Sunday Crush – Fiona Richmond – Men Only magazine

Back under the mattress again with fond memories of Fiona Richmond, glamour model and adult actress. Did we really hide our porn stash under the mattress? My mum made my bed, so once caught that was never going to happen again I soon found a new hiding place.

She, Richmond became a British sex symbol in the 1970s for her appearances in numerous risqué plays, comedy revues, magazines, and films. She was prominent especially in Paul Raymond Publications, magazine and films as Raymond was dating Richmond around this time.

Let's Get Laid (1977) is the film she is most famous for which I saw in the Odeon, British softcore porn with Robin Askwith, him of the confessions franchise of films. Although I really remember her from such magazines as ‘Men Only’ and after all these years I remember the cover I have posted as one of my favourite and when it came to discard the well thumb copy of ‘Men Only’ I remember ripping the cover off for a keepsake.

As I said, her magazine appearances caught my eye in although she was a regular in newspapers she was in the press quite a bit back then. I found her stunning with a quirk, which draws me to many of my crushes and if there were a page of other glamour models, she would catch my eye.

She was born in England, Norfolk of all places I always thought she had a foreign look about her anyway she was no way a pale looking Brit.

Must see TV - Week beginning 29/07/2017 - My Choice

Last week for me it was again about Game of Thrones it was great and the sea battle at the end was sublime but for the outcome. I also found another show to look out for, Midnight Texas which I have recommended below having watched the pilot.

This upcoming week is pretty poor TV wise it is always the same at this time of year until the autumn when the TV screen is awash with new programming. So my viewing recommendations could be light for a month or so.

Monday – Premiere Sky Cinema – The Atticus Institute 10pm

The story of a 1970's psychology lab in Pennsylvania where a case of demonic possession took place.

Individuals expressing supernatural abilities - E.S.P., clairvoyance, psychokinesis, etc. Despite witnessing several noteworthy cases, nothing could have prepared Dr. West and his colleagues for Judith Winstead. She outperformed every subject they had ever studied - soon gaining the attention of the U.S. Department of Defence, who subsequently took control of the research facility.

Tuesday – Channel 5 – Celebrity Big Brother: Live Launch 9pm

Having just waved goodbye to the non-Celebrity Big Brother a few days ago, we are back with the so call Celebrity version. Means more of Emma Wills and Rylan Clark-Neal back on the screens of Channel5.

The so call secret line up of housemates have been leaked for a while and as for Celebrities, they are light on the ground. Sarah Harding is reported to be entering the CBB house she of Girls Aloud fame who is in need of kicking her fading career into the light. Someone else going in (reported) is Jemma Lacy who has promise she would bed anyone for 5 minutes more fame.

Some American reality stars will be going through the door.

Wednesday – BBC2 – Man Up 9pm

When Jack (Simon Pegg) mistakes unluckily in love Nancy (Lake Bell) for his date she does the unthinkable and decides to Man Up and just go with it. Putting her disastrous past lovers behind her, she lets loose and the pair enjoy an unpredictable night in London.

Their intense chemistry makes for a promising evening of fun and games – and some tears. But how will Jack feel about being duped.

Thursday – Syfy Channel – Midnight. Texas 9pm

I have watched the pilot but I would still recommend it to my readers. In a small Southern town, various supernatural beings coexist in fragile harmony, while nefarious outsiders commit crimes that threaten to upset their quiet way of life.

The story revolves around Manfred (Francois Arnaud), a troubled psychic who moves to “Midnight” to escape his problems and finds himself in the middle of a murder investigation. The fiancée of his landlord, Bobo (Dylan Bruce), is found dead, and the fiancée’s spirit comes to Manfred for his help.

Midnight. Texas - TV Review

I can only speak of the pilot because at the time of writing it is all I have seen. Sometimes pilots can be slow as the story builds.

In the end, I could not wait to see what will happen next and learn more about the town of Midnight, Texas. So far, the acting is solid and the pilot leaves me feeling more will unfold. I think the pilot did a good job of introducing the characters and the town in letting you know there is more than meets the eye without delivering too much.

Midnight the remote Texas town where no one is who he or she are. From vampires, ghouls, witches, psychics and hit women, making Midnight a mysterious safe haven for those who are different and just strange. The town members some of whom are just normal folk sharing the same pressures from rowdy biker gangs, ever-suspicious cops and who knows what other delights will darken the doors of Midnight.

Dead granny and Manfred

We are yet to understand what is special about Midnight or its pasts, could it bring its own dangers. But for now, they band together forming a strong and unlikely family.

The story involves Manfred Bernardo (Francois Arnaud), a psychic on the run who, with the guidance of the ghost of his recently deceased grandmother, arrives in the small Texas town. As he tries to remain inconspicuous, he finds that the locals are very strange and more than a little suspicious of his presence and decides that he should try to keep to himself. That is when the body of a young woman is found on the shores of a local river. She is dead, though not wrapped in plastic, so I guess that is something. Manfred’s psychic abilities are utilized to find the murder weapon, and he soon finds that he cannot simply fade into the background.

Hottie Olivia

There is Lemuel, the polite vampire whose unusual abilities allow him to feed off emotional energy rather than blood although he is not averse to the odd sample. Fiji, the kindly witch with a talking cat named Mr. Snuggly and Joe, a fallen angel with wings tucked away in his back until needed. Hottie Olivia, a hothead fighter, weapons expert, and hit woman for hire but otherwise human and maybe Bodo who looks to have anger issues. Creek, a woman with an overbearing father looks to be the love interest for Manfred.

These are the main characters we have been introduced to so far and I hope fans of this gene of entertainment enjoy it as much as I did. The trailer for next week looks good but sometimes they can be deceiving.

Thursdays 9pm Syfy Channel

On this Day - Children TV from the Past

Digging about the internet earlier, I came across an interesting article about kids and their summer holidays and TV, which got me thinking and set me on a blog task for the day.

What as a 10-year-old, would I be watching during my summer holidays back in 1970 on this day?

Well on this day there was no provision for us kids on our six week summer holidays unless you count ‘Playschool’ on BBC2 at 11 o clock and Watch with Mother on BBC1 at 1:30pm my favourite was ‘Tales of the Riverbank’ with Hammy and his crew. So we had to go out and play and enjoy the outside unlike the kids today who can sit in front of the square box all day.

There were only three channels! Not much competition and we only got about 1hour 30minutes of viewing time dedicated to kids from around 4:30pm to 6pm on each of BBC1 and ITV. My research as shown on ITV the schedule would kick off at 4:35pm with a couple of cartoons and follow with a dose of ‘Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons’ were Spectrum and Scarlet would battle it out to foil the Mysterons and Captain Black in their attempts of world domination.

Over the other side on BBC1 the offering was ‘Playschool’ and ‘Jackanory’ where a TV star of the day would read a story then at 4:55pm, ‘Wacky Races’ where my favourites were The Ant Hill Mob but one thing for sure was Dick Dastardly and Muttley never won but I liked Muttley, who didn’t. According to the Radio Time archives, next up was ‘Blue Peter flies the World’ a repeat of last year’s summer exhibitions followed by an Abbott and Costello cartoon before the news.

Over on ITV ‘Flipper’ was up against the ‘Wacky Races’ and then a rarity a show on ITV I liked ‘How’. What was the TV programme ‘How’ all about you may ask. It was an educational children's television science programme it was Tomorrows World for kids. Topics commonly covered included science, history, mathematics, and simple puzzles. The formula proved so successful that it was soon broadcast to the whole ITV network and given two slots per week.

Each episode began with the presenters all raising one hand and saying "How" simultaneously (mimicking the stereotypical Native American greeting).

Marvel’s Agent Carter - TV Review

I tuned into the History Channel to watch ‘American Pickers’ last night but was disappointed to find the episode was again a mismatch of old clips passed off as a new episode. I turned over to the Syfy Channel to watch ‘Dark Matter’ a good backup I normally watch later as I record it.

Afterwards I continued my search for something to watch, stumbled across ‘Marvel’s Agent Carter’ on the Fox Channel, I thought it worth a watch and I hit the jackpot. I am a fan now of this modern crossover universe of Marvel, agent Peggy Carter and now, she has her own series, goody.

Set in 1946 New York, the pilot establishes her connection to Captain Rogers then launches into a post-war story of espionage. Peggy works for a clandestine and patriotic organization (SSR) where she is often treated like most secretaries in the forties while secretly assisting Howard Stark, who finds himself framed for supplying deadly weapons to enemies of the United States.

Stark’s butler, Edwin Jarvis, is responsible for disposing of the weapons, and assists Carter.

This is one of the basic jokes of the series. Like Clark Kent, she appears mild-mannered, but she works behind the scenes as a lethal and effective weapon for justice and The American Way.

The production values are terrific--as in all Marvel stories--contributing to one of the most enjoyable aspects of the show: its immersion in the milieu of its time. The clothing styles. The technology. The idioms.

At the same time, the series tweaks technology when it comes to the gadgets that Agent Carter uses in her craft. Hayley Atwell portrays a more relate able Peggy Carter rather than in Captain America she was more just as the love interest. Edwin Jarvis is a very straightforward man with some very funny lines and moments, which shows his "goofy sidekick" side played by the fantastic James D'Arcy.

I recommend tuning in to "Agent Carter" to watch her strike a blow for America and, along the way, the downtrodden, while swing music plays in the background.

Sunday Crush – Elizabeth Taylor – Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

The ultimate Hollywood siren and someone I had a major crush on was Elizabeth Taylor. I could site many a film, photoshoot on why I had the hots for this Americanised English rose but will say ‘Cat on a Hot Tin Roof’.

Besides being one of my favourite films, Taylor steals the film starring Paul Newman, and Burl Ives with her at the absolute apex of her beauty. I do not think it is an understatement to say that Taylor in “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” is one of the most stunningly beautiful women ever photographed by a movie camera.

A few scenes into the film, she peels off her already sexy outfit and prowls around in a cleavage-bearing white slip. The stocking scene will also get your juices flowing as it does for Brick (Newman) who was trying to show a lack of interest.

Brick barely notices her as he wallows in the death of his best friend with a suggestion of a homosexual relationship between the two leading you to think his depression and frustration are somewhat more than his bum foot. It is suggested that Brick’s wife Maggie (Taylor) is pregnant but from what we are seeing and hearing, the marriage is sexless. During a heated family argument with his sister in law

Mae Pollitt: We occupy the next room and the walls between aren't soundproof. We hear the nightly pleadings and the nightly refusals!

Brick Pollitt: Not everybody makes as much noise about love as you do.

Maybe the marriage was not as sexless as we were lead to believe and anyway how could any man refuse Taylor is beyond me.

Must see TV - Week beginning 22/07/2017 - My Choice

Last week was just about one thing and that was ‘Game of Thrones’ and its welcome return to our TV screen. If you are not a Sky TV subscriber, you will have no idea what the fuss is about.

The opening sequence was top notch and unexpected the rest was laying the path for this series which could end in the mother of all battles. Could it be better than the build-up and battle of the bastards one could only pray? It was a slow start with positions being plotted and characters restabilising themselves into the story line.

Saturday – Spike – Jason and the Argonauts (1963) 4:50pm

This film is the story of Jason, how he set sail on his ship Argo to find and return with the Golden Fleece. The Argonauts include Hercules, Castor and Pollux and Argus, who built the ship. The goddess Hera protects Jason and his crew as they encounter their adventures.

There is the bronze Talos, Harpies, Clashing Rocks, and King Aeetes of Colchis and fighting skeletons. In the end, Jason gets the Fleece. He also gets the girl, Medea. Nancy Kovak plays Medea, and she does a seductive dance.

The animation is by Ray Harryhausen who would later do Clash of the Titans. I was three in 1963, and I remember going to watch it years later over the Ninian Cinema with the Owens family. Believe it or not, I still watched it for escapism and pure fun, it is unbeatable and no CGI in sight.

Sunday – BBC1 – Wild Alaska Live 7pm

The BBC’s latest Wildlife Live is in Alaska with presenters Liz Bonnin, Matt Baker, and Steve Backshall who are planning to capture the awe-inspiring nature of Alaska. They hope to catch sight of bears, wolves, eagles, and other creatures of land and the forests.

Not forgetting the abundances of life in the waters around Alaska the most northern state of America. The three presenters will be located in three different locations of Alaska. Liz will be in the Katmai National Park, Matt is in the Tongass National Forest, and Steve follows the 300 million salmon that head to Alaskan waters.

Monday – Quest - Aussie Gold Hunters 9pm

As a new season of risks and riches dawns, Aussie Gold Hunters raises the stakes sky high to deliver a motherlode of new bonanzas, new dangers, new faces, and new places. Returning to the epic frontier of Western Australia’s Goldfields, our hard-core prospectors face the toughest challenge of their careers. Whether it is fighting to survive, or uncovering colossal strikes, deep in the remote and unforgiving wild terrain.

Returning this season are the Dirt Dogs, the Gold Gypsies and Kellie and Henri, but there are also some new faces as two new teams of prospectors and a host of larger than life characters enter the fold. Lone wolf Rick Fishers and husband and wife duo Ted and Lecky Mahoney.

Tuesday – E4 – Tattoo Fixers on Holiday 9pm

A high percentage of their tattoo cover ups are from drunken trips to Magaluf and the like the Tattoo Fixers take their pop-up shop to the sauce of the disasters. I am not much of a fan of tats and plan to stay a blank canvas but I do enjoy the idiots who get a tattoo done in the midst of a drunken haze only to regret it when they sober up.

Tattoo Fixers on Holiday sees Jay, Sketch, Alice, and receptionist Paisley swap their London studio for the sunny Mediterranean and a new member of the team tattooist Glen Carloss joins them.

Wednesday – Film4 – Chinatown 12:55am

A classic and must see for anyone with an interest in film and it has been awhile since I last watched it. Although it is on too late to watch this time, I will have to remember to record it for later viewing.

Chinatown delivers in spades. Everything about the film shines, and it looks better now than it probably did in 1974; of course, there is a lot of junk in the cinemas these days. Acting, cinematography, script, atmosphere. The story of a struggling P.I. getting a case that has more twists and turns than a mountain road is still one of the most crafted storylines ever concocted. Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway, John Huston, John Hillerman, and everyone else deliver superb performances.

Thursday – Syfy Channel - Midnight, Texas 9pm

Straight out of the mind of those who gave us Ture Blood, we have a new series Midnight, Texas. A safe haven for those who are different, but with the presence of outsiders, the resident’s band together, and form a strong and unlikely family. It's a safe haven for vampires, witches, psychics, hit men and the like.

It has been heavily trailed on the Syfy Channel and from that it looks too been a winner but sometimes trailers can be deceiving.

Friday – Premiere Sky Cinema - Doctor Strange 8pm

Marvel's "Doctor Strange" follows the story of the talented neurosurgeon Doctor Stephen Strange who, after a tragic car accident, must put ego aside and learn the secrets of a hidden world of mysticism and alternate dimensions. Based in New York City's Greenwich Village, Doctor Strange must act as an intermediary between the real world and what lies beyond. Utilising a vast array of metaphysical abilities and artefacts to protect the world.

I have not seen this film but from some reviews, I have read and seen British star Benedict Cumberbatch was great as Doctor Strange.

Calling Dibs

I was watching a film last night and one of the characters done something I haven’t heard of in years, he called ‘Dibs’ on a girl. A remark that would be regarded as sexist and totally un-PC in today’s more enlighten world. Who would dare call Dibs on a girl.

You called ‘Dibs’ normally on a girl, although ‘Bagsy’ was another word that could be used to declare a first claim on something other than a girl mostly. There was a code of conduct on calling dibs! She could not already have a dibs called on her from one of your mates that made her off limits they could only make a move if you were knocked back then she would be fair game. It wouldn’t matter if she had a foreign boyfriend in another area, if he wasn’t around it was up to you if you were willing to take the risk.

I am not sure if girls would call dibs on boys I will have to ask some female friends. However, it would have to be a pretty forward thinking young lady to make the first move.

A typical scenario would be if you and a group of mates were at a party, dance or just out and about and like you do checking out the girls and whoever spots a pretty girl first "called dibs" on her. That way you can make sure none of your mates would make a move on her. The only trouble with that would mean you would be committed to hitting on her, which in itself could be awkward if your interest is not returned. That can be doubly painful if later you see one of your mates or anyone else getting a kiss and a cuddle meaning time to crawl under the nearest rock.

The question is I suppose did I ever call dibs! No has rejection would have been too hard to take.

BBC... I couldn't care less

The big story of the day is the BBC top earners, which made a big splash in the media and on social media so here is my ten pence worth on the subject. I could care less… but for the gender gap.

A lot is being made that we pay for them via the Licence Fee and that the Prime Minister only earns £150,000 that was the line drawn in the sand by a politician in his demand to find the BBCs top wage earners. According to the BBC only 96 of their talent receives above the magical £150,000.

But the politician so interested in the public money being pocketed at the BBC seems to have forgotten we also pay for commercial TV via advertising and they pay much more. That is why Ant & Dec are worth £5million each and why we have to put up with ad breaks.

Top earner and a surprise to me as I was expecting it would be Graham Norton turns out to be Chris Evans with a £2million plus salary that I am not happy about but he is a name that brings an audience but maybe not for car shows.

Former football Gary Linekar is next and worth £1.7million to the BBC who could double is money with a commercial channel and Graham Norton on under a million but not including his chat show, for which the BBC pays an independent production company, which in turn pays his salary.

It turns out the highest paid female is Claudia Winkleman earning just about £500,000

The list reveals that newsreader and Antiques Roadshow presenter Fiona Bruce earns between £350,000 and £399,000 but fellow news host Huw Edwards is on £550,000 to £599,999. This seems wrong most BBC presenters may have more than one show is this taken into account in these figures as I no last year Huw Edwards was on BBC Wales a lot doing political TV and some Wales based documentaries.

I would like to see a list of politician’s payments for appearing on the BBC.

Game of Thrones is back - No Spoilers

There was I lying in bed, awake at 4:40am contemplating maybe I should try to go back to sleep which rarely works then like a lightning bolt it hits me… Game of Thrones. For a bloke as big as me I was out of bed in a flash and in front of the TV remote in hand.

Big changes in the Ugarte household! I purchased a NOW TV box a while ago when my TV provider (Virgin) let me down without any TV for a few days and my Freeview on my tele would not work. Virgin do not have Sky Atlantic on its platform so it was a good enough reason to get myself a NOW TV box fortunately for me it carries Sky Atlantic.

So this would be the first time I would actually watch it on my TV not via some iffy internet site like Watch Series and others. Sometimes it could be hit or miss on the feed you watch still once you work out the suttle ways of such viewing its easy.

No Spoilers I promise but I will just say it was a great opening that will have you cheering the rest was a bit slow with major protagonist laying out there positions. I have been biting my nails to the bone waiting on this new series from the bits and pieces of officially leaked news I am expecting a lot. We had a 13 month wait and from this episode, alliances are going to be all-important and keeping them.

After watching I checked out social media which was very positive... if you are hungry for something a lump of coal would look interesting but I was entertained.

13th Doctor Who ... Its a woman ... Jodie Whittaker

Jodie Whittaker the new Doctor Who. 

Picture: BBC

The new Doctor Who was what I was expecting maybe not who I wanted but the Doctor will still be fighting for mankind so I will be looking forward to next year’s new season/series.

I knew it was going to be a woman the shouts from outside forces have been too loud and when Missy received strong support by the audience as a time lord with issues, I just knew it would be a lady doctor. I was hoping for Natalie Dormer who played Margaery Tyrell on Game of Thrones. A personal request to the producers but I think I could settle with Jodie Whittaker.

A male sidekick now. I am intrigued to see the regeneration and get to know the new doctor of course the doctor will need a new wardrobe. I hope some of Leela’s outfits a past companion of a long ago Doctor are laying about those sexy animal skins clothes were a favourite of mine. 

The shit will hit the fan now with those against a woman Doctor and those excepting the announcement. I myself am in the latter group. I will only make a judgement with the series airs next year and that will not be on the sexuality of the Doctor.

Rumours were rife before the announcement that her fellow Broadchurch star Olivia Colman being touted, especially as its writer is joining the Doctor Who team. Death in Paradise actor Kris Marshall was another name on the list of possible stars to replace Peter Capaldi.

Sunday Crush – Dana Gillespie – Chesty Gillespie

The Lost Continent

Last week’s Sunday Crush hit a cord with my social media fans sending the page into stratosphere well maybe not to that height but pretty high for my little blog. Who would have thought Madeline Smith would create such a stir.

While watching a favourite film again last night ‘Bad Timing’ 1980 a British psychological thriller starring Art Garfunkel and Theresa Russell I spied a Sunday Crush Dana Gillespie. She was on my radar has a Sunday Crush but not for this film. In the film, she played Garfunkel’s girlfriend it was a very controversial film on released.

I remember her from such fantasy films as The Lost Continent and People that time Forgot where she played the damsel in distress.

The People that Time Forgot

The Lost Continent where she played the most buxom pirate come slave girl (44-inch bust!) in cinema history and that is saying something. I do not think many a husband, boyfriend or any male not feeling a twitch in their never regions when she made her entrance on the screen and woman looking down on their chest offering thinking why not me. From where I was watching, she seemed to have problems doing her top buttons of her blouse up.

Yes, it is about tits again but I can in sure you that flat chested crushes will soon feature, maybe next Sunday.

One of the most striking things about The People that Time Forgot was how outrageously busty Gillespie looks playing Ajor. Some serious work must have been put into the most interesting doeskin dress ever created. It's not just her ample bust we are treated to neither, as the dress is slit to her hipbone enabling lots of shots of her toned thighs (and higher) as she scrambles up hills.

A Theatre to a shady porn cinema to today a popular pub

There is more to the Prince of Wales on St Mary’s Street than a JD Wetherspoon pub chain I was reminded today the building as a history from a Theatre to a shady porn cinema to today a popular pub.

My first memory was a visit to the cinema, no not the porn era I remember going to watch “Dumbo” with my mum, dad and brother when I was nine or ten. It was as any other cinema showing general releases back then.

Before the cinema and a name change to the Prince of Wales it opened as the New Theatre Royal and then for a short time The Playhouse. In 1935–1957, it became The Prince of Wales it was mainly live theatre before becoming a cinema.

In the mid-seventies, the Prince of Wales was as much a part of Cardiff's cultural landscape with its reputations now fixed in the seedy side of Cardiff’s culture, as Chippy Lane is today part of the cities landscape. The fine looking gothic building inside and out became a porn cinema.

It showed the steady declining fortunes the once great theatre had mutated into an infamous cinema for dirty old men. When it was a theatre, some of the biggest names in theatre land played the venue. The likes of Richard Burton, Noël Coward, Laurence Olivier, and Hollywood star Robert Montgomery just to name a few.

Being not of an age to be a patron you could perv at the lurid adverts outside before being shooed away. The dirty mac brigade would shuffle in and out hoping not to be seen in the era of Super-8 projectors. It was about the only way to watch home adult entertainment before the explosion of the age of the video.

If your friend’s dad had a projector, the chances were there was a reel of porn somewhere in the house normally on top of the wardrobe in your parent’s bedroom.

It became a rite of passage, a challenge to visit the aforementioned cinema and if it were here today, it would be on most Cardiffians bucket list. It was about 17 when I got through the doors into the theatre with some friends having been turn away months before. Interestingly I knew the lady at the ticket booth and her husband worked as an usher this elderly couple always looked snobbish, up themselves and what nice jobs.

Inside it was dowdy like no one cared about the building it was now a porn theatre sparsely populated with lonely men and the odd group of lads in there for a giggle/laugh. The stories of the toilets had a reputation akin to Sodom and Gomorrah, a place you would never venture alone the same with the upper balcony. The films were tame, sex comedies, titillation soft-core and I even remember the film we seen, Confessions of a Young American Housewife.

After shutting the door on the dirty mac clientele, it reopened as "Ceaser's Nightclub” for a few years. In 1988, the interior was divided into multiple spaces for a variety of uses, including an amusement arcade and a pub.

Cardiff City kick-off their Pre-season at Taff's Well

Cardiff City’s season gets underway tonight with their first pre-season game against Welsh Division One team Taff's Well at their Rhiw’r Ddar stadium. It is good to see Cardiff put some money into a local club like Taff's Well who are expecting a possible full house with 2,200 tickets sold a few days ago the ground capacity is 2,900.

The majority of the crowd will be Bluebird fans, who Taff'sWell Chairman Liam Edwards is hoping some will enjoy the club and the facilities and be casual visitors to Rhiw’r Ddar next season. The money raised from this fixture will leave the club with a healthy injection of cash, an unexpected windfall, but the gate receipts are to be split between Taff's Well, Velindre Cancer Centre, and Cancer Research Wales.

I have been happy with the comings and goings at the Cardiff City Stadium during the summer break and am going into this new season more optimistic than last. That is down to manager Neil Warnock in the main I actually believe he can get us into the top six. He has brought in seven signings Bristol City star Lee Tomlin the latest new Bluebird. The deal, which has been for an undisclosed fee but is rumoured to be in the region of £2.9 million will give him a point to proved to the City fans.

The Cardiff boss as suggested he is happy with his signings, his squad and except for any emergency signings no need to bring any new faces to add to his squad. I like the fact Warlock as his full squad for pre-season it gives a chance for the squad to bond before the madness of the new season kicking off.

Next week Bluebirds boss Neil Warnock takes his team to Devon and Cornwall on a pre-season tour preparing for their new season campaign. The season starts on August 5 with a trip to Burton with the first home game a cup game Tuesday 8th against Portsmouth and first League home game the following Saturday with Aston Villa visiting the Cardiff City Stadium.

Welsh Cup First Round Draw

Finally the Welsh Cup opening round was drawn early today live on Facebook but for that the event was a damp squid. No news outlet or website, even the FAW’s own site were not showing the full fixture list which I need to peruse to find a team to follow. I had an idea who I wanted to follow but seeing a fixture list would have been nice.

It was late in the evening when the FAW website up loaded the fixture list. From having, little or no interest even when my team Cardiff City played in the competition it has become a favourite of mine.

Unlike the FA Cup where in the first round I look for a team with a stupid name here I look to start with a Cardiff base team. Last season I started the journey to the Welsh Cup final with Tiger Bay who won their opening game 2-1. The opening round of the tournament are regionalised into the, North West, North East, Central, South West, South East, South Central and Central to help keep cost down.

It was a toss-up between AFC Butetown and Grange Allstars on who to follow and in the end, it was the latter who I believe are newbies to the competition. The Allstars are Cardiff based and along with them, there will be 10 other Cardiff teams in this opening round.

The final is a long way off, May. But what are the chances of a south base team winning this season not much I believe. The last time a southern base team won the cup was Llanelli back in 2011 since then northern clubs have been winning Prestatyn Town once and Bala Town the same with The New Saints four times winners.

Some stats supplied by FAW. A total of 195 teams has entered the competition a small increase on last season with 110 in this opening round.

Full Draw 

The Mother - Film Review

I do like it when I come across a film I have never seen before or heard of and ‘The Mother] 2003 is one of those films. It stars Mr Bond himself Daniel Craig so I would have thought I would have heard about it from somewhere.

It is a fierce, shockingly intelligent film from the pen of gifted British writer Hanif Kureishi. He wrote "My Beautiful Laundrette", a brilliant piece of work.

The film is about people whose lives do not add up to much. The only character on screen who is alive is the mother of the title yet she feels dead inside until a rough handyman shows her some affection and awakens her to the joys of sex.

May's life as a suburban wife was probably boring. Obviously, her sexual life was next to nothing. We get to know she has had a short extra marital affair, then nothing at all. When May loses her husband she cannot go back home, so instead, she becomes a live in nanny for her grandson at her daughter's home. It is in this setting that May begins lusting after young and hunky Darren, her daughter's occasional lover.

Darren awakes in May a passion she has not ever known. May responds by transforming herself in front of our eyes. May, who at the beginning of the film is dowdy, suddenly starts dressing up, becoming an interesting and attractive woman. She ends up falling heads over heels with the young man that keeps her satisfied with a passion she never felt before.

Anne Reid and Daniel Craig

Her own chance of a normal relationship with Bruce, a widower, ends up frustratingly for May, who realizes how great her sex is with Darren. The younger man, we figure, is only into this affair to satisfy himself and for a possibility of extorting money from May. Finally, the daughter, Helen discovers what Mum has been doing behind her back when she discovers the erotic paintings her mother has made.

The film is a triumph for the director. In Anne Reid, is extraordinary actress who brings so much to the role of May. Also amazing is Daniel Craig. He knows how Darren will react to the situation. Anna Wilson Jones as Helen is also vital to the story as she is the one that has to confront the mother about what has been going on behind her back. Oliver Ford Davies plays a small part as Bruce the older man in Helen's class and is quite effective.

CAST

Anne Reid – May, mother to Bobby and Paula, widow of Toots
Daniel Craig – Darren, Bobby's best friend and Paula's lover, a handyman
Steven Mackintosh – Bobby, son of Toots and May, and brother to Paula
Cathryn Bradshaw – Paula, daughter of Toots and May, and sister to Bobby
Anna Wilson-Jones – Helen, Bobby's estranged wife

Sunday Crush - Madeline Smith - The Vampire Lovers

Now Madeline Smith was an English rose who left her mark on this teenager back in the early seventies. I was smitten, what red bloody teenage boy would not be, and you could bet dads around the country noticed over the top of their newspapers hoping the wife did not catch them having a sneaky look.

She did a lot of TV like The Persuaders which lend to her being a Bond girl in Live and Let Die when Roger Moore took over the Bond role he started in The Persuaders and recommend her her as a perfect Bond girl.

She Beautiful and angelic with a body for a sinner. I can still remember as a teenager and thumbing through the odd newspaper and magazine and seeing a picture of Madeline 'Maddy' Smith.

Madeline and Ingrid
The Vampire Lovers

I first really noticed her in one of my favourite Hammer Horror films ‘The Vampire Lovers’ one of three at the time depicting lesbian vampire themes. She played Emma an innocent young woman who attracts the attention of Marcilla (Ingrid Pitt) with a preference for the ladies who quickly seduces the young girl.

Madeline Smith always looked very sexually provocative. Her ample cleavage was better than some page 3 topless shot. You could put her in a nun’s habit and she would still turn heads or a black rubbish sack.

She had a string of cameo appearances in films and shows (mostly comedy) and provided sexual titillation that would guarantee young men would want to watch.

Full Sunday Crush list

My Desert Island Discs

While scanning the radio for some to listen to I came across BBC 4 Desert Island Discs it has been years since I had a listen, so I settle down to catch what was on offer before Sunday dinner.

I had no idea who the quest was but I did not know Kirsty Young was the presenter, which was a plus, but the music on offer was not my cup of tea. It got me thinking what eight songs I would want with me on a desert island remembering I would be listen days after day possibly for years so my choose had to be right.

1. Dead can Dance - The Host of Seraphim
2. Noel Harrison -The Windmills of your Mind
3. Damian Marley - There for you
4. George Michael - A Different Corner
5. The Beatles - I need you
6. David Bowie - The Man Who Sold the World
7. Jacques Loussier - Dark of the Sun/The Mercenaries
8. Madness - Night Boat to Cairo

My Luxury item I would go for an ikea flat pack house. My book would be an easy pick and Robinson Crusoe.

The Road to Wembley - My Team This Season Little Common FC

It only seems a while ago I was sitting back watching the FA Cup final when Arsenal beat London rivals Chelsea 2–1. A few days ago, the draw for the Extra-Preliminary Round occurred so it all begins again. Clubs from Level 9 and 10 enter this early around.

No Welsh team in this opening round but North Wales club Colwyn Bay will be in the draw next time.

I perused the list looking for a team to follow and start my armchair road to Wembley. This season there were 370 teams to choose from with their campaigns starting their in or around Saturday 5 August. That is 185 extra preliminary round ties will be played.

By now anyone who reads my blog and has an interest in football and the FA Cup no, I love to follow teams from the start of the FA Cup in August until the May final. I do the same with the Welsh Cup

I like to look for a team with the stupidest name or one that jumps out at me. This time it was the 18 clubs playing in the FA Cup for the first time at interested me. However which one to choose? Straight out Biggleswade FC just jumped out at me along with Little Common FC but which one. I could have a simple draw/toss a coin heads (Biggleswade) and tails (Little Common FC)… It was tails and the latter will be playing Eastbourne United on Saturday 5 August.

Little Common were formed in 1966 as Albion United and changed their name to Little Common Albion after the 1985/86 season dropping the Albion later. Little Common whose ground failed a ground inspection entered a ground sharing deal with Eastbourne United to safe them being demoted down a league. So the game will be a double home game with Eastbourne United the away team.

The fact they are playing at Eastbourne meant they could enter the FA Cup. Below is a list of the 18 clubs losing their FA Cup virginity it will be interesting to see if any make it into the next draw? The information below was sauced for the FA website .... (Full Fixture List)

• AC London FC – Academic Club London were formed in 2012 and are based in Tadworth, Surrey. They will take on Crawley Down Gatwick at home.
• Bearsted FC - Based just outside Maidstone in Kent and originally formed way back in 1895, Bearsted play in the Southern Counties East League premier and will make their FA Cup bow away to Eastbourne Town.
• Biggleswade FC – A first Emirates FA Cup appearance in only the second season for the Bedfordshire outfit, who were formed in May 2016 by members of the former Biggleswade Town FC U18s side. They will host Wisbech Town.
• Birstall United FC – Founded in 1961, this is the first Emirates FA Cup adventure for the Leicestershire club who play in the East Midlands Counties League. They will face South Normanton Athletic in their Cup debut.
• City of Liverpool FC – Formed in 2015, the Purps become the latest team from Merseyside to enter the Emirates FA Cup this season. The North West Counties side will travel to Padiham, near Burnley, for their first game.
• Charnock Richard FC – A familiar name to anyone who has travelled on the M6 in Lancashire, the Chorley-based club were originally formed in 1933 and are now preparing for their Cup bow, against Penistone Church at home.
• Eversley & California FC – Formed in 2012 when Eversley FC from Hampshire and California FC from Berkshire merged. Their first game in the Cup comes on the road against Amesbury Town.
• Framlingham Town FC – The Castlemen get their first Emirates FA Cup experience this term, but will be one of the competition’s oldest clubs having been formed in 1877. The Eastern Counties League side will play Wadham Lodge at home in the extra preliminary round.
• Litherland Remyca FC – The Merseyside club were initially formed in 1959 as St. Thomas before their current moniker was adopted in 2013. They will play a local derby with AFC Liverpool on their Cup debut.
• Little Common FC - Based in Bexhill, East Sussex and competitors in the Southern Combination Division One, they will take on Eastbourne United at home.
• Kimberley MW FC - The Nottinghamshire outfit’s full name represents Miners Welfare, after the club was formed in 1926. After playing in the FA Vase last year, this is their first tilt in the Cup. They will play Blaby & Whetstone Athletic at home.
• Rusthall FC – The Kentish club play their football in the Southern Counties East League and are based in Royal Tunbridge Wells. They will play CB Hounslow United at the Jockey Stadium.
• Stockton Town FC – The Teesside club start their Emirates FA Cup journey with a short trip to Guisborough Town, after previously entering the FA Vase for the first time last season.
• Wadham Lodge FC - Formed in 2008, the Wad Army are based in Walthamstow and play their games in the Esses Senior League. This is their first tilt at the FA Cup and they will take on fellow debutants Framlingham Town.
• West Bridgford FC – Based on the outskirts of Nottingham and after winning the East Midlands Counties League and entering the FA Vase last term, they now tackle the world’s original cup competition with a trip to Clipstone.
• Whitchurch Alport FC – The Shropshire club were first formed in 1946 and boast former Northern Ireland striker Jimmy Quinn among their former players. They will play Walsall Wood away in their Emirates FA Cup debut.
• Widnes FC – A home tie against Handsworth Parramore awaits the North West Counties League club, who were formed in 2003 and make their FA Cup bow in 2017-18.
• Woodley United FC - Tuffley Rovers will be the opponents for this FA Charter Standard community club, who are based in Berkshire.

My Fantasies World

Do we not all fantasies in one way or another. Dream about that something you always wanted or that adventure that has been there in the back of your mind forever.

Extreme rowing is a favourite fantasy but in my mind, I go further than rowing the Atlantic or Pacific Ocean. I dream of rowing around the world without stopping which I would think would be impossible but it does not stop my vivid imagination. The last time I did any kind of rowing was back in the 70s on Roath Park Lake or rafting on the river Taff. Today I would have problems rowing across the River Taff.

I love watching TV programmes on the History Channel and others were people live off grid or in tiny communities in the middle of nowhere. Living off the land and grubbing around for a meal may sound the ultimate adventure but it is just another fantasy. Unless I was stocked up with my favourite foods, I would never do it even if the chance fell into my lap. Alone against the elements sounds great but unless there was a shop behind the nearest tree, I would be too scared.

Rockall

Could you live off grid in the UK? Maybe up in the Scottish isles far up north. I always fancied living on top of Rockall a rock in the Atlantic (see picture), not the flattest rock in the world. Off the grid, living anywhere else in the UK could be difficult as I feel privacy would be an issue.

What about the South Pole for an adventure. That would be a real adventure because but for scientists on the continent of Antarctica, there is no native resident plants or animals at the South Pole. So you would need to take a shop with you.

I would like to think I would have been in the queue to sign up for the one-way trip to Mars if I was able but I done that and got the t-shirt in my imagination. Get the Mars Rover to check out the Victoria Crater again has it miss my den and my flag, which I used to claim Mars for Her Majesty the Queen.

One way Mars Colony

I am fascinated with Mars and believe one day it will be colonised but will we take all our shit to the planet as governments on earth carve it up. If the UK wants to be a part of any, carve up a government here needs to enter the space race.

Yes, this is where my fantasies world takes me just a few of many destinations or adventures and there are many more but even in this world of fantasy I never dream of changing my life. It is always the young Peter, the single Peter, and the Peter before 1984 who is off on the adventures. Maybe one day I will have some kind of great adventure but until then back to daydreaming.