tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36759666587982072302024-03-16T18:51:53.842+00:00The Laboratoryadamcreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08847869366634507731noreply@blogger.comBlogger464125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3675966658798207230.post-37131839272925253702024-01-09T22:16:00.001+00:002024-01-10T06:31:20.279+00:00Tallinn Travel Guide (new for 2023)<div><b><u>Getting around</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>From the airport:</div><div>Buses 2 and 15 go to the centre of the city.</div><div>There are long distance buses (numbers above 73) that also follow this route, but you can’t use Tallinn Cards on these.</div><div>If staying at Swissotel (see below) get off at stop Tornimae, and walk back 100m crossing the road.</div><div><br /></div><div>You can pay on a bus or tram by tapping a contactless bank card against the validator, but you must use the one at the front of the bus, as the others don’t accept bank cards. It works like London, in that there is a daily cap, so all your day’s tickets will appear as a single transaction the next day. You can also use one card to buy several people’s tickets at once.</div><div>Public transport guide: <a href="https://www.visittallinn.ee/eng/visitor/plan/transport/public-transport">https://www.visittallinn.ee/eng/visitor/plan/transport/public-transport</a></div><div><br /></div><div>From the ferry ports:</div><div>Bus 66 goes from Terminal D (for Tallink/Silja Line ferries). Come out of the terminal building and bear right past the pushy taxi drivers to the covered bus stop area. Don’t cross the main road. You’ll find bus stop Reisisadama Terminal-D 66 (the bus numbers are haphazardly stuck on the top of the sign!). This bus goes to Balti Jaam [Baltic Station] where you can change onto other lines.</div><div>Alternatively get bus 20 to Viru which is in the centre of town. </div><div>From Terminal A (for Viking Line ferries), the only bus is IKEA Bus 200. Again you would need to change at Balti Jaam.</div><div>If you are travelling back to catch a ferry at a certain time, you may just have to bite the bullet and fork out for a taxi. The drivers will know the right back roads to use to avoid the constant traffic jams.</div><div><br /></div><div>While roadworks are disrupting the city centre until 2025 for the construction of a new tram line, you will find that it is quickest to walk in most of the modern city. If in doubt, get a bus or tram to Balti Jaam or Viru and change there.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Tallinn Card costs between €40 for one day, up to €72 for three, and gives free public transport (again tap at the front validator only) and access to 50 museums (marked with a * below)</div><div>You can buy it online, in person, or as an app. </div><div>Tallinn Card guide: <a href="https://www.visittallinn.ee/eng/visitor/tallinn-card/tallinn-card/what-is-tallinn-card">https://www.visittallinn.ee/eng/visitor/tallinn-card/tallinn-card/what-is-tallinn-card</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Tallinn is in three main parts:</div><div>1) the Old Old Town, on a hill to the south-west, with both the Lutheran and Orthodox cathedrals, and the narrowest streets</div><div>2) the Old Town, in the centre, with historic buildings and the majority of museums and restaurants</div><div>3) the modern city, to the east, with shopping centres, modern hotels, and the maritime museum and ferry terminals to the north</div><div><br /></div><div>The Tourist Information Centre is at Niguliste 2, in the Old Town, near St Nicholas’ Church</div><div><br /></div><div>Omniva is the brand name for the Estonian Post Office, and the main one in town is hidden in a shopping arcade underneath the Kaubamaja shopping mall. Do a map search for Omniva Gonsiori 2. Between Laikmaa Street and Kaubamaja Street, or taking the escalator down to the ground floor from the mall. The post office is open from Monday to Friday from 10 am to 7 pm and on Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm. The post office is closed on Sundays.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Where to stay:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Swissotel, Tornimae 3</div><div><a href="https://www.swissotel.com/hotels/tallinn/">https://www.swissotel.com/hotels/tallinn/</a> </div><div>This is a high quality business and leisure hotel with excellent facilities. Rooms have great views, air-con, a fridge, and plenty of storage. On the top floor are the Horizont restaurant and executive lounge. Swissotel is part of the Accor group, so get Accor Live Limitless membership before you book, for a guaranteed discount, and get points towards future stays.</div><div>If you need to pop out for supplies, there is a Rimi supermarket just across the main road.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Museums and Galleries:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>To get to Kadriorg Park, take buses 31, 42 or 67 to Kumu, on the south side of the park, or bus stop J. Poska on the north side, with buses 1 and 5 or trams 1 and 3 stopping there. In the park are the following galleries:</div><div><br /></div><div>Kumu Art Museum * (as featured in TENET)</div><div><a href="https://kumu.ekm.ee/en/#">https://kumu.ekm.ee/en/#</a> </div><div>House of Peter the Great *</div><div><a href="https://www.linnamuuseum.ee/en/peetrimaja-eng/">https://www.linnamuuseum.ee/en/peetrimaja-eng/</a> </div><div>Kadriorg Art Museum *</div><div><a href="https://kadriorumuuseum.ekm.ee/en/">https://kadriorumuuseum.ekm.ee/en/</a> </div><div>Mikkel Museum of Art *</div><div><a href="https://mikkelimuuseum.ekm.ee/en/">https://mikkelimuuseum.ekm.ee/en/</a> </div><div>Children’s Museum *</div><div><a href="https://linnamuuseum.ee/en/childrens-museum-miiamilla/">https://linnamuuseum.ee/en/childrens-museum-miiamilla/</a> </div><div><br /></div><div>The Harbour District is being developed and there are two good attractions to visit there:</div><div><br /></div><div>Kai Art Centre *</div><div><a href="https://www.kai.center/en">https://www.kai.center/en</a> </div><div>in the Noblessner harbor complex </div><div>bus 73 from Viru in the centre to bus stop Noblessneri</div><div>(including Lore Bistro, see below)</div><div><br /></div><div>Lennusadam Seaplane Harbour *</div><div><a href="https://meremuuseum.ee/lennusadam/en/">https://meremuuseum.ee/lennusadam/en/</a> </div><div>Located in a historic seaplane hangar, the exhibition includes a submarine from mid-1930s, seaplane Short 184, a 100-year-old ice-breaker, and much more. </div><div>There is a bank of lockers behind the cash desk that no one knows about. The café is usually too busy to get a seat.</div><div>bus 73 from Viru in the centre to bus stop Lennusadam, or it’s a nice walk along the seafront</div><div><br /></div><div>Fotografiska *</div><div><a href="https://www.fotografiska.com/tallinn/en/">https://www.fotografiska.com/tallinn/en/</a></div><div>A photographic art centre with exhibitions and a café, and photography gift shop</div><div>behind Balti Jaam station, in an arts complex with cafes and shops</div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>In the Old Old Town:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>St Mary’s Cathedral * (aka Toomkirik)</div><div><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Mary%27s_Cathedral,_Tallinn">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Mary%27s_Cathedral,_Tallinn</a></div><div>Lutheran cathedral, oldest church in Tallinn</div><div>open Tue – Sun 10am – 4pm</div><div><br /></div><div>Aleksander Nevski Cathedral</div><div><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Nevsky_Cathedral,_Tallinn">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Nevsky_Cathedral,_Tallinn</a></div><div>Eastern Orthodox cathedral with Russian styling</div><div>open daily 8am – 6pm </div><div><br /></div><div>The oldest part of the city has viewing platforms all around the hill, especially at Patkuli looking north, Kohtuotsa looking east, and from the Bishop’s Garden looking southwest.</div><div><a href="https://www.visitestonia.com/en/why-estonia/best-places-to-enjoy-views-of-tallinn">https://www.visitestonia.com/en/why-estonia/best-places-to-enjoy-views-of-tallinn</a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Down in the Old Town:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Estonian History Museum, Great Guildhall *</div><div>Pikk 17</div><div><a href="https://www.ajaloomuuseum.ee/visiting/buildings/great-guild-hall">https://www.ajaloomuuseum.ee/visiting/buildings/great-guild-hall</a></div><div>With a great hall, temporary exhibitions, and national treasures, this building on the main shopping street is worth an hour or two of your time.</div><div>Wed-Sun 10am to 6pm</div><div><br /></div><div>Fat Margaret *</div><div>Pikk 70</div><div><a href="https://meremuuseum.ee/paksmargareeta/en/">https://meremuuseum.ee/paksmargareeta/en/</a></div><div>An impressive medieval tower which includes an exhibition of a 700 year old medieval shipwreck, and lots of ship models. It has a rooftop café and good shop. </div><div>Mon-Sun 10am to 7pm</div><div><br /></div><div>Niguliste Museum (was St Nicholas’ Church) *</div><div>Harju Street</div><div><a href="https://nigulistemuuseum.ekm.ee/en/">https://nigulistemuuseum.ekm.ee/en/</a></div><div>With a glass lift taking you to the top of the building, this former church has a permanent exhibition of medieval ecclesiastical art, including the famous Rode's Altarpiece and Notke's "Danse Macabre".</div><div>Tue – Sun 10am to 6pm</div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Ones to try next time:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Vabamu Museum of Occupations and Freedom *</div><div>Toompea 8b</div><div><a href="https://vabamu.ee/en/visit-us/">https://vabamu.ee/en/visit-us/</a> </div><div>The exhibition consists of five parts: crimes against humanity, Estonians in the free world, life in Soviet Estonia, the restoration of independence, and freedom. </div><div>Wed–Sun 11am–6pm</div><div><br /></div><div>ETDM (Applied Art and Design) *</div><div>Lai 17</div><div><a href="https://www.etdm.ee/en">https://www.etdm.ee/en</a></div><div>Wed-Sun 11-18</div><div><br /></div><div>Museum of Estonian Architecture *</div><div>Ahtri 2</div><div><a href="https://www.arhitektuurimuuseum.ee/en/">https://www.arhitektuurimuuseum.ee/en/</a> </div><div>Tue – Sun 11am – 6pm</div><div><br /></div><div>Contemporary Art Museum of Estonia – closed until April 2024</div><div>Kursi 5</div><div><a href="https://www.ekkm.ee/en">https://www.ekkm.ee/en</a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Sightseeing:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Town Hall & Tower *</div><div><a href="https://raekoda.tallinn.ee/en/">https://raekoda.tallinn.ee/en/</a> </div><div>The oldest surviving town hall in Northern Europe, the building goes back to the 13th century.</div><div>Excellent exhibitions and an attic with medieval artefacts and a view of the roof construction.</div><div>Daily 11am to 6pm</div><div>You can also climb the Tower from June to September.</div><div><a href="https://raekoda.tallinn.ee/en/visit/the-tower/">https://raekoda.tallinn.ee/en/visit/the-tower/</a> </div><div><br /></div><div>City Wall & Helleman Tower *</div><div>Müürivahe tn 48</div><div><a href="https://www.visittallinn.ee/eng/visitor/see-do/things-to-do/attractions-museums/177029/hellemann-tower-and-town-wall">https://www.visittallinn.ee/eng/visitor/see-do/things-to-do/attractions-museums/177029/hellemann-tower-and-town-wall</a> </div><div>The 200-metre-long old defence wall connects Hellemann Tower with Munkadetagune Tower. Climbing up the steep stairs, you will arrive at the attic, which opens up as a viewing platform, so is definitely worth taking a walk along the defensive walls.</div><div>11am to 5pm</div><div><br /></div><div>Town Wall & Nunna, Sauna and Kuldjala Towers *</div><div>Väike-Kloostri tn 1</div><div><a href="https://www.visittallinn.ee/eng/visitor/tallinn-card/tallinn-card/offers/174756/town-wall-nunna-sauna-and-kuldjala-tower">https://www.visittallinn.ee/eng/visitor/tallinn-card/tallinn-card/offers/174756/town-wall-nunna-sauna-and-kuldjala-tower</a> </div><div>The oldest sections of Tallinn's city wall were built in the 13th century. You can walk on a small section of the wall that connects the Nunne, Sauna and Kuldjala towers. The wall has a wonderful view of the Old Town and Toompea.</div><div>Fri-Wed 11am to 6pm</div><div><br /></div><div>Kiek in de Kök Fortifications Museum *</div><div>Toompea Hill near the Vabaduse väljak at Komandandi tee 2</div><div><a href="https://linnamuuseum.ee/en/kiek-in-de-kok/">https://linnamuuseum.ee/en/kiek-in-de-kok/</a></div><div>Tue-Sun 11am to 6pm</div><div><br /></div><div>Church of the Holy Spirit *</div><div>Pühavaimu tn 2</div><div><a href="https://visittallinn.ee/eng/visitor/see-do/things-to-do/attractions-museums/315/church-of-the-holy-spirit-in-tallinn">https://visittallinn.ee/eng/visitor/see-do/things-to-do/attractions-museums/315/church-of-the-holy-spirit-in-tallinn</a></div><div>Built in the 14th century with timber interior and a hexagonal tower, the bright white Church of the Holy Spirit is one of the oldest in Tallinn, and is on the main shopping area. It has an ornate clock outside, but little of interest within </div><div>open 10am – 6pm</div><div><br /></div><div>St Olav’s Church *</div><div>Lai tn 50</div><div><a href="https://visittallinn.ee/eng/visitor/see-do/things-to-do/attractions-museums/314/st-olav%E2%80%99s-church-and-viewing-platform">https://visittallinn.ee/eng/visitor/see-do/things-to-do/attractions-museums/314/st-olav%E2%80%99s-church-and-viewing-platform</a> </div><div>open 10am – 6pm</div><div>winding stairs and a windy outdoor viewing platform (no lift)</div><div><br /></div><div>Freedom Square</div><div>Vabaduse väljak</div><div>Dominated by a Victory Column (2009) commemorating the Estonian War of Independence 1918–1920, this windswept plaza in the old town is used for concerts.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Eating Out:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Lore Bistroo, Peetri 12</div><div>in the Kai Art Centre at the Harbour</div><div><a href="https://www.lorebistroo.ee/en/food-drinks/">https://www.lorebistroo.ee/en/food-drinks/</a> </div><div>Holder of a Michelin Bib Gourmand for outstanding value, Lore offers Estonian comfort food but with a cool, contemporary twist</div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Shopping:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Viru Keskus mall</div><div><a href="https://virukeskus.com/en/">https://virukeskus.com/en/</a></div><div>In the centre of the modern city</div><div><br /></div><div>Kaubamaja mall</div><div><a href="https://www.kaubamaja.ee/">https://www.kaubamaja.ee/</a></div><div>Also in the city centre</div><div><br /></div><div>Solaris Design Mall</div><div><a href="https://solaris.ee/en/shops-and-services">https://solaris.ee/en/shops-and-services</a></div><div>In the centre, near the Concert Hall</div><div><br /></div><div>Balti Jaama Turg</div><div><a href="https://en.astri.ee/bjt">https://en.astri.ee/bjt</a> </div><div>To the North of the station, and very handy for the Old Old Town, is this giant barn-like centre.</div><div>It has artisan shops and cafes, a large market upstairs, a food hall, and is ideal for picking up anything from vintage clothes to a cheap suitcase to take all your purchases home!</div><div>We especially recommend the Estonian chocolate brand Kalev, which has a large shop here, and for lunch, very friendly service from Paul at the Cape Town Café, with homemade pies and lots of South African specialites.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ulemiste Mall</div><div><a href="https://www.ulemiste.ee/en/visiting-information/">https://www.ulemiste.ee/en/visiting-information/</a> </div><div>A large shopping mall, but with no trams currently running, you need to get buses 2, 7 or 15 from the city centre (30 minutes)</div><div>Or get train from Balti Jaam (12 minutes), though you have to pay for this with contactless (not on Tallinn Card) and you will get checked</div><div>Where to eat: Lido Latvian restaurant (Latvian), Pirogoff pierogi dumpling bar, Vapiano</div><div><br /></div><div>T1 Mall of Tallinn</div><div><a href="https://t1tallinn.com/en/kohale-tulemine/">https://t1tallinn.com/en/kohale-tulemine/</a> </div><div>It’s 5 minutes walk from Ulemiste under the railway line to T1, though you need to head round to the right to find a side entrance</div><div>This has the rooftop SkyWheel * with excellent views of the city</div><div>The Tallinn Card gives you 50% off between noon and 4pm</div><div>Trams 2 and 4 (from the north entrance) take you back to the city</div><div>Where to eat: Pelm Slavic & Uzbek Kitchen, serving pelmeni dumplings and steaks</div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Out of town trips:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Teletorn *</div><div><a href="https://teletorn.ee/en/">https://teletorn.ee/en/</a></div><div>170 metres tall, this is Northern Europe’s highest viewing platform, in a tower reaching up to 314 metres</div><div>There is a Botanic Garden nearby</div><div>Buses 34, 38 and 39 from Viru stop at Teletorn</div><div><br /></div><div>Maarjamae Memorial</div><div>It was erected in dedication to those who had fallen defending the Soviet Union. At its centre stands a 35-metre obelisk, surrounded by the graves of the crews of the Avtroil and Spartak minesweepers, and a bronze sculpture of a flock of birds.</div><div>Buses 1, 5 and 8 from Viru stops at Mälestusvälja for the memorial and palace</div><div><br /></div><div>Maarjamae Palace</div><div><a href="https://www.ajaloomuuseum.ee/visiting/buildings/maarjamae-palace">https://www.ajaloomuuseum.ee/visiting/buildings/maarjamae-palace</a> </div><div>A history discovery centre in a summer residence built in 1873</div><div>Wed – Sun 10am – 6pm</div>adamcreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08847869366634507731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3675966658798207230.post-47949683301967972252023-12-23T17:16:00.000+00:002023-12-23T17:16:05.849+00:0023rd December 2023<p>Nearly there! Here are some Christmassy songs for you.</p><p>First up, it's tiny Irish popstrels B*Witched with "To You I Belong"</p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/icJWbVD9Qlg?si=-XEbX97lwGJ4ZxA4" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><p>The b-side was a novelty Christmas track called "B*Witched's Letter To Santa"</p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nUglZakxw6k?si=qjdFiXRts5p9Szhf" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>
<p>The other band who did a fun Christmas b-side for their fans was the Spice Girls, who recorded "Sleigh Ride" with lots of extra "in character" chat</p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Qd6_1iDy9ZM?si=Pv1wl4eClROa7927" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>adamcreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08847869366634507731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3675966658798207230.post-5286926831817321472023-12-23T17:06:00.006+00:002023-12-23T17:06:55.244+00:0024th December 2023We hope that wherever you are for Christmas, and whoever you might be spending it with, that you have a wonderful time full of surprises and good food. If you are on Twitter/X, don't forget to check out the hashtags #DuvetKnowItsChristmas to see photos of guest rooms that only ever surface in the holiday season, and #XmasAtTheInlaws for fun photos of our Christmas in Horsham.<div>Here are some photos of what we wish Horsham looked like - maybe one day we'll have a snowy Christmas in the south!</div><div>Happy Christmas and a blessed New Year!<br /></div><div>Adam & Sarah</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgew1QOfKhcnrN3NHHHjbpAGO3SJBIt_C9VHRJhzinWcAeoVBum-dHZ3TeXwnSyoIgbCXc-QB-zKxyBffYI4apOtdBmPlpHTGYWyOJaw-yFJMeZ4P24fBRTZ3jyDBfNazImu8YoPpNtY308KIX_o6mReZTG21zAlYBZbP-rRz_5EDMmFOCkQuLyLkd3zr4/s1280/1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="852" data-original-width="1280" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgew1QOfKhcnrN3NHHHjbpAGO3SJBIt_C9VHRJhzinWcAeoVBum-dHZ3TeXwnSyoIgbCXc-QB-zKxyBffYI4apOtdBmPlpHTGYWyOJaw-yFJMeZ4P24fBRTZ3jyDBfNazImu8YoPpNtY308KIX_o6mReZTG21zAlYBZbP-rRz_5EDMmFOCkQuLyLkd3zr4/w640-h426/1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvWawLMTsKzXE0GoVnb02Grmr7PWdpaUZExqvj4uYifD_tzqRJ-j7d9QIjoo58Kbf66R7piRdoDEErdipDzBGijq8_GlGoMB-k2uZrQ9FMwLlbLCpzB8sRX9YJ1JLu2nKBECruQbu-0aBOKoJYpYgBA_6edkJkkgL46H8uHxeaweKq6BRrcY7wOCopP7w/s1280/2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvWawLMTsKzXE0GoVnb02Grmr7PWdpaUZExqvj4uYifD_tzqRJ-j7d9QIjoo58Kbf66R7piRdoDEErdipDzBGijq8_GlGoMB-k2uZrQ9FMwLlbLCpzB8sRX9YJ1JLu2nKBECruQbu-0aBOKoJYpYgBA_6edkJkkgL46H8uHxeaweKq6BRrcY7wOCopP7w/w640-h426/2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd3v7JuiwCRNZWc702WbUrwQdUn8zM3uXGyKiqH7oKoHKF05H44i73aa3m3xYH8QySZAg0maDQ7CAVb5r5m-jkKVX75ZN_iScBqtpva2lS-ehR6w3T2lP9zhB08MQzOVSVVAhvD4rBaYkMrCE667MxcAZeeilsyYPhZkFa2SN7WykOl1EDJqwL1w0jydU/s1280/3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd3v7JuiwCRNZWc702WbUrwQdUn8zM3uXGyKiqH7oKoHKF05H44i73aa3m3xYH8QySZAg0maDQ7CAVb5r5m-jkKVX75ZN_iScBqtpva2lS-ehR6w3T2lP9zhB08MQzOVSVVAhvD4rBaYkMrCE667MxcAZeeilsyYPhZkFa2SN7WykOl1EDJqwL1w0jydU/w640-h426/3.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>adamcreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08847869366634507731noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3675966658798207230.post-57183611416193441652023-12-22T07:31:00.004+00:002023-12-22T07:31:45.357+00:0022nd December 2023For the last 11 years of the Advent Calendar, we have celebrated with the Swedish Royal Family, watching Princess Estelle (and more recently her brother Prince Oscar) growing up. The children of Crown Princess Victoria and her husband Prince Daniel, they are always photogenic and make marvellous Christmas videos.<div><br /></div>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/76Yz6Ciqddo?si=68IcOkueGLUkb5Vy" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> <div><br /></div><div> They also dressed up for Lucia, a Swedish festival of lights. Estelle is now 11 and Oscar is 7. God Jul!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Eiu7ceQ9O-ume7LFccSlZKkttDvwDKt9J19S7ON3_GvwIz8xfrRDDrHYKTgke4apD5BqqLR8L__HbARa-Ojrvs6xbB66J5gi_vhZAosA7K6Z7JxLBkv7irBao9M17xpRAEt1Lr0R48BpUFlrM0pDZZaarD8Nc5EX4ud_fG3dRNB9oicoQaC1O9I9jho/s1214/Screenshot%202023-12-22%20at%2007.30.41.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1214" data-original-width="974" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Eiu7ceQ9O-ume7LFccSlZKkttDvwDKt9J19S7ON3_GvwIz8xfrRDDrHYKTgke4apD5BqqLR8L__HbARa-Ojrvs6xbB66J5gi_vhZAosA7K6Z7JxLBkv7irBao9M17xpRAEt1Lr0R48BpUFlrM0pDZZaarD8Nc5EX4ud_fG3dRNB9oicoQaC1O9I9jho/w514-h640/Screenshot%202023-12-22%20at%2007.30.41.png" width="514" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>adamcreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08847869366634507731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3675966658798207230.post-42537457643499237922023-12-21T09:50:00.000+00:002023-12-21T09:50:10.386+00:0021st December 2023<p>Back up to date at last! Today we are looking at celebrations around the world. Lots of places have midwinter carnivals, and since today is the shortest day, when better to celebrate! It's going to get (gradually) sunnier from now on!</p><p>Jason Gardner travelled across Europe, photographing dancing animals, pagan figures, and folkloric monsters. In the Austrial Tyrol, Winter is represented by a white bear. When he lies down and rolls over in the town square, it means that Spring is on its way.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9p7I4LimfjpwoD8Ky-gB_klq1HV2nXxe6We_6bMkHt8r13WpJ0ioGRaMKVvyWEmKITGKHvQdKkiMZ275s29eaaiqbbiC4kfw3lLphQd2eGgQjWUkgVQB0wyhZMvSjI_IKz1gZeXjQTh4QRCDkwW7-Fr8tjpO8fwRcMJ2SJ7owYZ1wmc5ir-E8ES4lH3Q/s2176/Screenshot%202023-12-21%20at%2009.43.20.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1284" data-original-width="2176" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9p7I4LimfjpwoD8Ky-gB_klq1HV2nXxe6We_6bMkHt8r13WpJ0ioGRaMKVvyWEmKITGKHvQdKkiMZ275s29eaaiqbbiC4kfw3lLphQd2eGgQjWUkgVQB0wyhZMvSjI_IKz1gZeXjQTh4QRCDkwW7-Fr8tjpO8fwRcMJ2SJ7owYZ1wmc5ir-E8ES4lH3Q/w640-h378/Screenshot%202023-12-21%20at%2009.43.20.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZlIZnoNa_l9zGwQJYDMNKoo7q0cGK8kN9_-r_3-I9JEgddUTvCpP5gbFsPGRqmgzhMPeZv5jb33bqkl3UhmXKELp0p7mnLZOUxSfV8q92pNoc6IcaVgMj4qpRis1j7jIRUdh8HVXqFFV9gVqz2_1Ddsvwu6JfDRXae8cUs8gZSkOrhIFBDT7cUenCHGk/s2190/Screenshot%202023-12-21%20at%2009.43.39.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1084" data-original-width="2190" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZlIZnoNa_l9zGwQJYDMNKoo7q0cGK8kN9_-r_3-I9JEgddUTvCpP5gbFsPGRqmgzhMPeZv5jb33bqkl3UhmXKELp0p7mnLZOUxSfV8q92pNoc6IcaVgMj4qpRis1j7jIRUdh8HVXqFFV9gVqz2_1Ddsvwu6JfDRXae8cUs8gZSkOrhIFBDT7cUenCHGk/w640-h316/Screenshot%202023-12-21%20at%2009.43.39.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Z9f2kgOeFUPWpE34shBt1awXxeH0GMint9XL9I2Mbi5dJ65y5RcWoSjJ1cz3Ejb91sKUn6-LVtmoEgztfLoNTyOdJwAU_C0FiJyuCNUPfursP0Fs9wjt033MgzXZWeQInaU4rrZAWRQLbzXJHONqGWChdEXhLJUNDgEdLw5k54i0JNNAJp9meWQPS2k/s2166/Screenshot%202023-12-21%20at%2009.44.09.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1456" data-original-width="2166" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Z9f2kgOeFUPWpE34shBt1awXxeH0GMint9XL9I2Mbi5dJ65y5RcWoSjJ1cz3Ejb91sKUn6-LVtmoEgztfLoNTyOdJwAU_C0FiJyuCNUPfursP0Fs9wjt033MgzXZWeQInaU4rrZAWRQLbzXJHONqGWChdEXhLJUNDgEdLw5k54i0JNNAJp9meWQPS2k/w640-h430/Screenshot%202023-12-21%20at%2009.44.09.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj23IXE4BLYP4_miIwa4iJ06VflEzBH3-ILptHavQzMeVFSRtXxGwXleHAPzC67EZdpRmvDVKZt7GU0UnbM94ELPdDwG3oYbiow4FozM-4cjK0t4xFkBR9FXOiz1O6yyiHET3DkeeJWrU3vyCOwSUZf8YEXzZQt7vV0_No9t1QaRxKH9Gfj7GVpnsyhU8/s2050/Screenshot%202023-12-21%20at%2009.44.39.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1022" data-original-width="2050" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj23IXE4BLYP4_miIwa4iJ06VflEzBH3-ILptHavQzMeVFSRtXxGwXleHAPzC67EZdpRmvDVKZt7GU0UnbM94ELPdDwG3oYbiow4FozM-4cjK0t4xFkBR9FXOiz1O6yyiHET3DkeeJWrU3vyCOwSUZf8YEXzZQt7vV0_No9t1QaRxKH9Gfj7GVpnsyhU8/w640-h320/Screenshot%202023-12-21%20at%2009.44.39.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDVIEkq7Y5I6F5TvI08Ch-LAaYLFy3JeaHz-3eQkGUyHNVJ9xv0MnSRXlEUy2i47tNVpclMOkD98IZdHWwIYUcCMNyIQr05p0LbxBnPcoUhW1ov4y2q53f0N-SUtVMaCahe3ZO6ZK7MNTV_Ct0AzzQZgWt4qYXy4ovbH5TyMN_S2782W-4l4N3B8P1PiA/s2058/Screenshot%202023-12-21%20at%2009.44.52.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1384" data-original-width="2058" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDVIEkq7Y5I6F5TvI08Ch-LAaYLFy3JeaHz-3eQkGUyHNVJ9xv0MnSRXlEUy2i47tNVpclMOkD98IZdHWwIYUcCMNyIQr05p0LbxBnPcoUhW1ov4y2q53f0N-SUtVMaCahe3ZO6ZK7MNTV_Ct0AzzQZgWt4qYXy4ovbH5TyMN_S2782W-4l4N3B8P1PiA/w640-h430/Screenshot%202023-12-21%20at%2009.44.52.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>adamcreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08847869366634507731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3675966658798207230.post-11692691964297830782023-12-21T08:38:00.004+00:002023-12-21T08:38:33.719+00:0020th December 2023More tree decorations today, and the range of furry figures that you can get is unprecedented. Here are our favourite three:<div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">the Hippy Dog</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh160jWc6mUPPhoItPrPiVv7QmDk2elLesKs8ongdShU7_wNcO0tMDSgLk26iDlVR6fVodnzbRBON0AFPhb-pxV_Jtr55YAzrP0WXflF7IKdIZ7NkLLW7fHSVvAv9RNvOufv3vD4TVy762LBnKi9dBYPQ_Kf0Kn7XoDr0JhfJCNCr9uueH1FpWUNnPYZI/s4032/cool%20decoration%201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh160jWc6mUPPhoItPrPiVv7QmDk2elLesKs8ongdShU7_wNcO0tMDSgLk26iDlVR6fVodnzbRBON0AFPhb-pxV_Jtr55YAzrP0WXflF7IKdIZ7NkLLW7fHSVvAv9RNvOufv3vD4TVy762LBnKi9dBYPQ_Kf0Kn7XoDr0JhfJCNCr9uueH1FpWUNnPYZI/w480-h640/cool%20decoration%201.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">the Suffragette</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhstDZehGpln4BXjOme6dnCYzb_OqE2gBq7ReZ2-VYmXuHrUL0asyQXnh6znNKAgKM7ln8gPAjAOx7DpPmJRpVTLSp4VUhG1rhj2AGkmdM_DNTq-WmgtsopI5Lz7VRABICwuAGz5eFYeJ3fh3wLT1_GMYtDwJqgHU32TXB7e9QJncpL5JRacBoxDabis4/s4032/cool%20decoration%202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhstDZehGpln4BXjOme6dnCYzb_OqE2gBq7ReZ2-VYmXuHrUL0asyQXnh6znNKAgKM7ln8gPAjAOx7DpPmJRpVTLSp4VUhG1rhj2AGkmdM_DNTq-WmgtsopI5Lz7VRABICwuAGz5eFYeJ3fh3wLT1_GMYtDwJqgHU32TXB7e9QJncpL5JRacBoxDabis4/w480-h640/cool%20decoration%202.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">the Arnolfini Marriage</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYDGHtfI6M7ho0sxaCICvj0R0-uQ0qjWHmarsVbZLGmqgJRNsbe4ez73wQOJxGKzaRsYKYaVKY5Lpa5nAWQ4mfOZJh8nxKShf37akUJQ99oPXaefHxvPTswkCduYMlvJduYNc5OSPAUAzYGauZBFOKAhex4Hf1tlRrdCYHXmNd1bX23nL-kvfg05ra33Q/s1236/Screenshot%202023-12-21%20at%2006.40.57.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1236" data-original-width="1124" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYDGHtfI6M7ho0sxaCICvj0R0-uQ0qjWHmarsVbZLGmqgJRNsbe4ez73wQOJxGKzaRsYKYaVKY5Lpa5nAWQ4mfOZJh8nxKShf37akUJQ99oPXaefHxvPTswkCduYMlvJduYNc5OSPAUAzYGauZBFOKAhex4Hf1tlRrdCYHXmNd1bX23nL-kvfg05ra33Q/w582-h640/Screenshot%202023-12-21%20at%2006.40.57.png" width="582" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The last of those based of course on the well-known Renaissance portrait of Santa and Mrs Claus:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpRwdEcrJ7sBTJBnvRibQlsPi06G-KB-TJmbHAMoYyRMHHxADkJHA0cHVE3u3njtT3iLDhKzAnfKEYAYfApyPHMzwGQWItV5w9SjJvWQTJ7JPxxShQEfvAE05Vzw0zH_ZAehwsTXliHmHNrnORyPna45lgdfxz-6oyjToi3zi4dEUxzIozr2kOdAnYWXY/s1346/Screenshot%202023-12-21%20at%2008.36.42.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1346" data-original-width="958" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpRwdEcrJ7sBTJBnvRibQlsPi06G-KB-TJmbHAMoYyRMHHxADkJHA0cHVE3u3njtT3iLDhKzAnfKEYAYfApyPHMzwGQWItV5w9SjJvWQTJ7JPxxShQEfvAE05Vzw0zH_ZAehwsTXliHmHNrnORyPna45lgdfxz-6oyjToi3zi4dEUxzIozr2kOdAnYWXY/w285-h400/Screenshot%202023-12-21%20at%2008.36.42.png" width="285" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>adamcreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08847869366634507731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3675966658798207230.post-8438764658305054392023-12-21T08:31:00.001+00:002023-12-21T08:31:40.999+00:0019th December 2023All this week and next week are the Christmas specials of University Challenge. Even though Jeremy Paxman has retired from the job, we are still faitfully watching Amol Rajan and his giant TV screen every week. For Christmas though, they have celebrities (or at least grown-up academics) and Amol's TV screen is much smaller.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjuGiBtLuB7g6mFNPvfZyymodIAHrRpGfJ1AuJLJ-AUrVDi8I6UKx5HzK_9ptAxNNUvLwm26RIlNGmIZ8N2PExBaY2K84GCfAaxOKS0gJPGMt4ann4vRqZbTacKxvt6BtG91RA71rIqnZmI71NOZLhv_s9arRIC5KPrZHrPsKSl5bsCu9o5jNDnLES4iA/s1936/Screenshot%202023-12-21%20at%2008.20.22.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1936" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjuGiBtLuB7g6mFNPvfZyymodIAHrRpGfJ1AuJLJ-AUrVDi8I6UKx5HzK_9ptAxNNUvLwm26RIlNGmIZ8N2PExBaY2K84GCfAaxOKS0gJPGMt4ann4vRqZbTacKxvt6BtG91RA71rIqnZmI71NOZLhv_s9arRIC5KPrZHrPsKSl5bsCu9o5jNDnLES4iA/w640-h350/Screenshot%202023-12-21%20at%2008.20.22.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Sadly some of the Christmas traditions have gone - one year there was a little toy train going round a snowglobe in the middle of the studio. And the photos of the adults when they were tiny students have also been scrapped.</div><div><br /></div><div>We're missing Paxo, as he was the ultimate quizmaster, and yet wasn't averse to a bit of seasonal tomfoolery. Who can forget his untrendy Christmas jumper? Or the time he asked a question about Widow Twankey in full panto dame regalia?</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHtX52KzlszMY_NLwt4BVcSMs16PV5br2_ITpPLMjLPF_3yMlHmHnPaJNJR-qr_p7dmojbdhnroGU755jc9gDEPGJXcp1jA925fGkkX3KZN8CKexyoAtQtQPCo9tPjoOijusK0NkLtlNlqVI_Ih8G6p9pMAAea6ehAKppO6PfSNxsmXZMYzHcVsHNvdMU/s1226/Screenshot%202023-12-21%20at%2008.25.19.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="684" data-original-width="1226" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHtX52KzlszMY_NLwt4BVcSMs16PV5br2_ITpPLMjLPF_3yMlHmHnPaJNJR-qr_p7dmojbdhnroGU755jc9gDEPGJXcp1jA925fGkkX3KZN8CKexyoAtQtQPCo9tPjoOijusK0NkLtlNlqVI_Ih8G6p9pMAAea6ehAKppO6PfSNxsmXZMYzHcVsHNvdMU/w640-h358/Screenshot%202023-12-21%20at%2008.25.19.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMexDJgnkXI5ybJG2FLI9qdeWd0V2-bsAavwH31CKjQlEmqQFFwQzF2mamUy7NiF8NvzM-SDZhdxIqXzyurTlgQWfOksG_AnPzimOu47wLw7TdFUGWwaA-RDKbYiuxnTDqdSEk9kCRI2b-yMeSN676CyXhdSULnDA-uRtUqNydrcFMeXjD24ZJu-wQJZI/s2880/panto%20paxo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="2880" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMexDJgnkXI5ybJG2FLI9qdeWd0V2-bsAavwH31CKjQlEmqQFFwQzF2mamUy7NiF8NvzM-SDZhdxIqXzyurTlgQWfOksG_AnPzimOu47wLw7TdFUGWwaA-RDKbYiuxnTDqdSEk9kCRI2b-yMeSN676CyXhdSULnDA-uRtUqNydrcFMeXjD24ZJu-wQJZI/w640-h400/panto%20paxo.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>adamcreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08847869366634507731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3675966658798207230.post-50529764197412333992023-12-20T08:28:00.003+00:002023-12-20T08:28:16.409+00:0018th December 2023You'll be able to tell that Adam's school is one of the ones that are still going this week, as all the posts will be up late. Sorry!<div><br /></div><div>After yesterday's heartwarming trees, here are some more stories about Christmas windows. Of course you know all about the Fenwick window in Newcastle, a long tradition of entertaining Geordies, and this year they unveiled a series of Narnia windows:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwaaaaplTE2HjSvZQ6nYkPQ3bRI8Rq0cF_H0c26ahppY2O7hCBlYROjGeVtbbtUGCaAD7WymlVAPCiaVrI-ZUPRL1BlP7sU4etw96XrruOiwh6dMCsOYPgnW30mbhaFPn9trYBn_hv7GpjCJwaq20f0GQOrFWrkrwcn4HaLXhEd8sarLvTgOURWpjyXv4/s2560/Fenwick-Narnia-Scene-2-Landscapejpg-scaled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1707" data-original-width="2560" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwaaaaplTE2HjSvZQ6nYkPQ3bRI8Rq0cF_H0c26ahppY2O7hCBlYROjGeVtbbtUGCaAD7WymlVAPCiaVrI-ZUPRL1BlP7sU4etw96XrruOiwh6dMCsOYPgnW30mbhaFPn9trYBn_hv7GpjCJwaq20f0GQOrFWrkrwcn4HaLXhEd8sarLvTgOURWpjyXv4/w640-h426/Fenwick-Narnia-Scene-2-Landscapejpg-scaled.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>The other great thing about the window is that Greggs, who are on the other side of Northumberland Street, reverse their name above the shop, so it looks the right way round when you are looking in the Fenwick window.</div><div><br /></div><div>In Toronto, where we have holidaying plans, they also have a long tradition of Christmas windows. Simpsons and Eatons, two of the largest stores, have had windows dating back to the 1920s. Below, Simpsons 1920, and Eatons 1958.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidhM-XgaU8WHdyQ_qczEkfrooosi-FEJjjfTpWb8_x2wCqzXSQFWfh8QOuc2S6VQSLQrdILETgEyqAvlriMZ4Z5_DHoS4rYen2A8blJ3ZgUSPSlJK_MTB59BgPEw5Ug0n6dfZUpGbMVdiPovRO_SJMioN57ccOxUTG4h-Y4E6f2lY50uxH4wzLTeO69NE/s800/simpson%201920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="584" data-original-width="800" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidhM-XgaU8WHdyQ_qczEkfrooosi-FEJjjfTpWb8_x2wCqzXSQFWfh8QOuc2S6VQSLQrdILETgEyqAvlriMZ4Z5_DHoS4rYen2A8blJ3ZgUSPSlJK_MTB59BgPEw5Ug0n6dfZUpGbMVdiPovRO_SJMioN57ccOxUTG4h-Y4E6f2lY50uxH4wzLTeO69NE/w640-h468/simpson%201920.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Ve_odsyH7ACiuSKKhfd5-8_q54kQ9zftHCrADe5HXnou7HnE5TgGF2zluZYipNSwuUZbjmxqvME8F-BodiHFcxuxW-KMvru1qQW8bHEchSyf21VoazRvUia9yY87n45Co6e3OwGgZkPWYZI54Qo1WGiMP63U5zixWMjgozxeoUjbP7BNxKMQSnOicsM/s600/Eatons%201958.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Ve_odsyH7ACiuSKKhfd5-8_q54kQ9zftHCrADe5HXnou7HnE5TgGF2zluZYipNSwuUZbjmxqvME8F-BodiHFcxuxW-KMvru1qQW8bHEchSyf21VoazRvUia9yY87n45Co6e3OwGgZkPWYZI54Qo1WGiMP63U5zixWMjgozxeoUjbP7BNxKMQSnOicsM/w640-h426/Eatons%201958.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>You can read more at: <a href="https://spacing.ca/toronto/2023/12/13/the-tradition-of-christmas-window-displays/">https://spacing.ca/toronto/2023/12/13/the-tradition-of-christmas-window-displays/</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Finally, one village has had the enterprising idea of doing a house-by-house Advent Calendar, where each day a new window is lit up. Calstock in Cornwall has got both amateur and professional artists to design the displays.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJPtwDxdYJas06CpgzKhVM7JRHtoE_HFKWlrextkp8wDSgNb9Q4SyJTx6korCFi0lpz4559tr_csxbiFdhsMzFevAv0izXwiR_v_Vu9HvcdBzSSNqEvH863FXRNkHfEo84aoJTw0J47kbEEBGBnwirAqCz4OZFn0hYSY7ghSrP64hwaPdZmYZU4j1oQS4/s976/_131944742_b869f68e-b577-4dd8-9574-7600efee426e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="549" data-original-width="976" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJPtwDxdYJas06CpgzKhVM7JRHtoE_HFKWlrextkp8wDSgNb9Q4SyJTx6korCFi0lpz4559tr_csxbiFdhsMzFevAv0izXwiR_v_Vu9HvcdBzSSNqEvH863FXRNkHfEo84aoJTw0J47kbEEBGBnwirAqCz4OZFn0hYSY7ghSrP64hwaPdZmYZU4j1oQS4/w640-h360/_131944742_b869f68e-b577-4dd8-9574-7600efee426e.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>adamcreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08847869366634507731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3675966658798207230.post-9063429900188671562023-12-17T14:39:00.002+00:002023-12-17T14:39:17.733+00:0017th December 2023You probably need a palate cleanser after yesterday's political Christmas cards, so here are a few heartwarming stories about Christmas trees.<div><br /></div><div>1) from 1969 in the Daily Mirror:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxCf4URbtWhUuW_pMLVpjvINM2-7jrH1pObPk1ECRFKwuK0mn3jpM_NFQ0FWJmhikxWqpews47-W-8ToQmLtY_cVgVXZJ7HVcVLQxA6evh_9NKe1UGrfzWYRHN_WH7Ksu93x9p4IVCUOgR6ZaHLweYwws9XivnOogTieIcFVOaRkkTEyT1YM465knbZyU/s1035/october%2013%201969%20daily%20mirror.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1035" data-original-width="804" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxCf4URbtWhUuW_pMLVpjvINM2-7jrH1pObPk1ECRFKwuK0mn3jpM_NFQ0FWJmhikxWqpews47-W-8ToQmLtY_cVgVXZJ7HVcVLQxA6evh_9NKe1UGrfzWYRHN_WH7Ksu93x9p4IVCUOgR6ZaHLweYwws9XivnOogTieIcFVOaRkkTEyT1YM465knbZyU/w498-h640/october%2013%201969%20daily%20mirror.png" width="498" /></a></div><br /><div>2) the country's possibly oldest Christmas tree from 1920 has just sold for £3,400 when it originally cost 6d. It belonged to Dorothy Grant who was 8 when it was bought, and lived with it to the age of 101.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXtxq2n9g1c3fC2pYG05Fw79xxH_jWsEsOIDV3fQGYX5rqzzLW9y3CkHmKRecJ0CQh_fGMoPM423AKnwfq0lXcEt8c0p9sjxreLSMo3Il8rSHkw1F_AZW4XMC33IBqFmOt5kJtr7-7owYaMQQrnv_c5xhJD8wNFA8RWfg8I9ul2hmVYwOfLW-vnf-Kgt8/s1854/Screenshot%202023-12-17%20at%2014.33.24.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1124" data-original-width="1854" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXtxq2n9g1c3fC2pYG05Fw79xxH_jWsEsOIDV3fQGYX5rqzzLW9y3CkHmKRecJ0CQh_fGMoPM423AKnwfq0lXcEt8c0p9sjxreLSMo3Il8rSHkw1F_AZW4XMC33IBqFmOt5kJtr7-7owYaMQQrnv_c5xhJD8wNFA8RWfg8I9ul2hmVYwOfLW-vnf-Kgt8/w640-h388/Screenshot%202023-12-17%20at%2014.33.24.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>3) A couple who planted a Christmas tree in their garden now need a cherry-picker to reach its highest branches. Planted in 1978, it's now 15 metres tall, and raises money for charity with an official Christmas lights switch-on. Avril and Chris Rowlands, of Inkberrow, started with just 6 lights, but now have more than 1000.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1_ZZpm2HNj3zswViByelV-U3jwcav4qawYa7GMZlCexZk8pHdAP0eJWkaeR2Tv4FIxGz2TmQA2yusIQce6DcSYyIFAZhY1lrICOi5Dl86XB4VAId2ivwpH298c724ttgIcQTvoMZTwU4HAax-a5-_w-0wSJRsIFCErNJlzSMQmXk-sfUt62oBcz3pIkA/s1164/Screenshot%202023-12-17%20at%2014.36.54.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="844" data-original-width="1164" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1_ZZpm2HNj3zswViByelV-U3jwcav4qawYa7GMZlCexZk8pHdAP0eJWkaeR2Tv4FIxGz2TmQA2yusIQce6DcSYyIFAZhY1lrICOi5Dl86XB4VAId2ivwpH298c724ttgIcQTvoMZTwU4HAax-a5-_w-0wSJRsIFCErNJlzSMQmXk-sfUt62oBcz3pIkA/w640-h464/Screenshot%202023-12-17%20at%2014.36.54.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>adamcreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08847869366634507731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3675966658798207230.post-40559112224093077072023-12-16T09:45:00.001+00:002023-12-16T09:45:17.816+00:0016th December 2023We hope you have now received enough Christmas cards to make it worthwhile hanging up the card holder or stringing some seasonal clips across the lounge ready to display your haul (to be honest, we never took it down last year). With postal prices rising, some people are no longer sending cards, and those Charity Card displays in church halls have moved online, sadly.<div><br /></div><div>Looking at the cards we have, it seems that glitter has survived its supposed EU ban (thanks Terry for including bonus glitter in the envelope), and robins and country cottages are popular themes this year. No doubles yet!</div><div><br /></div><div>In the news we have seen pictures of politicians/celebrity Christmas cards:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOfOC8kSmWr0XIyHgPwHGVL3GbN42ljuSRvJktkRQ2gIuPZOyBl-f7sDVROGgp2DxNE-Uts8YjhjTbI1nmVZ74-26dHSg9VO_hgWlcbjeLdTkTTLy2Si1Hq7F-6x24gT_jgzKAVlLStXoI1FK9_jRWzXH6XeUuplP1qCk0rVLGgVii9ywTL97dwukIStQ/s1184/boris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1184" data-original-width="1184" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOfOC8kSmWr0XIyHgPwHGVL3GbN42ljuSRvJktkRQ2gIuPZOyBl-f7sDVROGgp2DxNE-Uts8YjhjTbI1nmVZ74-26dHSg9VO_hgWlcbjeLdTkTTLy2Si1Hq7F-6x24gT_jgzKAVlLStXoI1FK9_jRWzXH6XeUuplP1qCk0rVLGgVii9ywTL97dwukIStQ/s320/boris.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Pcoofs1cmXpFTvSeX8HlV9CB6sn6V0z7o39qJ9K8Q3E0uiSxlOfIIbrlWU72_pX2BUGO6xZo13mDePAWMeu1cXw3oRiPd15feE_WKYBr1su6wUmZ-ZZngv4x09uNBZ407gnR3HNkg4hDrkQZDCaeqK8v4DXQCCnLw12nOhfTNIJZbZ_tJ_Yei7Njfno/s1184/rishi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1184" data-original-width="1184" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Pcoofs1cmXpFTvSeX8HlV9CB6sn6V0z7o39qJ9K8Q3E0uiSxlOfIIbrlWU72_pX2BUGO6xZo13mDePAWMeu1cXw3oRiPd15feE_WKYBr1su6wUmZ-ZZngv4x09uNBZ407gnR3HNkg4hDrkQZDCaeqK8v4DXQCCnLw12nOhfTNIJZbZ_tJ_Yei7Njfno/w320-h320/rishi.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqmpQfur7a2m51WcH_3ZyRVH0qtSPwN1RMC0PHW0tbvu7hHWmiRfl3T0_A8OJFO6jIVvMasW3xaOxPFAs847s_hLfgD99O8zyMwjz1pHz7J42h_70RwoQzwqJp7ApXYJMB9uAMN9RVGVfUz0-q-M0ltO1MGscckOAgIJBfwMaDSt2nKPf3I_U5dZn1BrY/s1778/wales.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1778" data-original-width="1333" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqmpQfur7a2m51WcH_3ZyRVH0qtSPwN1RMC0PHW0tbvu7hHWmiRfl3T0_A8OJFO6jIVvMasW3xaOxPFAs847s_hLfgD99O8zyMwjz1pHz7J42h_70RwoQzwqJp7ApXYJMB9uAMN9RVGVfUz0-q-M0ltO1MGscckOAgIJBfwMaDSt2nKPf3I_U5dZn1BrY/w300-h400/wales.webp" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div>and for balance, from 2022:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZFjwvld8q_J8qKEZI5_QkepU_Fcl9W7mhdf10DAlM64YXh7Hne5dAiAtbugGenG48JAkVHdySlfhWMezwvLOrWwe8w8eMvOzjLGbICI0QyuXDvbkFJ82_-2eZQ6bc3BIVVaX2AKJysyGWZ1QbM08QnpUG1XmRnwMvB8rTN8sLFBF2V56wvhLBIeE3Ck/s1262/Screenshot%202023-12-16%20at%2009.43.17.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="880" data-original-width="1262" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZFjwvld8q_J8qKEZI5_QkepU_Fcl9W7mhdf10DAlM64YXh7Hne5dAiAtbugGenG48JAkVHdySlfhWMezwvLOrWwe8w8eMvOzjLGbICI0QyuXDvbkFJ82_-2eZQ6bc3BIVVaX2AKJysyGWZ1QbM08QnpUG1XmRnwMvB8rTN8sLFBF2V56wvhLBIeE3Ck/s320/Screenshot%202023-12-16%20at%2009.43.17.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Here's a comic song about getting Christmas cards, from Cantabile. We sang this at our school Carol Concert this year!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3gkv88qv0Cg?si=zcnrJY6q8YNaW4GD" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>adamcreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08847869366634507731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3675966658798207230.post-54403204465515423972023-12-14T20:55:00.006+00:002023-12-14T20:57:10.353+00:0014th December 2023You've already seen some decorations by her friend, but now here's the main attraction. Lou and Joe who live in Cardiff, long-time buddies and Jon Ronson fans, have THE most vintage gorgeous 1950s Morecambe Bay flat cap gin bottle super house ever. And at Christmas it gets even better. Lou writes: "We bought the ‘The Drunk Parson and his Clerk’ at the weekend from a junk shop in Ingleton for £5" and look how Christmassy the whole affair is.<div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikGgScB2CGfpT-79XXv9xQcJwVFd5J_BCsSBHIdEycNc_ja4DvfaKgl1E76mc7_uBm1dCAgjfk1KiQE95f9hICp8Q_U_7z0Ivt0qpgf19Tdne6n7DwS0GhmGBl5nbvL1x0AW8NFWeR8NO_HKj6uro9ZlURvOXP4NSBkUU2E_7H59g1tTDJkde8djd_Bkg/s1440/lou1.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1081" data-original-width="1440" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikGgScB2CGfpT-79XXv9xQcJwVFd5J_BCsSBHIdEycNc_ja4DvfaKgl1E76mc7_uBm1dCAgjfk1KiQE95f9hICp8Q_U_7z0Ivt0qpgf19Tdne6n7DwS0GhmGBl5nbvL1x0AW8NFWeR8NO_HKj6uro9ZlURvOXP4NSBkUU2E_7H59g1tTDJkde8djd_Bkg/w640-h480/lou1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ncdxDSE22T7-R4rNVPIPz1BjABR_V_slXU1dINw9RcY8TAuLWPVqlt0zZXIf33r4qrPKJy4XLOKUgRhwgabrrT0iorGQRE6ifuy1OFksCCD-wUtxULKCYKBIuCr3lCP_roi_YoTgTg0aIAT6W-9NP63flNgO9ZQfs7mdfxOIc1uAkbwGQghNAnqRkms/s1440/lou2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="1440" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ncdxDSE22T7-R4rNVPIPz1BjABR_V_slXU1dINw9RcY8TAuLWPVqlt0zZXIf33r4qrPKJy4XLOKUgRhwgabrrT0iorGQRE6ifuy1OFksCCD-wUtxULKCYKBIuCr3lCP_roi_YoTgTg0aIAT6W-9NP63flNgO9ZQfs7mdfxOIc1uAkbwGQghNAnqRkms/w640-h482/lou2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZMzPpbROtMi5NzdrfB6-fZb_hQkeAOKgrSbX-765Mtxp1IZyxI1WjO410O791LAyQtEnJpFMwk0mRa5eYUxfS-7YyyggW64g7xePMNVSA3JWPJauIX2ngdAVmidi_Xxh97vaVQUagy4NQ0OyNKdB7dVAT_IfscyJ-YKqZy4PuAtdDC39-wSDfm1ECyAU/s1440/lou3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1081" data-original-width="1440" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZMzPpbROtMi5NzdrfB6-fZb_hQkeAOKgrSbX-765Mtxp1IZyxI1WjO410O791LAyQtEnJpFMwk0mRa5eYUxfS-7YyyggW64g7xePMNVSA3JWPJauIX2ngdAVmidi_Xxh97vaVQUagy4NQ0OyNKdB7dVAT_IfscyJ-YKqZy4PuAtdDC39-wSDfm1ECyAU/w640-h480/lou3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioxPZB3zUzZB7JxzXyPeTUHrg1s1TxHcmmzOP4W8rWmdyw9lGFafkkyQrCAijmttwfq4gHBenNQaqohRzE3yZv90fV6YFnzAzcamS0KdIjFBk5USaRxHyqGhUy7nrT_svhSru_j_mW0k8hIJh6xQEI4sK-KY4YOdD8XRurtT8uIZKVmr66wQAxvnmxV-Q/s1440/lou4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1081" data-original-width="1440" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioxPZB3zUzZB7JxzXyPeTUHrg1s1TxHcmmzOP4W8rWmdyw9lGFafkkyQrCAijmttwfq4gHBenNQaqohRzE3yZv90fV6YFnzAzcamS0KdIjFBk5USaRxHyqGhUy7nrT_svhSru_j_mW0k8hIJh6xQEI4sK-KY4YOdD8XRurtT8uIZKVmr66wQAxvnmxV-Q/w640-h480/lou4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>adamcreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08847869366634507731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3675966658798207230.post-88998226747933411412023-12-14T18:35:00.002+00:002023-12-14T18:35:44.517+00:0015th December 2023<p>Normally around this time of year we all enjoy the schadenfreude of people who paid £20 a head to visit a "Santa Wonderland", usually near Lymington, only to find muddy tracks, sparse strings of fairy lights in a tree, and a drunk Santa in his grotto that's really a shed.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio7-UYJ6-ZcwWKpIPJl-cOGTlpwqSTZc_BBEv0kAQ2yHaphRWqVyA2WUd8JrBbRiPY3gArWjhGG6wccVtbefeKPABpRo6W08mw5L3PWRHHvg_G2nK_gsVpVhDrBlmrhKyobufpbv4078iLMP0y_6NmJC3d7RRyZ4tgIKdxPcqaNb7CUJvLSgiM1TSXqdY/s1230/Screenshot%202023-12-14%20at%2018.22.48.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="918" data-original-width="1230" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio7-UYJ6-ZcwWKpIPJl-cOGTlpwqSTZc_BBEv0kAQ2yHaphRWqVyA2WUd8JrBbRiPY3gArWjhGG6wccVtbefeKPABpRo6W08mw5L3PWRHHvg_G2nK_gsVpVhDrBlmrhKyobufpbv4078iLMP0y_6NmJC3d7RRyZ4tgIKdxPcqaNb7CUJvLSgiM1TSXqdY/w640-h478/Screenshot%202023-12-14%20at%2018.22.48.png" width="640" /></a></div><p>The best (or worst) of these was back in 2008, when "Lapland New Forest" so outraged punters that the owners were jailed for 13 months (<a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-12783389">https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-12783389</a>). Charlie Brooker wrote lovingly about this (contains swears from the outset): <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2008/dec/08/lapland-new-forest-christmas">https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2008/dec/08/lapland-new-forest-christmas</a></p><p>Even when the event is big and successful, the papers can't help having a pop. Just look at "Winter Wonderland", the annual big-ticket event in Hyde Park.</p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p>Daily Mail 2022: "Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park is slammed for its 'rip-off' prices - including £8 for candyfloss and £7 for a potato on a STICK"</p><p>Daily Mail 2023: "Winter Wonderland slammed for 'rip-off prices' - with family-of-five spending almost £200 and revellers joking they need to re-mortgage their house afford an outing"</p><p>Read more: "Woman whose £685 Balenciaga trainers went missing when she went ice skating at London's Winter Wonderland claims staff told her she 'should feel grateful' after giving her Primark plimsolls to wear home"</p></blockquote><p style="text-align: left;">But there's a new fiasco in town! Richard Curtis decided to cash in on his deeply problematic "rom-com" Love Actually, by creating a theatre experience called ... "Christmas, Actually"</p><p style="text-align: left;">From a celebrity newsletter: "Media reviews have not been kind, but nowhere near as bad as the ones from folks unlucky enough to actually pay for their tickets. We're told the only highlight of Thursday's show was Ruby Wax. It was so dire that even the ushers – who were paid to be there – were heard complaining. They told audience members to count their blessings, as they only had to endure it once. The ushers had to sit through it eight times. Still, it's all for a good cause. And Comic Relief will no doubt benefit hugely from the whopping 5% of net profits it's getting from the production it's billed as being in aid of."</p><p style="text-align: left;">Hope whatever you fork out £20 for is better than all of these!</p>adamcreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08847869366634507731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3675966658798207230.post-11005083360513150222023-12-13T22:00:00.002+00:002023-12-13T22:00:34.781+00:0013th December 2023Comedy cake day - we were out and about and spotted one of those shops that makes bespoke cakes for children. We were particularly drawn to these as they had managed to create characters that looked almost, but not quite, entirely unlike the characters they were meant to be.*<div><br /><div>So here's the quiz: who do you think these cakes are meant to be?</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx3XYaOl4tfVX8A1TNzUfV2YU5-Zyg0irGyJsSt9uTJ32WUzyqxmoQKy0rk-4qBni15OWayXeS_Xpmijub6Hdh2UcS7GO0Nw-lYwC-9PV4jLtO3mGvc5Y3CXX38L40dZ8ndnTMAaUlTi4jOLyfi_IrL4GNIEIXzR3-oC2iLotLpt6XXi2iSTtjg6cxRJo/s4032/IMG_2467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx3XYaOl4tfVX8A1TNzUfV2YU5-Zyg0irGyJsSt9uTJ32WUzyqxmoQKy0rk-4qBni15OWayXeS_Xpmijub6Hdh2UcS7GO0Nw-lYwC-9PV4jLtO3mGvc5Y3CXX38L40dZ8ndnTMAaUlTi4jOLyfi_IrL4GNIEIXzR3-oC2iLotLpt6XXi2iSTtjg6cxRJo/w300-h400/IMG_2467.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTeZMkiG1XsrfLQEXFgQvp1ACHyMqJ2mmB8jdQfzMLKeTPTPdmCcxuICsdiBKXTqB0CWNt4sv091jNZR6xAeWWCyCToB_H7LHk_Wvmj7w3Us6K1t9gjFcuAMio92KkrO3vQB8MikO6rwBsnnCJcyDwerTEOWtsieL92xGUtGbzi7gizmNvwiRCqAqPzJc/s4032/IMG_2468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTeZMkiG1XsrfLQEXFgQvp1ACHyMqJ2mmB8jdQfzMLKeTPTPdmCcxuICsdiBKXTqB0CWNt4sv091jNZR6xAeWWCyCToB_H7LHk_Wvmj7w3Us6K1t9gjFcuAMio92KkrO3vQB8MikO6rwBsnnCJcyDwerTEOWtsieL92xGUtGbzi7gizmNvwiRCqAqPzJc/w300-h400/IMG_2468.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-35Lp6k4SAZZf6jG_MgL2RuizF9ASQEpiVA_3A9xoRHscZdRCyPfC75qinLOlzVWkHpDrLTnZIIffYmIS4P62IQdvP2RXIsPHwl_HHsmbEERvfU9hinzt1ObZv5OT56aiDlvv7OQdCimrEkLYy5S5jlPKb-McS4IoCbeo74N7cZPymMr_w2hZ2ps6IWk/s4032/IMG_2469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-35Lp6k4SAZZf6jG_MgL2RuizF9ASQEpiVA_3A9xoRHscZdRCyPfC75qinLOlzVWkHpDrLTnZIIffYmIS4P62IQdvP2RXIsPHwl_HHsmbEERvfU9hinzt1ObZv5OT56aiDlvv7OQdCimrEkLYy5S5jlPKb-McS4IoCbeo74N7cZPymMr_w2hZ2ps6IWk/w300-h400/IMG_2469.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-A2R7Vf8a2X3MRqRC3n7pPw5H54MMOQcKIRM0C02lHQPJrW7c6rfcTfs7z78lw7p6xzmP6z3YpAoR8EzPS5dLskfH0DAmmIAyQVfN-7CNJvL4EXeLAFyZ17Wo7PSCk5zRTGzLoBeTwZAmirkxHpUPcdEI7JbPSq5yTQrnDFRpVGe5NISj5hqz6cCLH7w/s4032/IMG_2470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-A2R7Vf8a2X3MRqRC3n7pPw5H54MMOQcKIRM0C02lHQPJrW7c6rfcTfs7z78lw7p6xzmP6z3YpAoR8EzPS5dLskfH0DAmmIAyQVfN-7CNJvL4EXeLAFyZ17Wo7PSCk5zRTGzLoBeTwZAmirkxHpUPcdEI7JbPSq5yTQrnDFRpVGe5NISj5hqz6cCLH7w/w300-h400/IMG_2470.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div>And a genuine prize for the first person to tell me who the "almost, but not quite, entirely unlike" is a quote from. I'll give you a clue - it was about TEA.</div></div>adamcreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08847869366634507731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3675966658798207230.post-7287669832004315182023-12-13T09:07:00.002+00:002023-12-13T09:07:29.297+00:0012th December 2023Apologies for delays in getting these uploaded - school doesn't finish until 21st December so it's all hands on deck at the minute.<div><br /></div><div>Today we are thinking about pantomimes. Oh yes we are!</div><div>The most unlikely panto star popped up in the news this week. At the Bristol Hippodrome, we have the unlikely pairing of David Suchet, star of Poirot and Bible-narrator beloved by Christians everywhere, and Faye Tozer, from Steps.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPyC8D9dngeODWu2cZtkORwAwY2f8AlYSTfGXoOeQZqKMLU8yzg9vdfKcfWwAfB-wpQu4zSDuqVtmF0yZesHOl7saB2xDI7hrKbdKMFmziFSUIJYt_6KTZBSov-SHOt6WhDVzJyMJ0s6Hl1HWcgcQBFvGxLZk-bE5WJTMnLgS7Qsg8r1WKESXeQVRdxRU/s1536/Faye-Tozer-David-Suchet-Peter-Pan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1536" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPyC8D9dngeODWu2cZtkORwAwY2f8AlYSTfGXoOeQZqKMLU8yzg9vdfKcfWwAfB-wpQu4zSDuqVtmF0yZesHOl7saB2xDI7hrKbdKMFmziFSUIJYt_6KTZBSov-SHOt6WhDVzJyMJ0s6Hl1HWcgcQBFvGxLZk-bE5WJTMnLgS7Qsg8r1WKESXeQVRdxRU/w640-h426/Faye-Tozer-David-Suchet-Peter-Pan.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Unrecognisable as Captain Hook, in JM Barrie's Peter Pan, Suchet looks like he is having a lot of fun. And possibly cosplaying Windsor Davies (ask your Dad).</div>adamcreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08847869366634507731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3675966658798207230.post-17412114113530960892023-12-11T19:05:00.001+00:002023-12-11T19:05:30.638+00:0011th December 2023<div>We often save videos for Fridays, but this one was so good we had to post it today. Sent by our goddaughter (and FRIEND) this is the Grace Point Baptist Church with a Nativity song like no other. Enjoy!</div><div><br /></div><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/oUxxYHwQdWA?si=WCPjfpFVQYiLot2b" width="480"></iframe>adamcreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08847869366634507731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3675966658798207230.post-39919635557666604962023-12-10T08:15:00.006+00:002023-12-10T08:15:51.778+00:0010th December 2023<p>Sunday afternoons in December are perfect for watching Hallmark Christmas movies. Next Sunday we'll tell you all about "The Christmas Exchange", one of the best in the genre. But today we celebrate Lacey Chabert, long-time friend of the advent calendar, who has appeared in so many Christmas movies, there's a montage of "If you enjoyed this, you might like..." on the Hallmark page:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhDY8XhMPMvPI_3n0rpxBjX9Vtqej-1FMIHipJF04mVOmHLziHQFlFNBxZnarTAPAO24kdFD5n5-2v4PYKOTdtzTFgRWXGGohFaE_az90ZuTs8mhihv0dLlWqaVzCIn6wM43IL6dkCpRLvHSRT1f4MK2B_-ehK8snny9SetiBEgdPoNVLaJgLHLRPZLi8/s2198/lacey%20chabert%20use%202023.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1378" data-original-width="2198" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhDY8XhMPMvPI_3n0rpxBjX9Vtqej-1FMIHipJF04mVOmHLziHQFlFNBxZnarTAPAO24kdFD5n5-2v4PYKOTdtzTFgRWXGGohFaE_az90ZuTs8mhihv0dLlWqaVzCIn6wM43IL6dkCpRLvHSRT1f4MK2B_-ehK8snny9SetiBEgdPoNVLaJgLHLRPZLi8/w640-h402/lacey%20chabert%20use%202023.png" width="640" /></a></div><p>Yes, that is Mariah Carey co-starring in "A Christmas Melody". Yes, that is Cliff Clavin from Cheers in "Matchmaker Santa". Yes, she does marry a Prince from the European country of Cordinia in "A Royal Christmas". But her greatest moment is as a fledgling tour guide helping an American man to find business success (and love!!) in "Christmas In Rome".</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib42vOw7F3l1jMFXxLN9gTo8lGodbjjLFx00xGAAUE23dKe1-IFZqaGFbhR39P6kiYtIfKyUVMijZCQYfnMBfvN4SryDnp93Qdit-m-aye4lo3kWRguKvU7V6AeHYklGNG9LDHPNGBEa9OfRuaRvhirVh5X4_8N4IuuS2t0elNBbj9koFUyaF2CTdYfb4/s1524/rome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1524" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib42vOw7F3l1jMFXxLN9gTo8lGodbjjLFx00xGAAUE23dKe1-IFZqaGFbhR39P6kiYtIfKyUVMijZCQYfnMBfvN4SryDnp93Qdit-m-aye4lo3kWRguKvU7V6AeHYklGNG9LDHPNGBEa9OfRuaRvhirVh5X4_8N4IuuS2t0elNBbj9koFUyaF2CTdYfb4/w420-h640/rome.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><p>And if you recognise Sam Page from somewhere, you have probably been rewatching House of Cards, where he briefly plays Francis Underwood's press secretary.</p><p>Bonus 2023 trivia: Chabert's non-Christmas romance movie "Christian Mingle", based on a popular evangelical dating site, was given a rather desperate title for its French release:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDT1yqY3SjXXq0eGzA9rhq8XR7Bb5Z292l5l3J1mdASHRZsNOcaUprbJysuOrMQlF3IGER18W_BFQy3lWCEBvllS5aEddDTCcGjGvUwW1_ghSTNrqEHOHR36ysC3e2EwKMkKuJZ3eHhiZ1QuhlRTXY6XGUXOOIWJ1Dr_pe2Dc_yZhe5OOXU7D59BP04hw/s699/mingle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="699" data-original-width="500" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDT1yqY3SjXXq0eGzA9rhq8XR7Bb5Z292l5l3J1mdASHRZsNOcaUprbJysuOrMQlF3IGER18W_BFQy3lWCEBvllS5aEddDTCcGjGvUwW1_ghSTNrqEHOHR36ysC3e2EwKMkKuJZ3eHhiZ1QuhlRTXY6XGUXOOIWJ1Dr_pe2Dc_yZhe5OOXU7D59BP04hw/w286-h400/mingle.jpg" width="286" /></a></div><p>Prière de m'épouser = please marry me. PLEASE.</p>adamcreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08847869366634507731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3675966658798207230.post-718635023314101592023-12-10T08:02:00.003+00:002023-12-13T22:04:00.045+00:009th December 2023It's here! In all the shops in town you would see empty containers like this:<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEskhgvK-_ZFuxyKqxK6iYJeoiLJs9oj16RDVupPnJ7cH11sdhGY23kFDftA7ejP6DykW7tyUB1jcHWxF3Jt_sYEJ-cs79D2b1z3L0lvvmmlDM3sKEgquF1eRwqTA5VMa_dr03R1e8qMAlqcjMFbllgjG1fq4Oda6xzQyW6ezT-AYuvFWp_SmllQdJA8g/s4032/empty.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEskhgvK-_ZFuxyKqxK6iYJeoiLJs9oj16RDVupPnJ7cH11sdhGY23kFDftA7ejP6DykW7tyUB1jcHWxF3Jt_sYEJ-cs79D2b1z3L0lvvmmlDM3sKEgquF1eRwqTA5VMa_dr03R1e8qMAlqcjMFbllgjG1fq4Oda6xzQyW6ezT-AYuvFWp_SmllQdJA8g/s320/empty.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>But we have an in with our local newsagent, and they had only just arrived this morning! So the very first people in Old Woking to have in their hands ...</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbeN7_NSu3w4ZQjrEtEztET8bLUXBXlv_6xLwh93nPusPS0s_ftreRxtrjL4Y_IUqkfoOXnyxdweF5bbhC7U6DpZnnEIPbS5h-9NGLhetFroHh3Zs-4Cdrz8tLdWsjn-Vh57DXspip93jkxjSiW-Akud7HJpTvN6sF3aKHVW0C2HPrEnfxjZz3yzB4Bk/s3520/radio%20times.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3520" data-original-width="1980" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbeN7_NSu3w4ZQjrEtEztET8bLUXBXlv_6xLwh93nPusPS0s_ftreRxtrjL4Y_IUqkfoOXnyxdweF5bbhC7U6DpZnnEIPbS5h-9NGLhetFroHh3Zs-4Cdrz8tLdWsjn-Vh57DXspip93jkxjSiW-Akud7HJpTvN6sF3aKHVW0C2HPrEnfxjZz3yzB4Bk/w360-h640/radio%20times.JPG" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div>So now Christmas is really here and we can start to plan our viewing with the Sharpie pen in hand. Adam is looking forward to the new version of The Famous Five, which could be this year's Worzel Gummidge or The Box Of Delights. What are you looking forward to in Christmas telly?</div><div><br /></div><div>Addendum: Don't forget to buy a really stylish faux-leather cover for your Christmas Radio Times. It's almost as good as the burgundy National Record of Achievement folders that teens were given in the 1990s to store their GCSE certificates in.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_vm1f0klIiwcCo1Nk5Ls5YIzbpB9zTwBaOV2ibLlFJ71YIJLgrRvt9TQ8GzFYiTzw5dIsgmbAIax-7_FAFtw44iy46KNgRSfZu06Ewu39TA6o8QCiL3VTK3uchF9svbSrWvhtbxOEofIbtVBpc4rLukz-9IvwDuNcvexXGIHUlFelYa2zGb0HrMjnSiY/s1200/radio%20times%20cover.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="957" data-original-width="1200" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_vm1f0klIiwcCo1Nk5Ls5YIzbpB9zTwBaOV2ibLlFJ71YIJLgrRvt9TQ8GzFYiTzw5dIsgmbAIax-7_FAFtw44iy46KNgRSfZu06Ewu39TA6o8QCiL3VTK3uchF9svbSrWvhtbxOEofIbtVBpc4rLukz-9IvwDuNcvexXGIHUlFelYa2zGb0HrMjnSiY/w400-h319/radio%20times%20cover.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>adamcreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08847869366634507731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3675966658798207230.post-2017809207484400842023-12-07T20:10:00.002+00:002023-12-07T20:10:41.575+00:008th December 2023Today is an exciting day as Adam is running a Super-Curricular Day for Year 13 students. As well as Rob Eastaway, author of Maths For Mums And Dads (very popular with some of our child-rearing friends) and Maths On The Back Of An Envelope, there are careers talks and a Team Maths Challenge. There are some lovely mathsy gifts out there for you to buy your nerdy friends, this one is available on Etsy, it's a Maths cross-stitch melange:<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiypd4oR8ZRAL4pxfwXSMWlKMycFr6hafZ-yHAEXXfnV4tTWwYqT-FpN6hP0ZlogRcNZMbtMI0HaG3enFcxzmkAFLX0umLt1ZiLNUcEPZ1ZwNj-PqFGaTHpoJTPCtrKhZhyJliV2QH7cCUevbHGvIsMMzwtgHFn9EwaPCoW_iLOsAwAq4Kl2ubvNAt3Vsg/s1588/etsy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1588" data-original-width="1588" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiypd4oR8ZRAL4pxfwXSMWlKMycFr6hafZ-yHAEXXfnV4tTWwYqT-FpN6hP0ZlogRcNZMbtMI0HaG3enFcxzmkAFLX0umLt1ZiLNUcEPZ1ZwNj-PqFGaTHpoJTPCtrKhZhyJliV2QH7cCUevbHGvIsMMzwtgHFn9EwaPCoW_iLOsAwAq4Kl2ubvNAt3Vsg/w640-h640/etsy.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Also part of the day is a quiz based around Elf On A Shelf, but with Maths! Can you guess this one?</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOCbmYQ7LE20AYdsVKWUgt5XowaTqWb8bMf1TNTEBtmHNoD30aUGL1WT6xScqFW1_qvADidQJdKyVIfyW8D6ieYDwk7b54IlBnR4cihUj-gtMKSLD03g3pkdvzREBrYL9ZgvAPUXHl13S93UalE160pmi0_TA7VtgXFKb90K8r3T_7FGaaIlQZJyizHTo/s750/Prime%20on%20a%20lime.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="618" data-original-width="750" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOCbmYQ7LE20AYdsVKWUgt5XowaTqWb8bMf1TNTEBtmHNoD30aUGL1WT6xScqFW1_qvADidQJdKyVIfyW8D6ieYDwk7b54IlBnR4cihUj-gtMKSLD03g3pkdvzREBrYL9ZgvAPUXHl13S93UalE160pmi0_TA7VtgXFKb90K8r3T_7FGaaIlQZJyizHTo/s320/Prime%20on%20a%20lime.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>adamcreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08847869366634507731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3675966658798207230.post-70820439361641215012023-12-07T07:01:00.000+00:002023-12-07T07:01:00.955+00:007th December 2023Some wacky must-have presents today:<div><br /></div><div>For the condiment lover in your life, a pair of Zara Home candles:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6lPBnYSVn6kQT86ytk5DPiTWDNURRK0ql7KHTPrRWkZMjMF8dH7e9rd-lHfdfNfzO2pd_MweouJgH-IOOZzcTXT6YSZgTv_Y-gaoUpjyT_u3lt7lHPQVr7UdbXV4xEylGPEdioHFf83U3QlFwKWktV_Sg3e-sOpf0iCckfQAPJaU4DTy7nL8yOoL70CI/s3072/Zara%20red%20ketchup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6lPBnYSVn6kQT86ytk5DPiTWDNURRK0ql7KHTPrRWkZMjMF8dH7e9rd-lHfdfNfzO2pd_MweouJgH-IOOZzcTXT6YSZgTv_Y-gaoUpjyT_u3lt7lHPQVr7UdbXV4xEylGPEdioHFf83U3QlFwKWktV_Sg3e-sOpf0iCckfQAPJaU4DTy7nL8yOoL70CI/w427-h640/Zara%20red%20ketchup.jpg" width="427" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZjjaWKBRC67E07raOq8xDYXzAPEfWfsToAIZx-wYkglVe2XVMjiax2Ltc_WmS9WX3BC2mZFgv6LpT2SrnUmfQwCmCquigvr8H8VTP2Z4NBE_TlE_UYQvqJbGhcXLpTuBgiLUWZr_j9aOvNLObiAjwxOEdiRa8eJ5G0elTe34bJANRYgJVr-YWmTztD3Q/s3072/Zara%20yellow%20mustard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZjjaWKBRC67E07raOq8xDYXzAPEfWfsToAIZx-wYkglVe2XVMjiax2Ltc_WmS9WX3BC2mZFgv6LpT2SrnUmfQwCmCquigvr8H8VTP2Z4NBE_TlE_UYQvqJbGhcXLpTuBgiLUWZr_j9aOvNLObiAjwxOEdiRa8eJ5G0elTe34bJANRYgJVr-YWmTztD3Q/w426-h640/Zara%20yellow%20mustard.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div>And for the music lover/drinker in your family, Gary Barlow wine:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhegyNPg9HUn-RiyofYqLOXiIzpLELVK0kwe1_gLCvpulG-mz6dS6gcXoOveykoze1NcyfTDYND8ZNrP-GZwSulccCav8-I2JOzIUKXJ1Bo8Fh8z-lVyxROZCgJV1Vru5aqeMPmZRR9QFz3hmCGwpUNWDyZD5wjVHYGjp9gK1lUh1qlgyL4zTEoCXvySbA/s4032/IMG_2516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhegyNPg9HUn-RiyofYqLOXiIzpLELVK0kwe1_gLCvpulG-mz6dS6gcXoOveykoze1NcyfTDYND8ZNrP-GZwSulccCav8-I2JOzIUKXJ1Bo8Fh8z-lVyxROZCgJV1Vru5aqeMPmZRR9QFz3hmCGwpUNWDyZD5wjVHYGjp9gK1lUh1qlgyL4zTEoCXvySbA/w480-h640/IMG_2516.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>adamcreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08847869366634507731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3675966658798207230.post-67945043419468337812023-12-07T06:38:00.005+00:002023-12-07T06:38:53.271+00:006th December 2023<p>We have so many creative and decorative friends. Lou in Wales is one of them, and she shared a picture of a wreath by her friend Beth that it themed around Bletchley Park. I've posted it as big as I can, but you should see some punched-hole tape, some Made In Britain ribbon, and even a little Enigma machine. Marvellous!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqC3qwlM7LA7oSCZ49G9cMqMbOgo3wL5BcgD88GdkYpDUWTLlWJsY_s75jZFt_BeYL6W7g3NDDD1zN56TrALqzPl0Y0aDY-ElcWIzALIXIoFkMspui9qpHCuR_-0I5PM3HhPjFGqn78KiSKmAFAQZXDr79G1G7bYOdSHhP8CitTLcaKN3FHFMww39s38I/s1200/Bletchley%20wreath%20by%20Lou's%20friend%20Beth.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1200" height="614" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqC3qwlM7LA7oSCZ49G9cMqMbOgo3wL5BcgD88GdkYpDUWTLlWJsY_s75jZFt_BeYL6W7g3NDDD1zN56TrALqzPl0Y0aDY-ElcWIzALIXIoFkMspui9qpHCuR_-0I5PM3HhPjFGqn78KiSKmAFAQZXDr79G1G7bYOdSHhP8CitTLcaKN3FHFMww39s38I/w640-h614/Bletchley%20wreath%20by%20Lou's%20friend%20Beth.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>adamcreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08847869366634507731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3675966658798207230.post-67979026089428404582023-12-05T06:46:00.002+00:002023-12-05T06:46:44.869+00:005th December 2023Every so often you come across a Christmas tree ornament that defies belief. This one from Louisa, who says she got it over 20 years ago from a great-aunt who was a nun.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDcCdOh4_9CTH_rHJFd8FwkEYyuamDM0rDbgJA7wiMpFD-eBAGPHKX9nTD2Np6Lr5bJnGo_99lBrbczggPQV0XGymqubQXDqfEA4cykNgaEK50RHMG2qL2sd3fSHGGZBv2sXp39iphqS0y8zbBOnLRwBrIRpZlfVHFrGTxdn2ZOBvz0TO-tD04Ca5Chs/s1200/FkTSEuIacAAg0lf.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDcCdOh4_9CTH_rHJFd8FwkEYyuamDM0rDbgJA7wiMpFD-eBAGPHKX9nTD2Np6Lr5bJnGo_99lBrbczggPQV0XGymqubQXDqfEA4cykNgaEK50RHMG2qL2sd3fSHGGZBv2sXp39iphqS0y8zbBOnLRwBrIRpZlfVHFrGTxdn2ZOBvz0TO-tD04Ca5Chs/w480-h640/FkTSEuIacAAg0lf.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Do let us know about any terrible decorations you have but are forced to display because of nuns or whatever.</div>adamcreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08847869366634507731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3675966658798207230.post-61826626831321900862023-12-04T16:16:00.002+00:002023-12-04T16:16:22.993+00:004th December 2023<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoK0ot57Dl-sc6vgFQLvlZGbT-t9bI82J0Dcs2yJzWc2igUUW8Jz7q06wXH7XoCAIUYP3p9P7ruRxNvZCGnGZisQ68Ng6xS53OI1WwA1hL3J9EQk8IVV9d4yjvIE3PctB3F_MOFo57uzASvKp6JHg2F70oQRJj2oztVkqQeoZOe76QT8chNSYLYH9TMDg/s1382/Screenshot%202023-12-04%20at%2016.09.09.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1284" data-original-width="1382" height="371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoK0ot57Dl-sc6vgFQLvlZGbT-t9bI82J0Dcs2yJzWc2igUUW8Jz7q06wXH7XoCAIUYP3p9P7ruRxNvZCGnGZisQ68Ng6xS53OI1WwA1hL3J9EQk8IVV9d4yjvIE3PctB3F_MOFo57uzASvKp6JHg2F70oQRJj2oztVkqQeoZOe76QT8chNSYLYH9TMDg/w400-h371/Screenshot%202023-12-04%20at%2016.09.09.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>It's taken a while, but the exotic delights of the panettone, once found only in the windows of Italian delis and in miniature in racks at Costa Coffee, has now made it through to the mainstream. Marks & Spencers, Waitrose and Fenwicks now have a plethora of flavours and prices, and panettone looks set to replace Christmas Pudding as a staple of the festive feast.<div><br /></div><div>According to Rachel Hall in the Guardian:</div><div><div><br /></div><div>"Selfridges said it expected to sell three times more panettone than Christmas puddings after selling more than ever before last Christmas, with sales up almost 25% on 2021. Waitrose said the Italian classic was out-selling Christmas pudding, with demand up 40% on this time last year. Although there is a traditional recipe to follow, Selfridges offers six different types of panettone, including salted caramel and chocolate orange. The retailer sells a £150 panettone hamper, which it says is “packed with inventive iterations” and has also added the cake’s flavour to many other products including chocolate and tea and even introduced a panettone advent calendar. [yes please - Adam]</div><div>"Selfridges suggests serving panettone for breakfast during the festive season, paired with afternoon coffee, or as a lighter alternative to Christmas pudding. Waitrose has expanded its range in response to growing demand for panettone. This year, it launched the “cinnamon bunettone” — a cross between a panettone and a cinnamon bun, which the retailer says is one of its bestselling Christmas cakes."</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUW-T7WPTxlbRII7UeuzWWUzqPoLAYcsA3AGlVyDtS2lW-2cJa0CHpidTtThmHAdgtQhPKymE6Vz7EVVX8otnlOaACsWiTBVgPxu3ocRH6xFMrrtexqmvGBzW1mHol7CoMTqyojYxMFL4KcvjBaonxeeotRFDp_Qv7xAjAu6wuKaV1Jcvoj-zBF84U9I/s400/bun%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUW-T7WPTxlbRII7UeuzWWUzqPoLAYcsA3AGlVyDtS2lW-2cJa0CHpidTtThmHAdgtQhPKymE6Vz7EVVX8otnlOaACsWiTBVgPxu3ocRH6xFMrrtexqmvGBzW1mHol7CoMTqyojYxMFL4KcvjBaonxeeotRFDp_Qv7xAjAu6wuKaV1Jcvoj-zBF84U9I/w400-h400/bun%201.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The cinnamon monstrosottone</div><div><br /><div>But all is not lost for the humble plum pudding. Another article in the Financial Times, taken from Pen Vogler's book "Stuffed: A History of Good Food and Hard Times in Britain" explains how a random mention in "A Christmas Carol" led some years later to a resurgence of the stodgy sweet.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>"In 1850, a strange essay called “A Christmas Pudding” appeared in Charles Dickens’s weekly journal, Household Words. This was seven years after the publication of A Christmas Carol, whose wild success had wedded the dish previously known as plum pudding to Christmas Day, making it the iconic centre of the feast for wealthy and impoverished families alike.</div><div>"The essay, written by Dickens’s friend Charles Knight though published anonymously, had symbolic designs on a dessert that already flamed with the Dickensian message of personal responsibility for the poor. Knight commandeered it to represent the fashionable doctrine of “free trade”, an anti-protectionist economic position that suited an industrialising country that needed its urban workforce to have access to the cheapest possible imported food.</div><div>"After the [First World] war, the country had to navigate falling exports and a growing global recession. Patriotic organisations came up with enterprising solutions to boost the appeal of homegrown and empire-produced goods, such as Empire Day, Empire Shopping Week and the British Empire Exhibition of 1924, which inspired the British Women’s Patriotic League to urge cooks to “Make your Christmas Pudding an Empire Pudding” with a recipe leaflet of ingredients from the empire.</div><div>"The idea took off and was supported over the next few years by various trade bodies from the Dominions; the Australian Dried Fruit Board was particularly active, alarmed by the successful marketing strategies of California’s Sun-Maid raisins. The Empire Day Movement was particularly media-savvy. It arranged a ritualised pudding-making session, involving representatives from all over the empire giving the mixture a good stir, just as families did together on Stir-Up Sunday.</div><div>"The Empire Marketing Board was set up in 1926 to boost the economies of the countries that were, in turn, Britain’s best customers: an economic and ideological virtuous circle. Its greatest success was its own Empire Christmas Pudding recipe (nobody seemed to mind that the idea was copied from both the British Women’s Patriotic League and the Empire Day Movement). The recipe was advertised in national newspapers in 1926 to much fanfare — and some complaints. Wales, Scotland and Ireland had all been left out; and when the colonial commissioner for Cyprus realised the island had been overlooked, he phoned the Empire Marketing Board on December 23 to demand that the pudding, to be ceremoniously delivered to King George V, should be served with Cypriot brandy sauce. New Zealand was missed out and Canada was represented by five ounces of minced apple, despite the tons of wheat it was pouring into Britain. Eggs could come from the Irish Free State or “United Kingdom”, but Northern Ireland wasn’t mentioned at all."</div><div><br /></div><div>Read more at: <a href="https://on.ft.com/3N9H4Ny">https://on.ft.com/3N9H4Ny</a></div><div><br /></div>adamcreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08847869366634507731noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3675966658798207230.post-27496430797618572522023-12-02T21:47:00.002+00:002023-12-02T21:47:46.428+00:003rd December 2023As we reach the first Sunday in Advent, people are already gearing up for their local carol service, whether in a church or in the community. But you have to feel sorry for the social media intern who didn't quite get the name of the event correct. These are all from 2023, by now you would think the mistake would be quite well-known. But no:<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNvO4moku-j3CRNSAsKpG-NESyU9j3j-UzerQQJpZUXmDutNZfLSGYoiFIxPvVwLB7DyYoffi1AXa2MtQTglhyDdwEBhmu9T2LNWvnWhgx37hPTd-zCZctrogKPK_OiwS0CVtno-zIlLkW86ZKex744zAcRVMrp6WG1ZXrh8ssUFc28z4WEUZqwGAJ8jc/s1028/Screenshot%202023-12-02%20at%2021.40.34.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="1028" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNvO4moku-j3CRNSAsKpG-NESyU9j3j-UzerQQJpZUXmDutNZfLSGYoiFIxPvVwLB7DyYoffi1AXa2MtQTglhyDdwEBhmu9T2LNWvnWhgx37hPTd-zCZctrogKPK_OiwS0CVtno-zIlLkW86ZKex744zAcRVMrp6WG1ZXrh8ssUFc28z4WEUZqwGAJ8jc/w640-h266/Screenshot%202023-12-02%20at%2021.40.34.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Q8nS3Xvex5L1ipgDHt0k6m5NnnoaA8dACwdBfuJJ2vCPtgqh3-Cus1R4k241MiUJ1JrIog-hJ6h86LQHFaPtYZU2Hqn0RSr1reXkx-q-sA5z4wvn33wcygRHgI1Zw7f8nVgrO33vwnHo6bijFvXdrj0PDHD5HEO5QH3fmiJAw10WFNB7kpJ2JSBN3vg/s710/Screenshot%202023-12-02%20at%2021.41.01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="710" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Q8nS3Xvex5L1ipgDHt0k6m5NnnoaA8dACwdBfuJJ2vCPtgqh3-Cus1R4k241MiUJ1JrIog-hJ6h86LQHFaPtYZU2Hqn0RSr1reXkx-q-sA5z4wvn33wcygRHgI1Zw7f8nVgrO33vwnHo6bijFvXdrj0PDHD5HEO5QH3fmiJAw10WFNB7kpJ2JSBN3vg/w640-h227/Screenshot%202023-12-02%20at%2021.41.01.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh32Wh5DZyzBehFOdXhvx2i-uj8OOK65ZgLzpWahk2p4kIK0I2rcCWtcXIgAuBdJ5F-3mLj0Gth-KjFkH0PCBe5hNgHfd8NrNEGj14hKsBIGRwEMzDhYr3gtUmUivU8Ew97oACbcdJFqMxC8sH7JWE0ST1RS53oXgr-fW8qpPs8DXsm6plX_DMwn-UwoWU/s1498/Screenshot%202023-12-02%20at%2021.41.55.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="262" data-original-width="1498" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh32Wh5DZyzBehFOdXhvx2i-uj8OOK65ZgLzpWahk2p4kIK0I2rcCWtcXIgAuBdJ5F-3mLj0Gth-KjFkH0PCBe5hNgHfd8NrNEGj14hKsBIGRwEMzDhYr3gtUmUivU8Ew97oACbcdJFqMxC8sH7JWE0ST1RS53oXgr-fW8qpPs8DXsm6plX_DMwn-UwoWU/w640-h112/Screenshot%202023-12-02%20at%2021.41.55.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>At least the last one has sausages to go with the candles.</div>adamcreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08847869366634507731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3675966658798207230.post-83813059452446952892023-12-02T07:26:00.001+00:002023-12-02T07:26:11.961+00:002nd December 2023<p>For many families, this will be the weekend where the "tree in a box" comes out of the loft, gets dusted down, has its branches bent back into shape, and the decoration begins. For others, it's the trip to the Christmas Tree Farm so beloved by Hallmark Christmas movies (more on them later as well). But we are off to London because it's the weekend of the Scandi Christmas Fairs!</p><p>But disaster has struck! The cinnamon bun machine at the Finnish Church in Rotherhithe has broken. At least their lovely star-shaped pastries and Fazer jellies are still available, plus reindeer stew.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU158o6mhrlYZmXIEH8QQy91l4FW7tX1EA7-GWj8SZHit-bkQ2mBa7qR_dZ0ztRyjE8TuvKpI4XoRWWt957AYJ-8HZQpM2fopiv-hN57UqrFYdK-jidbUI_yKAazrk0AUdin4dvRTNealywInlDJY0fneaUjyVsY3TwJRMvmh2I5a-Sih6QAvfz3VX73I/s1800/finn1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU158o6mhrlYZmXIEH8QQy91l4FW7tX1EA7-GWj8SZHit-bkQ2mBa7qR_dZ0ztRyjE8TuvKpI4XoRWWt957AYJ-8HZQpM2fopiv-hN57UqrFYdK-jidbUI_yKAazrk0AUdin4dvRTNealywInlDJY0fneaUjyVsY3TwJRMvmh2I5a-Sih6QAvfz3VX73I/s320/finn1.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLfk8B3WOLE-JsjVRGL_yaGdAd90lZj1woMU0pUnlFqMofjL6EFQr8IDoBhU5PnrdYBHRvLMTJe9dqxjzLodgoxM1QaKyzkXnxudmVH_ja94qM3hwAxzwTuZv8Ijh64gKoZpDDtlfWuBedjHRTfe2FmgYSb9g9OOIn0-GDMBxLRx1WQRDxrtSAZ4-tMd8/s1800/finn%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLfk8B3WOLE-JsjVRGL_yaGdAd90lZj1woMU0pUnlFqMofjL6EFQr8IDoBhU5PnrdYBHRvLMTJe9dqxjzLodgoxM1QaKyzkXnxudmVH_ja94qM3hwAxzwTuZv8Ijh64gKoZpDDtlfWuBedjHRTfe2FmgYSb9g9OOIn0-GDMBxLRx1WQRDxrtSAZ4-tMd8/s320/finn%202.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh75uHTMRCiNKMZDoZBiicn4hBUT1PKwxZ6oUVR-0U8Lvecguu2u50J9i1CCTiccxucs9aLkNgUsf5Dy4l0QM4-Al9u0RqBJdqzZTZrpdmfUNkoix74VfIsrq7YkfoeHUlqHXbmSALvEHobOIhemwrVnHim0SCEuxUb78T4x89ZE7j9PzJOI_s6yXF1laA/s1350/finn%203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh75uHTMRCiNKMZDoZBiicn4hBUT1PKwxZ6oUVR-0U8Lvecguu2u50J9i1CCTiccxucs9aLkNgUsf5Dy4l0QM4-Al9u0RqBJdqzZTZrpdmfUNkoix74VfIsrq7YkfoeHUlqHXbmSALvEHobOIhemwrVnHim0SCEuxUb78T4x89ZE7j9PzJOI_s6yXF1laA/s320/finn%203.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCNUbKVy0vjpSVpgKcmxfxaRxoc_HmxoxJxkzamOjFuMJHdIcgg-qRD8jC0asORX-hVEFlhwbdh7i3xb-mtKtK6RS62vJZ13sAUTetUGrgNAyW2eugl4WYxPV2e42OamA7vM8xjfV_VpBreeCnJ0CXQpxvbuO2QsySVWnoYBayv3xj0JsTZaRkw3hMAzY/s1350/finn%204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCNUbKVy0vjpSVpgKcmxfxaRxoc_HmxoxJxkzamOjFuMJHdIcgg-qRD8jC0asORX-hVEFlhwbdh7i3xb-mtKtK6RS62vJZ13sAUTetUGrgNAyW2eugl4WYxPV2e42OamA7vM8xjfV_VpBreeCnJ0CXQpxvbuO2QsySVWnoYBayv3xj0JsTZaRkw3hMAzY/s320/finn%204.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><p>And then it's off to see Christmas trees! There are three we recommend this year (and every year).</p><p>The tree from Norway is on its way to Trafalgar Square. It's been growing for 70 years in Nordmarka, the forests north of Oslo. BBC London News are tracking its travels, currently at the Port of Immingham:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghsm5XeMGujQ0pHaKYqOHpuMQI-z-wR_nj37O-MjviQRS3MfYQchTYyjP2jPIC8yObY9mXS1P7Gi9H4Z-w8daSAAk2B7m_W7N98K6lEAldmdMP51ZgaDvt6DRYJyx1i6uZRUkxze-5iDsRjfQu1GLqge1_u7OQQoGkmxV-tph_l16xGQ-NO6egSPnQb6g/s976/tree%201.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="549" data-original-width="976" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghsm5XeMGujQ0pHaKYqOHpuMQI-z-wR_nj37O-MjviQRS3MfYQchTYyjP2jPIC8yObY9mXS1P7Gi9H4Z-w8daSAAk2B7m_W7N98K6lEAldmdMP51ZgaDvt6DRYJyx1i6uZRUkxze-5iDsRjfQu1GLqge1_u7OQQoGkmxV-tph_l16xGQ-NO6egSPnQb6g/s320/tree%201.webp" width="320" /></a></div><p>St Pancras Station always has a great tree, and this year it's all about books, a collab with Hatchards (Best London Bookshop Ever) and Penguin (Best Publisher Ever). You can sit in it and listen to audiobooks while you wait for your train.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXmVpADsiIKHhkllFVvjDsAnQ7OlTATCihyphenhyphen2w2THLuYW-feKc642HsPGWfvqRyzF9ZGghsjjG29bhSq_ruG7Khyphenhyphen6PKICibdvJMRqjAOkd5RjCSRBlvkhGQtS7ozgsvaXTrOopFw4sxF-gReW-zD_gKSkbr09SXs7Nv3cpL94Dwlq2rU0Z8MEvyRSx5KCo/s896/hatchards%20tree.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="896" data-original-width="597" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXmVpADsiIKHhkllFVvjDsAnQ7OlTATCihyphenhyphen2w2THLuYW-feKc642HsPGWfvqRyzF9ZGghsjjG29bhSq_ruG7Khyphenhyphen6PKICibdvJMRqjAOkd5RjCSRBlvkhGQtS7ozgsvaXTrOopFw4sxF-gReW-zD_gKSkbr09SXs7Nv3cpL94Dwlq2rU0Z8MEvyRSx5KCo/w426-h640/hatchards%20tree.jpeg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><p>And the third tree is a bit modernist. This year the V&A has taken up the mantle from Tate Britain and gone for an angular metal tree. Not to everyone's taste, the "Power Plant by Isabel + Helen" is an "the installation is formed of wind-powered turbines which rotate within their own orbit to collectively power the lights in the structure" (it says here). See what you think:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4biiwuCr-JYjR-qB1NZyc06YhueapwsHLrF66wKoTddJjaKfN6NqzV0I2euCb4si8JHijCy1rj66bSprSs8Z4e2vf6j21YiPqHJPB8AOSzCKBlz75UAHsGNC0LwbVpFNqXUy7hAJTmtvfaL7lWmJMlNWEc8ie4TTnIg3zEa6DA6eE3w9rhWid1kIF71U/s800/2479753_2023christmastreegif.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4biiwuCr-JYjR-qB1NZyc06YhueapwsHLrF66wKoTddJjaKfN6NqzV0I2euCb4si8JHijCy1rj66bSprSs8Z4e2vf6j21YiPqHJPB8AOSzCKBlz75UAHsGNC0LwbVpFNqXUy7hAJTmtvfaL7lWmJMlNWEc8ie4TTnIg3zEa6DA6eE3w9rhWid1kIF71U/w400-h400/2479753_2023christmastreegif.webp" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>adamcreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08847869366634507731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3675966658798207230.post-24435826512916405262023-12-01T06:58:00.006+00:002023-12-01T06:58:49.578+00:001st December 2023Welcome to latest (and we hope greatest) online Advent Calendar yet. When we started these the internet was in its infancy, and as well as inventing blogging and Twitter, Adam was getting total random strangers to visit and comment on eclectic Christmas stuff. We even (apparently) got a mention in a newspaper's Saturday magazine (but they weren't online in those days so we only heard about that).<div><br /></div><div>Christmas seems to have come very early this year, especially some Carol Services (more on that later). But Advent has come, as it always does, on 1st December. We'd love to hear about your Christmas preparations, what Advent calendar you have bought (or been given), and any requests for daily pics (Hasselhoff in a Santa outfit? Did that in 2005). Just tweet @robotmaths or send us a message below.</div><div><br /></div><div>Today we celebrate Christmas ornaments. Living in a 1930s semi, we were enchanted by this lovely scene from Homesense. Nothing quite says Christmas like a flamingo in a Santa hat in front of a modernist gazebo with a wall of screen blocks.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3b5zvY6YbSFt88OQ9EJqZJCAoM88m8iS8r3PuRhwONknsDLUqcg0bjv0RncBHiSdhVQxKxf2qgWZwbEfm_llXobzZCSze_l6Hst_9Gv7piwjlj64iZMIxK_NP-BgITFTyURyan9v5lxx-4g6xbXxFFQbqmj8a-yKnapEgOy2zQP6_PVqPCO_DvrMFi9o/s1200/Homesense%20wall%20ornament.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3b5zvY6YbSFt88OQ9EJqZJCAoM88m8iS8r3PuRhwONknsDLUqcg0bjv0RncBHiSdhVQxKxf2qgWZwbEfm_llXobzZCSze_l6Hst_9Gv7piwjlj64iZMIxK_NP-BgITFTyURyan9v5lxx-4g6xbXxFFQbqmj8a-yKnapEgOy2zQP6_PVqPCO_DvrMFi9o/w640-h640/Homesense%20wall%20ornament.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As a special bonus, here's a must-have Secret Santa gift for the music fan in your life. Though we would probably have headlined this "Egg To The Rhythm", or maybe "Pull Cup To The Bumper"</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJdNvqUHUUrBeGc6uruqQ4T444MYaCsmlLnggBo9lBz2zFzpinRtl2MKBulPpfO_IdN0SneAEzURfRziETe-bfBYaETPVg2nV9UcRxHg61N1_48JbsE6P1uIya4I46axFpO-JHg5I4MApqnsj7tV364Z8MTSp4c2_2kL8MEUjx6vo1R9V4k8Xc72B_M4/s1284/Grace%20Jones%20eggcup.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="972" data-original-width="1284" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJdNvqUHUUrBeGc6uruqQ4T444MYaCsmlLnggBo9lBz2zFzpinRtl2MKBulPpfO_IdN0SneAEzURfRziETe-bfBYaETPVg2nV9UcRxHg61N1_48JbsE6P1uIya4I46axFpO-JHg5I4MApqnsj7tV364Z8MTSp4c2_2kL8MEUjx6vo1R9V4k8Xc72B_M4/w640-h484/Grace%20Jones%20eggcup.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We applaud Grace Jones as a musical hero. Here's the Platty Jubes video of her hula-hooping throughout her song "Slave To The Rhythm".</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/vSa5EvWqB7g?si=q0_7NXG8PQYIM4Ss" width="480"></iframe></div>adamcreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08847869366634507731noreply@blogger.com2