However, I am now not sure about my newest story-session purchase, a sheep puppet. How can I be upstaged by a bit of woolly fabric??? BAAAAAAAAAA!

Will soon find out, as today I am off to SUNFLOWER DAY NURSERY at Pateley Bridge, for another early years session. Maybe he'll jump off into a field on the way?  ¶ 8:57 AM

Hi everyone - or just one, depending on how many of you are out there!
Today I did my first visit of the term to the delightful CRAYKE PRIMARY SCHOOL, North Yorkshire. Thanks for making me so welcome and for all your great writing ideas!
Tonight I've just been to see WORLDS END, aproduction by the 8-11 year old writing greoup at Harrogate Theatre, most excellently performed by members of the HG2 actors group, and am about to scuttle back to see UNTAME by Helen Shay, another 4PLAY play. Then tomorrow night - quake, quake - there'll be the senior writing group play LIFESCAPE, then Terry Collins 4PLAY MIDDLE OF NOWHERE, and then at long last my SIGNING play. Oooo-er! Scary or what?  ¶ 7:31 PM