Perfect Chick-Lit - for blokes!

A Christmas Feast and other stories by Katie Fforde
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Perfect for the Christmas season. OK, so it's chick-lit, not really aimed at the male reader. But the woman who stood next to me at the bookshelves in ASDA said I would enjoy it. And enjoy it I did. A number of short stories that were a delight to read, even for a male reader.

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The Eve before Christmas

We are ready. My sausage rolls turned out pretty good, jumbo size to say the least. It has been a tradition in my family to start Christmas morning with sausage rolls and English mustard. My maternal grandmother would make them, and then my mum and now me.

These are my jumbo sausage rolls. Not particularly uniform in shape but they taste delicious (already eaten the smallest one!)

The gammon joint has been roasted ready for cold meats on Boxing Day. The pigs in blankets are made and the Turkey crown is marinating. Brussel sprouts and Chantenay carrots are prepared together with glazed parsnips. I shall fry the sprouts with water chestnuts, onion and bacon lardons in a little olive oil. This will be complemented with sage and onion stuffing balls and roast potatoes. Followed by Christmas pudding and Devon custard. Stilton cheese and a glass of port. Espresso coffee accompanied with a glass of 18 YO Aberlour single malt.

This will inevitable lead to a period of dozing on the sofa in front of the TV.

Sounds like Christmas....

The Eve before Christmas Eve

It has been a quiet day for me. The eve before Christmas Eve. A time for contemplation. My wife enjoyed her firm's Christmas lunch so I had only to cook for one this evening. Me. My only chore today was to buy Brussel sprouts and Chantenay carrots to complete the ingredients for Christmas lunch. Time then to enjoy some comfort time with our three cats - Bertie, Oliver and Riley. Peace on Earth, at least in my home...

I enjoyed a lunch of boiled eggs and a buttered, fresh baguette, followed by two satsumas - plump and juicy. I listened to the wonderful music of The John Tavener Collection, spiritually uplifting, particularly the track entitled 'The Lamb', performed by the English Chamber Orchestra, the Temple Choir and the Holst Singers. A uniquely significant choral work. Music for Christmas. Music for quiet contemplation.

Presents are wrapped and placed under the Christmas tree. I cannot wait to see my wife's face when she unwraps my gift to her. Something I have wanted to give her for so long. A diamond solitaire ring. Diamonds are forever as we are for each other. You have always shone bright for me, Ros...

So, for now I would like to wish you all peace and joy at this special time of year. May your Christmas be perfect.

A Good Year for Reading

Goodreads is one of the best apps I use. It enables me to keep track of the books I have read, the books I plan to read, what my friends are reading, to receive recommendations and to read reviews.

Goodreads generates interesting statistics ( probably only of interest to me) but for the record:

In 2014 I have so far read 50 books. I know there are others who have read far more but this still counts for a book a week on average. Total pages amounts to 15,563. The longest book I read was 'Nemesis' by Jo Nesbo at 695 pages.

If you enjoy reading why not take a look at https://www.goodreads.com 

"Holy Grail" of rare records sells...

This is a story that will have my brother salivating. A Northern Soul track dubbed the "holy grail" of rare British records sold for more than £14,500 in a frantic auction last night. Collectors crashed the auction website as they tried to enter last-minute bids for the 7in vinyl single "Open the Door to Your Heart" by Darrell Banks. The copy of the 1966 classic surfaced in June.

Thea Gilmore - Book Of Christmas

If like me you are tired of the usual X Factor garbage that fills the airwaves at this time of year, try this spiritually uplifting track from Thea Gilmore: 'Book of Christmas'...

The Missing

I don't get much time for TV at the moment but there are certain programmes that I list in my 'must watch live' calendar. "The Missing' just aired its final (8th) episode tonight on BBC television. For seven episodes I have been totally enthralled. My wife and I have discussed every episode and had our own theories, one of which came close to the truth But no-one could have predicted the outcome of the final episode.

The lead cast in this compelling series are utterly convincing: Julien (TCHEKY KARYO), Emily (FRANCES O’CONNOR) and Tony (JAMES NESBITT). It is difficult to discuss the series without giving away the plot and, ultimately, the outcome.

SPOILER ALERT

During a holiday to the continent, the Hughes’ family car breaks down, forcing them to take an unscheduled stay in a small French town. After taking an evening swim with his father, five-year-old Olly suddenly vanishes, quickly triggering a major search. Written by Jack and Harry Williams, this 2014 thriller takes viewers inside the mind of a man desperate and determined to find his lost son. When the police and even his wife Emily appear resigned to never seeing the child again, Tony refuses to give up, enlisting the help of retired detective Julien Baptiste. Is it now too late, or does hope still remain for an eventual reunion with Oliver?

I hope that this series is broadcast on US TV because it is a spellbinding and compelling programme. Probably one of the best dramas aired by BBC TV in 2014.

Riley - the cat who came to stay

For those of you who follow my blog (thank you) you will have read about our efforts to re-home a cat named Riley, who spent his days mooching around a Sussex village, abandoned, homeless, exposed to inclement weather, fed by a few - occasionally - but very much left to his own devices. My wife Ros and I first encountered Riley when we were holidaying in this remote village. He came to visit us frequently for food. We learned from various 'locals' of his predicament and made a promise that, if no-one would offer him a home - we would. And we did. 52 days ago to be exact. Before the weather here got really bad. Which it has. Occasional sub-zero temperatures already.

Introducing Riley at home has not been easy. We have two residents - Bertie, who is 14½ years old and Oliver who is 13½ years old. Our home is their castle. Intruders not allowed. So, here comes Riley...

And he has lived with us now for 52 days. And he has put on about 2 kilos because he eats like a horse and has bloomed into a very handsome lad, who has a wonderful temperament and tries so hard to avoid spats with Bertie, who as alpha male still treats Riley as an 'intruder'. Oliver, on the other hand, thinks Riley is 'OK' and will sit with him in front of the fire and even touch noses. Bertie's aggressive attitude has mellowed - somewhat - but I still need to keep a watch on him. But things are getting better. For those of you who know animals, as we do, constant love and affection will win through, eventually! Things have mellowed, 'spats' are now infrequent, tolerance is improving, albeit with a level of reluctance - (Bertie?!!) and Christmas is coming.

Riley is now a permanent member of our family. The 'harsh' coat he had when he came to us has blossomed into a soft, silky texture. He has filled out, not only in size but in spirit. He will chase Oliver in play and screech to a halt if he meets Bertie.  They will spit at each other and then slink away. And there is plenty of room to do that. It IS getting better.

Our reward, for Ros and me, is to see a cat who had been abandoned to wander around a village without knowing any real affection, to have captured our hearts. He has become a gentle giant in more ways than one and he is about to enjoy his first Christmas with folk who love him to bits. So, Bertie and Oliver - it's all about sharing, particularly when it comes to Christmas dinner!

The Perils of the Night

Sidney Chambers and The Perils of the Night by James Runcie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The second volume of the Grantchester Mysteries held me spellbound. An evocation of childhood for me, the wonderful pastoral atmosphere that surrounds the gentle Canon Sidney Chambers and the dour Inspector Geordie Keating, has much to remind me of my childhood growing up in a country parish. Runcie's ability to capture the atmosphere of the 50s and 60s with reference to actual events adds to the enjoyment. His description over several pages of a village cricket match held me in suspense, an erudite ball to ball commentary that would have graced the BBC Light programme of my youth. For those who think that the Grantchester series is merely a number of short stories, think on. They are all linked, which adds to the pleasure if you have read 'Sidney Chambers and the Shadow of Death'. If you haven't then start with that highly recommended volume. There is a dollop of Midsomer Murders here, shades of Morse that would delight Colin Dexter, particularly in "Appointment in Berlin", and the beguiling romance between Sidney and Hildegard. As Country Life said: "Totally English, beautifully written, perfectly in period and wryly funny". I loved this book.

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One law for rich and another for poor

Sir John Thomas, the Lord Chief Justice, says 'one law for rich and another for poor' as he tells court penalty imposed on Philip Edward Day should not still be outstanding.

The country's most senior judge has criticised the fact a tycoon's £450,000 fine for damage caused to ancient Cumbrian woodland has not yet been paid. Sir John Thomas, the Lord Chief Justice, said the penalty imposed on multi-millionaire Philip Edward Day should not still be outstanding.

"It seems to me there is one law for the rich and another for the poor," he told London's Appeal Court. The judge made his comments after he discovered that the money had not been paid within a 112-day time limit.

Mr Day, 48, who is originally from Stockport, owns the Edinburgh Woollen Mill chain and is estimated to be worth around £300 million.

He was fined £450,000 and ordered to pay the £457,000 costs of his prosecution at Carlisle Crown Court in August last year. And all of this? To improve access for pheasant shooting!

Read more here about the arrogance of Day and his attorneys: 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/11276110/Judge-criticises-multi-millionaire-tycoon-over-unpaid-fine-for-illegally-felling-trees.html 

Cuckoo Clocking

A cuckoo named after the BBC wildlife presenter Chris Packham has clocked up 60,000 miles of air travel between the UK and Africa. The British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) has tagged a number of cuckoos with satellite-tracking devices to learn about migration patterns. Here is how some of them have fared:

Chris Class of 2011

Status: Active

Chris has made seven trips between the UK and Africa, visiting 22 countries and is currently in the Congo rainforest.

Lyster Class of 2011

Status: Inactive - missing presumed dead

Lyster was last traced to barren desert in Mauritania in 2012 on his second journey from Norfolk to Africa.

Clement Class of 2011

Status: inactive - deceased

Clement made it to his wintering grounds, travelling via Spain, but died in Cameroon on the return journey to Britain in 2012.

Hennah Class of 2014

Status: Active

Hennah was tagged in the New Forest, Hampshire in May this year. She left the UK in June and was tracked in the Central African Republic in October.

Dudley Class of 2014

Status: Active

Tagged in Sherwood Pines, Nottinghamshire this year, Dudley's transmitter indicated in July that he had cut across to Niger from his location in Spain.