Tuesday 5 May 2020

Strange Times Wk 8; Result! + TV In Lockdown

Warning................This is the most boring post this week! BUT first of all BIG THANK YOU to Angela (and everyone else) who tracked down online the page of the Cross Stitcher magazine with the owl scissor case so I can copy it. I spent ages looking online and she found it in a few minutes! Joy also found a photo online of the made up case. So I'm sorted.
My printer leaves lines over things but these came out good enough to see.
I'm so pleased I was able to print them out.  Sometimes it surprises me how I'm actually able to write a blog because I'm really tech adverse! It took me umpteen tries and hours the other day to try and send a video to someone on email and then when I managed it I had no idea how, which means that if I need to do it again it will be trial and error all over again! ((sighs in frustration!))

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The  £157.50 that I paid last month to renew my TV licence is worth every penny to me during these strange times. Perhaps if I wasn't alone it wouldn't be quite so important.
In a normal year in the last week of April and beginning of May I would have been watching the world championship snooker and probably reading at the same time.

But there are lots of things on now that are specially made for the times or shown on mainstream for the first time. It's wildly exciting!

Last Monday
The Brecon Beacons with Iolo William, beautiful photography. This presenter is often on BBC Wales.
Grayson's Art Club
The first part of a new series with Grayson Perry . Portraits this week - interesting to see him at home with his wife. He's a fascinating person.

Last Tuesday
There were repeats of Classic Snooker Games on all week to make up for the absence of real life and today I watched a bit of the game from 2003 with the lovely Paul Hunter who died tragically young from cancer just before his 28th birthday.
I caught up on the Daily Live Cooking programmes from last week with Jack Monroe and some old series of DCI Banks

Last Wednesday
The Repair Shop has to have some of the cleverest people on TV and proves to me every week that I never would have the patience to do what they do - let alone the knowledge.
The Great British Sewing Bee is something I've never watched before, so many people have said they enjoyed it so I thought I'd give it a go...............more people doing things I wouldn't have the patience for!

Last Thursday
The Lakes With Paul Rose - some more good photography of beautiful places in the Lake District.
Spring at Jimmy's Farm - made specially for Covid times. Jimmy Doherty is a great mate of Jamie Oliver and the farm has featured in lots of TV programmes. It's just on the outskirts of Ipswich. As well as the pigs he started with back in the 90's he now has all sorts of animals including Meerkats. It started as a Farm and Farm shop but is now a "Tourist Destination". We went just once when it first started and even then his sausages sold for £8 a pound - that £1 each!


Last Friday - Game Show Night
Question of Sport - made brilliant by the madness of Phil Tuffnell
Have I got News For You always good -even virtually
Q.I 

All week I've watched Richard Osman's House of Games, The One Show which is actually better without guests in the studio!  and the Government Briefings from Downing Street - just in case they announce something interesting.

Last Saturday
How did I miss trailers for a new series of Hunted? that strange yet compelling programme about staying hidden for 5 weeks to win a huge sum of money. It was on TV in February and March and now I've found it I'm watching the series on catch-up. There was a celebrity version too. Boris Johnson's Dad giving himself away by frequently using cash machines!

 I didn't read the book back in 2008- probably because it had so many people saying how good it was - puts me right off. But I watched the film on Saturday night.........  The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society but stupidly missed the first 30 minutes and had to catch up on catch up later. I loved the film but was glad I wasn't in the cinema as it has................ SPOILER ALERT............... a snuffly happy-crying ending.


Last Sunday
Countryfile from the Lea Valley.
The second of the new Van Der Valk..........they've only made three - what a shame.


Next Saturday the film "The Darkest Hour" is on TV. I was going to borrow the DVD from son but will watch this instead.

That was a week of TV up the end of a lane - I'd be lost without my TV for company and I know people who don't own one and won't understand this.

Back Tomorrow
Sue


47 comments:

  1. I like Sue in The Repair Shop. She's so talented and friendly. We recently discovered Netflix. It's sheer escapism and takes away the boredom in a evening.

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  2. I love Telly - so much to choose from. We are loving a show called 'the customer is right' or something like that. It's where inventors new products are sent to reviewers who test it out for them, give feedback and then score it. Its so good - the reviewers are hilarious sometimes and there;s plenty of the programmes to go at.
    Hang om I will just check the details incase you think it's right up your street - or lane! The customer is always right. BBC 2 and iplayer, S2 has 11 episodes showing - not sure if s1 is available x

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    1. I saw some of series one, and a few of these new programmes and you are right about the reviewers - they really need to read the instructions first!

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  3. I must admit sue I’m like you id miss my tv if I didn’t have it even though I’ve only got a free sat box it’s been a lifeline since my husband died 3 years ago and provides comfort if only from hearing other voices. Heather

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    1. My new TV has worked out to be a sound investment for these Strange Times

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  4. I watched The Guernsey Literary etc but I had already read the book and I strongly recommend that you read the book, it is much better than the film. It has much more detail about the German occupation and the people's reaction. I can't wait for the libraries to open, I have almost finished my to be read pile so it will be on to the kindle and I much prefer a proper book.

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    1. I'm glad I'll never run out of reading matter. I might read The Guernsey book although after seeing the film it would confuse me!

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  5. Echoing Heather, the sound of tv and the radio blocks the empty space of one's life. Trouble is finding something good to watch, often, I fall asleep.

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    1. Yes radio and TV are really good for company.I don't have the falling asleep problem - yet.

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  6. I am waiting for someone to join me in not liking the Sewing Bee. Much as I have tried to like it, and much as I like sewing and made my own clothes and was taught dressmaking, I still cannot get into this programme. Is there something wrong with me? (All my blog posts are boring).

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    1. I'll join you Rachel.I can't understand why the Sewing Bee is so popular.

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    2. Thank you Joan. I feel better already. X

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    3. I've never watched Sewing Bee before - it's an OK watch but not my favourite. It hasn't persuaded me to get my sewing machine out yet

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  7. I totally agree - I'm watching more TV now than I ever did, even thought I've lived alone for pretty much half my lifetime. Our choices are very similar in some ways too. I think they are putting on some good things at the moment and they, plus YouTube Netflix and iPlayer mean that I am spoilt for choice.
    Life has slowed down considerably but it's none the worse for that. It's just a tragedy that the reason is something so dreadful.

    So glad you found the pattern. Have fun.
    xx

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    1. IJust need to finish the Iris card I started then it will be owls and more owls for presents I think unless I don't get on well with it

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  8. I generally don't watch the telly, but it's on for company if needed. I will sit down and binge watch some repeats in the winter, such as Call the Midwife, or Pride and Prejudice {how many times have I seen that?} and I do enjoy University Challenge, Mastermind, Only Connect, Gardner's World and the Sewing Bee and Bake Off. Wondering if Bake Off will screen this year? Probably not.

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    1. Forgot to say, watched The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Not a patch on the book.

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    2. With no new programmes being made we will have to get used to many many repeats and old films

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  9. Pleased you got the pattern. It sounds like you had a good i testing week.
    I like the nature programmes and The Repair Shop and the girl who goes to the skips and does things with it. I am not keen on cooking programmes but I enjoy the crafting shows and quizs, mastermind final was good last night. I am going to make some bunting for the front of the house for a Friday.
    Hazel c uk 🌈🌈🌈

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    1. I'm not a fan of cooking programmes either or animal stuff from round the world. I've still got to watch the Mastermind final.

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  10. I agree about TV; I'm watching far more than I used to. Although sometimes it's just company in the corner of the room while I'm reading. I can't get over my puritanical feeling that you don't watch TV in the daytime unless you're ill :-)

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    1. But radio is ok, because you can listen whilst you are knitting or doing a jigsaw.

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    2. I'm OK with afternoon TV but in the mornings is so wrong!

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  11. A lot of people don’t like this new version of Van der Valk but I quite like it. House of games is brilliant. We are with Amazon Prime and often find things on there but we only watch free stuff. Not many up to date films unless you pay.

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    1. We've watched VDV too. I think the way the new theme tune echoes the old one is quite clever - the old tuned was a bit dated [Oranjeboom oranjeboom] and this is a stylish contemporary reworking. Not quite so sure about retaining the English accents - especially as the all appear to be Londoners. But only 2 episodes thus far, so I will stick with it...

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    2. I'm dumb as I'd not realised about the theme tune - I shall listen harder

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  12. Repair Shop and Sewing Bee - essential viewing.
    Guernsey Film - needed a box of tissues but passed a Saturday night.

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    1. We are quite lucky to have programmes without ads all the time I think

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  13. We watched the Steve Davis/Dennis Taylor final again. SD's auntie was a member of our church [but I still wanted D to win that match!] My cousin had booked to go up to Sheffield this year with a mate, to watch the finals. Never mind...Thanks for the heads up for "The Darkest Hour". I have recorded the PotatoPeelPie film to watch at some point. I'm not managing to catch up with the stuff I have recorded [sewing bee, Kirsties crafts etc] The Repair Shop 'repairs the soul' as the Guardian critic said [ even if some of it is repeats] I'm listening to lots of radio lately Radio4 Extra has had some good dramas & classic books

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    1. I'm no good at listening to books or plays on radio, my mind wanders off somewhere

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  14. I thought for a moment here I had arrived on the wrong blog.

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    1. You were here earlier, I think you are lost!

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  15. I guess I'm the "tips for the times" gal these days! I sometimes have those printer problems too. Very annoying! Perhaps you can get rid of the lines on your pages by doing what's called "printer maintenance". When your print box comes up to select your choices -- I click on "preferences" which will then have some tabs at the top. "Maintenance" is one of them, There are options for nozzle check, head cleaning and print head alignment. Sometimes a cartridge can be clogged or the alignment is off. Anyway ... it might work for you to try these options. Anything that "works" these days helps to overcome the stress and frustration! I'm in the USA by the way, but dang printer lines are universal :)

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    1. I wish doing maintenance would cure the problem. I have to do a nozzle and head clean and check everytime I use it because it doesn't get used often. The photocopy bit no longer works at all. The reason is just Old Age!

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  16. I'm watching stuff on i-player so that it's positive or informative. Am really enjoying the Grayson Perry series on CH4. I don't do pretentious artists, but he is a complete joy. Arilx

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  17. I try not to watch too much TV as it makes me feel guilty. I have some hand quilting that I have been doing so my trick is - when I want to watch TV, I drag the big quilt on to my lap and quilt while I watch. That way I can convince myself that I am being "productive" not just binging on a TV series! I love my Netflix!

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  18. I only recently watched The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and loved it. I enjoy TV in the evenings and have recently started watching some real life You Tube videos about a man building a log cabin in the Canadian wilderness. There is something about his videos in the wilderness that relaxes me before bed.

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  19. So glad you managed to get the pattern sorted, how wonderful is blogland!

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  20. I read the Guernsey Literary book, loved that and enjoyed the film too. A lovely feel good movie... we need more of those. Another Sewing Bee fan here. Got to love Phil Tuffnell, he's so funny.

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  21. FYI - the book is much better than the film and I do encourage you to read it. I couldn't put it down - read it in one fell swoop!

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  22. You must read the book about Guernsey. The movie made too many character changes and left key parts out. It's my all time favorite book. I've read it three times and plan to take it along when we move (unlike other books) and will read it again one day.

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  23. Love the television in the evenings. Netflix has kept me sane.

    God bless.

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  24. I would really miss tv too. I don't think this is the least bit boring - we have been watching wildlife programmes, and history/archaeology (as ever!), and old comedies which still raise a laugh, and my favourite Escape to the Chateau (and the DIY one), and Drew Pritchard's scavenging - my goodness, that chap does a good job talking up complete RUBBISH and selling it to gullible idiots! We love The Repair Shop too (so emotional!) We watched (again) the first half of the Guernsey Literary and Potato-Peel Pie Society last night (which drove my husband to bed early!) A nice relaxing love story is wonderful. We've been glued to Outlander (Series 5 too) and have started watching the first series of Taboo again and may do the same with The Last Kingdom.

    I am delighted you got your owl pattern.

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  25. We've been loving all the re-runs of DCI Banks, I think we have one left to watch.

    And seeing Jimmy's Farm brought back lots of memories as we took Lulu one of our Large Black pigs there to farrow, before she went onwards to join the rest of the herd in the Netherlands. She managed to wreck his carefully devised pig circle as she couldn't see the electric wire with her ears over her eyes and being used to white electric tape. Very embarrassing for us as we had to help them reassemble the whole pig area. But it was just a proper farm then, with a petting area for children , the farm shop and restaurant and lots of farm animals. Now after seeing the first of the programmes it's beginning to look more like a zoo!!

    We loved Hunted, both versions, when it was on, it always gets us hooked. We watched the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society on DVD just last week so I gave it a miss on tv this week, it is good though isn't it.

    There is so much to choose from at the moment as you say the licence fee is worth every penny. I don't even mind the repeats.

    Oh ... and I have never watched the Sewing Bee so I can't comment on that.

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  26. The Guernsey Literary etc.... film has just shown on TV here as well. I've recorded it for watching when it suits. Am looking forward to the new Van der Valk as I was too young (i.e. it was on past my bedtime) when it screened here. I do remember playing the theme on saxophone in a Symphonic Band when in my teens! I'm now 55. The tertiary students are helping enormously, putting their student army to use again - it was first used after the huge February 2011 earthquake in Christchurch. I have a number of auto-immune health problems so use them for shopping. The TV license was "done away with" here some time ago; the Govt's share of costs comes from the general tax take. Sadly we don't have any commercial free TV, but there are no commercial on public radio, thankfully.

    Hope you are keeping wee and staying safe, Michelle in Wellington, New Zealand

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  27. Should read "keeping well"!

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