My so called life...

Been a bit of a strange week...

• spoke at my local church on Sunday and the subject was Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist. I included a couple of comments about whether blokes have a biological clock and if so does it just tick a little quieter than it does for women? Got a lot of comments and feedback on this - most reaction I've ever had on anything I've ever said.
• was coughing and spluttering on Monday and Tuesday - seemed to be my turn on the office rota
• Thursday evening was spent at the Riverside Studios in Hammersmith. Very pleasant evening that got a little strange as Question Time was being recorded there that evening (not the reason I was there) and Dimbleby and the panel emerged into a cordoned off part of the bar for a post show meal - didn't recognise any of them...
• pleasant Friday afternoon in Pizza Express for office Christmas meal. However, I do seem to spend a lot of time in Pizza Expresses - perhaps should move in...

Nothing like a Dame

Can't recall which royal said it - one of the George's I think - but 'bugger Bognor' seems about right. I thought I'd stay in a place on the coast but unfortunately I've chosen Bognor Regis... I've never been here before - if I had I doubt I'd have made that mistake.

To be fair it's like many other British seaside towns - it's a bit down on it's luck and I can't work out whether the large Butlin's resort is a blessing - still attracting tourists - or a curse - it sucks life out of the resort as they never have to leave the Butlin's bubble.

Nonetheless I discover that, like many seaside towns, once you escape the rather run down centre you can come across some nice places - in Margate you have the interesting Cliftonville, in Bognor you have Aldwick and Pagham. I manage to find a wonderful neighbourhood Italian restaurant with great homemade tiramisu and all is right with the world.

So after the 'delights' of Bognor last night, this morning I headed to Littlehampton. Again, like many small seaside towns I can't help but ask what is the point of Littlehampton? What do all the people who live here actually do?

Well, it doesn't matter as it has a certain charm - and the excellent East Beach Cafe. Somewhat surreally, as I tuck in to a lovely lunch, I discover that Dame Maggie Smith is sat a couple of tables away. Interestingly it's not the adults who've spotted her but some of the smaller children - they can spot a Hogwarts professor a mile off. With minimal fuss - most people still don't spot her - she discreetly signs a couple of autographs and is left to enjoy her lunch in piece with her friends and family.

I discover that this is not the only thespian connection Littlehampton has. Apparently Ronnie Barker used to live there and based Open All Hours on a local shop... small world...

How old is too old?

A strange couple of days for various reasons. Generally feeling a bit 'restless' with a few things on my mind. Wondering a bit about age - probably something to do with being the 'awkward age' of 39. For example;

• on Sunday I was wondering at what should a man give up wearing hooded tops - unless you're a monk?
• yesterday, for the first time ever, I gave my 'business card' to a couple of people. They were sort of 'homemade' - thank goodness for the variety of stationery Ryman offers - to save the public purse. Surely I'm too old to be giving business cards for the first time?
• Today I phoned a recruitment firm about a job advert I'd seen a couple of days ago. Another first, but it was an interesting looking job and they'd advertised the salary as 'competitive'. The discussion showed it wasn't as 'competitive' as they thought - but am I now too expensive?
• been thinking about 'age' for a couple of other reasons as well.

As I said - a strange week so far - and it's only Tuesday!

On the Buses

Spotted what looked suspiciously like the cast of Gavin and Stacey on the top deck of an open top London bus, complete with file crew, going around Parliament Square at approx 4pm.

Even more surreal

Following day after the wedding I catch up with me Mum and in the evening head off to a restaurant just outside Solihull - nothing flash, just the local Beefeater/Harvester thing.

During dessert a group come the table next to us. I look up and then do a double take - one of them looks familiar. Apply the obscure TV knowledge I possess - often in demand for the occasional quiz night - and yep, it's her.

Next table contains Corrie, Bad Girls and Carry On Cleo legend - Amanda Barrie. One thought goes through my mind - why??

Nice one Cyrille

Back in Birmingham for a couple of days - mainly to go to a friend's wedding. Good time had by all at a traditional British bash - nice church, heartfelt speeches, disco and conga line. The day had a nice vibe.

Father of the Bride's speech commented that all her family were West Brom fans, and all the Groom's were Coventry. How can this difference be reconciled? He produced a photo of Baggies and Sky Blue legend Cyrille Regis and hoped they could all unite behind him.

A couple of hours later - just before the disco - Father of the Bride took the microphone and referred back to Cyrille. Then, in one of the most surreal moments I've encountered at a wedding, he announced, "Ladies and Gentlemen, he is here tonight. Cyrille Regis!" And in he walked - still looking as young as ever.

Incredible - on so many levels...

In conversation

Was out with a few friends last night for a meal - people I've met through an evening class so I don't know them that well or in a 'social' setting. A very pleasant evening during which I appeared to show far too much knowledge about cardigans being this season's 'must have' for men (which they are), but you really need to be tall and thin to wear them (which I'm not).

Snippets of conversation from others included,

"I don't like meeting celebrities even since then time I was 10 and met Bruce Forsyth and he blanked me."

"It's great, I like my job. Tomorrow I'm working in a different branch - it's the one where one of the other staff used to be George in Rainbow."

Listen very carefully

Spotted, yesterday afternoon on a train, legendary TV comedy stalwart of 'Allo,'Allo and Porridge, Sam Kelly.

I know, I know.... I'm one step away from train spotting...

Ever more obscure

My minor celeb spotting reaches ever higher levels of obscurity.

Brian Woolnough at a tube station.

Yes... I know hardly anyone will know who he is...

No... it wasn't that exciting...

Bouncy?

Passed Jonathan Edwards in the street on the way home...

Who lives in a house like this..

Early this evening I was on my way to a meeting and bumped into Loyd Grossman going the other way.

Once again life seems strange...