Watched Bridge at Remagen yesterday whilst tucked up on the sofa with a fire blazing.

[Burney]

Yes, happy new year and all that.

Sadly we are unable so to do this year due to pesky work commitments. We're just squeezing in a week oop norf from tomorrow; sat down yesterday to look for a nice cottage and found the most remarkable bargains. Who knew that the Lake District would be unpopular in January?

It does seem a bit odd of you to go somewhere that's actually darker, colder and wetter than where you live, I must admit. However, I of course wish you joy of it - it can be very beautiful in winter if the weather is kind. If not, pubs, open fires, ale and hearty grub will see you through.

[Sir C]

It does seem a bit odd of you to go somewhere that's actually darker, colder and wetter than where you live, I must admit. However, I of course wish you joy of it - it can be very beautiful in winter if the weather is kind. If not, pubs, open fires, ale and hearty grub will see you through.

It's not really worth travelling somewhere properly warm for the sake of a week, so I'm thinking we may as well embrace it.

It's going to be like living in an Ingmar Bergman movie, isn't it?

[Herbette Chapman - aged 15]

My favourite christmas memory is of a christmas eve afternoon when I was 8 or 9, watching The Battle of the Bulge whilst my mother bustled around doing whatever mothers do on christmas eve.

That 9 year old is dead now, of course. As is she. All comes to dust, you see.

Ah well C, the wilderness must gather all its children back again to paraphrase the recently departed miserablist and great poet

[Herbette Chapman - aged 15]

Why couldn't more Christmas telly be like that? Fück off, Harry Potter! Fück off, Sherlock! Fück off, Peter Kay's Warmed Up Comedy Leftovers!

War films, that's what you need. All Christmas. Obviously including Zulu

Surely there'd be room for "The King and I" though? Not a war film exactly but as manly a tale of derring do as was ever told.

[Burney]

Surely there'd be room for "The King and I" though? Not a war film exactly but as manly a tale of derring do as was ever told.

Certain musicals would of course be acceptable. Oliver! for instance, is excellent despite having no warfare in it whatsoever.

[Herbette Chapman - aged 15]

Certain musicals would of course be acceptable. Oliver! for instance, is excellent despite having no warfare in it whatsoever.

God no!!! I meant "The Man Who Would Be King" of course!

[Burney]

God no!!! I meant "The Man Who Would Be King" of course!

I did wonder, but didn't say anything cutting as I'm trying to be nice to people on the internet this year and pointing out that 'The King and I' is a musical for screaming benders would have been wrong in that context.

The Man Who Would Be King is OK, but goes on a bit. Worth turning on for the ending where he sings 'The Minstrel Boy' as they cut the rope bridge, though.