Yum!

What's not to like?!?

Ho, Ho, No

 Season's greetings.

Whoops!

Merry Trekmas

 

Mario

Today I have been mostly channeling my inner (American-Italian) plumber. The last thing you need in winter, particularly right on top of Christmas, is a faulty radiator valve. This one now being permanently wide open, making my bedroom unbearably hot. 

Here's an image of the outer body of the TRV, the offending broken parts having been discarded in disgust LOL.

Fork Handles

For fans of The Two Ronnies.

Say Cheese!

Fry-Up

A little late to the game so to speak...

For a couple of years or so a great many have been extolling the benefits of Hot Air Fryers. Apparently they are very economic to run and the cooked food can be healthier. When I saw this one in my local Aldi today, at £17 (US$31, AU$34) I couldn't resist. With a capacity of only 1.9 litres it's probably one of the smallest, if not the smallest, on the market but worth a try. You never know it might just be brilliant. Wish me luck...

Holy Night

 

Lara

What The Dickens?

Handle With Care

Sometimes it really does pay to order in bulk and doesn't in any way suggest addiction LOL.

Not In This House

Never refuse fruitcake LOL!

Special Silver

Would you just look at this new shiny?!? 

For the first time, the Royal Mint have issued a silver version of their world famous Gold Sovereign coin. Measuring exactly 22.05 mm diameter, stamped for 2025, with images of King Charles and St George killing the dragon, this proof coin is truly beautiful. Just over 50,000 will be produced and no doubt if popular another may be produced for 2026, however there's nothing quite like having the first edition is there?

Paradise Lost

This second spin-off from the extremely successful BBC series, Death in Paradise seems a bit of an odd affair. Filmed in beautiful Australia and staring a largely Aussie cast it seems to have dropped the "fish out of water" scenario of the original. One episode in and it's yet to be revealed what will replace this component that will make it stand out from so many other police shows.

Having said that, since its release in Australia on ABC in September and this month on BBC One in the UK, obviously it has been sufficiently successful that it seems a second series is more likely than not. As with the original this is drama with a light touch; there's humorous moments and a main storyline that's not too taxing. Well worth giving a go.

Hole In The Toad

...as I used to call it as a child LOL. 

Served with vegetables and mustard mash, yum!

Bert Not Ernie

The UK's Met Office has proudly told us Storm Bert has delivered the equivalent of all of November's rainfall in two days. Kind of fed up with all the wind and rain now.

Tea Leaf*

Part way through this series from ITV, based on real life events from the 1980's. Fun story and cool music to bring back fond memories. Some of the fashion choices, however, are best left back in the "decade style forgot" LOL.

* Rhyming slang.

Can

Made with a product, (traditionally) made using brewer's yeast. Cheers!

Wells

This came up as a memory from two years ago. The town of Woking in Surrey, not too far from me, has a permanent tribute to the brilliance of author HG Wells. For those who don't know, his novel The War of the Worlds is set partly in the surrounding area, with Martian tripods towering over Woking.

Many will have read and enjoyed the book and perhaps just as many will have loved the ground breaking musical version from the late 1970's. There is however another brilliant audio adaptation from more recent years, that is perhaps more faithful to the book. Due to Jeff Wayne owning the Rights to the name of all audio adaptations (who knew there was such a thing) this one is called The Martian Invasion of Earth and stars the excellent Richard Armitage.

Anyway here's some Martian related images, watch out for the Heat Ray!

Ye Olde Coin

OK so not even 100 years old but a nice example of a pre-decimal lucky six pence. It's quite possible this one may have found its way into a festive pudding during its life,  you never know.

This one arrived sealed in a lovely display pack and without a degree of destruction it is impossible to see the image of the monarch. Included below is a stock image of King George VI on the face of a coin from 1948.

Roar

I know it's far too early to be putting up a tree but I found this elsewhere on the Interweb. How could I resist..? LOL.

I C U

Just some fun...

Remember

50c RAM Decorations

Have received today this lovely tree hanger in time for the approaching festive period. 

It contains an Aussie 50c coin which features the King on one side and the golden flowers of the native Western Australia Christmas Tree on the reverse. Apparently. Having never travelled to WA, a degree of trust on this end needs to be employed but there's no reason to assume the Royal Australian Mint would be wrong. 

This is a legal tender coin, meaning once decorations have been taken down, owners are free to use it in payment. Obviously in the UK there aren't many establishments that accept Aussie currency and besides it's too nice to part with!

Habit Forming?

Well maybe but sometimes you need to kill time.

Hour

This weird but excellent show has returned for a second season/series. Gripping stuff.

Sisters

Trip this evening to sunny Basingstoke to see the excellent trio, The Puppini Sisters as part of their 20th anniversary tour. Drinks first, of course LOL.

Fawkes

Heard a brilliant comment on the radio earlier today: "Has anyone seen Guy Fawkes? I'd like to offer my assistance" LOL.

We're rapidly approaching the 5th November, when in the UK we mark the attempted destruction of both Monarch and Parliament. Our current government is dreadful, they don't seem to have a clue what to do other than tax us to Kingdom Come. Now I wouldn't advocate violence but can the county cope with a full five years of this shambolic and disingenuous shower?

Build

Took a walk around the University of Reading grounds with ym today. It's probably been 10 years since I last visited (obviously he's fairly familiar with the site these days). 

Needless to say in the past decade a lot has changed, plenty of new construction with state of the art facilities. It was however sad to note the famous LEGO building closed and barricaded, possibly due for demolition. Times change.

Accounts

Loving this comedy drama from DownUnder.

W&G

Coming this December to BBC One and to Netflix in January 2025.

Marrakesh

As some may recall, I have a slight obsession with teeny tiny coffee cups. Or espresso cups to be exact. 

I found these yesterday in a cancer charity shop and thought it really rude to leave them there unloved. They are made by renown manufacturers Denby and the striking pattern is called Marrakesh. Lovely aren't they? I shall enjoy drinking from these on a leisurely Sunday morning.

Marmalade Sandwich

Not many are aware the town of Reading has links with Micheal Bond, creator of Paddington Bear.  

Bond was born in nearby Newbury but raised and educated in Reading. He initially worked in a solicitor's office and later, during the war, for the BBC in Reading, surviving a German bomb that fell on the building he was in. 41 people died and many others injured. It was at the nearby rail station that it is reported he saw child evacuees with card name tags attached to their clothing.

Reading now has its statue to mark Bond's most well known creation. It is situated in Broad Street not a million miles from where Bond had been working in 1943.

Apparently the statue needs police protection LOL.

(Image curtesy of Thames Valley Police)