Howzat!

I don't like cricket (as the song goes)... I love it!

And if you do too, you'll love this: two tickets to the Royal London one-day final at Lords on July 1st.

All you have to do is enter via the ever-so-easy Rafflecopter widget at the end of this post.

All I had to do to be able to offer this fabulous prize is face former fast bowler and 2005 Ashes hero Matthew Hoggard in the nets. Not for the faint-hearted.

But I like to think I did the 'team' proud and having earned my 'cap' I was then treated to a tour of the famous home of cricket, including a glimpse of the inner sanctum in the holy of holies - the Lord's long room.

I can't guarantee your seats will be in the pavilion a week on Saturday but I'm sure they'll be good and I'm sure the final will be a day to remember.

So, remember...

   

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Climb every mountain...

It's Fathers' Day in a little under a week (yes!) and Andy over at MadDadSkillz has had the bright idea of getting a few dad bloggers to interview their own dads... or be interviewed by their dads. Or maybe just to sit and have a chat with their dads.

Either way, you can seen the results of my own 'interview' over on MadDadSkillz today, as well as a picture of me and my dad on a mountain top.

(Yes, I climbed all the way to the summit. And in THOSE SHOES!)

Father's Day 2017 gift guide

In keeping with previous years and as part of my on-going campaign to eliminate socks from gift lists everywhere, I present to you today the 2017 Father's Day gift guide. Here’s your one-stop shop for inspiration and imagination. And I’m a dad. Take it from me. I know what he’ll like.

For a start, beer. Or at least, something handy to carry it on. Over on Born Gifted’s website they’ve got this rather special wooden beer trug which can be personalised (at no extra charge) to make it extra-special. Of course, you don’t have to use it to transport beer but if dad did, you could add this very special sign too, reminding him where the garden is…

There are dozens and dozens of delightful gift ideas over on the Born Gifted website. Orders are dispatched within three working days (so you’ve just about got time… but be quick!) and FREE on orders over £40.

But of course it’s not just gifts, it’s giving, too. If you made mum breakfast in bed on Mothering Sunday then why not… no, don’t do the same from dad. (He’ll make a mess!). Why not clean his pride and joy - the car - instead?

Smart Polish Pro waterless wash and wax formula will give dad’s car a showroom shine without you having to unreel the hose (or plug in the pressure washer). So you won’t disturb his lie-in, either! Find out more here: www.smartpolishpro.com

And to help the old boy see what a good job you've made of it... how about a pair of prescription specs delivered straight to your door? Whether its eyeglasses, glasses frames or prescription sunglasses GlassesShop.com is the place to shop for something stylish that won't break the bank. Use the offer code GSHOT50 and you can get 50% off all eyeglasses and sunglasses including lenses throughout the website (with the exception of sales frames). I've been sent this rather clever combo that integrates my prescription lenses with not just one but a whole range of shades and light filters.

Want to change your look? Need to shade that glare? Or maybe even get a better view in fading light? There's a clever clip-on cover for it, and the whole ensemble comes in a very sturdy zip case. These Jonesboro Rectangle sports goggles from Glassesshop.com are especially designed for golf, fishing and cycling and come with a flexible strap to keep them firmly in place. Dad'll be delighted!

Finally, a tiny plug of my own. You could get dad sorted for the next two years by buying him a gift-subscription to (*ahem*) my latest book. There are loads of pledge levels from £10 up, all subscribers get their name in the book and for a little bit more dad could even be a character in mine! It really is the gift that keeps on giving.

Whatever you’re getting, hope you (and dad) have a great day!

Get 15% Discount on Unbound Fiction AND free books!

This Bank Holiday weekend why not take a look at Unbound? You can order any fiction title from now until the end of the month and get a whopping 15% off (use the code 'MayDay').

And with all pledges during that period Unbound is giving away not one but TWO free eBooks. There's never been a better time to pledge! https://unbound.com/books/the-glorious-dead

Welcome to London Marcus Farina

It's Sunday, which means it's book giveaway day. And today I've not just one, but THREE copies of a wonderful new picture book from Marcus Farina to give away.

Welcome to London is a brand-new title from Button Books. This fabulous new travel picture book combines a lovely retro style of classic British design with all the excitement of discovery packed into this fabulous capital city.

Bound in hardback with a stylish cloth jacket and printed in gorgeous warm colours this is a book to be treasured as well as a book full of treasures.

To win one of the three copies of Welcome to London by Marcus Farina simply choose an option on the Rafflecopter entry form below.

Good luck!

Meanwhile, in other book news, these three stunning new titles have arrived and are already being avidly consumed by the resident bookworms.

Where’s Wally? The Colouring Collection is a transportable Where's Wally? colouring book filled with page after page of busy black and white pictures with a small splash of colour to give you inspiration! With a sturdy notebook binding and an elastic close, your creativity can journey with you wherever you wander to. There's even an extra-large fold-out dinosaur poster to colour in with friends. Wow! Have YOU found Wally yet?

King of the Sky is the latest book by children's author Nicola Davies, illustrated by Laura Carlin, - winner of the Bratislava Illustration Biennale and the Bologna Ragazzi Prize for Illustration. Starting a new life in a new country, a young boy feels lost and alone – until he meets an old man who keeps racing pigeons. Together they pin their hopes on a race across Europe and the special bird they believe can win it: King of the Sky. Nicola Davies’ beautiful story – an immigrant’s tale with a powerful resonance in our troubled times – is illustrated by an artist who makes the world anew with every picture.

Finally, from Alice Tait (illustrator of the iconic London Range) comes No, Nancy, No! a stylish, action-packed lift-the-flap book – the perfect introduction to the capital city for first-time sightseers! Blending her joyful London landscapes with the story of a mischievous little girl, Nancy, and her long-suffering dachshund, Roger, Alice creates a wild and calamitous chase by boat, bus and bike across all of London's most famous and best sights – from Buckingham Palace to the Tower of London… With over fifteen flaps throughout, an incredible pop-up Nelson's column and a fold-out map, young readers will delight in this interactive adventure, and will love joining in with Roger's catchy refrain: “NO, NANCY, NO!”

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