My 2024

Saturday 06/01/2024 @19:30-20:30

[Ten years ago, Kate saved her small farm from being sold. Now she hunts for innovative methods to make it profitable, visiting British farms in search of inspiration].

An episode focussed on Kate introducing her experimental meat boxes in order to diversify her farm. She visited Ben’s farm to see how his business got noticeably viable within ten years (including slaughtering on site); advice on how best to eat three-cornered leeks; setting up a new pig pen, with paving, pig pens and pic arcs (made by a man who moved from pig breeding).

Saturday 06/01/2024 @20:43-21:36

Saturday 06/01/2024 @21:41-23:49

Saturday 06/01/2024 @ 23:50-01:26

A Place in the Sun: What Happened Next? Ep 5

Sunday 07/01/2024 @18:43-19:43

Jasmine Harman revisits dad and daughter Steven and Stephanie in Charente. Laura Hamilton’s with Neelesh and Angie, who bought an apartment in Estepona in 2019.

Sunday 07/01/2023 @20:00-20:58

Sunday 07/01/2024 @21:00-22:57

Tuesday 09/01/2024 @19:00-20:00 (watched last twenty or so minutes rather intently)

Ep 5/8

Took cognisance of the part where Dave was making a p,I’m dessert for the local pub owners’ inspiration. (4/10)

Food Unwrapped’s Deep South Adventure. (New Orleans to Alabama and Kentucky)

A foodie road trip through America’s southern states reveals the secrets of green tomatoes and grits, sweet tea, Jack Daniels and thé fast-food consistency of KFC.

Tuesday 09/01/2024 @20:00-20:57

Tuesday 09/01/2024 @21:00-21:59

Sunday 21/01/2024 @18:18-18:58 (not the full episode). (4/10)

“Sammy Kinghorn and Matt Baker witness one of nature’s greatest displays-a starling murmuration- a the Newport Westlands National Nature Reserve*.

In addition to the starlings, the weather, featuring Storm Isha (done by Stan Danaos), Adam shearing ewes and manoeuvring cows for the vet to examine health and risk of disease, the writer of Yoki hDuck displaying how the wetlands gave her inspiration, in a literary and illustrators manner, to create her work (that she read out to a group of children).

S36 Ep. 9 (Sunday 03/03/2024 @18:31-18:59

That which I saw focussed on testing the soil of Adam’s arable farm (with samples demonstrating various different kinds of soil supplied- clay being the one needing subsoil), vaccinating his oregnant sheep, training his female sheepdog, delighting at his pig’s litter (despite the more than average inclement weather); a different farmer herding his sheep into a barn to be sprayed (if they have twins/triplets); a visit to Pontcysyllte Aqueduct to show how the 10-year railing restoration project is undergoing.

Sunday 21/01/2024 @21:45-23:00 (everything but first part of the episode- until the rat conversation with the chop shop owner).

Flew by once again- how they manage to get through so many different suspects astounds for sure. The abuse vis-à-vis Heidi, and Vera’s and Joe’s paternal connections really hits one in the feels this episode - effective acting indubitably. Vera watering around the edges really is an unconventional outcome, esp. in response to lack of fervent murderous account once the murderer was charged.

S13 Ep6: Sunday 11/02/2024 @20:00-20:58

Sunday 11/02/2024 @20:00-20:58 (7.5 ish)

A heart-rending episode exploring many different emotions- whether this be Trixie’s sense of betrayal, disappointment at her husband’s lack of confiding in her/ belief in their marriage with the breakdown of his place in his family’s business; Nurse Crane’s congeniality and empowerment to the girls preparing for the nutrsing examination interviews (and helping the blonde one remember facts and speak her mind through exercise, as well as through appointing her to the abused Irish mother who had been struggling to let go of the child she was sure would be taken from her by the government); the subdued vivaciousness of Sister Julienne as she subtly directs the practising nurse to think of her own solutions; the utter despair faced by the mother with cancer spurred on by her father exposing her to asbestos when he came home when she was a youth, with a culmination in hope, symbolised through her youngest boy spurring her to partake in the experiment that might enable her to live another day. CTM is not one for cliffhangers often (if for episodes with parts), but ending with Nonnatus House being imperilled was a #hock to the system!

S2 Ep3: Sunday 11/02/2024 @21:00-22:01

Sunday 11/02/2024 @ 21:00-22:01

Nice to see the Labyrinth mentioned in a police anti-terrorism squad- was painfully facile to realise what they were too be confronted by later on in the episode though . Certainly tense scenes when the mole is undercover, and there-s an awful lot of disconnect in the family when dealing with strife. Rather theatrical ending (especially with the being second too late to stop the guy from pressing the send button on his message to the vigilante account).

Sunday 18/02/2024 @ 18:57-19:40

Immense respect to Houssein and his family for bringing his testimony to light. Talk surrounding sexual abuse (of guys) and life through trauma really is not talked about enough in such an oppressive society as Iran’s. Hopefully this will gradually trigger conversation <3

Sunday 03/03/2024 @20:00-21:00

An episode that really pulled on my heartstrings. While intriguing to hear of Nurse Higgins’s past in more detail, and see her relationship with Nurse Crane blossom (and with her family), the lacrimation was certainly there when it came to her son; Sister Julienne being the ultimate maternal figure was perfectly set-up (not least because of how she mothered Trixie this episode on her tablet binge (aided by her brother’s AA session) as well as the bellicose nuns (esp. due to Sister Monica-Jones’ depression) and one of the new nurses on standing up against the blackmailer that would no longer hold any power over her).

Ep 3/8 (Ascot) - Tuesday 26/03/2024 @20:15-20:59 (didnt’t see the beginning):

First time seeing any of this series, and whole not the most entertaining of episodes, there were certainly innovative interior design ideas touched on for sure.

Loved Matt Smith-Wood’s (one w the earring) room (with the jockey designs on the wall, the self-teaked table and the slatted wall for projection to the racecourse); I bet Roisin’s (one who literally modelled a summerhouse with all the latticework) aide with such marvellous dreads, loved moving the lattice on her ceiling back and forth hh. Insightful caricatures of the presenters by Domnall, certainly a strength, and Francesca’s (beautiful subdued blue, with hand
made light covers) and Antony’s room really drew you in (not least supported by Antony’s win this week for his use of Ascot green, as well as the bowler hat standing magnanimously above al).

Wednesday 27/03/2024 @20:00-20:59

Plethora of terrines this episode for sure- especially from Mei-Mei and Nina. Lovely seeing the cohesiveness of the team- and Will’s infectious laughter always evokes similar reactions.

Jay Blades and the team bring four treasured family heirlooms, and the memories they hold, back to life.
Mei-Mei Heryet is the first to arrive at the barn, with an ornately carved Victorian table in need of attention from antique furniture restorer Will Kirk. Mei-Mei grew up in the west of Ireland, where her father ran a fishing lodge. The table was used to tie fish flies, and Mei-Mei’s earliest memories are of sitting at the table helping her father. Fishing became a much-loved hobby that she and her dad shared together. Sadly, Mei-Mei’s father died when she was just 17, and now the table is an important connection to those precious memories. To restore the table, Will has his work cut out – the tabletop is badly split, it's missing some of the decorative wood carvings, and parts of the table have become infested with woodworm.
Arcade games aficionado Geoff Harvey is the next expert to be called upon when Tim McCann arrives with his prized ‘one-armed bandit’ fruit machine. The machine was given to Tim by his grandpa, Cornelius McCann, who was well known by the local community for his Peaky Blinders-style hat and larger-than-life character. The machine gave Tim years of pleasure when he was a child and was also played with by his children. Unfortunately, the machine got broken, and now Tim would like it fixed so his grandchildren can enjoy it too. To get the machine working again, Geoff has years of grime and a very seized-up mechanism to work through before he’s on a winning streak.
The next visitor is Sue Gent, who arrives with an unusual mechanical toy dog. Restoring him will take the combined efforts of Steve Fletcher and the bear ladies, Amanda Middleditch and Julie Tatchell. The dog was given to Sue by her mum and dad as a Christmas present, and Sue has fond memories of laughing and giggling at the toy with her younger brother Andrew. Sue’s father now suffers from Alzheimer’s, and Sue is hoping that the restored toy will trigger some happy memories for him and all the family. Steve tries to get the dog’s mechanical parts moving again, while Julie and Amanda make a new set of clothes and replace his threadbare fur face.
A large swivel ball chair is the final item to arrive at the barn. It’s a job for upholsterer Sonnaz Nooranvary and metal worker Dominic Chinea. The stylish chair was bought by current owner Nina Tillet’s aunt and uncle, Janice and Tim, in the 1970s. The chair became a firm family favourite, and Nina remembers spending many fun-filled hours whizzing around in the chair with her cousins. Nina was given the chair when her uncle died and her aunt moved house. The memories the chair holds makes Nina smile, but it’s far from the design classic it once was. The foam cushions have deteriorated, the fabric needs replacing, and the exterior needs a revamp. The chair's complex curves present Sonnaz with an incredibly tough assignment, but with Dom's help, the chair is given a new lease of life.

Saturday 30/03/2024 @20:52-21:45

Intriguing to see a series centred around Kiwi and Irish populations - certainly makes it a lot easier to scene empty warehouse murder drama/ detective area sets for sure. Glad that Huntington’s Disease (Richter) has been discussed, as well as seeing how a close partner healthily deals with it. Lovely to see Sinead!s arrival furthering the plot.

Saturday 30/03/2024 @21:50-22:43

Rather melodramatic episode, as expected of a finale of a series. A pleasure to see Michelle Fairley (Catelyn Stark) in another role- she’s terrific at the ‘mother faced by her children’s devastation role.’

Surprise climatic end for Aileen- setting up for a next season likely. Hopefully we get to see more of her relationship with Ryan in the future.

(Preceded by Grand Indian Hotel ep 2 from 21:00-21:59 (3 stars) intriguing that India is displaying the hospitality career path).

Monday 01/04/2024 @22:00-22:10 (only saw the beginning and a moment or two towards the end)

Mechanical music expert Steve works on a treasured piece of furniture (a music table with inlay that had been in the customer’s bedroom since she was a travelling eight year old in Istanbul- reminds her of her Mum that died in her forties, when she was 18). Plus, Julie and Amanda work together to restore ‘Jill’, a well-loved land army doll.

Heartfelt as always. Extremely emotive when the musical table played for the customer- likely remembers her childhood in Istanbul in the 60s/70s (went back with her sister and dad for her dad’s 80th or so). Also illuminating to discover that ‘Jill’ the doll was likely handmade in its entirety by the customer’s mother during WWII (a feat that made her even more proud of her mum).

Wednesday 03/04/2024 @20:00-21:00

‘Silversmith Brenton West sets to work on an Olympic torch, while Julie Tatchell and Amanda Middleditch take on the task of giving a much-loved toy cat a new lease of life. Electronics whizz Mark Stuckey has his work cut out when a long-silent jukebox is brought in, and Dominic China restores a historic sign originating from the Scottish village of Aberfoyle.’

A lot of tears (esp. from the mother of the little girl with the cat teddy bear due to the cat being there for her dad in his last days), but the most noticeable part was certainly when Dom went to Aberfoyle for the unveiling ceremony on the Bailie amidst a joyous town gathering.

Saturday 13/04/2024 @19:00-19:57

Mesmerising episode focussed on and around different parts of Estonia- from the discovery of a Hanseatic League boat (and rats preserved in tar from the Black Death Age- potentially with Yersinia pestis); a visit to immerse herself in the life of the living World Heritage site that is Kihnu (where embroidery tells the tale of one’s life) with its wondrous sunsets; a visit to the Church of St Michael in Tallinn to see the Danse Macabre, and the panoramic view of Tallinn; ending on a traversing of waterways amongst the 8,000 year old peat bogs of Soomaa National Park (once she’d handled an adze that was being used on the creation of a type of dugout boat dating back to the Stone Age), to the liquid barriers Estonia has with Russia, and how they became the people of Estonia through song (influenced by the Kalevipoeg).