I’m watching Doctor Who again from the beginning. No 16 “The Chase” May-Jun ‘65. I enjoy this each time I watch it. Ian and Barbara finally get home and the Daleks get a new look. Fabulous moment: the alien planets, Ian and Barbara in London and the Mechonoids themselves.

Doctor Who Magazine Dec 1989. No news on when/if there’ll be a new series and talk of co-producing it with Americans. History goes in circles…

I’m watching Doctor Who again from the beginning. No 15 “The Space Museum,” Apr-May ‘65. One of the very best first episodes ever. Strange alien eyebrows and the first use of the intergalactic salute on the show. Fabulous moment: Barbara complaining about her cardigan.

Reginald’s tower, red lemonade, a blaa. It can only mean I’m back in Waterford.

Strange things are afoot…

I’m watching Doctor Who again from the beginning. No 14 “The Crusade” Mar-Apr ‘65. I’ve enjoyed this story ever since I read the book as a child in the Seventies. Great cast, script, costumes, sets, all of it. Fabulous moment: The Doctor goes shoplifting.

My church is on the BBC! Also my thumb. And #Batman! www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

I’m watching Doctor Who again from the beginning. No 13, “The Web Planet”, Feb- March ‘66. Oh my word! This is superb! This is wonderful! Forget the effects, nothing dates quicker, the overall feel of the piece has a dreamlike quality, poetic even. It’s beautiful!

It’s just the best TV show in the world and there’s no reason why it shouldn’t just go on for ever.

And Doctor Who, which did NOT die...

I’m watching Doctor Who again from the beginning. No 12, “The Romans” Jan/Feb ‘65. Great cast, sets, costumes and witty script, although Benny Hill era cases around the bedroom have aged *very* badly. Fabulous moment: the chucked buckets of water to simulate a storm at sea.

I’m watching Doctor Who again from the begging. No 11 “The Rescue” Jan ‘65. A new year and Susan has been replaced by Vicki. Poor Vicki! What a traumatic time she has! Fabulous moment: the Doctor visits the temple. Sandy. Also the quiet weirdness of the Didonians themselves.

I’m watching Doctor Who again from the beginning. No 10, The Dalek Invasion of Earth, Nov-Dec 1964. Brilliant story! So good! Both this and the film version are simply wonderful. Fabulous moment: Jenny’s balaclava and the farewell to Susan. Susan’s gone! End of an era, man…

I’m watching Doctor Who again from the beginning. No 9: “Planet of Giants” Oct-Nov ‘64. Superb story, part sci-fi part eco-crime. Brilliant cast all round and great scenery. Fabulous moment: the Doctor climbs a drainpipe. First story o Season 2, he’s far more likeable now.

I’m watching Doctor Doctor Who again from the beginning. No 8 “The Reign of Terror.” Scarlet Pimpernel vs the guillotine. Fabulous moment: Costume and scenery steals the show, despite some great performances. Enjoying the historical but could do with some honest sci-fi again soon…

The novelisation is a missed opportunity and a lost art form, poached from us by capitalists. We still know the stories of Robin Hood and King Arthur because of novelisations. Peter Pan & Hitchhiker were novelisations. They should be a thing all writers can enjoy doing, knowing it's a real art form

I wonder what “Vwoorp vwoorp” is in Maltese? (Lovely here, btw).

“Faith,” the last surviving member of the “Faith, Hope and Charity” trio of Gloster Gladiators on Malta. Or rather what’s left of her. Genuinely moving to finally be here. I first heard their story as a 10 year old and remain moved by it, to this day.

Balsa and paper Fokker D8. Elastic band driven. Rather pleased with my handy work.

I’m watching Doctor Who again from the beginning. No 7, The Sensorites, Jun-Aug ‘64. Lovely story, the aliens themselves gentle, shy creatures and the humans are the bad guys. Also, they look amazing. Fabulous moment: the Doctor descending into darkness to face unseen monsters.

I’m watching Doctor Who again from the beginning. No 6, The Aztecs, May-June 1964. Loved it. Absolute cracker of a story. Obviously, were it made now things would be different, but I thought this was superb. Fabulous moment: The Doctor gets married.

Me yesterday: robed up in the Cathedral for the Reader’s service. Me this morning: putting a new fridge in, repairing damage after a burst pipe in the church office and picking up dog poo in the graveyard.

So exhausting..

I’m watching Doctor Who again from the beginning. No 5, The Keys of Marinus Apr-May 1964. Sixties spies, talking brains, courtroom drama, it’s all there. Some people say it’s a mess, I think it’s brilliant. Fabulous moment: Voord who trips on his flippers.

I’ve started watching Doctor Who again from the beginning. No 4, Marco Polo. Feb-April 64. Cracking story, really picks you up and moves you along with the characters on their journey. Costumes are amazing, even in BW. I’m born at some point during this one. Recon version, obvs.

I’ve started watching Doctor who again from the beginning. No 3. The Edge of Destruction, Feb 1964. “Only the 3rd story and we’ve blown the budget- act mad for 2 episodes in an empty room.”Violent, claustrophobic, unsettling. Fabulous moment: Susan wonders if the monster is hiding in one of them…

I’ve started watching Doctor Who again from the beginning. No2, The Daleks, Dec 1963. Superb. Stone cold classic. The Daleks steal every scene they’re in. The story that saved, made and defined the whole show. Fabulous moment: the Thals trousers.

I’ve started watching Doctor Who again from the beginning. 1. “An Unearthly Child.” Nov 1963. Enjoyed it more than last time I saw it and immeasurably more than the first! 1st episode is wonderful, 2-4 goes on a bit, but fun all the same. Cracking cliffhanger to part 4 as they land on Skaro…

Enjoying this old book from 1962. Got to the end only to find nobody has ever read it all the way through. I want to read it but feel somehow mean slicing it open.

“Don’t forget the emergency phone test at 3 0’clock this afternoon.”

Customer feedback this week; ‘Please can you get some more diversity at the National Trust by encouraging more hot men to visit.’ Ideas for how we do this v welcome. Nothing too racy please - we are the National Trust not the National Tryst.

#DoctorWho people- the current exhibition in Peterborough museum and art gallery is quite superb. Just go. £5? Utter bargain.

He against box kite with wings. Everyone should fly kites. I reckon, anyway.

September 1st and Davros has just put the tree up.

Scooby Doo, Adams Family, Munsters, Rentaghost, Doctor Who, Stranger Things, Ghostbusters. Goodbye summer. Hello spooky season. Pinch punch

You should all fly kites, you know.

My wife: “Do you want to see a dance show?” Me: “Depends. Is it henge-based?” Her: “ Very much so. Me: “I’m in.” Superb show at @greenbeltfestival.bsky.social 2025 this year. So good.

We built a calculator that doesn't work, but don't worry, it's also a plagiarism machine that will tell you to kill yourself. It runs on the world's oceans and costs 10 trillion dollars.

I’ve been able to fly kites at @greenbeltfestival.bsky.social every year since the move from Cheltenham in 2014- but you can only do it on the first day, now, before the very top field gets filled with the tents of quiet-seekers and heavy-snorers, who, paradoxically, tend to camp together.

I call this piece “Confused middle aged man with Dalek T-shirt and kettle.” @greenbeltfestival.bsky.social 2025

My favourite bands at @greenbeltfestival.bsky.social this year were all in the Rebel Rouser stage in the woods. -ABSOLUTELY CORKING line up.

Get up (Get on up) Stay on the scene! (Get on up) Like a socks machine! @greenbeltfestival.bsky.social

Heroic pose with Dalek T-shirt and Hovis. @greenbeltfestival.bsky.social

Rain later, but skies clear enough at lunchtime for some box kite fun. Everyone should fly kites.

Saw @throwingmuses.bsky.social last night. Played for about an hour and a half. Just wonderful to see them again.