Misfits Mid-Life Crisis Adventures in East and South West London, Surrey and Kent (Penshurst) (The NEXT Chapter).

Week 272 Saturday 31^st August  until Friday 6^thSeptember 2019.

This week it was announced that the world of Doctor Who lost a creative giant, Terrance Dicks died (29^th August) at the age of 84.  You might not recognise his name, but to fans of the programme (especially of a certain age) he was known as “Uncle Terrance” who was responsible for so many aspects of the classic series which continue to influence the current adventures with Jodie Whittaker.  He was the script editor from 1969 until 1975. And wrote forty five episodes between 1969 to 1983.  However, he is possibly more famous as the author of more than 60 novelisations of TV stories published by Target (he wrote many, many more Doctor Who novels well in to the 00s).

 “Big girl, new school”. 

Terrance Dicks is the reason i learnt to enjoy reading!  When I was young reading wasn’t something that I found easy.  I read comics (ok! Mainly looking at the pictures), but preferred to be either watching TV (black and white, of course) or outside playing “Doctor Who”, “The Tomorrow People”, “The Six Million Dollar Man” or “Chips”.

 “A naughty treat to make work less boring”.

Everything changed when I discovered the Target range of Doctor Who books.  Remember this was a time when there was no video or internet and most television show (on the 3 channels) were rarely repeated.  These novels were the only way of enjoying previous adventures of the Doctor (in various incarnations).  That’s how my lifelong love affair with reading started.

 “The season is changing”.

I regularly could be found sitting on the floor in WH Smiths Croydon, soaking up every word of each book I opened and bought.  The more I read, the more Terrance Dicks name appeared.  Over time i learned how important he was to the programme.  In the 80s while working as a steward at a DWAS (Doctor Who Appreciation Society) convention, I was lucky to meet and spend some time with the great man.  My only evidence of this is his autograph in the convention programme.

 “I found a hitchhiker on the car”.

Recently i have fallen back in love with physical books all over again and already have a growing pile of new books waiting to be read.  This has come about because of the recent 50th anniversary of the Apollo moon landing and all the news books seen in shops.  Most of my reading over the last few years has been on a tablet, which is a very sterile way of enjoying words that creates pictures in my mind.  Looking around on the tube these days i appear to not be the only person rediscovering the love of a physical book.

 “This little love, really enjoyed my nuts”.

The Doctor Who world is a little quieter now.  But because we have so many hours of the programme (plus numinous DVD commentaries and documentaries) and page after page of Terrance books to enjoy (I should say, he wrote so much more than just Doctor Who) his legacy continues.  Most writers would be jealous of the body of work.  His name may not be as recognisable as JK Rowling or Tolkien, but in the eyes of Doctor Who fans he was as big a creative genius.  Its time i did my bit for the next generation of fans by introducing my nephews and niece to his Doctor Who novels.  This will give me an excuse to unbox the collection and enjoy them all over again for myself.

Thank you, Uncle Terrance for helping me and other to read and enjoy books.

And Now For Something Completely Different……

 “Always a good show”.

Last weekend i visited The Weald of Kent Country Craft Show, an event i have been to many times over the last few years.  The marquees are full of arts and crafts made out of every kind of material you can think of, as always my friend and myself walked away at the end of the day after spending a lot more than planned.

 “Its a mini me”.

Speaking to a number of exhibitors this is very much a hobby (not for all of them of course!). They have a proper job; this means that the products are made during any spare time.  Then there’s the travelling around the country to shows at weekends.  I think of myself as a crafty person but the thought of working full time and then making “things” when I get home just makes me feel even more tired than I already am.

 “I did ask if i could snap this excellent tatt”.

But that’s my problem, I’m not committed!  If I am going to sell something or be noticed, I have to just get on with being creative and pull my thumb out!

 “Smiling while swotting wasps”.

And Finally……

Walking into the kitchen, MOZ was rubbing her face.  She had opened a kitchen cabinet quickly and had been hit in the face by the wooden willy I bought in Ibiza.  The lesson learned is don’t rush around the kitchen, accidents with wood can happen.

 “Ive called these Stephen and his mum Stephanie”.

Passing a bus stop one morning i watched as a double decker sailed past.  That’s when the 2 individuals (who didn’t appear to be together) realised what had happened.  Both had been concentrating on their phones and not looking down the road.  The look they gave each other silently said “why didn’t you stop the bus?”  It was a priceless moment.

 “I blame my mum, for my enjoyment of this second series.  So camp, so much fun.  I better get back to writing this shiz”.

My Mid Life Crisis Conts……

This week I have mainly been watching:  

“Better Than Us”, (S1, ep 2 & ep 3).  “Captive”, (1994).  “Celebs On The farm “, (S2, ep 2, TX: 27/08/19)(ep 3, TX: 28/08/19)(ep 4, TX: 29/08/19)(ep 5, TX: 30/08/19)(ep 6, TX: 02/09/19)(ep 7, TX: 03/09/19)(ep 8, TX: 04/09/19)(ep 9, TX: 05/09/19)(ep 10, TX: 06/09/19).  “Dexter”, (S2, ep 11&  ep 12)(S3, ep 1 to ep 5).  “Doctor Who: The Five Doctors”, (S20, TX: 25/11/1983).  “Domino”, (2005).  “Fear The Walking Dead”, (S5, ep 12).  “Haters Back Off”, (S1, ep 7 to ep 8)(S2, ep 1 to ep 8).  “Lucy And D.i.C”, (S1, ep 5).  “Mortimer & Whithouse: Gone Fishing”, (S2, ep 6, TX:06/09/19).  “Not Going Out”, (S2, ep 2).  “Pandora”, (S1, ep 8).  “Ralph Bakshi: Animation’s New Wave”.  “Revolutions: The Ideas That Changed The World”, (S1, ep 6, TX: 27/08/19).  “Scotland Unsolved”, (S1, ep 1 to ep 3).  “Skies Above Britain”, (S1, ep 5, TX: 14/09/15).  “Stath Lets Flats”, (S2, ep 3).  “Storyville: The Farthest: Voyagers Interstellar Journey”, (TX: 30/11/17).  “The Dark Crystal: Age Of Resistance”, (S1, ep 3 to ep 6).  “The Great British Bake Off”, (S3 (S10), ep 2, TX: 03/09/19).  “The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice”, (S3 (S6), ep 2, TX: 06/09/19).  “Tomorrow’s World: The Race To Mars”, (S22, TX: 27/01/1987).         

This week I have mainly been listening to:  

“30 Animals That Made Us Smarter (BBC World Service)”, (S1, ep 24, 02/09/19).  “Apollo 11 Beyond The Moon (CNN Films Podcast)”, (Trailer, 29/05/19)(ep 1, 03/06/19)(ep 2, 06/06/19)(ep 3, 10/06/19)(ep 4, 13/06/19)(ep 5, 17/06/19).  “Brian And Roger: Trailer, London Podcast Festival”, (03/09/19).  “Daddy Look At Me”, (S1, ep 14, 05/09/19).  “Griefcast”, (ep 94, 04/09/19).  “Iain Lee (Bonus)”, (02/09/19).  “Iain Lee (Highlights)”, (30/08, 02/09/19).  “LBC Podcast: Nick Abbot (Whole Show)”, (31/08, 06/09/19).  “NASA: Houston We Have A Podcast”, (ep 108, 06/09/19).  “NASA In Silicon Valley Live”, (06/09/19).  “Rule Of Three”, (22/08/19).  “Space Boffins Podcast: TheNakedScientist”, (10/03/14) (10/07/14) (10/08/14) (10/09/16) (10/10/16) (14/11/16).  “Soundtracking With Edith Bowman”, (ep 157, 30/08/19).  “Strange Times”, (ep 315, 01/09/19).  “The Nick Abbot Habit”, (02/09/19).  “Morrissey”,  “Lady Gaga”, “The Style Council”,  “Biffy Clyro”,  “The KLF”, “Travis”,  “The Charlatans”,  “Inspiral Carpets”,  “Ash”, “Van Morrision”.