I’m old enough to remember when the Christmas television schedule was a joy to behold – a family treat to savour by all. Accepting that I may be looking back through certain shades of lenses, I remain confident in my view that this year’s offerings were appalling!
I won’t single out any one particular channel, as they were all frankly unspectacular. No names, but a daily glance through the listings showed I could watch Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Crocodile Dundee, and every Pirates of the Caribbean movie every day. Not only every day – but always on the same channel! I fully expect some repeats at this time of year…but not daily! The finale of Stranger Things was perhaps the only saving grace…and the fact that we were motivated to simply turn the damn thing off more…..every cloud.
I don’t think I’m alone in wondering whether that ‘unexpected windfall’ will materialise before that painful alarm call of the first day of the New Year. Imagine my excitement when I woke up to an email from the National Lottery twice over this break. ‘Great news…you’ve won a prize…’ tempts the email. The anticipation and excitement builds as that coffee is brewing – right up to the point that you’ve logged in and discovered the size of the booty, anyway. Sadly, £3 and £2.40 respectively will not deter that alarm clock from being set. It could be me…one day…
It wasn’t just family that came to visit us this year, the inevitable snots and sniffles arrived right on cue. You know the one…the morning after the last working day of the year. That bunged up nostril and tickle throat that arrives in perfect accompaniment of the knowledge that it’s finally time to relax. Thanks for that. At least the family left before it was time to go back to work again.
We’ve had a wonderful break though (I have the camera footage to prove it thanks, son), and I hope you have too. Here’s to 2026. Happy New year!
