Olympic cycle road race trial

The Olympic road race trial took place this morning, and the route came close to where I live. This is my photograph of the eventual winner, Mark Cavendish (the one in the green helmet) who was lying about tenth at the time.

Bristol Zoo

A quick plug for Bristol Zoo. It's not very big, but it's got some lovely animals!

More Counselling

Dearest Pewtermane,

I am a young male Brazzle, though I am not interested in math what so ever. My family is worried about me, But it seems I have the heart of a female, I LOVE more than anything in this world, HISTORY. How can I fit in and do what I love at the same time?

Thank you dear friend, Topazclaw.

You can't. It's like expecting a one-eye to write a cheerful poem. If you wish to pursue this discussion, reply to this post where it says Comments.

Pewtermane's Counselling Service

Dear Pewtermane,

I am a young female brazzle. My left wing feathers are smashed looking and I can’t seem to preen them enough to look more elegant. I also have trouble flying with my crooked up feathers – the air is meant to go smoothly across my wing instead I fly nicely on one side and horribly on the other. Blazing Feathers, what to do…

Sincerely, Opaleye

Dear Opaleye,

Only show your good side. It will mean, of course, that you can only fly in one direction - but fortunately, all worlds are round, so you should end up back where you started. Eventually.

Bird news...

This long-tailed tit has spotted an intruder and is intent on scaring him off. Small birds can be incredibly aggressive, and this one is very persistent... As you can see, the enemy is his own reflection in the doorhandle! Eventually I put a plastic bag over it to stop him injuring himself.

Waxwings, on the other hand, seem to be peace-loving and sociable souls. I'd never seen one until a whole flock of them turned up at the end of the garden. They're still there, and it's nearly April... They really are beautiful birds, and they twitter incessantly!

This is the cover of my new book, which has just been published, and there's a link to it on Amazon here. The book is set in the Gobi Desert, in Mongolia. Those of you who have read previous posts on this blog will have seen the photographs. I met an eleven-year-old girl, herding goats, who was the best rider I've ever seen. She gave me the idea for the story. This is a picture of her:

For Christian Diaz

Hello Christian - you sent me a very nice letter, with a lovely picture of a sinistrom on it. However, I can't read your address to send a letter back to you. I think it's Chicago, but I'm not sure. I'm so glad you've enjoyed the books, but there are no plans for a fourth one. I hope you have a happy new year! (And if someone who knows Christian reads this, please could they tell him? Thank you!)