Blasts from the past

Whilst eating my lunch today I popped the television on and flicked through the channels to see what was on. Channel Five was showing the 1985 Christmas Top of the Pops so I thought that, purely out of nostalgia, I would leave it on for a bit. What did I learn?

1. Pete Burns and Michael Jackson both clearly had way too much plastic surgery done in later years
2. I am older than I like to think I am as I remembered every song/artist that was played (in fact I probably watched the programme when it was originally aired)
3. 80s singers really could not mime...in fact half the time there was absolutely no evidence of a microphone either
4. 80s backing singers and dancers were ace...pure cheese
5. Feargal Sharkey should never have embarked on a solo career
6. I am probably a closet 80s pop fan

The backing singers/ dancers are so cheesy

Feargal in better days

Idiots

I took Barney out this afternoon, in the rain (not fair as, according to Voley, it was snowing only 10 miles away at his house). We were walking up the lane when this car drove past peeping its horn (very considerate when you have a dog on a lead), the two male occupants blowing kisses at me through the window. Now, I know I look highly attractive in my walking clothes and wellies, and I know it's Christmas, but is it really necessary? I suppose of course they could have been blowing kisses at Barney.

It's Christmas!

How has your Christmas been? Mine's been good. Lots of good food, lovely presents, snow on the ground and the company of family and friends. What more could a girl ask for? Maybe Johnny Depp turning up on my doorstep on Christmas morning, but I guess that isn't likely to happen.
Christmas Day was a relaxing one, just spent at home with my parents. We took Barney for a long walk in the snow and frost and there was hardly a soul around...just the occasional dad with children wobbling about on their shiny new bicycles! I remember those Christmases...new bike, first pair of rollerskates, first computer (Commodore 64, now that shows my age!). My favourite presents though were always the little gifts stuffed into my stocking. It seems that these days children aren't happy unless they have a mound of the latest technological gadgets. I remember last year asking a child what they had had for Christmas- the reply, "erm, a mobile phone, a Nintendo DS and a laptop, that's all". What happened to the days of getting excited by wind-up toys, puzzles and board games. Or perhaps I was just a strange child.
Boxing Day was spent in the excellent company of my best buddy, with the exchanging of more presents and the consumption of more good food. I am now the proud owner of a book-on-a-page framed print of Wuthering Heights. Fab.
All in all a great weekend.

My book-on-a-page print of Wuthering Heights. Thanks Voley!

A bit more snow and frost

These photos were taken at work. We haven't had anywhere near as much snow here as some parts of the country but the frost has been quite spectacular, though my amateur photogtraphic skills do not really do it justice. You can see more photos here.

Snowing heavily

Very frosty trees

Cobwebs

A little bit of frost

...well quite a bit actually. How are you enjoying the winter weather. I'm not much for it being -12C on a night out and having to slide across icy carparks in 3-inch stiletto heels, but I love the snow and the frost. I've been out around the garden taking some photos, some of which are below. The rest of the photos are here.

Icy, misty pool

Frost on twig

Frosty trees