Discover my Cosy Crimes & Historical Sagas

Discover my Cosy Crimes & Historical Sagas

Monday, December 29, 2014

Coronation Street weekly updates 2014, available for Kindle

If you're a fan of my Coronation Street weekly updates - which have been going strong since 1995 - then you'll be happy to hear that all of my 2014 Corrie weekly updates are now available for Kindle.

2014 Corrie weekly updates for Kindle. Buy it here.  Or if you're in the UK, here.

Unofficial Coronation Street weekly updates from 1995 to 2014

20 years in 20 lovely, fan written, e-books
All the wit and warmth of Weatherfield, none of the waffle


Written by Coronation Street Blog editor, Flaming Nora 

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I'm on twitter @flaming_nora

Saturday, December 20, 2014

Corrie Weekly Update - the one where Erica arrived

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

This week on Corrie, Erica! (the exclamation mark is compulsory) arrived.
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I'm on twitter @flaming_nora

Saturday, December 13, 2014

Corrie Weekly Update - two deckchairs, one vicar and a basque

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

This week on Corrie, Billy the vicar arrived.
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I'm on twitter @flaming_nora

Saturday, December 06, 2014

Corrie weekly update - the one with the sofa

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

This week on Corrie has been a joy. No murders, no tram crashes, no court scenes. Just a posh American stranger and a tasteless red sofa. 
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I'm on twitter @flaming_nora

Saturday, November 29, 2014

Corrie weekly update - havin' a Gavin

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

This week on Corrie, if Gavin isn't Gavin, who is?
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I'm on twitter @flaming_nora

Sunday, November 23, 2014

How to make Christmas decorations from sea-glass

I've collected sea-glass for years and collecting it is one of my favourite things to do on the beach, apart from playing frisbee, eating ice-creams and plodging. Searching for sea-glass resulted in finding a post-Medieval rosary bead. But anyway, I digress. I collected so much of the glass that I kept it in a big bowl in the living room.

 And then I thought I'd have a go at making some Christmas decorations with it.  My lovely sister-in-law drove me to a craft shop in her fab car for a day out.


We went to Dainty Supplies.  It's something of a mecca for those who like crafts.

I didn't know where to start or what to look at and took sis-in-law's advice on what might work with glass to make it look festive. 

Here's what I bought for approx. £30 total. A glass bowl, some white LED lights, glass glue, red plastic beads, clear plastic baubles, clear plastic star shapes, clear plastic heart shapes.

I started by sorting my sea glass into different colours - mainly white, blue and green with some brown and a tiny bit of the much-hunted red. Then I sorted colours into shades.  Then I started sticking and glue-ing and that's where the fun began.

I was very happy with what I had accomplished (okay it might not look much to you if you're an experienced crafter, but remember this was my first time doing anything so artistic!).  I moved on from stars to hearts and used some of the red plastic beads I'd bought in with the sea-glass I already had.

Fortunately the glass glue dried clear so there were no embarassing tell-tale glue stains.

And now, with a bit of sparkle behind, here's how they'll look when they hang on the Christmas tree.

And the glass bowl I bought will contain all of the remaining sea glass with the LED lights inside it too, so it'll look something like this, below.


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I'm on twitter @flaming_nora

Corrie weekly update - in cheap polyester pants

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

This week on Corrie, Julie wore a lovely frock and Carla put Alya straight in the pants department.
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I'm on twitter @flaming_nora

Sunday, October 26, 2014

Corrie weekly update - the one where Cilla returns

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

This week on Corrie, Cilla returned - in all her glory. 

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I'm on twitter @flaming_nora

Sunday, October 19, 2014

Northern Soul - my film review

To the flicks yesterday to see the much-anticipated and long-awaited Northern Soul film.  It's a film that's gone straight to DVD and you can buy it in the shops now. But a few independent cinemas have chosen to show it on the big screen and I do hope it gets an even wider audience than that. It certainly deserves it.

It's a coming-of-age film, set in 1974 when the world both inside and outside home was dark and bleak with little to do.  Yes, there's a great soundtrack and fab dancing. But the film is much more. It's about growing up in the '70s, friendship and falling out, falling in love and finding yourself. 

The film is much edgier and darker than I expected - and is the better for it. The evocation of mid-1970s is spot on.  The attention to detail is incredible - from the fashion and flares to the factories and the fellas' haircuts.

At the end of the film, the audience at the cinema applauded and cheered.  Many clapped along to the final song as the credits rolled. If you like Northern Soul, you'll love this film. But you don't need to be a fan of the music to enjoy the film - it's strong enough to stand on its own as an outstanding piece of film with the music as the soundtrack to the characters' lives. Go and see it.

http://www.northernsoulthefilm.com/


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I'm on twitter @flaming_nora

Saturday, October 18, 2014

Corrie weekly update - wearing slippers to the shops

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

This week on Corrie, Liz wore her slippers to the shops.
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I'm on twitter @flaming_nora

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Why I'm scared of Christmas

The older I get, the less I like Christmas.  And this time of year is the time I hate most, as far as Christmas goes. Because this time of the year forces me to start thinking about Christmas. What to buy, what to wear, what to eat, what to say, what to do, what to spend, what, what, what, what, what, what, what..

...what I'd really love to do is keep all the money I'll no doubt spend on presents for people who don't really want - and certainly don't need - the things I might buy them. 

... what I'd really love to do is keep the money and spend it on them all instead in January on a big lovely night out or a weekend away or make a donation to their favourite charity.

Christmas is too commercial, too crass and too crap.

This year just might be the first year I run away from it all. 
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I'm on twitter @flaming_nora

Corrie weekly update - the one with the trifle

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

This week on Corrie, Deirdre had hundreds and thousands of reasons to be a trifle upset.
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I'm on twitter @flaming_nora

Monday, October 06, 2014

Corrie weekly update - jus for you

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

This week on Corrie, David made jus, Dev fancies Julie and Dirty Widows got cleaned up.


I'm on twitter @flaming_nora

Saturday, September 20, 2014

Corrie weekly update - drugs, dogs and heart disease

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

This week on Corrie, they saved the flaming dog!

I'm on twitter @flaming_nora

Sunday, September 14, 2014

Corrie weekly update - the battle for Betty's hot pot

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

This week on Corrie, there was a cricket match.
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I'm on twitter @flaming_nora

My Heritage Open Day

This weekend is the Heritage Open Days weekend. It's the first time I've been in the country when it's  been on as I'm usually away on hols. 

And so, to a vintage bus ride around the City of Sunderland. We set off bright and early on Saturday morning. Our chariot for the day a lovingly restored and very cute "1961 Bristol" which used to ferry paying passengers between Leeds and Newcastle via Middlesbrough and Sunderland.

The bus set off from Monkwearmouth Station Museum which is currently showing an exhibtion of 1914 WW1 recruitment posters.

First stop on the vintage bus tour was Hylton Castle where we were given a very interesting guided tour and plenty of time to wander about taking photographs.

Back on the bus to our next destination - the Washington F Pit museum. One of the oldest coal mines in the area where the winding room has been restored for visitors to look around. It's only open a few times a year so we were lucky to get in and see it.  A canny little museum that was worth a look in.


Back on the bus again to our final destination - the North East Land, Sea and Air Museum, (NELSAM)  This is a true gem of a place that I didn't even know existed.  It's located next to Nissan on what was the old Sunderland Airport site. 

NELSAM is a bit ramshackle to be honest, with various planes, trams and vintage vehicles in various states of restoration dotted about the in what seemed like a haphazard type of affair. But therein lies the joy of the place. It's fantastic.

There was also a WW1 exhibition inside of the hangars which was very enjoyable. We had our picnic lunch on the benches on what was a gloriously sunny day and I can't recommend NELSAM enough, if you haven't been and you live in the area, do visit.

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I'm on twitter @flaming_nora

Sunday, September 07, 2014

Books I read on my holidays 2014

Just back from a lovely bit of Spain and while I was there I got through four novels and one band biography as follows:

Monique Roffey - White Woman on a Green Bicycle
Another wonderful book from someone who is fast becoming one of my favourite authors - check out her website.  Set in Trinidad, it's a love story to the island and between an English couple who live there. Monique's style always leaves me feeling I want to know more - about the background to her stories, about Monique herself.  I lost myself in this book, it was magic, and  cried a little bit too.  10/10.

Douglas Kennedy - The Job
His publishers should be given a stern talking to about the covers of his books because they make his work look like chick-lit when they're anything but.  Also this book had nothing to do with a woman and a suitcase.  It did have a lot to do with the American dream going sour. It's a rollercoaster of a read, you jump in the carriage on page one and don't stop until it chucks you off at the end of the book. A cracking storyteller.  9/10.

Roddy Doyle - The Guts
I haven't read The Commitments but this book made me want to go back and start at the beginning with the Barrytown trilogy. A great book that had me laughing out loud a lot. Very enjoyable, read it in one go.  10/10

Barracuda - Christos Tsiolkas
An Australian family saga about achievement and failure, growing up male.  It was a strong storyline that was well written but didn't have the magic I like in a book.  Still, very enjoyable.  7/10

Unknown Pleasures - Inside Joy Division, by Peter HookExcellent read and I learned a lot. Set me off thinking I ought to read Debbie Curtis' book next, which is on my list now.  8/10.
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I'm on twitter @flaming_nora

Friday, August 29, 2014

Corrie weekly update - Liz and Jim reunite

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

This week on Corrie, Liz and Jim were reunited in jail.
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I'm on twitter @flaming_nora

Saturday, August 23, 2014

Big Birthday

Today I'm celebrating a big birthday.

A very big birthday indeed.
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I'm on twitter @flaming_nora

Monday, August 18, 2014

Flaming Nora's 8th birthday

Today, August 18th is the birthday of this blog. Set up on August 18th 2006, it celebrates its 8th birthday today.

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I'm on twitter @flaming_nora

Sunday, August 17, 2014

Corrie weekly update - just don't mention couscous

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

This week on Corrie, just don't mention couscous.
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I'm on twitter @flaming_nora

Saturday, August 16, 2014

Bless my cotton socks

I'm in the news.

Here on the BBC news website, talking about the demoliiton of of the Coronation Street set

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I'm on twitter @flaming_nora

Saturday, August 09, 2014

Judging a book by its cover

Browsing for books in a proper bookshop this week has been a treat. I was browsing and buying books to read on two upcoming holidays when, if it's a quiet day by the pool, I can easily read a book in a day. Words are absorbed as easily and quickly as sun tan lotion when I'm on holiday, relaxed and reading.

After checking out books by authors I knew, I then started looking and reading spines of books by authors I'd never heard of before. If I liked the title of the book, I'd pull it off the shelf and have a look at the front cover. If it passed that test, by which I mean it didn't have a picture of a stiletto shoe or a champagne glass on it, then I turned the book over and read the blurb on the back.  If that seemed ok, by which I mean no sci-fi, history, war or cowboys, then I'd flick open the book at a random page to see if I liked the writing style.  And if a book passed all four tests - spine, front cover, back blurb and inside text, I'd buy it.

But even if all tests were passed, if the front or back cover had a recommendation or quote from The Daily Mail or Mail or Sunday, the book went straight back on the shelf, never to be seen again. 

One book I've been looking forward to reading is Liz Kershaw's autobigraphy The Bird and The Beeb. It's only available at the moment in that not quite paperback, not quite hardback format, which is too big to handle comfortably on a sun-lounger by the sea. I'll wait a few more months until it's out in a format I like, with hopefully no quotes from the Daily Mail on it.
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I'm on twitter @flaming_nora

Corrie weekly update - griddling while Rome burns

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

This week on Corrie, Gail says she wasn't simpering.
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I'm on twitter @flaming_nora

Saturday, August 02, 2014

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens

Raindrops on our washing line this morning.  I know, I should get out more.

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I'm on twitter @flaming_nora

2-4-6-8! It's the Corrie Weekly Update!

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

This week on Corrie,Gaila dmits she's always been partial to a bit of tutti-frutti.
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I'm on twitter @flaming_nora

Sunday, July 27, 2014

Corrie Weekly Update - wearing the tabard of shame

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

This week on Corrie, it's Peter's turn to wear the tabard of shame.
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I'm on twitter @flaming_nora

Sunderland International Airshow

Every year there's an international airshow in Sunderland. And as it takes place right outside our front door, it seems churlish not to go and see it. Actually, it's fantastic and this year's airshow has been brilliant.

Here's my pictures of The Red Arrows with a seagull photobombing it. 

Speaking of seagulls, I haven't had a full night's sleep in a couple of months.  Such is life living by the sea. Noisy blighters.

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I'm on twitter @flaming_nora

Thursday, July 24, 2014

The birds and the bees

To Washington Wetland Centre for the day, and what a great day it was.  I first went there when it was first opened back in 1975, on a school trip. And I'm ashamed to say I've never been since. Until this week - and I can't recommend the place highly enough.

But back to that school trip in 1975. We had a supply teacher from Australia who dragged us bunch of kids along to the Washington Wetland Centre so we could see one of his native black swans.  Happily, the black swans are still there. Go and see them, they're great. You will have an amazing day out.

Washington Wetlands Centre
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I'm on twitter @flaming_nora

Saturday, July 12, 2014

Corrie Weekly Update - caught in a vicious text circle

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

This week on Corrie, Rob came out in a cold sweat when he spotted Tracy's charm bracelet.  
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I'm on twitter @flaming_nora

Monday, July 07, 2014

London bombings - nine years on


I don't want to repeat a blog post I wrote about the London bombings of July 7 2005, but I do urge you to read it.

It's here.

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I'm on twitter @flaming_nora

Saturday, July 05, 2014

Do not disturb


Today I had the day the likes of which I haven't had in a very long time.  It's a day that I wouldn't want too many of as I spent it alone, on my own, making a start on writing Book Number 2.   It's the only way I can work and write properly and productively. I need silence, I need solace. I need the telly off and people away.  And today I had it, and it's been great. 
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I'm on twitter @flaming_nora

Friday, July 04, 2014

Corrie Weekly Update - Bouncing our way to happiness

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

This week on Corrie, Gail paused her exercise DVD 'Bounce Your Way to Happiness' just long enough to visit another unsuitable man. 
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I'm on twitter @flaming_nora

Saturday, June 28, 2014

Corrie Weekly Update - Eccles, by 'eck

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

This week on Corrie, Eccles got a storyline all of her own.
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I'm on twitter @flaming_nora
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