I think we've just about finished the glossary. It's only short, but a very educational process for me! I've just a couple more images to chase and then I think we'll have all the content, apart from the illustrations we've commissioned.

The designer is coming to see us next week with some sample design concepts. I always get nervous about that - what if they turn up with something horrible?! What if they've completely misunderstood the brief? What if...    I shouldn't worry too much as I've worked with this designer before and they've always produced lovely work, always very sympathetic to the subject and,  importantly, the audience.

We're meeting at St Fagans and if the weather's dry we'll be able to take a walk over to the Church for further inspiration. When we had the initial briefing meeting with the designer, we took her to see the Church. We stayed in there for a while, and only left as a fairly large group of visitors wandered in. As we were walking away down the path the group in the Church, who must have been a choir on tour or something, suddenly started singing, in really beautiful harmonies - we were rooted to the spot, and I can honestly say I had goose pimples, it was so unexpected, so moving.

I'm working on a book about the fantastic St Teilo's Church at St Fagans. Been really looking forward to this one, it's a lovely story and there's a wealth of fab images - unlike usually, when I have to scrabble around for some decent stuff. I thought we'd be much further on than we are mind, I really expected to be up to my ears in proofs by now. I sort of know why we're further behind than I'd planned, just can't quite explain. Or I could, but it still probably wouldn't make much sense. Plus, designers work in different ways, and this one likes to take a lot of time 'up front' working on the design concept, then when that's agreed we crack on with the proofreading fairly quickly. I suppose I'm more comfortable with spending the bulk of the time at the proofreading stage, especially with a fairly text-heavy book like this one. Still, we always manage to end up with a book on time. I should be designing the marketing plan by now, but I'm still getting the images together and finishing the copy - things like indexes, the glossary, that kind of thing. And I haven't written any of the image captions yet, which I decided would be quite long, narrative style, so that we don't have to cram absolutely everything into the main copy.

Having to work within a financial year is odd too - not at all the way publishing works. I could get really quite anxious about this if I let myself. I just have to concentrate on how good the book's going to look, and having a high-profile launch, with a popular speaker, where everybody buys a copy of the book, which will get great reviews...

In our favour is the fact that the Church is already incredibly popular and has had a lot of good press. The whole re-erection project at St Fagans has built up a swell of good will, and the Church has its own loyal following - a sort of fan-base! All that's keeping me going at the moment, but I know things are going to get pretty intense over the next couple of months.

Planting for the Planet!

3,743 pupils from 91 schools across Wales are taking part in this year's Spring Bulbs for Schools investigation. On Monday the 20th of October each pupil planted crocus and daffodil bulbs to kick-start this climate change investigation - which is in its forth year.

Over the next few months each of these school scientists will be keeping weather records and noting when their flowers open as part of a long term study looking at the effects of temperature on spring bulbs.

Talk to Professor Plant:
Professor Plant would love to know how you got on with your planting. Let us know what you did in your school or send in some photographs.

To be web safe: 
We will not publish any childrens names. When you leave a message, list the name of your school, then your comment will be posted as ' pupils from' and the 'name of your school'. Always ask your teacher for permission before posting a message or a photograph.

Humankind is the 'Earth's biggest threat'

The world’s top scientists are in no doubt that human activity is changing our climate. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says the evidence is ‘unequivocal’ that increased warming since the industrial age is due to human activity.

What do you think we should be doing to tackle climate change?

What are your questions?

There are many ways you can make a difference. The first step is to understand climate change.

Amgueddfa Cymru-National Museum Wales and Science Shops Wales are touring an exhibition and talks to promote the understanding of climate change. If you would like to find out more e-mail scan@nmgw.ac.uk

Hi there all! Hope you’re enjoying watching the now that it’s up and running. It’s almost always busy at the feeder at the moment so there’s plenty to keep you entertained (or in my case distracted from work!). It’s particularly popular with Great Tits, Blue Tits and Coal Tits as well as Greenfinch, Chaffinch and House Sparrow. The Nuthatch and Robin are also regulars with Goldfinch and Bullfinch making infrequent visits. The feeder also suffers regular raids from our resident squirrels and although they’re a bit of a nuisance for the birds it’s pretty entertaining watching their acrobatic attempts at getting to the food!