Forgotten Gems

If you've had one of those days where you've wondered if there was ever a soap set in the north-east, well, bonny lads and lasses, there was. The soap was Quayside set in Newcastle and it centred around a club called Quayside which was on the Quayside. With me so far? It was axed for poor ratings after the first series. I have to admit it was bad, but it was so bad that it was good and I counted myself as a Quayside fan.

Anyway, speaking of soaps that were axed, does anyone else remember Gems the daytime soap? Despite a couple of quick Googles, I can't find any fan site for the programme but all I can remember is that it was set in a London sewing factory and it was wonderful. If anyone's got a link to a fan site, I'd love to find out more. Here's a quick Gems YouTube!

Last Train to Scarborough

If the book had been called 'Last Train to Clacton' or Margate or Southend or Blackpool or indeed anywhere other than Scarborough then chances are I wouldn't have bought this smashing book. But it had Scarborough in the title so that's always worth a punt and besides which, I'd read and enjoyed one of Andrew Martin's Jim Stringer steam detective mysteries before.

It's a right ripping yarn, set in Scarborough of course, and well worth an easy read with a gripping mystery.

Another good book read recently was Louise Welsh's Naming the Bones. I've read all of her novels to date and this was the one I enjoyed the most.

Have also finished the Steig Larsson trilogy and feeling bereft and somewhat lost without his books in my life. Now then, just what would Lisbeth Salander do?

Coronation Street Weekly Update, April 26 2010

I've been writing Coronation Street weekly updates since 1995 and this week's Coronation Street update has just gone live here.

This week the update comes with a friend in the mirror.

Coronation Street Weekly Update, April 19 2010

I've been writing Coronation Street weekly updates since 1995 and this week's Coronation Street update has just gone live here.

This week the update comes with a car crash and stunt smash.

Froth and flora

It doesn't get much prettier than this; our garden at the height of spring. Summer's great, and the borders fill out with foliage but it's spring when the colour really shines through. Frothy blossom, vibrant tulips, buttery daffodils and a lawn that is so fresh and green it's almost fluroescent.

Gypsy Boy by Mikey Walsh

Just finished reading Gypsy Boy by Mikey Walsh, one of the most extraordinary books I've ever read. While I was reading it I laughed, I recoiled in horror, and about about five minutes ago when I turned and read the last page, I sat and cried my eyes out.

It's horrendous, it's gorgeous and it's all true. If you'd like to read a good review of it, have a look here at Gari's blog.

David Cassidy

It was a good day, I was feeling fine, when a work colleague asked me if I'd ever fancied David Cassidy when I were a lass. Have I ever fancied David Cassidy? Who hasn't? And just as I was reminiscing about him being my first, real, proper crush (Donny Osmond didn't count) I found out that David Cassidy turned 60 this week.

Now I feel old. Quite, quite old.

Coronation Street Weekly Update, April 12 2010

I've been writing Coronation Street weekly updates since 1995 and this week's Coronation Street update has just gone live here.

This week the update comes with a Glenda.

Garden in April

One of the joys (insert ironic humph and grrr) of our London house not having sold yet is that we're able to enjoy our garden at its best. Today with the sun shining and the flowers blooming, it was too nice not to get the camera out. And see that rhubarb there in the left at the back on the second photo? We're picking that and having some for dessert tomorrow night.

The Pioneers at Camden Jazz Cafe

To Camden Jazz Cafe last night to see ska and reggae legends The Pioneers. Not only was it a great night, dancing along to classics such as Long Shot Kick the Bucket and Let Your Yeah be Yeah, it was also the first time since I was ill last year that I've felt up to having a proper night out. And that, my friend, deserved a good skank about.

Vote, Vote, Vote

Without labouring the point, if you haven't registered to vote, do so now.

And if you're thinking of not voting because your vote won't make difference, think again.

People died to win you the right to vote. Don't let them down. Do the right thing, whoever you vote for, just use your vote.

Down by the canal

Being a tourist in London when everyone else is at work is great fun. Today was spent at the London canal museum followed by a walk along one of the canals. The museum is a cracking little place, well worth a visit and three quid of anyone's hard-earned cash.

Coronation Street Weekly Update, April 5 2010

I've been writing Coronation Street weekly updates since 1995 and this week's Coronation Street update has just gone live here.

This week the update comes with lyrics by Pulp.

The new Doctor Who

Opinion in our house is divided over Matt Smith as the new Doctor Who. I liked him a lot and there is another who sits at t'other end of sofa, who is still undecided. It's easy for me to like the new Dr Who as it isn't a show I care about deeply, it's just one I enjoy.

But if we were talking about a new Elsie Tanner, well, now that would be different.