Tim Atkinson's Blog, page 38
December 25, 2015
So this is Christmas...
... and what have you done?
In my case, as always, the answer to John's question is 'sing'. Rather a lot. As a member (man and boy) of a church choir for more years than I can remember, the season almost always means music - lots of it. And there is an awful lot of it.
At the last count we've done half a dozen Carol services to say nothing of the regular devotional gigs that crowd the calendar at this time of year, up to and including a marathon three hour (including choir rehearsal) midnight mass last night. No wonder my eyes wouldn't stay open during the Strictly Christmas special this evening.
But I don't care what anyone says, amid all the wonderful music that magic moment just before the end when Elgar's Starlight Express (he got there long before Lloyd-Webber) breaks into the warm bath of an orchestral arrangement of The First Nowell says 'Christmas' every bit as much as 'Once in Royal David's City' or 'Chestnuts roasting on an open fire' or Noddy Holder bawling out 'It's Chriiiiiiistmas' any day. Just have a listen and see if you agree. And Merry Christmas everybody! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNWooX...
In my case, as always, the answer to John's question is 'sing'. Rather a lot. As a member (man and boy) of a church choir for more years than I can remember, the season almost always means music - lots of it. And there is an awful lot of it.
At the last count we've done half a dozen Carol services to say nothing of the regular devotional gigs that crowd the calendar at this time of year, up to and including a marathon three hour (including choir rehearsal) midnight mass last night. No wonder my eyes wouldn't stay open during the Strictly Christmas special this evening.
But I don't care what anyone says, amid all the wonderful music that magic moment just before the end when Elgar's Starlight Express (he got there long before Lloyd-Webber) breaks into the warm bath of an orchestral arrangement of The First Nowell says 'Christmas' every bit as much as 'Once in Royal David's City' or 'Chestnuts roasting on an open fire' or Noddy Holder bawling out 'It's Chriiiiiiistmas' any day. Just have a listen and see if you agree. And Merry Christmas everybody! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNWooX...
December 22, 2015
A close shave!
A timely early Christmas present arrives in the post from Panasonic... (having been turned down by Santa, I'd imagine).
I've only just shaved off an attempt to make a small beard bigger, so being a shaver again after a few months makes me more than sensitive to the idiosyncrasies of the range of shaving apparatus I possess as well as, well, just more sensitive generally.
The ES-LT6N (for it is that) combines such features as a full hour's charge, 3 triple blades with multi-flex 3D head to follow the contours of your face and - perfect for ex-beardies like me - an automatic stubble sensor that adjusts shaving power according to the density of your beard. That's the clincher. For it means you can get away without shaving daily - without the agony of shaving stubble!
Santa - should he go for a post-Christmas image change over the festive season - might want to take note.
Highly recommended.
I've only just shaved off an attempt to make a small beard bigger, so being a shaver again after a few months makes me more than sensitive to the idiosyncrasies of the range of shaving apparatus I possess as well as, well, just more sensitive generally.
The ES-LT6N (for it is that) combines such features as a full hour's charge, 3 triple blades with multi-flex 3D head to follow the contours of your face and - perfect for ex-beardies like me - an automatic stubble sensor that adjusts shaving power according to the density of your beard. That's the clincher. For it means you can get away without shaving daily - without the agony of shaving stubble!
Santa - should he go for a post-Christmas image change over the festive season - might want to take note.
Highly recommended.
December 15, 2015
Tax. It's very taxing
As if paying it wasn't bad enough then actually submitting the required forms so that you can pay what you owe is a nightmare. Or, it is for me.
I should explain. I've never had to do this before. Pay tax, yes - of course. But always PAYE. Until now, the joys of filling in an online tax return have been unknown to me.
It's not just me. Really it isn't. But I seem to have a problem at every stage of the process. First, I couldn't request a UPN as I'd already been issued one. Which was news to me. But it appeared that they had allocated me one (without telling me) the year they were introduced. In spite of the fact that I was paying everything PAYE. Nice of them.
Having cleared that small matter, I registered and got my activation code and activated my account. And then. Nothing. No link, no way of even starting to fill in a self-assessment form. Just a bland message telling me I don't need to pay tax at this time. (Quit while you're ahead, I hear you say. And, believe me, I'm tempted.)
But isn't paying tax part of our civic duty? Well, maybe. But hanging on the phone for hours waiting isn't. This afternoon, in utter desperation at the time it's taking I grabbed the 'online chat' option that popped up with both hands. I couldn't type fast enough (and made a rather embarrassing typo in the process):
Anyway, as you can see the result is - try phoning. So with a sigh, I did. I have. I am. I'm actually still on hold while writing this blog post.
I phoned the number he told me to phone. The one he said would enable an advisor to check and 'talk me through the process' (his words). Dead end. The right buttons were pressed, the correct answers given in clear, crisp (and calm) tones the machine-voice understood. And then? Eventually, after much button-pressing and waiting and question answering... go back to the internet, the machine-lady tells me. Or, she suggests, if you've got a DIFFERENT problem, ring a DIFFERENT number.
Ok, well. Mike did say it might be an IT issue. (Actually, I told him that - because it was their IT help people who emailed today to tell me to ring him, but no matter).I dial the number. Press the buttons. Speak nicely to the machine-lady. Listen to that bloody awful jangly music endlessly repeating the same lame phrase and getting nowhere, almost welcoming the frequent interruptions from machine-lady telling me 'just to let you know we have a range of online webinars and videos you might find useful.' A real-time adaptation of War and Peace, perhaps, to keep me amused during the interminable wait?
But no. I'm still waiting.
And it's driving me crazy. Really crazy.
I think I might have to write an old-fashioned letter...
I should explain. I've never had to do this before. Pay tax, yes - of course. But always PAYE. Until now, the joys of filling in an online tax return have been unknown to me.
It's not just me. Really it isn't. But I seem to have a problem at every stage of the process. First, I couldn't request a UPN as I'd already been issued one. Which was news to me. But it appeared that they had allocated me one (without telling me) the year they were introduced. In spite of the fact that I was paying everything PAYE. Nice of them.
Having cleared that small matter, I registered and got my activation code and activated my account. And then. Nothing. No link, no way of even starting to fill in a self-assessment form. Just a bland message telling me I don't need to pay tax at this time. (Quit while you're ahead, I hear you say. And, believe me, I'm tempted.)
But isn't paying tax part of our civic duty? Well, maybe. But hanging on the phone for hours waiting isn't. This afternoon, in utter desperation at the time it's taking I grabbed the 'online chat' option that popped up with both hands. I couldn't type fast enough (and made a rather embarrassing typo in the process):
Anyway, as you can see the result is - try phoning. So with a sigh, I did. I have. I am. I'm actually still on hold while writing this blog post.
I phoned the number he told me to phone. The one he said would enable an advisor to check and 'talk me through the process' (his words). Dead end. The right buttons were pressed, the correct answers given in clear, crisp (and calm) tones the machine-voice understood. And then? Eventually, after much button-pressing and waiting and question answering... go back to the internet, the machine-lady tells me. Or, she suggests, if you've got a DIFFERENT problem, ring a DIFFERENT number.
Ok, well. Mike did say it might be an IT issue. (Actually, I told him that - because it was their IT help people who emailed today to tell me to ring him, but no matter).I dial the number. Press the buttons. Speak nicely to the machine-lady. Listen to that bloody awful jangly music endlessly repeating the same lame phrase and getting nowhere, almost welcoming the frequent interruptions from machine-lady telling me 'just to let you know we have a range of online webinars and videos you might find useful.' A real-time adaptation of War and Peace, perhaps, to keep me amused during the interminable wait?
But no. I'm still waiting.
And it's driving me crazy. Really crazy.
I think I might have to write an old-fashioned letter...
December 12, 2015
Happy Birthday Jackanory
Jackanory is fifty! I know, I can't quite believe it either...
I must confess (sacrilege, I know) I wasn't much of a Jackanory fan. That ten-minute, low-budget story slot was the boring bit while you were waiting to see what feats of derring-do John Noakes had been up to in Blue Peter, or which followed something like Play School that you knew you were too old to watch but couldn't help yourself bathing in its nice, warm nostalgic glow.
Of course, I still watched Jackanory. There was no choice. When I were a lad the BBC was all there was and if you were allowed to watch the telly after school (say, if the Test Match wasn't on and dad wasn't home form work) you watched what they showed and that was that.
And I'm glad I did. So glad. Because - like the poetry I was forced to commit to memory - it remains with me. I have an idea - however imperfect - of performing a story that comes from hours of Jackanory listening (I've had no other training!) and it's an idea that I think must remain with me after all these years, especially after an encounter the other day with a girl at Charlie's school.
I forget what I was doing at the time but a voice from below was shouting 'hello' and a face was smiling and the girl was saying - 'You're that Twit, aren't you?' (Right first time!) 'Oh no,' she went on, 'I mean the man who read The Twits to us. (I should explain that I'd been invited to the school as - barrel bottoms being scraped - an author on World Book Day last year! And one of the things I did was read from Roald Dahls' The Twits.)
'That's right,' I said and smiled. 'I am.'
'That's my favourite story,' the girl said.
'Mine too,' I replied. 'I hope I got the voices right.'
'Oh yes,' she said. 'They were exactly the same as the ones I hear when I read it to myself.'
I took it as a compliment. And, as such, I know where any modest skill in that department comes from. Yes. I owe it all to Jackanory.
Happy fiftieth birthday!
I must confess (sacrilege, I know) I wasn't much of a Jackanory fan. That ten-minute, low-budget story slot was the boring bit while you were waiting to see what feats of derring-do John Noakes had been up to in Blue Peter, or which followed something like Play School that you knew you were too old to watch but couldn't help yourself bathing in its nice, warm nostalgic glow.
Of course, I still watched Jackanory. There was no choice. When I were a lad the BBC was all there was and if you were allowed to watch the telly after school (say, if the Test Match wasn't on and dad wasn't home form work) you watched what they showed and that was that.
And I'm glad I did. So glad. Because - like the poetry I was forced to commit to memory - it remains with me. I have an idea - however imperfect - of performing a story that comes from hours of Jackanory listening (I've had no other training!) and it's an idea that I think must remain with me after all these years, especially after an encounter the other day with a girl at Charlie's school.
I forget what I was doing at the time but a voice from below was shouting 'hello' and a face was smiling and the girl was saying - 'You're that Twit, aren't you?' (Right first time!) 'Oh no,' she went on, 'I mean the man who read The Twits to us. (I should explain that I'd been invited to the school as - barrel bottoms being scraped - an author on World Book Day last year! And one of the things I did was read from Roald Dahls' The Twits.)
'That's right,' I said and smiled. 'I am.'
'That's my favourite story,' the girl said.
'Mine too,' I replied. 'I hope I got the voices right.'
'Oh yes,' she said. 'They were exactly the same as the ones I hear when I read it to myself.'
I took it as a compliment. And, as such, I know where any modest skill in that department comes from. Yes. I owe it all to Jackanory.
Happy fiftieth birthday!
December 9, 2015
Win a case of Budweiser
Now that the festive season is in full swing (let's overlook the fact it's only Advent for a moment) Budweiser - King of Beers - is embarking on a campaign to ensure we all enjoy ourselves responsibly. They've introduced their Bud Wise Men campaign, celebrating those who have nailed the art of ‘doing Christmas’ on their own terms.
BudWiseMen are the masters of last-minute shopping, the designated drivers who don’t mind taking the lads out, and the guys who know where to buy their Buds for some festive perks! BudWiseMen know how to have fun during Christmas, but remain the cool, calm responsible guy. Even wearing this jumper:
What? You like the jumper? Well, to have a chance of wearing one yourself, simply buy your Bud at a local Tesco or online and you'll be entered in the prize draw to win one for free.
But if you'd rather win a crate of 24 beers instead, simply leave a 'pick me' comment below or share or tweet a link to this post, like my Facebook page, do my ironing/Christmas shopping - or all three. The first three. Unfortunately.
Entries by Saturday midnight please, so that the winning crate can be despatched in time for Christmas.
For more information about Budweiser and to see some other work they’ve been doing throughout the year, including Dream Goals, please visit http://www.budweiser.co.uk/. This is a sponsored post. I was paid in beer(s).
BudWiseMen are the masters of last-minute shopping, the designated drivers who don’t mind taking the lads out, and the guys who know where to buy their Buds for some festive perks! BudWiseMen know how to have fun during Christmas, but remain the cool, calm responsible guy. Even wearing this jumper:
What? You like the jumper? Well, to have a chance of wearing one yourself, simply buy your Bud at a local Tesco or online and you'll be entered in the prize draw to win one for free.
But if you'd rather win a crate of 24 beers instead, simply leave a 'pick me' comment below or share or tweet a link to this post, like my Facebook page, do my ironing/Christmas shopping - or all three. The first three. Unfortunately.
Entries by Saturday midnight please, so that the winning crate can be despatched in time for Christmas.
For more information about Budweiser and to see some other work they’ve been doing throughout the year, including Dream Goals, please visit http://www.budweiser.co.uk/. This is a sponsored post. I was paid in beer(s).
December 8, 2015
Happy 150th Jean Sibelius!
Who? you may be asking. Though I do hope not. Him...
And him...
And this man, too:
Ok, he might've been an irascible, alcoholic, womaniser but he was Finnish and there can't be much else to do but drink during those long winters. That, and compose, of course. So let's raise a glass (I'm sure that's not inappropriate) and say Finnish for cheers, and sit back and listen. Here's the amazing end of his fifth symphony. If you've heard it before you'll love this performance. If you're new to it, you're in for a treat. It is quite long, though - ff. to 22'33" to hear the rousing, life-affirming, all-embracing climax.
And him...
And this man, too:
Ok, he might've been an irascible, alcoholic, womaniser but he was Finnish and there can't be much else to do but drink during those long winters. That, and compose, of course. So let's raise a glass (I'm sure that's not inappropriate) and say Finnish for cheers, and sit back and listen. Here's the amazing end of his fifth symphony. If you've heard it before you'll love this performance. If you're new to it, you're in for a treat. It is quite long, though - ff. to 22'33" to hear the rousing, life-affirming, all-embracing climax.
December 7, 2015
Teach your kids to tie their shoelaces
News reaches me via the man in the Clarks shoe shop measuring my son for a pair of their new junior desert boots that boys frequently don't learn to toe their shoe-laces until they start secondary school. 'Football boots,' he says. 'That and the Velcro straps they've always had on shoes until then.' I nod, sagely, not quite sure where football boots come in. 'Well,' he tells me, 'suddenly all the boys start secondary school and realise they've got to tie laces for the first time in their lives - you don't get velcro straps on football boots.'
I can understand the reluctance, personally. Laces are a menace - with the risk of tripping over them combined with the fact that they're forever coming loose. Nevertheless, I'd be in dereliction of my duty as a parent if I didn't teach Charlie how to do them.
An incentive was needed. Thankfully, Clarks shoes has provided one in the shape of their latest range of Kids Originals desert boots - stylish, attractive, comfy, iconic. They proved to be just the ticket. Especially with red laces...
Just look how quickly he can tie them!
I can understand the reluctance, personally. Laces are a menace - with the risk of tripping over them combined with the fact that they're forever coming loose. Nevertheless, I'd be in dereliction of my duty as a parent if I didn't teach Charlie how to do them.
An incentive was needed. Thankfully, Clarks shoes has provided one in the shape of their latest range of Kids Originals desert boots - stylish, attractive, comfy, iconic. They proved to be just the ticket. Especially with red laces...
Just look how quickly he can tie them!
December 6, 2015
How to teach your kids to tie their own shoelaces
News reaches me via the man in the Clarks shoe shop measuring my son for a pair of their new junior desert boots that boys frequently don't learn to tie their shoe-laces until they start secondary school.
'Football boots,' he says to me. 'That, and the Velcro straps they've always had on shoes until then.'
I nod, sagely, not quite sure where football boots come in.
'Well,' he explains, 'suddenly all the boys start secondary school and realise they've got to tie laces for the first time in their lives - you don't get velcro straps on football boots.'
I can understand the reluctance, personally. Laces are a menace - with the risk of tripping over them combined with the fact that they're forever coming loose. Nevertheless, I'd be in dereliction of my duty as a parent if I didn't teach Charlie how to do them.
An incentive was needed. Thankfully, Clarks shoes has provided one in the shape of their latest range of Kids Originals desert boots - stylish, attractive, comfy, iconic. They proved to be just the ticket. Especially with red laces...
Just look how quickly he can tie them!
'Football boots,' he says to me. 'That, and the Velcro straps they've always had on shoes until then.'
I nod, sagely, not quite sure where football boots come in.
'Well,' he explains, 'suddenly all the boys start secondary school and realise they've got to tie laces for the first time in their lives - you don't get velcro straps on football boots.'
I can understand the reluctance, personally. Laces are a menace - with the risk of tripping over them combined with the fact that they're forever coming loose. Nevertheless, I'd be in dereliction of my duty as a parent if I didn't teach Charlie how to do them.
An incentive was needed. Thankfully, Clarks shoes has provided one in the shape of their latest range of Kids Originals desert boots - stylish, attractive, comfy, iconic. They proved to be just the ticket. Especially with red laces...
Just look how quickly he can tie them!
December 1, 2015
Should we bomb Syria?
So, the big day is here. By tonight we'll know if we're bombing Syria. Ten hours of debate in Parliament obviously aren't expected to make a difference. The Prime Minister said he wouldn't even debate the issue if he didn't think he'd win. And he seems to know which way the vote is going.
What gets me isn't the outcome per se (although I personally oppose it) but the process. Why can't we be honest about the whole thing? We don't need to bomb Syria - the Russians, French and Americans are already attacking IS and will continue to do so and probably succeed. No one can seriously believe that bombing Syria will protect our citizens at home. If anything, it will probably increase the risk of terrorist attacks. And I'm not convinced our leaders really care about civilians on the ground in IS-held territory, either. They don't concern themselves overmuch with oppressed civilians elsewhere, do they? Especially in Saudi Arabia.
No. Our involvement is about one thing - a desperate, vain attempt to retain what little political influence we have in world affairs. To the victor, the spoils. We can't abide the thought that the Russians or French might end up with more influence than us in a post-IS world. That's what today's vote is about. The future. Our future. A future of more meddling in the Middle East (we've got such a good track record, haven't we?), more strategic and economic alliances with ruthless tyrants who are either enemies of our enemies or buyers of our weapons. Or both.
Let's not delude ourselves. By tonight we'll know what we as a nation are about.
If we weren't convinced already.
What gets me isn't the outcome per se (although I personally oppose it) but the process. Why can't we be honest about the whole thing? We don't need to bomb Syria - the Russians, French and Americans are already attacking IS and will continue to do so and probably succeed. No one can seriously believe that bombing Syria will protect our citizens at home. If anything, it will probably increase the risk of terrorist attacks. And I'm not convinced our leaders really care about civilians on the ground in IS-held territory, either. They don't concern themselves overmuch with oppressed civilians elsewhere, do they? Especially in Saudi Arabia.
No. Our involvement is about one thing - a desperate, vain attempt to retain what little political influence we have in world affairs. To the victor, the spoils. We can't abide the thought that the Russians or French might end up with more influence than us in a post-IS world. That's what today's vote is about. The future. Our future. A future of more meddling in the Middle East (we've got such a good track record, haven't we?), more strategic and economic alliances with ruthless tyrants who are either enemies of our enemies or buyers of our weapons. Or both.
Let's not delude ourselves. By tonight we'll know what we as a nation are about.
If we weren't convinced already.
November 27, 2015
Christmas Gift Guide
I heard my first 'a month today and it'll all be over'-s this morning. I refrained from correcting the speaker and informing them that, a month today it would merely be the SECOND day of the festive season, but no matter. For most people, the run up to Christmas seems to be the big thing, and for some it seems the build up and the hassle is getting too much to bear.
Never fear, help is at hand. As usual, I've compiled an annual Christmas Gift Guide based on emails, news releases, product launches and purchases I've made during the year. In some cases I've been fortunate enough to sample certain items gratis, which is always nice. All I can say is that the ones that make the list are those we genuinely enjoy and can recommend. As usual, there's something for everyone...
Why not burn a real yule log this Christmas?
Nowadays, most people think of a Yule Log as a chocolate cake made to look like the branch of a tree. But for centuries burning a Yule Log over the 12 Days of Christmas was an important part of the Festive celebrations. It was meant to ensure good fortune, wealth and happiness for the coming year.
Herefordshire-based www.certainlywood.co.uk are reviving this ancient tradition by supplying beautifully gift-wrapped Yule Logs along with handmade "Flamers" and natural firelighters, along with kiln-dried kindling to make lighting your fire simple and straightforward. There's also an accompanying scroll, which tells the age-old story of the Yule Log, plus instructions on how to light it in keeping with tradition.
Certainly Wood's Yule Log costs £25 including P&P and can be ordered online between 1st and 19th December from www.certainlywood.co.uk.
Something for the smallest Christmas stocking...
Toys seem to get bigger every year. If you despair of storage (to say nothing of stuffing them getting Santa to stuff them in your children's Christmas stocking) then how about this?
Measuring just 4.5cm in length, these mighty, mini motorbikes whizz off at super scale speeds of up to 470mph. Relatively speaking, they’re the fastest motorbikes in the world! Simply rev them up to unlock their awesome power potential. Don’t be fooled by their size, these pocket powerhouses of speed can travel up to an impressive 60 metres on one rev - blink and you might miss them!
And that's not all. They don't use batteries. I repeat: they DO NOT need batteries.
Mind you, you will undoubtedly need some this Christmas. Duracell have even brought out special 'Stars Wars' packs in keeping with what promises to be the season's must-see movie. And talking of Star Wars, CROCS have brought out a new range of Star wars themed Crocs Lights!
They're what all the best-dressed (or best-shod) children will be wearing on Christmas morning.
Eat, drink and be merry...
The gift that needs no (permanent) storage (other than a bit of cupboard space beforehand) is always welcome in our house. And if luxury comestibles are your gift of choice the Spicers Christmas hampers and gift baskets are filled with luxury produce to delight the most discerning gourmand. From mouth-watering chocolates, award winning marmalades and puddings, divine wines, cheese, chocolate fudge to champagne and truffles, there is something for everyone. All their Christmas hampers are all beautifully presented and make perfect presents.
And if you hurry (you've got until December 4th) you could send someone one for free. Spicers are calling on the public to nominate their local heroes who they feel deserve a luxury bespoke hamper.
To enter all you need to do is visit the Spicers Superstar web page and explain in no more than 150 words stating why your local heroes deserves a gorgeous bespoke hamper. The winner will be announced on the Monday 7th December and the hamper will be delivered by women’s rugby World Cup winner, Vicky Fleetwood!
And talking of presents...
It might not be a gift, but you're going to have to have a tree to put 'em under. For years we've put up (with) a rather good artificial Christmas tree - no mess, no needles - and it's been ok. To be honest, I never gave a thought to a real tree until - last year - Pines and Needles sent us a magnificent 6' Norman Fir.
A pretty impressive tree, you'll agree. Even more impressive was - thanks both to the variety and the special watering stand that keeps the tree moist in even the driest, centrally-heated household, it didn't drop a needle. Well, maybe the odd one. But hardly any. It looked as good (almost) when we reluctantly took it down on twelfth night as it did when we had put it up. At the beginning of December!
And... as an early Christmas present just for you, Bringing up Charlie readers can get a £10 discount on online orders over £50 by entering the code DOT15 at the checkout.
HALLE-LOO-JAH!
Extra guests at Christmas coupled with copious amounts of alcohol inevitably leads to a queue for the loo. But if thats' destined to be your lot this Christmas, help is at hand. You now you can have an extra WC for just £29.99 with this Toilet Tree - new from British outdoor leisure manufacturer, OLPRO,
Standing 2 metres tall and made from polyester, this pop-up tent erects in minutes and features a festive fir tree design. With just a modicum of creativity, it turns into a Christmas tree. It's so discrete no-one will ever know it conceals an extra loo, so it can be used in any room. Alternatively, it can be used for storage to hide all that Christmas clutter.
The OLPRO Pop Up Toilet Tree tent comes in a 60cm circular bag for portability. You just unzip it, pull out the tent and it will pop up immediately. The toilet tent comes with a sewn-in groundsheet and fitted internal poles together with pegs and yellow guy lines. Find out more at www.olpro.co.uk
If that's a conversation stopper...
Then The Art of Conversation - a stocking filler sized game to get you talking - is for you. Cards with funny, thought-provoking and sometime embarrassing questions are designed to get everyone talking, laughing, debating! It's available in seven different versions which offers something for everyone. More than just a game, the cards make people think, reminisce and enjoy equally the company of lifelong friends as well as people they have only just met.
All titles in The Art of Conversation range are available now from all good bookshops and online retailers, priced £9.98
Radio Gaga
But for those times when the conversation gets too much, there's nothing better than to retreat into the world of radio. Telly's no good - you can't close your eyes and watch the telly. Anyway, as everyone knows the pictures are better on the radio. And there are few better sets than two recent additions to the View Quest range I've been lucky enough to try out.
The VQ Blighty is a portable DAB/DAB+/FM radio. Available in red or grey, the Blighty has comprehensive digital/analogue radio reception, a10-hour battery life, a soft-touch responsive control button for easy navigation and a vivid 1.6 LCD screen. It costs £49.99 and is available from www.MyVQ.co.uk.
But for looks and performance, and a rich, room-filling sound (imagine listening to the Nine Lessons and Carols on this in the kitchen while making your mince pies!) then you cannot better
the VQ Christie Veneer. This beautifully designed DAB+ radio and NFC/Bluetooth speaker is has an array of impressive features, including USB charging for external devices, a genuine enamel front panel, a rotating 2.4” LCD display that enables the radio to sit either in landscape or portrait orientation and an ultra-wide full range 10 watt speaker driver.
Cheers!
Of course, Christmas isn't Christmas without the odd tipple. But too much of a good thing spoils the fun. So if you fancy bubble but without the booze I leave you with this, final, recommendation - Echo Falls’ sophisticated and delicious Zero Alcohol Sparkling Infusion.
Echo Falls’ Sparkling Infusion is a zero percent alcohol drink, made from a delicate combination of fermented grape juice and premium green tea infusion, known as “Tisane”. Perfect for Christmas parties or New Year’s Eve celebrations, Sparkling Tisane is a delicious twist to ordinary soft drinks. Whether you’re the designated driver, catering for pregnant guests or simply prefer an alternative to alcohol, this alcohol-free fizz will deliver delicious bubbles throughout the festive season.
Which, let me remind you, STARTS in Christmas Day!
Never fear, help is at hand. As usual, I've compiled an annual Christmas Gift Guide based on emails, news releases, product launches and purchases I've made during the year. In some cases I've been fortunate enough to sample certain items gratis, which is always nice. All I can say is that the ones that make the list are those we genuinely enjoy and can recommend. As usual, there's something for everyone...
Why not burn a real yule log this Christmas?
Nowadays, most people think of a Yule Log as a chocolate cake made to look like the branch of a tree. But for centuries burning a Yule Log over the 12 Days of Christmas was an important part of the Festive celebrations. It was meant to ensure good fortune, wealth and happiness for the coming year.
Herefordshire-based www.certainlywood.co.uk are reviving this ancient tradition by supplying beautifully gift-wrapped Yule Logs along with handmade "Flamers" and natural firelighters, along with kiln-dried kindling to make lighting your fire simple and straightforward. There's also an accompanying scroll, which tells the age-old story of the Yule Log, plus instructions on how to light it in keeping with tradition.
Certainly Wood's Yule Log costs £25 including P&P and can be ordered online between 1st and 19th December from www.certainlywood.co.uk.
Something for the smallest Christmas stocking...
Toys seem to get bigger every year. If you despair of storage (to say nothing of stuffing them getting Santa to stuff them in your children's Christmas stocking) then how about this?
Measuring just 4.5cm in length, these mighty, mini motorbikes whizz off at super scale speeds of up to 470mph. Relatively speaking, they’re the fastest motorbikes in the world! Simply rev them up to unlock their awesome power potential. Don’t be fooled by their size, these pocket powerhouses of speed can travel up to an impressive 60 metres on one rev - blink and you might miss them!
And that's not all. They don't use batteries. I repeat: they DO NOT need batteries.
Mind you, you will undoubtedly need some this Christmas. Duracell have even brought out special 'Stars Wars' packs in keeping with what promises to be the season's must-see movie. And talking of Star Wars, CROCS have brought out a new range of Star wars themed Crocs Lights!
They're what all the best-dressed (or best-shod) children will be wearing on Christmas morning.
Eat, drink and be merry...
The gift that needs no (permanent) storage (other than a bit of cupboard space beforehand) is always welcome in our house. And if luxury comestibles are your gift of choice the Spicers Christmas hampers and gift baskets are filled with luxury produce to delight the most discerning gourmand. From mouth-watering chocolates, award winning marmalades and puddings, divine wines, cheese, chocolate fudge to champagne and truffles, there is something for everyone. All their Christmas hampers are all beautifully presented and make perfect presents.
And if you hurry (you've got until December 4th) you could send someone one for free. Spicers are calling on the public to nominate their local heroes who they feel deserve a luxury bespoke hamper.
To enter all you need to do is visit the Spicers Superstar web page and explain in no more than 150 words stating why your local heroes deserves a gorgeous bespoke hamper. The winner will be announced on the Monday 7th December and the hamper will be delivered by women’s rugby World Cup winner, Vicky Fleetwood!
And talking of presents...
It might not be a gift, but you're going to have to have a tree to put 'em under. For years we've put up (with) a rather good artificial Christmas tree - no mess, no needles - and it's been ok. To be honest, I never gave a thought to a real tree until - last year - Pines and Needles sent us a magnificent 6' Norman Fir.
A pretty impressive tree, you'll agree. Even more impressive was - thanks both to the variety and the special watering stand that keeps the tree moist in even the driest, centrally-heated household, it didn't drop a needle. Well, maybe the odd one. But hardly any. It looked as good (almost) when we reluctantly took it down on twelfth night as it did when we had put it up. At the beginning of December!
And... as an early Christmas present just for you, Bringing up Charlie readers can get a £10 discount on online orders over £50 by entering the code DOT15 at the checkout.
HALLE-LOO-JAH!
Extra guests at Christmas coupled with copious amounts of alcohol inevitably leads to a queue for the loo. But if thats' destined to be your lot this Christmas, help is at hand. You now you can have an extra WC for just £29.99 with this Toilet Tree - new from British outdoor leisure manufacturer, OLPRO,
Standing 2 metres tall and made from polyester, this pop-up tent erects in minutes and features a festive fir tree design. With just a modicum of creativity, it turns into a Christmas tree. It's so discrete no-one will ever know it conceals an extra loo, so it can be used in any room. Alternatively, it can be used for storage to hide all that Christmas clutter.
The OLPRO Pop Up Toilet Tree tent comes in a 60cm circular bag for portability. You just unzip it, pull out the tent and it will pop up immediately. The toilet tent comes with a sewn-in groundsheet and fitted internal poles together with pegs and yellow guy lines. Find out more at www.olpro.co.uk
If that's a conversation stopper...
Then The Art of Conversation - a stocking filler sized game to get you talking - is for you. Cards with funny, thought-provoking and sometime embarrassing questions are designed to get everyone talking, laughing, debating! It's available in seven different versions which offers something for everyone. More than just a game, the cards make people think, reminisce and enjoy equally the company of lifelong friends as well as people they have only just met.
All titles in The Art of Conversation range are available now from all good bookshops and online retailers, priced £9.98
Radio Gaga
But for those times when the conversation gets too much, there's nothing better than to retreat into the world of radio. Telly's no good - you can't close your eyes and watch the telly. Anyway, as everyone knows the pictures are better on the radio. And there are few better sets than two recent additions to the View Quest range I've been lucky enough to try out.
The VQ Blighty is a portable DAB/DAB+/FM radio. Available in red or grey, the Blighty has comprehensive digital/analogue radio reception, a10-hour battery life, a soft-touch responsive control button for easy navigation and a vivid 1.6 LCD screen. It costs £49.99 and is available from www.MyVQ.co.uk.
But for looks and performance, and a rich, room-filling sound (imagine listening to the Nine Lessons and Carols on this in the kitchen while making your mince pies!) then you cannot better
the VQ Christie Veneer. This beautifully designed DAB+ radio and NFC/Bluetooth speaker is has an array of impressive features, including USB charging for external devices, a genuine enamel front panel, a rotating 2.4” LCD display that enables the radio to sit either in landscape or portrait orientation and an ultra-wide full range 10 watt speaker driver.
Cheers!
Of course, Christmas isn't Christmas without the odd tipple. But too much of a good thing spoils the fun. So if you fancy bubble but without the booze I leave you with this, final, recommendation - Echo Falls’ sophisticated and delicious Zero Alcohol Sparkling Infusion.
Echo Falls’ Sparkling Infusion is a zero percent alcohol drink, made from a delicate combination of fermented grape juice and premium green tea infusion, known as “Tisane”. Perfect for Christmas parties or New Year’s Eve celebrations, Sparkling Tisane is a delicious twist to ordinary soft drinks. Whether you’re the designated driver, catering for pregnant guests or simply prefer an alternative to alcohol, this alcohol-free fizz will deliver delicious bubbles throughout the festive season.
Which, let me remind you, STARTS in Christmas Day!
