Count

Tomorrow there is a Parliamentary by-election in a place called Makerfield, that may determine the next leader of the Labour Party and therefore our Prime Minister. 

Thank goodness there are people like this guy to keep our democracy, at the very least, from not becoming boring. It is true: Count Binface (of the Count Binface Party) is standing as a candidate, alongside more run-of-the-mill* hopefuls LOL.

Happy Days.

*It should be noted Howling Laud Hope, leader of the Official Monster Raving Loony Party, is also standing.

50 Years Of Amazing Adventures

I don't quite know what it is but to me there's something very special about the plasticine characters of Aardman Animations. 

I have fond memories of children's arts show Vison On, featuring the marvellous Tony Hart, and of course the ever so naughty Morph.

Needless to say the madcap exploits of cheese obsessed inventor Wallace and his ever faithful dog Gromit have to get a mention. They are the stuff of legend, at least to me. Who could possibly forget evil genius penguin Feathers McGraw, the dastardly robo-dog Preston or indeed the Were-Rabbit LOL?

Together with Shaun the Sheep and Chicken Run plus a host of other creations, the wacky adventures have bridged television, cinema, books and (oddly) audio. 

It doesn't seen true the company celebrates half a century this year. After all this time they're still making stop motion animation, one frame at a time, when everyone else seems to have moved to computer generated output. It's rather charming and somehow very real.

Oh look: just in time there's a lovely celebration 50p coin from the Royal Mint.

This Is The Way

Nice trip out to the big screen.

Not So Special

At last the BBC have seen sense.

Today the BBC have announced the end of the woeful RTD2 era of Doctor Who. Not a moment too soon. 

The promised Christmas 2026 Special has been cancelled, with showrunner Russell T Davies and his enablers at Bad Wolf Studios departing the franchise. They must accept full responsibility for the abomination they offered the public since 2023; RTD chose to sacrifice compelling narrative and character development in favour of DEI talking points and lecturing the audience. And noone within the production company Bad Wolf stopped him. 

Is it any wonder British viewing figures for this once great sci-fi series dropped to a record breaking low?

Well done to the BBC for finally accepting what many have known for a good long while: the show was not working. Some have claimed it was no longer even watchable. The corporation have said they will now take time to seek a new production partner for the tv franchise, and by implication this could take a good while. A pause of a few years may not be a bad thing.

Buckinghamshire

"Bird watching." LOL 

Glorious

After an extremely wet Winter and lacklustre Spring, it looks very much like Summer has arrived with a bang. Definitely barbecue weather methinks.

Some interesting things are happening in my garden too.

Seriously?

I'm sure there aren't too many countries where the weather can be predicted to vary so much in under one week LOL.

Just what is going on?!?

Curly

Halloumi burgers on a bed of green and yellow peppers, with a healthy side of curly fries. 

I recall the first time (a good few years ago) I tried curly fries for the first time, what a revelation! Whoever invented them really should be given an award LOL.

New World

My Postie delivered something of a little surprise today, an item I had completely forgotten I had ordered. How foolish of me!

This year the Royal Mint is celebrating one of the ships to carry the name HMS Beagle, although likely the most famous one. Originally built as a gun ship for King George IV, it was repurposed as a survey vessel and undertook three important voyages of discovery. On the second journey, Charles Darwin joined Captain Robert FitzRoy on the expedition of the New World.

After the third voyage, in 1859, the Beagle was stationed in Essex as a static Watch Vessel to deter smugglers, before being auctioned and broken up.

Bra-vo

What a great name for a coffee shop, don't you think LOL? Spotted recently in Sheffield city centre.

That Time Again

It comes around so quickly LOL.

 

Original?

Interesting. Could be promising but will it ever rack up the episode count of the original..?

Mind Your Language

"If it wasn't for us, you'd be speaking French." - King Charles III to President Donald Trump, 28 April 2026.

T800..?

Came across a contractor using one of these on a steep bank in the park this morning. It definitely brought out the inner child in me; it was like watching Robot Wars but on steroids LOL.

The guy very generously asked if I wanted to try operating it.

Underground Overground

The witty girls and boys of London Underground (aka TfL) have posted this for St George's Day. 

Too good not to pinch.

St George

Celebrating England's Patron Saint, a man who never set foot in Britain. If in deed he ever existed LOL.

Naughty..?

Cod and chips, with mushy peas and curry sauce, mmm.

Really shouldn't on a Tuesday night but I thought in these difficult times for retailers,  I might do my bit for the local economy LOL.

Ribbit

Can you beat home-made Toad in the Hole, with fresh veg and Mustard Mash..?

Island Sleuth

The first season of the reimagined Bergerac was obviously enough of a success, it will be promptly returning to our screens. Great drama.

It's Coming

After an extremely wet and miserable Winter, it does appear at long last Spring is putting in an appearance. Thank goodness.

New Life

Happy Easter everyone.

Buns

Hot Cross Buns, what better way to mark Good Friday?

Despite all the chocolate egg hunts and Easter Bunnies etc, it's important to reflect on the true meaning of Easter.

Better

A noticeable improvement (I hope) on my last batch, made 24th January LOL.

Deepest

You can tell when Spring has finally arrived, the Mower emerges from hibernation and it's time to tackle the very long, unkempt grass in the garden. To borrow from the Rod Stewart hit (penned by Cat Stevens dontchaknow), the first cut is the hardest LOL.

It certainly was hard work.

Advance

British Summer Time, here we come*!

*Just hope the Rain got the memo LOL.

Cilantro

Yeah that's a really daft name and one that only North Americans tend to use but it got your attention.

Nevertheless I found this little gem the other day: a reminder of a really awesome restaurant I used to occasionally visit and where some wonderful memories were created. 

Although it was a bit of a drive and parking nearby could be problematic, it was always well worth it. I recall the menu was extensive and the portions generous, as was the Bill LOL. You can't expect an incredible experience without being prepared to pay. I think it survived the madness of the 'Rona days but shut up shop shortly thereafter. It's certainly long gone now.

Happy times.

Tie Me Up

Life, both professional and social, is much more relaxed and casual these days. Dressed down if you will. As such I probably don't need the appropriately 50 ties I currently own. A few were ditched a couple of years ago during a mini-purge, bytheway.

In fact, with not many more neck adornments, I could probably rent a bespoke small retail unit and resurrect the now defunct British retailer Tie Rack. Not to be confused with Thailand LOL.

Anyway, it's time to have a serious clear out; keeping only a few faves for weddings, funerals, christenings and other formal settings. You know the sort of thing.

As depicted, a great many of my ties were cartoon in nature, with Wallace and Gromit featuring quite heavily.

Rumour Has It

Rumours (see what I did there?) abound I've been out two nights in a row. 

'Tis true, this evening was spent at a very special evening celebrating the music of Fleetwood Mac by Candlelight. Electric candles, of course: you never can be too careful. Nevertheless it was a truly amazing and atmospheric event, set within a lovely old English church. What's not to like..?

Again

Two ELO tributes in the space of one month? Outrageous LOL!

Daffs

Must be Spring, at last.

 

Notts

Pause

Is there a better way of killing time LOL..?

05 And Twenty

Cryptic but it's gonna be fun LOL.

The Tube

Just a run-of-the-mill, ordinary day on the London Underground LOL..?

Potion

Another mash-up of two favourites from my youth. Promise I'll stop now LOL.

Children's Classic

Having grown up reading Enid Blyton's Famous Five (and Secret Seven) and being an avid viewer of Doctor Who, this made me chuckle.

 

M4

Can't believe my regular journey home from near Sandhurst has just taken shy of two and a half hours! 

Thanks Highways England and National Grid for closing the Motorway in both directions. In reality it wasn't their fault an electricity Pylon fell across the carriageways. Nevertheless having to divert all traffic trying to get to and from my home town has put severe strain on all surrounding routes. Got home very hungry.