Beam

Such a simple thing but today this made me smile. 

Time

Today is the Solstice and for the Northern Hemisphere, our longest day. Its seems apt this little coin arrived with the morning Post. 

Issued by the Royal Mint this £2 coin marks 350 years of the Greenwich Observatory. All of time (at least on this planet) is measured with regard to Greenwich. This is where the term GMT, Greenwich Mean Time, comes from and all global timezones are either set ahead or behind this. As Al Murray "The Pub Landlord" points out, we (the UK) get to tell the Germans when it's dinner time LOL.

It Just Died Of Cringe

Even the BBC are mocking Doctor Who. 

Featuring the vocal talents of (Fourth Doctor and the Brigadier) impersonator and long time fan, Jon Culshaw. Here's an excerpt from a recent episode of the Dead Ringers sketch show on BBC Radio. His rendition of Ncuti Gatwa isn't too bad, that mix of Scottish/Rwandan accent, but the dialogue itself is spot-on.

Better

Officially it is likely not quite this hot but the weather's definitely improving. Might be a bit warm for badminton though LOL.

Gust

Do you think it's been a bit windy today LOL?

Abbey Road?

Just a bit of fun pinched from elsewhere.

Important

One thing is certain this morning, coffee is well deserved LOL.

Garden Grow

How does your garden grow LOL..?

The End

Doctor Who has been thoroughly ruined and deserves to go on a long hiatus, to be "rested" for many years. 

The final insult for this once great series being the build-up to the disrespectful return of a Classic era villain. The Time Lord engineer Omega, originally from the Jon Pertwee story The Three Doctors, was completely subverted, unrecognisable and given under 5 minutes screen time, only to be so casually discarded. Something of an insult to long standing fans. 

The remaining 90% or so of the story was contrived, nonsensical and crammed with ridiculous messaging. The showrunner and his enablers need to accept full responsibility for this failure of narrative. Not to mention the lowest viewing figures in the shows' 60+ year history.

RIP Doctor Who (23 Nov 1963 - 31 May 2025)

Channel Island Sleuth

It's hard to believe, Jim Bergerac, Jersey's most famous detective has returned to TV. Obviously updated with a whole new cast (John Nettles declined a cameo, at age 81), this multi part drama is simply brilliant. Filmed on the beautiful island of Jersey (and in part in Devon), it has recaptured nicely the spirit of the original. A second series has been commissioned by UKTV for release next year.

Fit For A King

The Royal Mint has just released a new £5 coin carrying the (new) official Coat of Arms of His Majesty the King. This beautiful coin is available in standard as well as colour, this particular presentation being strictly limited to 5000. Enjoy.

Bucks But No Fizz

Another trip to the lovely county of Buckinghamshire today. No unexpected surprises though LOL.

VE Day Coin

This splendid 50p coin arrived a little late but nevertheless it is lovely and serves to help mark such an important day.

Poppies Return

As part of the celebration of VE Day, beautiful ceramic poppies have returned for display at the Tower of London. Read more here.

VE 80

80 years ago, Victory in Europe was declared. Here are a few patriotic images.

Day Out

Something of an unexpected trip out visiting, which started with a nice pair of surprises LOL.

Conversion

Happy Star Wars Day everyone.

Drink Up!

Edited due to format issues, grrr.

If anyone is still interested in Doctor Who (and there's not many viewers left), here is an updated and expanded version of the Drinking Game to help keep track of those cliches and painful low points of atrocious writing that is RTD2 .

The Doctor Who Drinking Game 2025.

Take one shot of your favourite tipple, every time:

1. The Doctor mentions he is homeless or an orphan.

2. The companion has special powers or abilities for no reason or explanation.

3. A supporting black character either sucks their teeth, says "wagwan" or "tank you."

4. The Doctor turns on the water works.

5. The hero refers to someone using an inappropriate term such as "honey" or "babes."

6. The (no doubt expensive) interior set of the Tardis is actually put to good use and forms a meaningful part of the narrative.

7. Someone sings or dances without good reason.

8. A DEI character is inserted- purely to be seen- and given nothing of substance to do.

9. The villain is revealed to be a Pantheon or God but is dispatched in a lame manner, such as giving them the very thing they crave or losing a game of catch the ball.

10. The British or English are criticised for perceived historic injustices.

11. The Doctor shouts and/or runs around without warning or reason, as if they were a three year old.

12. The Church and Christianity in general are criticised but other religious faiths are not.

13. The fourth wall is broken by a character either winking to or directly addressing the audience.

14. Our hero changes his outfit and/or hair style.

15. The companion is the perfect representation of a modern feminist "girl boss."

16. The episode plot does not adhere to its own internal logic.

17. The villain or foe of the week is played with so much "ham" it puts the local butcher to shame.

18. Once again the Doctor blunders into a literal man-trap, rendering him impotent for a portion of the story.

19. The Inclusive Messaging in an episode is so heavy-handed it appears to have been inserted by a school child, not a professional writer.

20. The hero completely forgets his "best friend" and in so doing puts their life in jeopardy.

21. The once pacifist Doctor kills without warning, shows no remorse or literally whoops and dances on their grave.

22. Historical figures are race swapped without explanation.

23. A returning "Classic" character is not used to their full potential or has been rewritten beyond recognition.

24. The absence by the Star from part or all of the episode actually improves the story.

If you're not legless by the end of the episode, I salute you LOL. 

May Day 80

To mark the approach of the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe, we have this lovely 50 Pence coin. 

It was developed in conjunction with the Imperial War Museums, and contains images of the three General Service medals awarded to those who served. The medals were awarded for the extraordinary acts of personnel who fought for Britain and the Commonwealth. 

Bring It

This looks more like it, fed up of the rain.

Flying The Flag

It is St George's Day after all!

Space Egg

Happy Easter, everyone.