Stella

 

I only discovered this brilliant programme after watching the Christmas Gavin and Stacey episode. How I missed ‘ Stella’, when it was first released,I’ll never know! Most certainly, the writers have done a superb job!

Set in the fictional village of Pontyberry in South Wales, (which is actually Ferndale, Rhondda),Ruth Jones and David Peet have created a close knit community that contains so many interesting characters. Not only that, they’ve created a community where, when the chips are down, this community manages to rise to the occasion, unite, and help one another get through whatever they have to face. It’s a proper life lesson…and I think it’s well worth watching more than once!

‘Stella’ is a real lesson in how to behave (and, at times, how not to behave!) …and at the very heart of it is Stella, played by Ruth Jones, who is superb in the role.

Stella is a bit of a ‘Pollyanna’ character , meaning that she manages to see the best in others, most of the time. As well as this, she’s very forgiving and exceedingly tolerant. She loves and cares for her family … and not forgetting her extended family. She’s selfless.

‘Stella’ is compelling! I laughed through it and I cried through it! It’s one of the best series that I’ve ever watched; it’s certainly addictive! 

Watch ‘Stella’ and you’ll come away wondering how you can fit words and phrases such as, ‘presh’,  ‘where to is it?’ and, of course, ‘cockin’  into your daily life! 

‘Stella’ is a gem!  Watch it now! 😁

A lovely time!

Christmas was simply delightful! We spent Christmas Day with my daughter, her husband Ben and their children, Meg and Toby. The Christmas lunch was superb! (I’m very lucky that both of my children can cook!)

And to be in the company of the grandchildren was even more delightful!

Anyone who was reading my blog, back in 2011, might remember this. Well…

Meg, now almost 14 years old; she has grown into such a lovely young lady and she is someone with whom you can have a good conversation! She’s very creative (like her mum) and at school she loves English, History and Art. She knows what she wants to do with her life and she works exceedingly hard. 

Meg’s brother, Toby, is almost 12 years old; he’s such a lovely lad! He’s a maths whizz and into all things techy. He’s very kind and is particularly good with the youngest and noisiest member of the family…his cousin William.

On 27th, we all got together at Nich’s house on 27th for lunch.. and games!

Talking of games, on Christmas Day, after lunch, my daughter gave us each a hand made cracker and inside these crackers were jigsaw puzzles, made by her, that we had to make…here is my other half concentrating so hard…

Moving on…the Christmas viewing!

I really enjoyed the carols from King’s College, Cambridge, on Christmas Eve…

And I thought that Gavin and Stacey was excellent! It certainly pulled at the heartstrings!

We’ve been watching another series with Ruth Jones, ‘Stella’, which we missed the first time around but it is well worth watching!

Wallace and Gromit - Vengeance most fowl, was superb! Nick Park is a genius! 

There is still plenty to watch. I’ve recorded a number of programmes and then of course there is the Christmas University Challenge series, that you’d think would be easier than the usual programmes but in fact, they are almost as difficult! 

And my other half likes to watch The Royal Institution Christmas Lectures, (BBC4, 29th, 30th, 31st). This year, these lectures are all about what happens in our bodies when we eat!

I dread to think what is going on in mine right now as I think I’ve over indulged a little! 

I hope that everyone has had a good time!

Happy Christmas!

                               

The bells of waiting Advent ring,
The Tortoise stove is lit again
And lamp-oil light across the night
Has caught the streaks of winter rain
In many a stained-glass window sheen
From Crimson Lake to Hookers Green.

The holly in the windy hedge
And round the Manor House the yew
Will soon be stripped to deck the ledge,
The altar, font and arch and pew,
So that the villagers can say
"The church looks nice" on Christmas Day.

Provincial Public Houses blaze
And Corporation tramcars clang,
On lighted tenements I gaze
Where paper decorations hang,
And bunting in the red Town Hall
Says "Merry Christmas to you all."

And London shops on Christmas Eve
Are strung with silver bells and flowers
As hurrying clerks the City leave
To pigeon-haunted classic towers,
And marbled clouds go scudding by
The many-steepled London sky.

And girls in slacks remember Dad,
And oafish louts remember Mum,
And sleepless children's hearts are glad.
And Christmas-morning bells say "Come!'"
Even to shining ones who dwell
Safe in the Dorchester Hotel.

And is it true? And is it true,
This most tremendous tale of all,
Seen in a stained-glass window's hue,
A Baby in an ox's stall?
The Maker of the stars and sea
Become a Child on earth for me ?

And is it true? For if it is,
No loving fingers tying strings
Around those tissued fripperies,
The sweet and silly Christmas things,
Bath salts and inexpensive scent
And hideous tie so kindly meant,

No love that in a family dwells,
No carolling in frosty air,
Nor all the steeple-shaking bells
Can with this single Truth compare –
That God was man in Palestine
And lives today in Bread and Wine

                                                  Sir John Betjeman