Doctor Who Christmas Special - Review

It seems like a hell of a long time since the end of the last series of Doctor Who so I was happy the Christmas Day special was on TV last night.

No new assistant but for Matt Lucas’ Nardole the strange alien-creature we last saw a year ago in The Husbands of River Song but he was back again this time as the Doctor’s right-hand man.

Called The Return of Doctor Mysterio the writers were back on form after a few shaky episodes in the last series this was action-packed, heart-warming, and brilliantly funny. I noted on social media a number of negative comments but it is impossible to please everyone. I was entertained and that’s all I was looking for.

To start with, I was unsure with the Matt Lucas character but I soon warmed to him and from the trailer after this Christmas special he looks to be a regular in the new series. Take Superman and Lois Lane and the thick-rimmed glass and you have the Ghost, the nerdy hero Grant (Justin Chatwin) and Lucy (played by Charity Wakefield) with the glasses but the difference this super hero was made by the Doctor and he is a nanny for single mother Lucy so PC or what.

Lucy and The Ghost on date/interview

He was responsible for accidentally making an 8-year-old Grant a superhero when he swallowed an alien gemstone on a previous visit to earth. The name Doctor Mysterio came about after Grant asked his name of the Doctor. 24 years have passed, and Grant has embraced his superhero powers even though he had once promised the Doctor he wouldn’t use them.

Interestingly, for once it wasn’t the Doctor (Peter Capaldi) who saved the day but superhero The Ghost and it was a refreshing and necessary change. This story also felt more international thanks to its setting in New York City, which is likely to be a big hit with US fans of the programme. You’d never guess that this episode was shot in location in Cardiff given its incredible production values.

There are also some tender moments in the TARDIS when the Time Lord is told off by his friend for not driving the time machine properly - in a similar way to River Song telling him.

Those scenes make further sense later on when we learn that River has now died and that the Doctor is mourning for the loss of his beloved wife River, which ends things on a poignant note. Perhaps this is it for that timey wimey love story now.

This is a tightly woven story and is well-contained in the space of an hour that is absorbing and something a little bit different to the usual Doctor Who stories normal get at Christmas - and that’s probably why it works so well.

George Micheal and my Top Five tunes

Sad news about George Michael at the age of 53 dying from a suspected heart failure. I cannot call myself some kind of diehard fan just someone who knows what music I like and there are a number of tracks/songs I would be more than happy to be associated with sang by George.

Not really the Wham years. Prancing around to Club Tropicana was not for me the first time I really heard his voice was is hit Careless Whisper followed later that year by Last Christmas.

After the break up or parting of the ways of Wham, the hits kept coming but there was a change from teeny pop to a more adult audience with soulful ballads. The consummate performer sold more than 100million albums across the world during the span of his career and garnered three Brit awards.

Below and my favourite George Michael tracks

A Different Corner

You Have Been Loved

Praying For Time

Mothers Pride

Jesus To A Child

Boxing Day football - Memories

Many fans and pundits reckon the festive season over Christmas can make or break your season. I have no beliefs in any kind of magical skills and abilities to predict the future. The season will rest on the transfer business done during the January transfer window I believe.

It has been a while, no what seems like a lifetime since I did any away trip. I do miss the excitement of travelling away when indeed I was a regular I always preferred away fixtures to home.

Boxing Day has always been a favourite football wise with the away trip the best. If you were lucky, you had a local rival to play, Swansea or Newport there was always something spicy about those games if you didn’t lose. No one likes to lose to ones rivals it takes a while to wash away the pain with me anyway as I couldn’t understand fans who would say it was just one game.

After all the excesses of Christmas, a nice game of football was always a good day out specially if it was an away fixture. My favourite was Oxford United (1984), we were hammered so was I, lost 4-0, but with great company. We were nearly locked in the pub for the night on the way home due to snow. The saddest thing you can see when you are possibly locked in a pub overnight is the sign of flashing yellow lights of a snowplough going past the pub window as you were settling down for the night.

The worst trip was a no show at Shewsbury, (1994) after the wheel of my mate Andrews’s mini nearly fell off outside Hereford and finding out we were in a death trap. What can you say when the AA man turns up the wheel is hanging off with wires sticking out of the tyres and no tread anywhere. I was just glad there was no police involvement. Stranded in Hereford on Boxing Day was not my idea of fun. We had a nice trip back to Cardiff with the car on a flat back courtesy of the AA while the City fans were coming home happy with the points for a win in the bag. Would have been nice to see the game.

Truth be told I preferred travelling on the supporters coach no real dramas but fans moaning about turkey sandwiches. While some fans were offering up their wife, girlfriends and first-born child for any sandwich without turkey filling. I would be sitting there in full knowledge I would not be sharing my spam and tomatoes sarnies.

Today Cardiff City fans are making the trip to Brentford via the M4 in search of desperate points to help pull the club away from the relegation fight we find ourselves in at this time. Surprisingly the full allocation of tickets has not been sold.

Pigs in Blanket 'Crisps'

One thing I like about Christmas is the arrival of Tesco novelty Christmas crisps. Today’s small talk I am looking at Tesco Finest Succulent Pigs in Blanket crisps. A number of Crisp manufacturers have their own festive themed crisps but Tesco have won my heart. These crisps are not new to me but for some reason I haven’t reviewed them something I am about to put right.

I had pre ordered my two packets of Pigs in Blankets crisps with my Christmas order to make sure I got some this time after missing out last festive period. But there was a blessing in disguise as I picked up a packet of the equally yummy Tesco Finest Roast Turkey and Stuffing Crisps, which I can’t find this year. I was in a generous mood yesterday as I handed one of my precious packets to the wife’s Swiss carer Therese. However, I was lucky on a trip to Tesco later in the day and managing to replace them.

I can almost smell the real Pigs in Blankets I planned to serve with our Christmas Dinner tomorrow, as I opened the bag, no bits, but nice big crisps with a good crunch factor. I think I was dreaming that I could smell and taste the sausage and bacon or was it just an undertone of meatiness. The flavours certainly packs a punch though and make me one happy chappy.

The bag suggests 150g of crisps per bag and suggests a bag serve six people at a cost to me of £1.00. To get some facts right I do not share so this bumper pack are for me, and I have two.

A last minute thing - Chill

When we consider the eve before any important moment, it can often lead to feelings of panic or unease. There always seems to be so much to do and so little time left before the deadline. In the case of Christmas Eve, so many folks find themselves in a tizzy with far too many items remaining to check off their "to-do" lists.

Last minute shopping for that present you forgot or duck fat for the Christmas dinner. You come home weighted down with shopping bags as you joined the crazy shoppers looking for last minute bargains. Do you have time to tidy the house while you have been out the family have been sitting on their asses doing nothing.

Then you have to prepare for the big Christmas feast will the turkey be big enough, whose coming, do I have enough chairs, is the table big for us all - uncle jack is a fatty, what your girlfriend is a veggie. Soon every question is like a personal attack on you as you worrying and fretting over every little detail.

Has the night ticks along you are still at it preparing veg for tomorrows feast – Turkey, Beef, stuffing and Pigs in a blanket ready. Brussels sprouts, swede, Cabbage, parsnips and potatoes for roasting, carrots, peas, and potatoes (boiling). Tick tock time is still ticking away has there are still presents to wrap and it not even Christmas Day.

We forgot the boozes.............

Christmas Eve 2015 (My Day)

After an unrestful night, no change there I was up bright and early for my Christmas Eve trip to the butchers cashing in our Christmas savings club. We will have enough meat to last us at least two months of Sunday cooked dinners. All paid for via our Christmas savings club.

This Christmas Eve the shop was surprisingly empty, no queue outside which was a plus because as I was in the shop it started to build. There would be mountains of meat around the shop heart breaking for your average vegetarian.

When I got home, I thought I had been short-changed and when back to the shop only to find out it was my mistake. I left the shop sheepishly and embarrassed it was packed. Home again to wait on the wife’s carer so her and the boys could go shopping.

Before that, I call in at the corner shop for my regular collection of papers because none is sold Christmas day and I need a paper fix I picked up six. Three I would keep to read Christmas Day. A bit stupid I know but I do enjoy reading newspapers and like books over reading them on the internet or using a Kindle, I prefer to turn a page than slide a computer screen.

With Glenys suited and booted, it was time for her, Simon and David to nip to the local Tesco for some last minute shopping. No problem for Simon but like the previous Christmas Eve the little one (David) was having problems getting out of his pit as I began to hit boiling point with anger. Once I decided to join the shopping party, it makes David leave his pit and his soon creeping up behind us.

It was not that busy but later we were told it would be crazy with shoppers looking for bargains from the meat and poultry section. This is a last minute top up shop trip for bread, fruit, and veg the main target.

In the afternoon we looked forward to Glenys friend Lucy popping in with her daughters. We normally have a little gift. Christmas is about younger generation and without access to our granddaughter, I feel we miss out. James was home but we didn’t see much of him he was here for Christmas dinner and the grand money exchange.

No cooking tonight we finished off the day with a curry from Love Curry and sat back waiting for the delivery guy to knock the door. I made sure there was room and chowed down with it arrived.

My Festive Viewing - Must see TV

Here are my must see TV events for Christmas Eve/Day and Boxing Day while before coughing up my list I expected it to be dominated by the coverage of the BBC channels.
Christmas Eve

11:30pm BBC1 – A Christmas Carol (2009)
2:45pm C4 – Scrooged (1988)
9pm C4 – 8 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown Christmas Special

Christmas Day

1:30pm Sky Movies Premiere – The Jungle Book (2016)
4:45pm BBC1 – The Great Christmas Bake Off (1/2)
5:45pm BBC1 – Doctor Who
6:45pm BBC1 – Strictly Come Dancing

Boxing Day

7pm BBC1 – The Great Christmas Bake Off (2/2)
8pm Sky Movies Premiere – Deadpool (2016)
10pm BBC1 – Outnumbered

Knew it would be the BBC that would could out tops of my festive if truth be told I am a bit of a BBC bitch.

Can't sleep so what did I do

Climbed out of my pit this morning at 2:35am after a massive leg cramp and the fact I couldn’t settle back to sleep leaving me looking forward to a day of cat napping I would think.

So what do you do at this ungodly hour when most everyone else including the wife are fast asleep, switch the laptop on and the TV and look for something to watch. The news is always my first stop with the big story being Berlin and the terror attack on the Christmas market where at the time of writing a reported twelve were killed and 50 injured. Again early reports have an 'Afghan refugee' under arrest read into that what you may.

Other news Russian ambassador to Turkey shot dead in art exhibition in Ankara and already a Russian politician is reporting to have linked the shooting to a NATO conspiracy. The talk coming out of Russia these days is very worrying.

I then ended up watching a slasher/teen flick, Chastity Bites (2013) and I soon realised I made a mistake. The film is about a 500-year-old murderer who maintains her eternal youth by bathing in the blood of virgins, and sustains her supplies by leading a double life as a conservative campaigner for sexual abstinence. A teenage blogger discovers her secret, and tries to prevent her friend from becoming the latest victim we just know she will save the day.

I managed 30 minutes of the film before looking for something better and took to YouTube and noted that Dr. Sandra Lee (aka Dr. Pimple Popper) had some new videos out. There is nothing more that I like than watching a pimple or two being busted, the bigger the better.

Finished the morning off with the British gangster film RocknRolla (2008) which I may have seen before but still I liked the film. With a wide range of characters and some very powerful performances. The film is about a Russian mobster orchestrating a crooked land deal, millions of pounds are up for grabs, and London’s entire criminal underworld wants in on the action. Everyone from a dangerous crime lord to a sexy accountant, a corrupt politician, and down-on-their-luck petty thieves conspire, collude, and collide with one another in an effort to get rich quick.

Some very fine performances in the film from Gerard Butler (One Two), Tom Wilkinson (Lenny) what surprised me was the outstanding performance by Toby Kebbell. His subtle dialogue and crazy laughter really spells horror and magic at the same time. The story takes you through the London under world and spins all dramatic sequences with blood, deceit, and loads of humour. The scene where Gerard and his gang escape from the two Russian militants... that scene made me laugh like crazy the first time I saw it and still makes me chuckle.

Knocked this post up before Breakfast TV which would probably be full of Berlin with the question been asked could it happen here. News like this is playing into the arms of the European right-wing political parties with elections next year in Germany and France.

'Silly, But It's Fun...' 1977 Christmas special 'The Good Life'.

Another search around YouTube landed me with another Christmas TV special this time ‘The Good Life’ Before going on and telling you about the enjoyable 30 minutes or so watching this Christmas special there is a ‘crush alert’. No its not Barbara, Felicity Kendal, who many may expect but Margo, Penelope Keith, a iceberg I would have loved to melt. I just had the feeling she was a right naughty sort if you could get through her armour-plated skin.

Tom and Barbara Good are successful at self-sufficiency and have only spent 15p on balloons while next door the Leadbetters Margo and Jerry have their Christmas delivered at a cost unknown. The Goods however jokingly throw out a figure of £50,000.

When Christmas comes to the Goods, for instance, they kill a chicken from the coop, dig up the veg from the garden, make decorations out of newspaper, crackers out of toilet roll tubes and have a two foot tree because that was donated by the greengrocer after it snapped off the top of a larger tree. It’s played for laughs but, as you watch, you realise just how daft many of our festive traditions are, and how meaningless if not imbued with the right spirit.

Next door, Margo is lambasting the delivery driver of her Christmas order over an eight foot six rather than nine-foot tree she ordered. She enlists the help of Tom and Barbara to measure the tree to make her point to the delivery driver played by David Battley, a gormless looking man who likes to make quiet observations. When Barbara asks him, what he has observed about her, utterly deadpan, he says that she ‘has the type of eyes that men kill for. Eyes that reveal a deeply sexual nature’. Barbara is delighted, and he liked Margo’s shoes.

When moody Margo orders her order to be taken back because of the ‘faulty’ tree and all the other attendant trappings (food, drink, present’s, decorations) away until they can get the order right. We all know what happens next she as sowing the seeds of ruining her Christmas.

Christmas morning we find Margo phoning one of her expected guests informing her Jerry had chicken pox much to the surprise of Jerry standing there. No tree or Christmas cheer for the Leadbetters. Would the Goods at the patio door singing carols then busting in wishing them Happy Christmas, what Christmas, who delivers on Christmas Day.

The Goods offer to share their meagre Christmas with their neighbours. At first it’s hard going, Margo can’t loosen up and just enjoy herself. When she pulls a cracker she can’t say ‘bang’ (the crackers don’t have their own bangs), and refuses to wear a paper hat made out of 'The Daily Mirror' and insists on one fashioned from 'The Telegraph'. Taking her aside, Tom says that she’ll have to go home if she can’t enjoy herself and Margo makes the tragic admission ‘I don’t know how to’. A quick pep talk from Tom, and some mild sexual harassment and she soon readily throws herself into the action.

After some raucous games and a few glasses of pea pod burgundy, it is clear when Margo is free of social convention and all the pressure of keeping up with the Joneses, this has been the ‘best Xmas ever’, and Jerry has enjoyed it too, particularly when Barbara was rubbing a balloon against his crotch.

The Goods present the Leadbetter’s with their gifts, sickly green jumpers made on their loom. Going to get their present for the Goods, Tom and Barbara speculate on what expensive impracticalities Margo and Jerry may have wasted their money on. A briefcase for Tom to take to the allotment, or a silver Georgian trowel. Only to be amazed to hear a loud moo and Margo leading a gift-wrapped cow into the kitchen. Far more useful than a big green tank top it is the gift that, if milked correctly, keeps on giving.

Christmas Day – Top of the Pops 1973

A review of the year's British number one singles surely one of the great Christmas line-ups a 13-year-old had the pleasure of viewing and listening to from someone yet to have developed any musical taste as confused as that sounds. I was open to all music but I shut the door on Jimmy Osmond. The hosts were Noel Edmonds, Dave Lee Travis, and Tony Blackburn.

A fairway to kick off the Christmas Day show with Slade, “Cum on feel the Noize” with Noddy Holder banging out the tune with his distinctive voice. During the 1970s, they had 17 consecutive top 20 hits and 6 number ones but by 1976, Glam Rock was over taken by the rise of new music trends and I got taste.

I think back then I kind of like Donny Osmond and I don’t know why. I was young and probably thought it with give me some kudos with the girls and “Young Love” is what all young teens was looking for. Today I could be beaten up for saying that but I was 13, and yet to have found my musical taste maybe I got away with it.

Next Suzi Quatro who gave this 13-year-old a strange tingly something while strutting her stuff clad head to toe in leather. She was a little hottie and caught my attention and for someone so petite to bang out this tune. Oh, I nearly forgot remembering all the leather the song was “Can the Can”.

A complete change of pace with the next song in the shows line up The Simon Park Orchestra with the theme tune for the television series Van der Valk “Eye Level”. Help I liked the TV show.

Time to leave the room I would rather sit on the outside bog in the cold than watch the cheesy Jimmy Osmond sing “Long Haired Lover from Liverpool”. It was even the number one the previous Christmas.

It was the year of glam rock, one of the biggest band of this year was Sweet with their smash hit “The Ballroom Blitz”, and all shiny on the TV with that catchy verse ‘We just haven’t got a clue what to do’ … Blockbuster.

Tony Orlando & Dawn were next with “Tie a yellow ribbon round the old oak tree”

Dad’s around the country sudden interest in Gilbert O’Sullivan’s “Get Down” is soon apparent with Christmas Day – Top of the Pops 1973 dance troop hitting the screen with dogs as props. Still it was all about the dancers with Babs setting the pulse racing among the dads while it was Dee Dee for me.

At one end, there was Donny all sweetness and light while at the other end there was David Cassidy with the bad boy look battling for space on the bedroom walls of girls around the country. I have to say I liked the song “Daydreamer” and after listening to a lot of music of 1973 researching for this article and this Cassidy tune turns out to be a favourite of mine.

English rock band 10cc singing about America prison, cops, and the National Guard a bit strange in the titled “Rubber Bullets”.

A brief respite from jails and riots with the soft sound of Peters & Lee with “Welcome Home”. I always thought they were husband and wife but apparent not.

Wizard had a few hits this particular year with two number ones and the Christmas hit “I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday” which didn’t make it to the top spot for Christmas and they played “See My Baby Jive” on the show.

Christmas number one for the year was the iconic Slade ditty "Merry Xmas Everybody" which Noddy Holder has referred to his pension scheme, reflecting its continuing popularity and the royalties it generates. Not really going out on a limb here probably the greatest Christmas number one ever in the Christmas gene. The song charts regularly in the top 100.

There was another involved artist on this show but he is the pedo nonce Gary G no airtime for that twat.

Time Commander (BBC4) - TV Review - War Games

Time Commanders (BBC4) is back on our TV screen last night and I am so geeky this is my kind of TV only problem is it has had a make over so I was hoping it still floated my boat. The first two series were hosted by Eddie Mair and latterly by Richard Hammond originally broadcast on BBC2. Gregg Wallace now presents the new series who is kind of Mr Marmite man of British TV some people really do not like him.

It is the same show with a few tweaks but one favourite historian/presenter is now a she, not a he, but still throwing out the facts that is all that matters.

Back on our screens after the last show aired in 2005 we now have two teams going head to head in a total war based recreation of a famous (or infamous) battle from history. Last night we were offered the key battle between Rome and Carthage, with the board gamers (Posh Boys) taking on the role of the former and wrestlers the latter. Yes wrestlers.

The teams had a small skirmish battle to get the feel of their forces and test out battle manoeuvres and the like before the big battle. Carthage when first after we get a little history lesson about one of their key troops, the Balearic slingers. Then the Romans turn to get the feel of their troops and we learn about their cavalry. Base on this short burst of activity the wrestlers may have the edge.

Studio Layout

To the battle of Zama which saw victory to Rome but could that be about to change with this re-run of history.

After scouting out the opposition, we are go! But both teams parked their troops in defence sitting waiting for their opponent to go first. The army of Rome soon got bored, made the first move, and soon nullified the Carthage elephants after they were sent in without the infantry support leading to a massacre. Every sane general knows you never send in your heavy armour without infantry support.

Now it comes down to cavalry vs cavalry, with Rome having the larger one...which doesn’t look good, until Carthage get it together, regroup their infantry and do some serious damage to Rome with their Balearic slingers, ending up in a stalemate with each side winning and losing on a different flank.

Carthage’s troops are running low, so in a last ditch attempt they go after Rome’s commander and get him! Unfortunately, it is too late in the battle for the death of Scipio to turn the tables significantly, and Hannibal falls soon after. Ultimately, Carthage are overwhelmed and the battle goes the same way as history, although with far, far greater losses to Rome.

I must say Gregg Wallace was lively jumping around the studio. When he took a little pop at the Posh Boys they responded with polite sarcasm, when Gregg yelled that the Romans were about to rout, their commander snapped: ‘Thank you very much, sir, you are incredibly helpful and I am incredibly appreciative of it. Naughty corner for Mr Wallace.

Office Christmas Party (2016) - Film Review - Movie Date

I fancied a trip to the cinema today so a quick look at our favourite venue to find an early showing of ‘Office Christmas Party’. I have seen a few reviews some good, some bad but that means little to me as I have a mind of my own.

A company Zenotek have hit hard times and Jennifer Aniston, Carol Vanstone, and the uptight CEO of the family company threatens to lay off forty percent of the staff, cut bonuses, and cancel the annual Christmas party. She as daddy issues from her late departed father mainly the fact she had to work her ass off. Her brother on the other hand Clay, T. J. Miller, was daddies golden child and with revenge in mind wants to shut down her bothers branch of the business.

Clay as other ideas and with his tech officer Josh (Jason Bateman) pour all of Zenotek's remaining money into the office party. His intentions are to woo an important client hoping this last-ditch effort to rally morale will work and save the New York operation. Kate McKinnon brings her weird comic rhythms as Mary, Zenotek's prim HR director in charge of the “non-denominational holiday mixer”. Olivia Munn is the hottie whose ideas just might save Zenotek after all.

That's all you need to know for a comedy like this, and the movie clearly wants to bring back the simple, anarchic fun of old National Lampoon movies but there is no Griswold feeling to the movie. The film is a bit of a slow burn until the party and the template hasn't really changed from Animal House the jokes have just gotten dirtier. Zenotek's bleary debauchery includes the now famous photocopier. Old school now has someone suggests the 3-D-printer.

It is all sex, drugs, after that, and most of the individual scenes land well enough to keep the momentum going. One office-romance subplot goes sideways when the guy reveals his weird fetish too soon. (“Save that shit for the fourth date, like a regular person!”) Everything clicks up a notch when some cocaine is accidentally dumped into the snow machine and pumped into the air.

Carol's flight is cancelled due to weather, and when she discovers the party is happening in a conversation with her driver after she took people to the party, she rushes back to the office. Initially she is impressed that Clay had won Walter's business, Walter injures himself attempting to swing off a balcony and it is revelled he has been fired from his firm, no longer bringing in any new money to Zenotek.

Moreover, Jason Bateman proves once again that he is the greatest straight man in comedy.

I liked it and so did the wife with her chuckling away but no belly laughter in the auditorium. With the cameramen fascination with Jennifer Aniston cleavage, I still wanted more partying at the Christmas do.

Steptoe and Son – The Party – Christmas Special 1973

Its Christmas Eve 9:30pm BBC 1 just before going to Midnight Mass what more could you ask for than Steptoe and Son it was their first Christmas special. In fact, they only ever made two.

Harold and Albert are planning Christmas, while Albert is planning for a nice Christmas at home Harold is planning a holiday in the sun and his plans do not include Albert. Harold knows the minute he tells is dad the emotional blackmail will begin. A joke from another episode shows his problem. When Harold did is National Service is dad wanted to go with him.

While Harold is at the travel agency making his final payment for is 10-day trip Albert is home making daisy chain decorations. He is happily reminiscing about Harold’s first Christmas and how his wife die two days before Christmas and how he already bought her a present. Decorations up and all the Christmas treats in hand, biscuits, fruit, and even crackers for a Christmas for two.

Harold announces his return home with a scream from the outside toilet Albert as left a Holly Wreath on the seat. In the house Albert is talking so much that Harold can barely get a word in with what he wants to say but he manages to slip in “I won’t be here” as Albert keeps on chatting until it hits him. Thinking they were both going Albert announces that we don’t need to go but Harold tells him “I didn’t say we”.

Harold then explains he is tired of just the two of them after he has been telling him for years and now he is going. Albert begins to lay it on thick faking illness, using his dead wife, all to destroy Harold, which we have seen many times before if Harold tries to find some Independence. Albert makes is way to bed, Harold looked a broken man, and you knew the holiday was no more.

“All right” Harold shouts.

“What” Albert shrieks running back into the living room looking rather fit after leaving the room close to deaths door?

“I’m not going”

“On no son you don’t have to stay on my account”

“It’s all right I didn’t expect to go, not really”

“I knew I wouldn’t be going. When I booked it. When I chose the hotel. When I gave him the money. When he gave me the ticket”

Now growling in anger, “I knew I was staying”.

“It’s all a game now, really”.

Harold’s plan is not to spend Christmas alone with his dad. With the ticket refund from his holiday, he is planning to blow the money on the biggest party they and the house had ever seen. Preparations are in full swing with the old grotty little Christmas tree swap for a bigger and less grotty one. The food is in with Albert wondering how they were going to eat it all as Harold explains there are 12 coming to the sit down Christmas Dinner with 20 coming in the evening and 40 on Boxing Day when the Skinner Arms closes.

Surely, Albert can’t spoil the party but he does. Christmas morning he comes downstairs covered in spots, he as chicken pox. Harold protests you can’t have chicken pox at his father’s age to which he replied, “You haven’t either”. Of course he catches them and he is not happy telling is dad “You rotten stinking little git” and when he explains to the guests they are scared off leaving the two to share another Christmas together.

The unofficial title of 'Britain's Most Festive Pub'

The Churchill Arms pub is famous for its displays of flower boxes full of colour all over their building and it is the same at Christmas with a twist, see picture.

For most of us, with a front window we are happy with a tree on show and if you are one of those who puts on a display maybe a few more but the landlord of The Churchill Arms came up with a humdinger of an idea. I just came across the story and think it is marvellous.

Ok the pub is in well to do Kensington not some run down area of London and probably with a clientele of city folk, managers and the like but still it’s just a pub.

The staff have draped the pub in Christmas trees, fairy lights, and tinsel. Has I mentioned earlier the pub always looks stunning, thanks to the huge baskets of flowers that cover every inch of its exterior, but its yearly Christmas display has earned it the unofficial title of 'Britain's Most Festive Pub'. There are 90 conifers outside, inside, and on the roof. The redecoration took a dedicated team around a week and a half to complete.

Rock Follies' - Nostalgia TV - The Little Ladies

I remember watching this show when it first hit the TV screen in 1976 with a bit of lusting in mind particular for Anna. ‘Rock Follies’ was a really biting satire for its time starring Dee (Julie Covington), Anna (Charlotte Cornwall), and Q (Rula Lenska).

Wallowing in the nostalgia of TV, and my youth I decided to seek out the series on YouTube. The girls met at an audition for a 1930s musical called Broadway Annie and after being unsuccessful formed a band. There were two series, the first was my favourite where we see how ruthless the world of the music business can be with all its ups and downs. The show was produced on a shoestring and watching a few episodes, you could see not much money was in the sets etc. Dee and Anna were the only two who could actually sing according to the script with Q as the eye candy looking fantastic.

The three girls become The Little Ladies, dreaming of gigging at Wembley as the greatest female rock group in the world. In search of stardom, they tour pubs, bingo halls, discos and clubs and they meet Stavros Kuklas, a Greek millionaire who has decided to diversify from shipping into rock ‘n’ roll.

Stavros doesn’t like their style, their look, their clothes, their songs, or their arrangements – but he does like their raw material. He has big plans, big ideas and an image change for the girls, which results in them becoming a sensation at ‘Idols’ nightclub. Rock Follies won the BAFTA Best Drama Series award in 1976.

In the second series, the dynamic and splendidly outrageous American Kitty Schreiber (Beth Porter) now manages the group in Follies of ’77. During the series, a Welsh singer, Rox, joins the group making them a quartet.

They hit the recording studio, where their newfound success becomes a reality along with the drugs, sex and high life, with their success begins to create tensions. They tour which is critically acclaimed in the media and by the fans there is talk of a Wembley gig which was always a goal for the band “if you play Wembley you have made it” but the cracks widen and the possible Wembley performance slips through their hands. When Anna discovers that her voice had been re-recorded behind her back by Dee, she leaves the band.

Q realizes that her vocals are far too weak and leaves the band as Dee and Rox plough on and a gain more success leading to a tour of the United States (and an appearance at Madison Square Garden) later in the year. Dee tries to get Anna to re-join the band but she wasn’t interested.

Overall, it was a good series much enjoyed at the time.

The original Rock Follies series aired between February 24th and March 30th, 1976. The Follies of ’77 series aired between May 4th and June 8th, 1977. Two albums of surprisingly good music from the series were released, mostly composed by Andy Mackay of Roxy Music.

There were three singles released: "Glen Miller is Missing", "Sugar Mountain" (both on Island Records in 1976); and "O.K.?" (on Polydor Records in 1977). The latter of these became a hit, reaching No.10 in the UK Charts. In addition, the second album reached No.13.

After Rock Follies Dee (Julie Covington), went on to fame with the single Don’t Cry for Me Argentina which reached 1 in the charts.

Christmas with the Andersons (2016) - Film Review

I love watching a Christmas film in the afternoon it is always easy watching with a happy conclusion to the movie and normally snow on Christmas Eve ready for the morning and a White Christmas. We see many of these films on the run up to Christmas, cheesy some, but still worth a watch.

Its Christmas and the Andersons are rushing to the hospital, baby birth alert, they just do not make it, but with the help of a cop, twins are born in the back of a van. Jump forward to a Christmas Eve ten years later they have acquired the American dream, wealth, and the big house.

They innocently seem to rub their friend’s noses in their wealth with tacky presents we later learn the parties were a tax right off. The following Christmas things are about to turn when Michael Anderson loses his job just before the holidays and with wife Caroline’s store struggling cash is running out fast. He asks his father for his job back with no luck seems that chasing the mighty dollar does not hold well with dad.

Soon they find out friends are hard to come by but even with the money troubles the wacky Aunt Katie talks Mrs Andersons into having the Christmas party and on top of that, $1m lawsuit drops through the letterbox.

Lawsuit sorted and the family comes together to put on the Anderson Christmas party after the Christmas planner strips the house of its festive feeling after an hold is put on further expenses. The family set about decorating the house and of course, everyone loves it. The film ends where it started with a rush to the hospital for another baby with the cops giving chase.

It a family comedy, loosely, starring Christy Carlson Romano, George Stults and Julie Brown

Satsuma from Gods own garden

If the sprout is the spawn-of-the-devil, thank God that he fought back to give us the Satsuma just too even up the score.

I know they are available year round these days, but back in my youth, they were a Christmas treat and still are for me, as they always taste better this time of the year. Has a kid it was the first thing I would look for in my Christmas stocking. I would bypass the chocolate, sweeties, and other fruits to devour it first.

I still love them, and can eat a whole carrier bag full in one sitting and I am not joking. I can remember the good old days when you could get 20 for £1, these days you maybe could get 10 for the same price but I know it is five for a pound in Tesco. I begrudge having to share them. I would give my last Role away before my last Satsuma. I love them so much I keep them at the side of my chair just to make sure they don’t disappear.

There are imposters about, clementine and mandarins both are vile pieces of work and could be the spawn-of-the-devil. They are tight skinned, as an orange but unlike the Satsuma, which feels loose to the touch and easy peeled.

Cardiff v Fulham FA Cup - Festive Fixtures

I love the FA Cup and those who read my blog know I have been following a team from the opening round who are long gone now and presently tied to MK Dons. This is part of my fantasy “Road to Wembley” but now its third round time and the mighty Cardiff City enter the fray.

Even with it not having, the same prestige has in my youth because of the rise of the Premier League and money from the third round up until the semi-finals weaken teams are mostly the nor for the big teams with League and European football taking priority.

It even manifests in clubs in lower where promotion or relegation plays it part in managers decision.

Anyone below the Premier League wants one of the top six teams, the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool Spurs or one of the Manchester teams City or United but that is down to lady luck and former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard and ex-Arsenal striker Ian Wright who made the draw tonight live on BBC2 earlier.

To the draw, my road fantasy fixture either MK Dons or Charlton will face a trip to Brighton but have a replay to get out of the way first. No big money draw for Cardiff with a home game against fellow Championship team Fulham. Back in August at Craven Cottage, the two teams fought out a 2-2 draw.

The 32 fixtures for the FA Cup third round will be played across the weekend of January 6-9, 2017.

On the subject of the Bluebirds, the all-important festive fixtures are upon us with five games left before the New Year starting Saturday and we need a good festive run of points. We need the wins to change the poor season we have been having so far.

Two of the five games are at the Cardiff City stadium while the other three games are on the road while if you take todays league table into account of the three are in the bottom half of the table, with one just outside

Ipswich Town v Cardiff City Sat 10 Dec 3pm

Cardiff City v Wolverhampton Wanderers Tue 13 Dec 7:45pm

Cardiff City v Barnsley Sat 17 Dec 3pm

Brentford v Cardiff City Mon 26 Dec 1pm

Brighton & Hove Albion v Cardiff City Fri 30 Dec 7:45pm

There are 15 points up for grabs but honestly, I can see that happening. I will stick my above the wall and cross my fingers for 9 out of 15.

FA Cup

That time again with my virtual journey to the finals of the FA Cup and the Welsh Cup. In the FA Cup, the much-unloved MK Dons had a trip to Charlton. Well both are in the hat for the third round on Monday after playing out a goalless draw.

The next round is the biggy as it’s the third round means the arrival of the Premiership and Championship teams including my club Cardiff City who themselves will fancy a big name draw preferably at home.

There is money to be made for the right draw if you draw Manchester United or Arsenal with a home tie giving you record gate money and even if you are away. The chance of TV money if the game is chosen for live TV and there is the prize money to top it off and with a win another nice earner. A good cup run could bring in extra unplaned money into the club.

With teams disrespecting the cup with weaken teams there is always a chance to beat the more illustrious teams of the Premier League.

Although it was the fourth round of the Welsh Cup this weekend my team Llantwit Major trip to Cefn Druids is next Saturday. Maybe the game this weekend was postponed, who knows.

Escape From Colditz - A Nightmare Christmas Present

I like nostalgia as much as the next bloke but news that the board game the Escape from Colditz is staging a comeback this Christmas brought me out in hives. I have written about this game before because I was scarred for life one Christmas.

Off the back of the much-loved BBC TV series back in the early seventies ‘Colditz' about British POWs and others, tirelessly attempting to escape Colditz Castle some company came up with a board game. Mum must have thought it would make a good Christmas present for my brother or me. Which one of us received it Christmas morning I don’t know but one thing is for sure it was one of my least favourite board games ever. The cover box looked so exciting and promised a lot, boys own stuff but failed to deliver if you couldn’t get your head around the game and rules I suppose.

The game based on breakouts from the infamous prisoner of war camp in a German castle and was hugely popular in the 1970s according to reports but I beg to differ. The idea of the game was to get your POW to a safe escape zone for a successful escape.

I remember reading the rules and thinking oh my god what have we here! Having puzzled over them for a while, I was still none the wiser and it was looking like a game I really wanted to play was turning into a bit of a white elephant. After a lot of head scratching it was put to one side where it stayed.

It was a pity, as I would have liked to have a play. It seened an interesting game with its unusual game play maybe there should have a game for dummies along the line of the classic board games layout. I remember coming up with my own POW escape game based around one of my favourite film Stalag 17. Which was the classic design like Monopoly maybe I should try to sell my idea to a games board company.

Christmas Desert Island DVDs - My Choice

I have done ‘Christmas Desert Island Discs’ before so here comes my new way to keep me happy on my shipwrecked island waiting for rescue. Throw out the Discs and slap on the DVDs. Everyone has their favourite list of Christmas Movies that they watch every year and here are mind.

If there is electric on this island for a CD player or Record player then you can have a CD player and a 50” flat screen TV. Being Christmas I decided to keep on script and choose Christmas films and all things Christmassy. Therefore, that means eight DVDs, a book and a luxury item, which will come to me very easy. The book would be ‘A Christmas Carol’ and I don’t care how hot it would be a full Christmas Dinner with ice cream afters as my luxury item but a real sex doll tempted me for company, Mother Christmas of course , to talk to I mean.

After building a little home re Swiss Family Robinson, you must have seen the film where they build a mansion among the palm trees I would settle down with one of my chosen eight DVDs.

First would have to be National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989) nothing better than a dysfunctional family over the holiday period. Clarke Griswold has his entire family at his house for a good old-fashioned family Christmas (some invited, others not). There are endless slapstick scenes and nothing that Clarke does goes right. There is a cat that is burned alive, a squirrel that terrorizes the family and an over done turkey, to name a few of the things that go wrong. Still, Clarke tries to fight through it and make a good Christmas for his family then he doesn’t get his Christmas bonus the final straw.

The British hit Love Actually (2003) would be the next DVD up. I know a number of critics called it an overdrawn rom-com gone very wrong but I actually like it. All those little stories helped make the film in my eyes all wrapping up nice in the end. It fills a niche in the Christmas market, and like every other film if you feel entertained what more can you ask for.

A Christmas Carol (2009) is an animated film. It is a spectacular feast with awesome special effects. The cast is excellent. It includes voices of great actors such as Jim Carrey as Scrooge, Gary Oldman as Cratchit and Marley, Colin Firth and Robin Wright Penn just to name a few. In conclusion, A Christmas Carol is a good option for the holidays. One for all the family and not to be missed if you get the chance.

Can you have any Christmas without It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) are you joking. James Stewart confirmed his status as one of the greats with his performance as George Bailey and this movie is, without a doubt, one of the best. It's movie that makes you think, about life in general and how each person makes a difference, and about how great life can be (hence the title "It's a Wonderful Life). Whilst making you think, it also entertains with many lighthearted moments, particularly towards the end of the film.

Scrooged (1988) is a cinematic gem, one of the most outstanding films in the Christmas gene with Bill Murray at his comedic best. He plays a bitter network exec who has lost sight of the important things in his life, like family and friends. You know the Dickens story of Scrooge, but this film version breathes life into the story and gives it extra meaning for modern audiences.

From the hilarious opening involving Santa Claus and Lee Mayors, (I say no more). He schedules a live broadcast of a Christmas Carol on Christmas Eve, spoiling Christmas for hundreds of employees and actors, only Frank Cross, would have to bottle to do something like that. Fun throughout the film until the wonderful ending the movie delivers nonstop fun and pure entertainment with a nice love story, brilliant dialog and a great and important message in it.

Surviving Christmas (2004) was another Christmas film panned by the critics with star Ben Affleck winning worst actor at Razzie Awards. I look to be entertained in film I watch and this film did. Affleck plays Drew Latham wealthy Chicago ad executive looking forward to a bleak Christmas alone until he makes a trip to his childhood home. He decides to rent the family now living there - husband and wife Tom, Christine, and their teenaged son Brian. Tom initially wants nothing to do with Drew until an exorbitant sum of money is involved, all written in a contract, which expires at the end of Christmas day.

Things don’t go to plan when Tom and Christine’s daughter turns up and he buys in a grandad and his girlfriend Missy and her parents turn up. It’s a good film and if you get the chance watch it.

A made for TV film on my list would be The Christmas Card (2006) it pops up regular on the Christmas film channels. US Army Sergeant Cody Cullen while on tour in Afghanistan receives a Christmas card from back home for a lonely soldier this card is from Faith Spelman. When his friend Jonesy is killed in an attack, he is sent off on leave and visits Jonesy’s wife. On his way home, he passes Nevada City, California, where the aforementioned Faith lives and they met at the diner but he doesn’t tell her about the card.

He happens to save her dad Luke from a serious car run-over. The Spellmans invite Cody home for dinner, then the Christmas holidays. He proves a great help in the family logging firm. Faith still seems committed to rarely present fiancé Paul, a wine broker but for how long.

There are a number films bearing the name Miracle on 34th Street but my favourite is the Richard Attenborough (1994) version I think that this movie is a perfect excuse to watch a Christmas film. The movie teaches us about religion and believing, and I see nothing wrong with that. Mara Wilson is fantastic as the young Susan Walker. I feel that even though she is the smallest of the cast members, she leads them perfectly. If Christmas films do nothing for you, then show it to your kids, because I am positive that they will love and cherish it. I think the movie was in much need of a re-vamping so that younger people would be able to adapt the movie more and to understand it a little bit better. I felt Richard Attenborough was a great Santa who was believable. I would recommend this movie to all.

Love Story (1970) - Film Review

A bit of one of those days and then I happen to end up watching “Love Story” and there were no tissues in the house lucky we have just bought some bog roll. It is not the best film in the world but certainly cute and heart breaking for an old softy like me.

Love Story is a romantic drama well known as a tragic story considered one of the most romantic films of all time. Starring Ryan O'Neal and Ali MacGraw together with John Marley and Ray Milland it is pretty outstanding. Written by Erich Segal, based on his novel with the same title, and an awarding winning soundtrack with a particular favourite Snow Frolic by Francis Lai. Arthur Hiller directed the movie.

Oliver Barrett IV (O'Neal) is a comfortably off Harvard pre-law student that falls in love with Radcliffe music student Jenny Cavilleri (MacGraw),who happens to be a freewheeling, delightfully profane product of a blue-collar Italian-American family. Oliver's father heartily disapproves of the subsequent marriage and cuts off his son's allowance. Despite financial problems, the couple is blissfully happy. Diagnosed with an unnamed disease Jenny is consigned to an early death turning it into a weepy.

This is one of the most popular movies of all-time especially when movie's tagline "Love means never having to say you're sorry". Ryan O'Neal and Ali MacGraw each received Academy Award nominations and became overnight movie sensations for their poignant portrayals of a young couple who cross social barriers, marry and ultimately face the greatest crisis of all that makes is a classic tearjerker.

My Rating

Loan shark Christmas - Happy time still

Once upon a time Christmas was a season of magic for me. Shopping for goodies for my sons brought me such joy not really with money tight just like for me when I was a kid. We did try to get their dreams delight but we were not always successful.

We knew exactly what would excite them and make their dreams come true by watching their reaction to TV ads and the well thump pages of the Argos catalogue.

Our Christmas was funded by Provident Agent and other loan sharks dropped off the cash/loan. How it would work with Provident

£600 loan

Pay back over 40 wks. - £25 a week

Total payable back £900

I remember the figures as if it was yesterday even if it has been around 20 years ago. The only way we could have a decent Christmas was to enter into such an agreement with no savings, credit and it was for our kids not for the wife and I to party. It is easy for them with plenty under their Christmas to say it was wrong to do. That is how many people still today pay for their Christmas if they are on a low income. I hated it and was glad to see the back of them.

We would hit Toys R Us in town, now moved to Cardiff Bay before the money could get comfortable, we were straight into Toy R Us. Why because it was a one-stop shop for the toys you needed and wanted. Up and down, the shelves pack to the roof with boys toys except for that must have toy that would always sell out, it always happened. We tried to get the toys sorted in one trip and another trip for clothes and other presents.

However, I was not shopping it was Santa so he could have the blame for a toy most wanted not being under the tree. Pity kids soon wised up about the whole Santa story.

Christmas was an enchanting time that brought as much delight to me as it did to my sons. The memories that I hold onto from those days are treasures to me even as they slowly fade away with the passing years.

When my boys cracked the Christmas code it became much more of a burden for me. Something to just get over with and hiding stuff away was a victory. Looking around to see how others seem to be having the times of their lives, makes me long for those days before the magic was lost, once upon a time.

Memories of Christmas 1972

Every Christmas I pick a year from my past and write about what was on TV, and other things about this seasonal period. This year I have picked 1972 the year I felt the full meaning of Christmas. I realised money didn’t grow on trees, money was tight and dads wage packet wasn’t endless. Christmas was now about my sisters where Christmas was still about Father Christmas and the North Pole but I knew it was the big cupboard on the landing upstairs.

I do not remember why and mum never did say why but this Christmas was a bit bare under the tree for my brother and me. I remember dad was told to go to Bessemer road market and see what he could find for us. I also remember mum and dad arguing about it and the fact that our main Christmas present fell through. I knew it was a bike.

I remember Christmas morning finding a large Christmas stocking full of crap. One of those mesh filled Christmas stockings with naff tiny games and tricks for a 12-year-old boy was not what you were hoping for but luckily, we had our Christmas Annuals and a few other miscellaneous items (odds and ends).

Mum as embarrassed about the stocking present and annoyed with dad for buying them as one by one items would break or snap they were so cheaply made. Thing is dad wasn’t the best buy of toys left to his own devices mum was the toy shopper and she like to plan ahead she wasn’t a last minute shopper.

I remember enjoyed helping and playing with my sisters it must have been the first year I did not mine being bother by them. I was now beyond toys what I was into was football, toys soldiers and building Meccano and Airfix models and if there was sniff of some money I would be happy.

Tin Toys

Christmas is hi-tec these days, all IPads, phones, PlayStation, and other gadgets while I grew up in the world of tin windup toys, board games, and annuals. Simple toys for simple days when hi-tec would be a battery operated toy.

One particular toy I remember was like the one in the picture shown. A simple track toy where cars would shoot around going through a small tunnel. With the key supplied you would windup the toy then sliding the no/off switch to on, the cars would go round and around where they would stop nobody knows.

I soon developed a side game where you would try to make the car stop in the tunnel. I may have been 6/7 but I would have been excited about the toy while today’s kids of the same age will probably have some top of the range electronic gadget and not believe in Father Christmas.

The top of the range boys toy back then must have been robot with ‘Robby the Robot’ the must have. I had a robot but it wasn’t a Robby but from memory, its chest would open and close as it walked along. The trick with any windup toy was never over wind it because if broken it was just a lump of tin.

Has plastic become cheaper it was the death nail for tin toys and windup toys in general has battery-operated toys begun to take over.