Don’t tell him Pike!

The Home Guard (initially Local Defence Volunteers) was an armed citizen militia supporting the army during WW2. Operational from 1940 to 1944, the Home Guard had 1.5 million local volunteers otherwise ineligible for military service, such as those who were too young or too old to join the regular armed forced (regular military service was restricted to those aged 18 to… Continue reading Don’t tell him Pike!

Top 10 Movies of 2023

Some years I do a TV and Movies countdown and some I pick one or the other. This year it’s going to be my favourite films of 2023 though it must be said I really enjoyed the recent Boat Story, The Tourist and the incredible Happy Valley… plus Doctor Who has been great too. I went… Continue reading Top 10 Movies of 2023

Top TV Shows of 2022

There has been some great television this year, perhaps due to a backlog of shows from during the lockdowns in 2020 and 2021. It’s been hard to narrow it down and even 11 doesn’t seem to include everything that I’d like. These are what I’ve been enjoying on the telly this year. 11. The Responder… Continue reading Top TV Shows of 2022

Going in search of Daleks in the backstreets of London

I noticed a few weeks ago the the old 1960’s Doctor Who films with Peter Cushing as the Doctor have been re-mastered in 4k for a re-release. I only mention it as one of the things that I always thought funny in one of those films is when the Daleks invade Britain and the Doctor… Continue reading Going in search of Daleks in the backstreets of London

Saying goodbye to Neighbours!

Neighbours, everybody needs good neighbours. I should know as I’ve lived next more than my fair share of weirdos and inconsiderates. Friday marks the end of an era as Neighbours is airs its final episodes after being axed back in March. During its time, the Channel 5 Aussie daytime soap opera has launched the careers of dozens of stars… Continue reading Saying goodbye to Neighbours!

Meeting Stephen Fry makes a great day even better

I get to meet lots of people in my job from The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh through Presidents, politicians, film-stars and musicians. There aren’t actually that many people who I’d like to meet; perhaps Sir David Attenborough but on the whole I don’t really understand the concept of celebrity and the people I admire… Continue reading Meeting Stephen Fry makes a great day even better

You matter to me: Saying goodbye to Q and Picard

I don’t write that often about Star Trek although it is my favourite television programme and I’ve watched it since I was about 2 years old. Last week I watched the last episode of the second series of Picard which features his long time antagonist Q. Any fans of Star Trek will know what a… Continue reading You matter to me: Saying goodbye to Q and Picard

Downton Abbey: A New Era Film Review

I’ve been a fan of Downton Abbey since I saw the very first advert for a new ITV drama programme in the summer of 2010. 12 years later or about 18 years later going by the chronology of the show, we have reached the second Downton Abbey feature film. I can also say I had… Continue reading Downton Abbey: A New Era Film Review

Coronavirus Diary 86: Excluded, invaded but undefeated

This is Sam (not his real name) and he is 10 years old. Sam is a huge Sherlock fan and yesterday I did a hastily arranged Sherlock Walking Tour for him and his mother from Ukraine. This is my first Sherlock Walking Tour since 2019 due to Covid and the government also making it illegal… Continue reading Coronavirus Diary 86: Excluded, invaded but undefeated

Coronavirus Diary 83 – The (lack of) joy at Christmas and discombobulated thoughts

I must admit that I don’t feel 1% Christmassy and that is 1% less than last year when at least I knew everyone else was to various degrees miserable and isolated but I’m 22.5 months now into being Excluded (15 months or more of that Shielding alone). It’s hard to get concerned about people having… Continue reading Coronavirus Diary 83 – The (lack of) joy at Christmas and discombobulated thoughts