Post 457. SOME YEAR, EH?

ANYTHING BUT PREDICTABLE.

IN A NO BRIGHTER BRITAIN.
On Thursday 22nd December an expected guest messaged to say she had Covid and was housebound: her entire Christmas wiped out and, when she recovered, a host of business appointments to be rearranged. It was the second time she had caught the damned thing. Her husband had also gone down with it. At around the same time another of Mo's pals rang to say her husband had contracted it and, though not startlingly ill, seemed unable to shake it off. They are all nice, sensible, people. There's no justice.
Now the talk is that one in every forty five of us could have Covid. The economy is in a heap. Most of the public services are - understandably - going on strike. It's not a brighter Britain. I blame Russia, China, and our government - in that order. Well, why not?
TELEVISION.
Late in his life I saw dear old Compton Mackenzie give a TV interview in which he said age was reducing his literary output; along with that - and he pointed to the television.
I meant to be back at the computer right after Boxing Day but finished up watching that which, sabre rattling films and royal claptrap apart, insidiously urged me not to abandon my armchair. Even the dross lulled me into a comfortable sleep.
Ironically, among the films on offer was the 2016 remake of Whisky Galore (which was to Compton Mackenzie what Cider With Rosie was to Laurie Lee). Well cast film. We enjoyed it.
And that's about it for this year. I'll be off back to my armchair for the New Year fireworks.
ALL THE BEST, DEAR READER, IN

I HOPE IT IS BETTER THAN THIS YEAR FOR YOU  

Post 456. IF YOU STILL READ THIS BLOG.

 SEASONAL GREETINGS

FROM THE GUY WHO WRITES IT.
Great that you have chosen to stay with the written word. I would not have the slightest idea how to produce a video and, according to that nice girl who talked to Sue Perkins on her Big American Road Trip, nobody reads any more; so you are a rare breed. Thank you.
And no, the guy in the picture didn't write it: he's just the token Christmas dressing.
GOD REST YE MERRY GENTLEFOLK.
God rest ye merry gentlefolk
Whatever race or creed
Winter can be tough enough
Without your hatred and greed
So spare us all that doctrine driven
Religious or political need
In favour of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy

In favour of comfort and joy.
(The state this world is in, one verse is enough.)
FESTIVE ENTERTAINMENT.
Don't expect much, but you can always hope.

At least in the run up to Christmas we have a new Cormoran Strike series, Troubled Blood, starts on BBC 1 tomorrow night. Tom Burke and Holliday Grainger are back in the leading roles and the short series concludes next weekend, so look sharp or miss it.

THAT'S ABOUT IT

Until after the Boxing Day bubble and squeak with cold meat. Best meal ever.

CHEERS MY DEARS