As promised,the rest of my choices for TV over the festive period.
Sunday 27th
Top pick: Catherine Tate's Nan #1 (BBC1 22:25)
Mention: Harry Price: Ghost Hunter (ITV 20:30)
Eight out of Ten Cats Does Countdown Christmas Special (Ch4 22:00)
Monday 28th
Top pick: Royal Institution Christmas Lectures #1 (BBC4 20:00)
There are no mentions today, not keen on what's to offer. Perhaps a day to catch up with what's been recorded?
Tuesday 29th
Top pick: Eight out of Ten Cats End of the Year Special (Ch4 21:00)
Mention: Storage Hunters UK Celebrity Special (Dave 20:00)
Royal Institution Christmas Lectures #2 (BBC4 20:00)
Wednesday 30th
Top pick: Catherine Tate's Nan #2 (BBC1 22:25)
Mention: Royal Institution Christmas Lectures #3 (BBC4 20:00)
The Real Star of Bethlehem: A Sky at Night Christmas Special (BBC4 21:00)
All New It'll Be Alright on the Night (ITV 21:00)
New Year's Eve
Top pick: TFI New Year's Eve (Ch4 19:30)
Mention: Celebrity Juice: Bestest of the Unseen Bits (ITV2 23:15)
New Year's Day
Top pick: Sherlock (BBC1 21:00)
Mention: Mrs Brown's Boys #2 (BBC1 22:30)
And that's it for this Christmas. These are my picks, there are hundreds of channels and I may have missed some gems. That's the way it goes, thank goodness for catch-up TV.
The arrival of the Christmas Radio Times is an integral part of my festive experience. I relish flicking through the pages with my pen marking all the programmes I don't want to miss. As I've done previously I want to share some of my choices. As usual no films are included, just specials and seasonal one offs.
Saturday 19th
Top pick: The Perfect Morecambe and Wise Christmas Special (BBC2 18:35)
Mention: Porridge 1976 Christmas Special (BBC2 20:05)
Sunday 20th
Top pick: BBC Sports Personality of the Year (BBC1 18:50) Only because Chris Froome is nominated
Monday 21st
Top pick: John Bishop Christmas Show (BBC1 21:00)
Mention: Judge Ringer for Text Santa (ITV2 18:00)
Mock the Week Festive Compilation (BBC2 22:00)
Celebrity Juice Festive Edition #1 (ITV2 23:45)
Tuesday 22nd
Top pick: Back in Time for Christmas #1 (BBC2 18:30)
Wednesday 23rd
Top pick: Back in Time for Christmas #2 (BBC2 18:00)
Mention: Celebrity Juice Festive Edition #2 (ITV2 22:00)
Mrs Brown's Boys Christmas Special(R) (BBC1 23:05)
Christmas Eve
Top pick: Not Going Out (Special) (BBC1 22:45)
Mention: Would I Lie to You? At Christmas (BBC1 20:00)
Eight out of Ten Cats Christmas Special (Ch4 21:00)
Through the Christmas Keyhole (ITV 21:45)
Christmas Day
Top pick: Doctor Who (BBC1 17:15)
Mention: Mrs Brown's Boys #1 (BBC1 21:45)
Boxing Day
Top pick: The Big Fat Quiz of the Year (Ch4 21:00)
Mention: Shaun the Sheep: The Farmer's Llamas (BBC1 18:10)
Still Open All Hours (festive episode) (BBC1 20:00)
Inside Lego at Christmas (Ch4 20:00)
A Gert Lush Christmas (BBC2 21:00)
Back in August it was announced at work that my role was officially "at risk". This was because of the government cuts, they were looking at losing over 60 people (from my role alone). It was a difficult thing to hear, it was looking like we were alll going to be interviewed for own own jobs.
Since then many, like rats from a sinking ship, have found other jobs and moved on. So much so that this week we were informed that our jobs were no longer "at risk" at we were safe at least until April 2017.
From next April there will be more changes including a new 3 week shift pattern (which includes more weekend working). At least now we can breath a little easier.
People tend to think I'm anti Christmas. I'm not. What I hate is the comercialisation and the hype. I hate the fact that shops start pushing it down your neck from the end of August. Why do we need to prepare for 3 months just for a day?
Ok now I've got that off my chest here's the start of my Christmas story...
I'd planned to make a day of the decorating. Usually it takes ages and we are still busy late into the evening. Rags assisted me early to move the furniture around (necessary to get the tree in). We then got the boxes down from the loft and began the task.
Around lunchtime as a break we decided to attend a Christmas fayre in Firth Park. We wish we'd have not bothered, it was a load of crap. Not wasting any more time we went to a local Weatherspoons for food before going back home to continue.
Rather than being a cheerful, seasonal event it eventually became a stressful task for us all. We overran, eventually finishing around 20:30 ish.
So the house is ready for Christmas at the proper time... in December.
The terrorist incidents today in Paris have alarmed and shocked us all. What touched a nerve for us is that it was only a few weeks ago our daughter was in Paris on a school trip.
It's been over 20 years since I've been to Manchester, and that also was for a trip to Coronation Street (or actually Granada Studios Tour as it was). I've been through Manchester many times, usually on my way to Wales or sometimes Chester Zoo.
We booked the trip for Rags' birthday but because it was booked up this was the first available date. It was an early entry slot so we'd need to be up and travelling at the crack of dawn.
The night before we watched the weather reports saying that snow was likely overnight which would potentially end our day out before it even started. To get to Manchester by road from our neck of the woods you only really have 2 options. Snake pass or Woodhead pass (you can go by motorway but that's a massive diversion). At the time we went to bed Snake pass was closed due to snow!
It was an early start and although there was a little wintry weather evident the drive across Woodhead pass there were no issues. We arrived without incident and managed to park directly outside.
The tour itself was different to my previous visit. It was all about behind the scenes production of a television show. You don't need to be a fan of Corrie (I'm a bit of a passive viewer) to appreciate the experience. The end of the tour, of course is the street itself. A 3/4 size purpose built fake street. It's a odd experience, very surreal.
After the tour was over we left, it was the final time we'd lay eyes on this street since the area is set to be redeveloped soon. We headed into town, I'd never been into Manchester City Centre before.
Manchester is a great city. To the outsider (me) it seemed to be doing it all right. The shops were good, busy and in the right places. In comparison, my home city seems to get it wrong, the city centre shopping is dying because of bad choices. Manchester was also hosting a magnificent Christmas market. The only downer on the day was the meal we had at a local Harvester, but it was the only place we could get a seat (Manchester was heaving today).
At midnight on Sunday we waved goodbye to our youngest, Rags, as she set off by coach on a 3 day school trip to Paris.
The following morning Morticia and I were driving north east towards Scarborough. This was our first trip together since our honeymoon.
We'd planned this trip some months earlier when Morticia received an email offering a deal on stays in the Grand in Scarborough. Morticia had aways wanted to stay there since she first saw the magnificent building that dominates the bay as a child. We booked and the time came 'round.
We arrived without incident and even managed to park fairly hassle free. After that it started to go wrong. Now I'm not daft, I know the Grand isn't as grand as it once was. I was under no illusion. We entered the reception area and we were immediately impressed with the beautiful architectural features and the impressive staircase which dominated the centre of the large hall. We then noticed how small the reception desk was in the corner, and how large the queue was for it.
The queuing is when we first got an incling that there might be something wrong. The queue was made up of people checking in and people complaining. We got to the front and got our booking sorted out by a woman who looked like she was having a bad day and was passing on the vibe. We were directed to our room which was down what looked like a service corridor to a lift and down 1 level. We got to the room; it was shabby, smelly and it had NO WINDOW! I wish I'd taken a photo just to show how bad it was.
We returned to reception, this wasn't acceptable (I'm normally the kind of person that can put up with most things but everyone has a limit). I joined the back of the queue (again) and waited. The same woman listened to me with a "don't give a toss" look then started the hotel was full and we'd have to put up with it. We were absolutely NOT going to put up with it! We demanded a refund deciding that we'd rather go home than stay in a smelly dump. We emerged back into daylight with the refund back on our credit card.
Upset and angry we were going to spend a short time in Scarborough before heading back but I thought I'd try to find an alternative hotel on the internet. The first one we tried was full. It was a long shot, the place was busier than I'd imagined for the time of year. The second one was a bit further out, just above the spa.
The Ambassador Spa Hotel was on a street filled with hotels. I'd put in a booking on the aptly named booking.com website but this was ultra last minute. I went to reception and asked. The friendly receptionist had a look and with a smile announced that there was one room left. Result!
Relief lead to excitement as we unpacked. The room was clean, a nice size and tastefully decorated. We lost most of our afternoon faffing about getting a room so we were keen not to waste the evening. We were both tired and hungry so a trip into the town rather than the sea front seemed to best course of action. We found a pub called The Courtyard which did food. A couple of beers and a nice meal were consumed before we returned to the hotel for a drink in the bar and an early night.
Breakfast was a buffet which I always like. We went down to the front via one of the cliff trams which Morticia had never ridden on. We strolled on the sea front stopping regularly (a necessity because of Morticia's condition) at cafes and pubs. We had lunch in the chip shop cafe where we ate before with our children. It was so different to not have any responsibilities.
After checkout we went onto the front again, unlike yesterday it was pissing it down. That still didn't dampen our spirits. We stuck around until lunch (at Winking Willy's) then went to take a look at the statue of the chap sat on the bench. Then it was time to head home.
We stopped off at a pub on the way home, the Coach & Horses in Rillington. It has to be one of the worst pubs I've ever been in. We didn't stay to long...
Late night Rags pick up.
Rags was due back about midnight. In fact they were running early. We tracked her phone up the M1 to Chesterfield before her battery died. She did manage to call us with an ETA. We sat in the car outside school, as did every other parent, waiting. The coach came and a very tired Rags was delivered back to us.
She had had the experience of a lifetime and we had recaptured something from a long time ago and a glimpse into our future.
The 5p carrier bag charge started today. What a fuss! I've been to Wales many times, they've had it for years any it's such a non-issue. It'll all be normal in a few months and people will either carry reusable bags or pay the 5p. The system works and it will stop the massive amount of plastic bags wasted every year.
My baby. My youngest is 14. Bloody hell! As a treat we took her and a friend to Yorkshire Wildlife Park. We did want to take her to Coronation Street but it's booked up until the end of the year (we booked it anyway).
In particular I wanted to do the 65 Roses Holme Moss Classic, why? Because last year whilst I was nursing a broken collarbone and feeling sorry for myself I observed a number of cyclists riding past the end of my road, all had numbers on the front. I did some research and found out it was the aforementioned ride. I vowed to myself then that I would ride this "next year".
I signed up some months ago and immediately began to kak myself. The thought of climbing Holme Moss filled me with dread. What if I couldn't manage it? What if I was last back?
The day came, I was both excited and nervous. I met up with 4 others from my cycling club before the start. The plan was to touch base before the off, not to ride together. The mass start from Magna was an experience in itself riding in large numbers on closed roads. The field thinned out as I got to Thorpe Hesley and from that point I passed and was passed by many other riders.
I have to say it was challenging. It was tough. But I got up without stopping, I got up with strong legs, I got to the top and felt invincible! It's not the nicest thing to say but I actually got satisfaction from riding past those that were pushing their bikes up. I made it, I was in my own way, on top of the world.
I was riding with Steve from my club. We'd not planned to team up but we just ended up sticking with each other. He really struggled with the climb. I waited 15 minutes at the summit, he'd ended up pushing most of the climb. After that he was in a bad way. I supported him back through to Sheffield. As soon as we hit the Rotherham border I dropped him (he was happy to be able to follow the route back).
I managed to 105km in 5 and a half hours with an accent of 1666m. Next year I hope to smash that.
Coming home is always hard but this year it's been so much harder.
Whilst away, at work they announced that they were placing my role officially 'at risk' and that they were looking to lose a number of people. Add onto this the fact that my family (outside my home) don't give a damn about me and my eldest daughter doesn't want anything to do with us - and I really wonder what the hell am I still doing here. There's nothing if my job ends.
I really want to live in mid Wales, quality of life seems so much better. I need a plan of action.
Supplemental 1510.06; Since writing this things at work have potentially got better with a number of people leaving or with offers of jobs. Still uncertain but there is probably some breathing room. I still feel the same about living out there but hopefully we'll get time to do it properly.
It's taken a while to post this. Not sure why, I've just been sitting on it a while...
It's been a couple of years since we were last here yet despite a couple of minor changes the place felt immediately like home. More like home than home in fact. We arrived a bit early for check in to our cottage but I'd already arranged to be able to park up in front.
Previous years we had stayed in the "cottage" that was part of the Hotel Penwig, and we'd had some great holidays there. When there was a change in management it was no longer the same so for this year we decided to try something new. Our home for the week was a 'real' cottage, an old building with loads of character overlooking the harbour.
We enjoyed the place as we always have, the weather wasn't the best but not the worst either - we managed a couple of visits to the beach. The pubs were largely the same (the Dolau Inn had a slight redecoration) with exception of the Black Lion which had had a major refurbishment. Sadly the Penwig Hotel (where we used to stay) had lost its atmosphere and it seemed all of the regular faces.
We met up with friends and enjoyed an afternoon catching up. Before we left we booked the cottage for next year.
The drive home was filled with sadness. Our hearts were lifted as we drove through Bala when the Vulcan XH558 flew overhead.
23:10 (1508.21) - I had planned for everything to be packed up and ready for tea time today. That went out of the window hours ago. Thankfully everything is (hopefully) ready and we are relaxing before heading to bed.
06:15 - It looks like we will be setting off shortly, bang on schedule. The car is already loaded and soon we will be on our way.
08:05 - I've been driving for a couple of hours now, pretty uneventful. We got over Woodhead pass and through Manchester without delay or incident. I'm currently parked outside the main doors of Chester services, this is our regular comfort stop off when heading to Wales.
09:45 - We crossed over the Welsh border not long after we left Chester, we all always get excited when we see this bridge...
Photo taken from Google Streetview
Our first stop in Wales was at the side of Lake Bala. We had a picnic in the car whilst the rain fell outside.
10:54 - Our final stretch legs / comfort stop was in the beautiful little town of Machynlleth which became famous recently for the wrong reasons. This was in our thoughts during our visit.
Our drive took us through Aberystwyth, Aberaeron and finally we arrived. Driving on the approach road felt strange. We have had a deep love of our destination for many years, missing the last two had an effect on us all. Passed the holiday park and the road narrows, the familiar houses then the Seahorse Inn (a favourite of mine) where we turn down the hill to the sea. We've arrived, its 12:30 and we are here at our spiritual home.
Preparing for a holiday can be stressful. Not for me, as long as I know where I'm going and I've got clean pants for every day then I'm sorted.
A holiday for me is all about clearing your mind and achieving relaxation.
Morticia is going out of her mind worrying about if everything will be done on time. I've no doubt that on Saturday morning we'll be setting off for Wales on schedule.
THE JARL
The face of the operation. You can find the full saga in the About Me section above.
MORTICIA
The Shield-maiden and my everything. They say behind every great man is a great woman; the truth is, I’d simply be lost without her.
MY GIRLS
Harley and Rags. Raising daughters has been the greatest privilege of my life. They’re grown now, but getting time with them is still the best part of any day.
THE BOY
Atreus. My grandson and the greatest gift. Son of Rags, he has brought a new level of meaning to everything I do.
THE BEST MATE
The oath-brother. We’ve been mates since we were 16 years old. Too much history to count and a bond that’s stood the test of time.
THE DOG
Magnus. The loyal hound. Whether we’re out on a long trek or just settled for a cuddle, life is infinitely better with him at my side.
