Invasion of the Cows

Well what a shock I had this morning. 7am and there were cows broken through the garden fence and crowded around my back door. (I was asleep at that time but a neighbour told me all about it). Apparently one of the neighbours did a make-shift repair on the fencing but a few hours later the cows were back again, this time roaming through several gardens leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.

This time I myself went to make a more secure repair to the fencing. Also due to damage caused in several gardens, local police were contacted to find out who was in charge of said cows, and it turns out that whoever that is, is responsible for the cows causing ‘criminal damage to property’. so now we are awaiting the arrival of local police on the scene to get statements and view the damage before they contact the farmer.

People often think of country life as quiet and peaceful – but not this morning. A back garden full of bulls isn’t the best alarm clock!

Matt Smith – Dr Who?

Matt Smith

Well… After watching last nights first episode of the new Dr Who series I have realised why I find it so hard to watch. Matt Smith just doesn’t ‘feel’ right as ‘The Doctor’ – plus the scripts seem much more ‘watered down’ since Matt took over which I don’t think helps, but I seriously believe if David Tennant was still in the role he could still make a silk purse out of the pigs ear scripts!

Alex Kingston

From what I have seen ‘River Song’ has more of the feel of a Doctor than Matt does, she is funnier, more polished and in my personal opinion a much better actor. She reminds me as well of the sadly departed Elisabeth Sladen (Sarah-Jane Smith) in her confidence and delivery. Why doesn’t Steven Moffat give Matt lines like he gives River? But in saying that – with Matt’s weak delivery and sometimes weary acting I still don’t think it would work.

If there isn’t a way to bring back David Tennant then maybe Alex Kingston (River Song) should take on the Doctor’s role as she has a much stronger screen presence and her energy almost jumps out of the screen at times…

Arthur Darvill

The BBC Doctor Who Website has trailers for the next episode which, according to Arthur Darvill (Rory) it will scare you… but if the episodes in Season 5 are anything to go by – they may scare a 10 year old but I fear it will be nothing on the scale of Seasons 2 & 3 which had me gripped.  But thanks to great acting by Alex Kingston I am prepared to give it a chance, Steven Moffat might pull a rabbit out of the hat with this season so I guess I should see how things play out. I am just sorry they had such a weak opening to Season 6.

The Silent Killer….

Yes after almost 4 months away from blogging, I have returned with another update. So much has been going on since my last post that it’s taken me a while to get my head around what I wanted to write about. Since the video I made in January there has been another death in the family.

ANGELA

On the 1st January 2011, the VERY first day of the year, my aunty Angela Dunthorne was taken in to hospital in Burnley. She had not been feeling too well, with problems sleeping and a painful stomach causing her not to be able to eat barely anything. After being in hospital just over a week, the hospital discovered that Angela was suffering from Ovarian Cancer.

The main problem with Ovarian Cancer is that by the time you know you’ve got it, it’s pretty much too late to do anything about it. I have been told this is the reason it has been nick-named ‘The Silent Killer’.

Angela was told she would have about 1 month to live, but she took in really well considering, and rather than just lay there and feel sorry for herself, she began making plans for her funeral and writing a will. It was a very traumatic time for the whole family as it all happened so fast and there was nothing anyone could do except to be there for her.

I find it very hard to accept that she is gone, as she was such an active person, holding down a full time job at our local B&Q in the garden centre. She would help anyone and was an excellent source of information on all things garden related. Her own garden was a pleasure to behold and she was very proud of all the hard work and effort she had put in to keeping it perfect.

But in February, Angela’s condition deteriorated and she passed away peacefully. Then of course came the funeral – Angela had opted for a full Catholic Requiem Mass, which I found to be a fitting end to her full and active life. It felt like it gave proper ‘closure’ on the life of such a wonderful person. It was a very upsetting day for all involved but as a family we seemed to pull through it relatively well.

After the funeral we all met at a hotel for the wake, including many members of staff from B&Q. It was here that I was to read the Eulogy for Angela. A 2 page document made up of comments and memories from the family. I was honoured to be the one allowed to read it. I got through it somehow, and in the days afterwards, I felt it had helped me to accept and move on from the 5 family deaths in the last 10 months. Again it was like ‘Closure’ of the whole upset and depression that comes with the passing of loved ones.

It still took me several weeks to really get my head back together and settle into a daily routine again after spending most of the last year visiting hospitals and nursing homes. My personal life was very much put on hold for the duration.

But now as we reach the end of April, with a week of fabulous weather, I’ve spent most it working on my garden, which Angela practically designed from scracth for me.
I went to B&Q to get plants to replace the ones that didn’t survive the harsh winter, and got all the weeding done, mowed the lawns and started work on leveling the back garden as it is a nightmare to mow with lumps and bumps everywhere. In my own little way my garden is my tribute/memorial to Angela without whose help my garden would not be anywhere near as nice as it is.

So in a small way Angela lives on through the fresh shoots and flowers that are starting to appear in my garden, and everytime I look at it my mind thinks of what she would say….

ELISABETH SLADEN

It was also sad to see the death of Actress Elisabeth Sladen this week, as Sarah-Jane Smith, one of my favourite Dr Who assistants and also brilliant in both the ill-fated ‘K9‘ series and her very own excellent ‘Sarah Jane Adventures‘  She lost her battle with Cancer at the age of 63.

May both Angela and Elisabeth Rest in Peace and may their memory live on forever…..

Video Diary 01/01/11 – 2010, My Year of Hell!

X-Factor Semi Final Live Update

For the first time ever I am going to comment live on the Semi-Final of this years X-Factor.

I will be publishing my thoughts both here and on Twitter as it happens…. I want to see Matt Cardle and Rebecca Ferguson in the final.

Simon Cowell seems a little too confident that One Direction will get through – to be honest I would like to see Rebecca Ferguson and Matt Cardle in the final.

Rebecca Ferguson starts the show with a great cover of my favourite 90′s dance tune – the Robin S song, Show Me Love. Extremely high standard to kick off the show I just hope it’s enough to get her into the final…

Mary Byrne – singing ‘Never Can Say Goodbye’ – Not her best perfomance but I think she can wave goodbye to Tesco even if she doesn’t win!

Matt Cardle – After being ill all week I’m worried for him. Started well singing ‘You Got The Love’  – if he can sound this good while ill he deserves to win! Well done Matt!

Simon and Louis have started bickering already about who can do what with a cold! Come on guys there are more important things at stake!

Cher Lloyd – sounds very nervous with a few dodgy notes but a good performance over all - Her song was a great choice though. Don’t think she has done enough to get to final.

One Direction – Not my favourite but they are consistant and I think they have a great future ahead. Not impressed with their version of ‘Only Girl In The World’ – but I have a feeling the teenage fanbase will love their performance.

After everyone has sung one of their two songs – I think Rebecca Ferguson stood out the most.

THE SECOND SONGS

Matt Cardle – ‘Always A Woman To Me’ – excellent song choice, Matt gives every song he sings a unique flavour, and this is no exception. If he doesn’t make the final – there is something wrong with the world. I totally disagree with Simon’s comments.

Mary Byrne – ‘Memories’ – great song – shaky start but Mary soon got back on form – another great perfomance. Even though she got a bit emotional at the end – as the song was a favourite of her mother.

Cher Lloyd – A great teenage role model and for anyone with a dream – it can be done! – Cher’s second song left her stripped bare on an empty stage and showed her raw talent. Great song choice ‘Love The Way You Lie’

Rebecca Ferguson – WOW! What a perfect song for her unique voice – as Cheryl would say ‘she smashed it!’ I have to agree with Simon on this occasion ‘A Class Act’! Go Rebecca!!!

One Direction – Great song choice, I actually really like this song and they did an excellent version – well done boys! They finally showed me they can sing like proper pop sout mtars!

One the second song I have to reluctantly say that One Direction stood ost!

Well that’s it – all five acts have done what they can to make it to the final – now it’s down to the British public to decide their fates.

It’s going to be a nail-biting night tomorrow – should be a great night….