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Yes, you're right Viv - it really does feel like the morning after the night before. In my case, of course, it is! Barry and Jean - my brother and sister-in-law - came over last night and we all over-indulged in birthday party treats and sparkly pink alcoholic stuff (which went down very nicely; too nicely, in fact). I'm told that the picture above was taken just before my partner and party guests put me to bed.

I am genuinely surprised that I managed to get to work this morning at all. If the 'live' half-hour sounded a little...er....ropey - well, now you know why.


The two pictures above are the first two '1 o'clock' pictures - mine and Viv's. (For an explanation of what '1 o'clock' pictures are, see blogpostings passim). I happened to be passing through Philadelphia at 1300 and stopped to take the photograph. The terrace of miners' houses is unique and a preserved site because, as you can see, it's the only terrace in England with a built-in chapel!

Viv obviously loves the birds. Let's hope they've survived the cold snap OK.

And don't forget to look out for waxwings. Apparently, it's going to be a good 'waxwing winter' and they've already started to arrive. They like human company and often flock in public parks, supermarket car parks, private gardens.....

THE NIGHTSHIFT
This weekend's programmes have already been prerecorded. I am on leave until next Thursday, 11 December.

CONTACT ME
Post comments on this blog or contact me in any one (or more) of these ways....
ian.robinson@bbc.co.uk
text 07786 200954 (while the programme is on-air)
call (between about 0545 and 0630 Monday to Friday) 0191 232 6565
Ian Robinson, The Nightshift, BBC Radio Newcastle, Spital Tongues, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE99 1RN

NOTE
Please bear in mind that the views expressed in this blog are my own and NOT the views of the BBC.

36 comments:

Inga said...

I've always wondered what "terrace" houses are!

Vivienne said...

Hi Wee Willie Winkie,

Love your photo, particularly the hat. Glad the Nightshirt fits, but wondering why you keep a wooden mallet on the top of your bookcase?

Vivienne said...

Hi again,

I meant to say that about 35 years ago I worked near the Pink Palace at Hunters Moor Hospital. That too was a very good year for waxwings. We had an excellent view when lots of them descended on a tree next to our Unit to eat the red berries. Unfortunately there was at least one fatality, as a waxwing broke its neck when it flew into one of the large windows near the tree. It was very sad, as they made a wonderful spectacle. My parents were keen bird watchers, so I guess it rubbed off on me.

Sid said...

Hello everyone,
I've just been listening to Ians birthday nightshift and heard him read out my list of things for 1948. He wasn't convinced that the Andrews Sisters had recorded 'Underneath the Arches'. It is on an album entitled "Apple Blossom Time", and Bing Crosby also featured.
'The Glass Mountain' was made in a musical version, although some places have the date of release as 1949. It starred Michael Dennison, Tito Gobbi,Dulci Grey and Valentino Cortese.
When Ian said "are you sure Sid" I just had to double check.

Maureen said...

Love the nightshirt, thanks for giving us all a twirl. That must have been some party. It sounds like you had a great day. I'm so pleased.
You didn't sound ropey this morning Ian, but I can understand now why you FOUGHT with Charley Charlton to tell everyone about the waxwings and you do remember hinting that you were going to be the next Dr. Who? We need to know more ...
I've got a 'One at One' also, I'll send it to you. It was a brilliant first day for such a project wasn't it?

Vivienne said...

Hi Hildie,

Alfie played your requests for Ian & Simon today. I just caught the end of the song for Ian, then he played Simon's. He announced he was playing a request for Jonathan after the News. I went out of the room, but when I came back a song was fading out and Jonathan was there talking to Alfie. Did you request a song for Jonathan too?

Hildie said...

Hi Vivienne, my request was solely for Ian ... Steve said I could do the "Wey aye Pod" for him so I emailed him that I'd like Prettiest Eyes by Beautiful South and I'd like a Dusty Springfield track - the message was that they were from Hildie, on behalf of Nightshift listeners everywhere - and that we wished him the best birthday ever. It was meant to go out yesterday. My brother in law heard it today - he said that Alfie had played three tracks - one for each of the presenters who'd had a birthday this week. So, it was nothing to do with me, Steve and Alfie seem to have shared out Ian's moment of fame with the others. I have heard from Sid today, he has put it on cd for me (he's golden, isn't he?) - so I'll hopefully get to hear it in the next day or so. Meanwhile, I'm wondering if Ian heard it, because that's what it was all about. It sounds like he did have a brilliant birthday though .... pink fizzy stuff and a new nightshirt, what could beat that!

Vivienne said...

Hi Hildie,

I thought your request had only been for Ian, but when I heard part of the show today I thought you may have included Simon too. Then wondered about Jonathan. I realised Alfie hadn't played your Wey Aye Pod yesterday, as he'd promised. You must feel rather disappointed, but I know Ian would want the others included, as he asked us to send happy birthday messages to Simon, during the Nightshift Live. Alfie didn't appear to play any Dusty Springfield songs.

As you say Ian did seem to have a brilliant birthday, and your bag of goodies certainly helped. We were all waiting eagerly to see what he was going to unwrap next.
You've had the opportunity here to put the record straight. So Ian will know your very kind intentions.

Maureen said...

Hi All,
I thought with Ians' interest in the Netherlands you might like to know that today is celebrated there as the feast of St Nicholas or Sinterklaas. TV newsreels show Sinterklaas arriving by boat from Spain and being greeted by his helpers, who escort him through the town on a white horse. I love to watch the kids, it's magical!Chritmas Day is celebrated more like we used to, going to church and visiting.
The full story is on this link if anyone is interested :http://www.thehollandring.com/sinterklaas.shtml
I was wondering if there are any German traditions that you still observe at Christmas Inga? I'd love to visit some of those Geman Christmas Markets!

BUBBA said...

Hello Mr. Robinson!
I wanted to thank you for the mention of us in your Department of Zoology reports. I want to tell you a little bit about myself but I have to figure out how to manage this blogging business first.
After all, you, the human beings of this world, have such things as voice recognition but fall short of such essential issues as bark recognition. So, we will just have to see how I can cope. My masters partner has provided some help but if my portrait does not appear with this message - well, we will just have to try again! Rest assured I WILL !

Maureen said...

Hi Bubba,
Welcome to our blog, we'd love to hear more about yourself. I'm sure that you'll give us a new perspective on life, trees and everything!

Maureen said...

Hi Again,
Pardon my ignorance but I don't think I've even heard of a waxwing so I checked it out on the RSPB website. Very interesting, I also found this other, rather surprising piece about Starlings and a new word, rather nice, a murmuration ..
"Tens of thousands of starlings will turn the sky black over Brighton Pier this month – but these numbers are just a fraction of what they used to be. The jaw-dropping wildlife spectacle known as a ‘murmuration’ is nature’s answer to the red arrows. But crashes in the starling population mean they are now on the critical list of UK birds most at risk, calling the future for this stunning airborne drama into doubt." Would you believe it? We know about pandas etc., but starlings? ...

Inga said...

Hello Friends!

MAUREEN, have you ever heard of the saying "when in Rome do as the Romans do"? Whether you have or not, it's easy to understand what it means and that's what I felt I had to do once I arrived here. I tried very hard to do as Americans do at Christmas time but eventually I just gave up. However, in my very private life I have done a few things to keep the spirit alive like i.e. the "Advent Kranz" [advent wreath]. But even that is hardly traditional [see photo]. I saw this set of colored glass candle holders 3 years ago and they immediately inspired me to make some kind of Advent wreath with them. I light them traditionally, however: one candle on the first advent, two on the second etc. I also indulge in eating some walnuts and maybe some marzipan,a glass or two of wine or a dry sherry. Other than that I am far too tired by Christmas Eve afternoon to think about much else. My business, as so many others gets a little crazy this time of the year, and all I want to do is put up my feet.

Hildie said...

Vivienne ... producers from Scunthorpe!

Actually, to tell you the truth, you couldn't meet a nicer person! I met him a few times when he was on the road with Ian.

I've been putting up my Christmas Tree today folks. It is my daughter's birthday and it became the tradition, as she was growing up, to decorate the tree on that day. It is ten years since she flew the nest, but traditions have a habit of lingering , don't they?
She lives in Manchester now and , Maureen, she was at a German Christmas Market in Manchester on Tuesday. She spotted the actor who plays Sean, in Coronation Street, wandering around the stalls. She regularly spots Coronation Street actors in bars and supermarkets or just in the street. I should really keep a running list of the latest ones she has spotted. I usually get a text message - such as "Have just seen Richard Fleeshman in a Japenese restaurant with a blond girl"..... or, "Just seen Carla coming out of Asda, she was keeping her head well down".

Hildie said...

Sid, thank you so much! The postman has delivered 'The Birthday Nightshift' and 'The People's Nightshift' DVDs, along with your Christmas Card ..... exciting! ....I just love the card! Looks like I'm in for some serious listening this afternoon, not that there's anything remotely serious about listening to Ian! I think I'll put it on and start wrapping some Christmas Presents.
SID, THANK YOU! Seems funny, things arriving from cyber space,
you must be real!

Maureen said...

Interesting to hear about your little touches from 'home' Inga. We've just received a parcel from Holland containing 'pepernoten', 'spekulatius' (traditional spicy biscuits) chocolate initials and stroopwafels. These are all little touches that say Christmas to my partner. I didn't have the heart to tell his mum that most of these are available in our local Aldi at the moment if anyone would like to try them. They also have those big bars of marzipan Inga ...

Inga said...

Hello Friends!
MAUREEN - I talked to Vivienne a few days ago about the availability of "foreign" goodies because my mother used to have me send her some pecans when they became available here. But now, as Vivienne told me, you can get them anywhere in Europe. It is just amazing how global everything has become. Even though I cannot buy marzipan locally, I am sure I could buy it online if I get desperate enough!
Well, I am actually still working [at 20:34 my time] so I've got to keep this short.
I don't know if you are listening but it looks like we are in for a few very looooong nights/mornings without Ian.
VIVIENNE - hope you are not still holding your breath hoping for a picture of myself at 7 am in the morning. I've found a way around that problem and will submit my - what Maureen has calls the one at one - entries soon.

Vivienne said...

Good morning everyone,

I've told Ian that I'm delaying my photo taking until 1.30.pm as I'm more likely to be out of my house by then. It would have been starlings on the bird-feeders yesterday, had I taken a photo at 1pm. Instead I took a picture near Greenside.

Inga, the houses here are beginning to look quite Christmassy, as quite a few are displaying lights outside. I haven't yet started decorating inside, let alone outside!

Maureen said...

Inga, I'm with you, when you all do your Christmas shopping, please spare a thought for the poor retail staff, it IS hard to keep smiling sometimes, especially when you have only have one day off to spend with your family during the so called 'holidays' and can I add a note to Mike Parr: NO we don't always have a choice!
While I'm a having a moan, why do we just have to put up with endless music and jingles when you are away Ian? They don't even acknowledge that you are away or play a message to say when you will be back? Please report me as a disgruntled listener! Christmas? bah, humbug!
There you are, got it out of my system. Good word isn't it? Disgruntled ...

Sid said...

Dear Disgruntled, you are oh so right in your little moan. I used to be a self employed taxi driver in the 1970's and worked Christmas day for about 6 years. The people were jolly, the tips were good but when I look back on it I missed out on some rare, never to be repeated moments. Yet the financial side of things had to be considered at the time.
When Ian had said his shows had been recorded for when he was away I assumed the format was as per normal. Oh I was disappointed, as others were I'm sure. But anyway he should be back tonight...I mean tomorrow.

Inga said...

We have a little saying here: When the cat's away, the mice can play. Well, this little mouse hasn't felt like playing and neither, it seems have any of the others. This mouse has resigned itself to sitting at the edge of the mouse hole, waiting impatiently, playing and singing the blues.

Sid said...

Inga we have the same saying in the UK. It has been a very quiet few days. Perhaps the hustle and bustle of the season is getting to us a little bit. Jean keeps reminding me of folks I should remember from our xmas card list. It seems never ending.
Maybe things will lighten up when Ian comes back and tells us where he has been.

Maureen said...

Thanks for the back up folks. I don't mean to moan but sometimes I think these things just have to be said.
Now, to change the subject.
I thought we could amuse ourselves while waiting for Ians' return. What can you remember getting in your Christmas stocking as a child, either every year or a special gift that you still remember? We're allowed nostalgia at Christmas!
I'll start with nuts, tangerines, colouring book, I realised later as a parent myself that they were cheap fillers, but still exciting, because you knew they would be there but had to make sure! I particularly remember getting a Give-A-Show projector, like a magic lantern show, with slides of Popeye, Mickey Mouse etc. We were a big family and used to put shows on, shining it on the wall. My sister still has it apparently and we all still remember the words written under each slide!

Sid said...

Chocolate coins, covered in gold foil. Walked around the house with them in me pocket, of course they melted....but still got eaten.Candy cigarettes, suck..blow..chew. My sister had a 'Junior Typewriter' a dial in the middle with numbers and the alphabet around the edges, select what you needed, then press. She also had 'Pop Beads' they were fun, pull them apart-push them back together. I think my biggest joy were the annuals, Dandy and Beano. Maybe The Topper.
What about the 'Sweet shops' small scales, little bags and lots of Dolly Mixtures. They were small, soft sweets Inga.

Maureen said...

Oooh, Sid your sister was so lucky to have one of those typewriters. I know exactly which one you mean, I think they were made by mettoy, I would have loved one. I remember the year that my sister and I got mobo scooters, so smart, we spent hours on them. No problem with weight gain then!
Talking about sweets Sid I remember having necklaces of sweets on elastic that you used to suck uuurgh!

Inga said...

ATTENTION EVERYONE !
TURN ON YOUR RADIO - HAPPY DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN :-))

Vivienne said...

Good morning everyone,

Ian, it's lovely to hear you back on the Nightshift. We really missed you.

Hildie said...

I'm ever so glad that normal service has been resumed. But, do you know what he said? Ian? He said we might be a bit unhinged, we listeners of The Nightshift.

As if!

Sid said...

Do you know Hildie...I think Ian might be right.

Vivienne said...

Hi folks,

When I heard Ian say we were unhinged I took it as a compliment!

Ian Robinson said...

Sorry Hildie. Didn't mean to upset anyone...... :-(

Sid said...

Looking out the window it's a bit of a miserable day. Cold, wet and windy. Not the kind of day for shopping for Christmas presents. I have bought ALL my presents via the internet this year. Has anybody else 'given in' to this type of buying?. Previously I have bought items from shops packed with people that I didn't really want, just to get something in. Now that's a thing of the past.

Vivienne said...

Hi Sid,

I'm afraid I still shop the old fashioned way. I did try to buy something online, but gave up as it was too time consuming.

Hildie said...

Ian, petal, you did not upset me one little bit ..... I am sorry that you thought you had .... sometimes the written word just cannot convey the 'tongue in cheek' of a remark. I've encountered a similar problem an odd time with text messages, I don't know if anyone else has. Anyway, did you ever watch that video I sent? xxx

Maureen said...

Mornin All,
Hope everyone's fine and dandy!
Ian, I heard you mention our poet laureate recently then missed his contribution. I was so disappointed, I love his work. (It would be great to have him as a fellow blogger...) I wondered if you'd thought of posting some of those items on the blog? Some of them are too precious to lose after one reading. I also wondered if you'd thought of posting the answers to that 'orrible quiz. There might be people out there who would like to know the answers! Seriously, I'm afraid I often hear the questions and then miss the answers. I know, that's the whole idea to keep us awake! But people might look on the blog if you told them that the answers would be on? Maybe at the end of the week to keep them guessing!
C'mon, tell all, what was on that video???

Vivienne said...

Good morning folks,

Ian, sorry I forgot to take my 1pm photo yesterday! I was out shopping at the time, trying to dodge the raindrops. I've decided I'll just take a photo in future if I'm somewhere interesting at 1pm.

Hildie, you know what you said about the written word? Well, you've got us all guessing about the video you sent Ian!