This is it!

I have been overwhelmed by the beautiful cards emails and letter that you lovely listeners have sent to me on my last day here at Solent. Thankyou so much. You are as I always knew, the most generous and giving of people. The way you have shared your hopes and fears, your laughter and tears, have made me feel very privileged. I have had the most briliant time here at Solent and I know you will make Katie Martin equally welcome.
I am excited about going freelance and I am sure I will speak to some of you again!
Watch on your TV's for me, on your radios, you never know where I will pop up (hope my agent is reading this!!!)
Meanwhile, God Bless and have a wonderful Christmas and New Year
Bye bye from me, Mr M Min and India! xxx
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I am revealing Mr M!

And I have been overwhelmed by your kind letters and messages wishing me well in the future. One of the things I am always asked is who is Mr M? - so as I am heading into the last week here at Solent I thought I would show you a piccie of my gorgeous man who has supported me so much.

Min and Indie are coming to meet me after the show to do some last minute Christmas shopping which I am really looking forward to. The tree is up and decorated and I am starting to feel very Christmassy and looking forward to seeing what is in my stocking!

Have a great weekend

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I'm decking the boughs and all that

think we will go and get the Christmas tree this weekend. Feels cold enough and the lights have gone on in town so it feels the right time. Finding the Christmas decorations should be intresting - I know they are somewhere in the cupbaord under the stairs but not sure where! Bought India a little reindeer to hang on their tree and have decided to buy one new one for her each year, as we were talking today and saying how the different decorations often have memories attached to them.
Loved the piece today about 'shapewear'. It seems that most women are not all they seem at the Christmas party and the peeling off of shapewear at the end of the evening could result in a whole different person beng revealed! And as for the man who called and said he knew where you could buy padded pants... well is there something you need to tell us or is just a weekend thing....!

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My announcement!

I announced on air today that I intend to move on from BBC Radio SOlent at the end of the year. It has been a really difficult decision to make, and when I was on retreat earlier this year it gave me the space to think what is next. I would like very much to do some more theatre, and continue broadcasting in some form. When you are doing a five day a week show that is more difficult. I have had the most brilliant time at Solent because you listeners are very special people. The stories you have told me have moved me, but most of all made me feel incredibly privileged that you have shared them with me. The funny times, the sad times and the laugh out loud times are all down to you.
Thankyou so much!
Mr M has been driven mad I am sure whilst I have been making this decision so I would say to anyone waiting for Mr/Mrs Right they are out there and I just feel so blessed that he came and found me!
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Switching on the Christmas lights!

Some of you may be doing exactly that this weekend so I am going to be joining you by switching on the lights at Byron Road in Barton on Sea on Saturday at 6.30 - they have a fabulous display so I am very much looking forward to it and to meeting you there. Wrap up warm and come and join in!
My daughter has just sent a photo of India going to meet Father Christmas - she is 3 now and just at that age when she understands more about FC> But the look on her face is priceless!!! She is obviously not quite sure and there is a sense of 'I'm a toddler get me out of here'!!! I am sure she will warm to the jolly man in a red suit once she sees the presents under the tree!

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Children in Need Day

has been great fun and I started the day by going to Bournemouth University and joining them in their 24 hour Jugglathon. I am the most uncoordinated person but with a little practice managed what could be loosely described as a juggle. I then met the boys doing the rowathon and very unfairly interviewed one who had just done hundreds of miles on the rowing machine and expected him to talk! Hundred of people today are making sure that a lot of people raise as much money as possible for this very worthy cause.
Tomorrow morning I am opening the Shop til you Drop Christmas Fair at West Hill Park School at Titchfield, so if you are around come and say hi at 10 o'clock. Looking forward to it!
Mr M and I are then going to see Min and Indie in Brighton - India has promised we will get to ploay dolls houses again!
Have a great weekend
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We shall remember them

I stood in Watts Park opposite the studiotoday with many others to commemorate the eleventh hour of the eleventh month proudly wearing my poppy. I felt really sad that today my father would not be able to do the same, so I did it for him too. I am very proud of what he did in the war, and now he has dementia the time for him strangely has gone back to those days and he will occasionally come out with memories of Bomber Command. Isn't it odd how this disease means that the present is not available but the past comes flooding back. Many of the old soldiers standing there proudly today you could see in their eyes were doing the same. As two children from a local school placed the poppy wreath down, their memories will be of the more current war in Iraq and Afghanistan. The outcome sadly the same, and like you I am sure that you shed tears when we saw the news and six more brave soliders came home.
If you didn't get the chance at 11 o'clock today maybe just take two minutes after reading this
Lest we forget
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We are on a long weekend!

So lovely ALina Jenkins will be here tomorrow. We are going to London for a long weekend. I really want to see the Christmas windows and the lights. I always think that if you leave it any later than this you can hardly move on the streets. I also really want to see an exhibition at the National Photographic Gallery and as I haven't been since I was a child maybe get to to the Natural History Museum too.
Have a fab weekend and see you on Monday - I'll let you know if I got any bargains.
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So what do you think?

Dr Robin Pauc joined me in the studio today to talk about debunking the myth of dyslexia - he feels that it is something that if caught early on in a child's life can be changed and dramatically alter the child's difficulty with learning. He is endeavouring to ensure that each child is given the right eye test including looking for convergence insufficiency which means that looking at the written word is difficult. He reckons that parent power should do it but he is also lobbying government to have things changed. He is always a fascinating guest and perhaps you have thoughts on this?
We had a lovely weekend and visited a friend in Sussex and then saw Min and India. India is now at the age where she loves playing in her bedroom and each time I arrive she will drag me upstairs to play dolls, or bricks or to read. This weekend we cleared out the dolls house and gave it a spring clean and she rearranged the funiture which ended up flat against each wall of the house - well, left lots of room for dancing!!!
Sunday rained and rained so I did some more clearing out and put away the summer clothes whilst Mr M did some work. Ho hum - thermal vests soon!!!
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Clocks back

means less light in the evenings so we made the most ofthe beautiful day yesterday and walked along the canal in Romsey. Pat called the show today and told me that all Romsey roads have some form of water parallel to them! It was a lovvely walk but at one stage we did have to stop
to ask 'excuse me where are we?'!
We had been to Gunwharf on Saturday and my advice would be go early as we went at lunchtime and there were big queues jsut to get into the car park. The friend that met us went on the train which I think was a great idea.
Sunday evening we went to Evensong a the Abbey which was beautiful as it was the Patron Saint Ethelfraeda day and the choir was amazing. Mr M sang Hymn 150 particularly well all the way through which was great except everyone else was singing Hymn no 208!!!


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It's Friday!

and that means the weekend is nearly here hoorah! I am meeting Min and India to go early Christmas shopping at Gunwharf Quays tomorrow which I am really looking forward to. Strangely Mr M thinks he will be bored doing shopping, so has found important jobs to do! so I am also meeting with an old school friend and her daughter who is expecting her first baby shortly so I am sure we will all go and coo at some very small clothes and fluffy toys.
I rememebr the last time I went to Gunwharf was to do the whole show from there and it absolutely tipped down all day so I am hoping for better weather tis time!
Included Mr M on my Song for the School Run dedication today - it was Truly Madly Deeply and he heard it and text me to say 'that was lovely'. So the power of radio and all that! remember you can put your dedication forward for the song which we play at 3.10 every day - go on make someone's day!
Delightful to meet with the children of Halterworth School in Romsey this week and see what great fun they are having with their very own school radio - I was interviewed which was very strange being the other side of the microphone - a talented lot!
Have a great weekend!
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One man went to mow....

and all his mates joined him! I was talking about whether there should be a time when people are allowed to do DIY; strimming; chain sawing etc at the weekend - interesting results from listeners! Perhaps you have further thoughts!
We had a lovely day out in Salisbury on Saturday - Christmas shoppers are definitely out in force already! So we decided to look for somewhere to eat outside town and just did that 'let's just follow our nose' thing', which ended up with us travelling three miles down a dirt track before we both looked at each other and said ' do you think this IS a road ?'!!! I don't know where we were but if you live somewhere on the outskirts of Odstock and saw a car driving across your land we apologise!
India's hair has grown long enough for plaits! Min sent me a photo on my phone which is when modern technology really makes my heart leap. She was telling me about it and then there she was on my phone! Brilliant! Reminded me of when my older sister said that what she really wanted for her birthday when she was 6 was plaits! She had short hair at the time!
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Our show today

talked about changing a baby's nappy on a pub table - would you go up to that person and ask them to stop or would you go and tell the landlord? The calls ranged from 'how disgusting' to perhaps there weren't facilities in the pub and if we encourage children and families we have to provide the right changing room etc. This led on to should children be allowed in pubs still? Should this still be an adult place or should just one day be set aside for children to join their family in a pub/restaurant? Your thoughts please!
This weekend is looking like a bright one and we may even treat ourselves to a weekend away!
PS the dummy fairy has arrived for India's dummy (on her 3rd birthday) and I had a crying grand daughter saying 'the dummy fairy can take the chocolate and sweets and pennies she left and give me back my dummy please!'
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India's birthday party

went really well and she is a real little girl not a toddler any more! I am hoping to get some piccies on to Facebook of the day very soon. She was very confused as her actual birthday was on Monday so when I rang to sing Happy Birthday on Monday she said no it was on Saturday!. She got an enormous trampoline with a net around it for her main present and I am sure will get many happy hours out of it. She got so many pressies that in the end my daughter put some aside and opened them later in the day.
Mr M and I went walking along the Test Way on the Sunday, timed really well just before the rain came. It is such a beautiful walk, we are so lucky in this area to have so many lovely walks. We had a gorgeous pub lunch by a roaring woodburning stove and it made me realise that winter is nearly here. That cold start to the morning when you dash out of bed and grab a dressing gown has started, and the evenings a really drawing in and it is a case of making sure I get some daylight with a quick walk after work.
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Jelly and icecream!

We are really looking forward to India's 3rd birthday party tomorrow so keep your fingers crossed for weather that is good enough to go on the trampoline that is one of her presents. Must remember to wear a sports bra! She is book mad so as well as a smart new pair of wellies, and a swing we have bought her lots of books including a compendium of Bob the Builder stories as she is mad on him and Charlie and Lola. Reading out loud is such a joy especially when someone is so appreciative.
Have a great weekend - I'll have a slice of birthday for you!
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180! ( said in a sports reporter type voice)

Yes indeedy, last night saw the somewhat frightening return for me to a game of darts. Not put off by my fearsome 'I used to be in a darts team' comment, Mr M bravely took up the offer of a game of darts with me. The only thing was we had both forgotten our glasses and what happened next was alarming to say the least! Luckily there was a large tyre like thing around said dartboard which meant that anyone sitting nearby was at least safe. And yes, he beat me. By one shot I would add. Hilarious!
WOnderful to see my girls at the weekend after their lovely holiday in Tenerife. India and I went to the beach and played running the waves which eneded in us both getting absolutely soaked! It's her birthday party this weekend and she made me laugh when I said I think there is somebody's birthday soon who can it be and shouted 'Gran it's me it's me!!!!' Really looking forward to it. Can't believe it's three years since I was in that delivery room with my daughter - amazing!
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So what do you think?

On the show today we asked the question about whether women should be given more community based services instead of prison sentences because their families' lives are so affected by their stay in prison. This would only be for non-violent crime. I would welcome your thoughts on that. Or should it be a case of you've done the crime you pay the time regardless of your sex?
Looking forward to seeing my girls this weekend when they return from Tenerife.
I am also going to ask Mr M if he drives leaning towards the gear stick as I asked you on the show today - I keep seeing men driving like this! Or is it a female thing too? Or do all women drive very near to the windscreen?
Have a great weekend
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Good to be back!

Had a lovely week off and got lots of jobs done. Also had root canal work done on my poor tooth!The girls are still in Tenerife, and Mr M was working so I did things like laying reading in bed for longer than normal, meeting mates for supper and had a wonderful day in London on Wednesday. Difficult for Mr M who kept saying 'alright for some' as I sat in the sunshine! Travelling on the train up to town made me laugh though as I always seem to get the person who takes up the most room on the seats. I had a man who spread his legs as wide as he possibly could and I was pinned to the edge of the seat! Anyway does anybody's bottom really fit on those new seats (please lie and tell me no!).
At the weekend we decided to investigate some of the countryside near us and found a beautiful pub in Houghton and sat and enjoyed the sunshine. An evening with Johnnie Walker at the Salisbury Arts Centre on Saturday night, which was fab, and a lovely walk along Calshot Spit ended my weeks leave.
Hope you are all OK and enjoying the Indian summer.
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The weekend's here!

and I am now on leave for a week. Debbie Thrower back in the hot seat - make sure you make her very welcome again! I have got lots of jobs to do whilst I am off so am looking forward to getting a few things done around the house and generally relaxing. Might even do a bit more baking as I did some rather lovely fairy cakes last week which fed me, the neighbours and the ducks very nicely thankyou! Mr M is working so I will be trying to do something edible for him in the evenings too. Either that or like the advert that first came out for Bird's Eye buying something and saying 'of course I made it myself!'.
Here's to a week of Indian Summer sunshine!
See you Monday week - take care
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Hi there!

Back in the hot seat having satved off a nasty sinus infection and a tooth abcess - still think I have to have some dental work done - yuk! Good to be back and was pleased today to do something on the benefits shake-up. How do you get back into work if the job you are going for will pay you less than you get being on benefits? A hard decision for some people and in these times of recession with more people unemployed even harder to decide whether or not to take that lower paid job. I was heartened by John's call to the show which said that volunteering meant that he now has a new career as a teacher, as he went into a college to help out, they spotted his potential, he went for training and now he does something he loves. Sometimes we have to think laterally to get on in the job market. Mr M has been lovely with me whilst I have been ill and I fell in love with him even more when he was changing my bed linen and I couldn't find the matching pillowcases, such a silly thing but it made me cry and I went into the loo. When I came back all the bed was done, with pillowcases (matching) and the bed turned down ready for me to step into gorgeous clean linen sheets. Isn't it silly how the smallest of things can make your heart leap for someone all over again!
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I'm back!

Back from holiday and thanks so much to Debbie for keeping the seat nice and warm! Had a fabulous week off, India came to stay and has started a new thing of 'My Mummy said...' the next sentence normally involved something like - I must always have chocolate before tea, or I must go to the park before we go to the shops! It was great fun and she particularly enjoyed feeding the Hooligans who have been joined by a new set of ducklings we have named the Rat Pack. It was very amusing to see Mr M chasing the Hooligans down the garden 'as they are like teenagers now' so that the babies could enjoy what was left of the food. India must have fed them about 2kg of grain so I won't be surprised if they can't fly for a bit!
We enjoyed the car show at Broadlands on Monday which also had a load of superbikes which I stood and gawped at! I celebrated Min's birthday with her and some friends at Brighton Marina which was great, and on Thursday I went on silent retreat. I went to a new place for me, Park Place in Wickham which was just perfect. If ever you feel the need to just shut the world out for a day of prayer or contemplation then do it - it's like recharging your batteries! Wonderful. We then had a weekend down in Lulworth Cove, and the weather was beautiful meaning the top was off the car and by the time we had walking the coastal path in the wind we both looked very wind burnt!
All in all a lovely time.
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Holiday time!

I am hoping that the BBQ summer we have been promised is arriving this week because I have a week's leave planned. It's Min's birthday and she is celebrating this weekend so India is coming to stay which we are really looking forward to. She has alrady packed her suitcase apparently and has told me on the phone that she is bringing her paints and a new book! I am also going on retreat one of the days, something I do each year - an opportunity clear the mind and just 'be'. Mr M and I hope also to do a bit of walking and I have no doubt that we may well test out a couple of the local country pubs in the area that we haven't been to yet!
The lovely Debbie Thrower will be keeping my chair warm for the week, so make her very welcome and I look forward to speaking to you on Monday 7th!
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What does a pilot wear under his uniform?

well, it would seem that if you are a Vulcan pilot, the answer is flame retardent pants! These and other searching questions were answered at the Bournemouth Air Show. I have never seen so many people on a beach and it is rumoured that hundreds of thousands flocked over the four days to see the spectacular sights. I am sure that most of those filtered through the BBC tent and it was lovely to meet so many of you there. The heat was incredible on Sunday and all in all a great day was had by all. My favourite sight was the Lancaster as my dad flew them in the war, and I must admit to bursting into tears as it flew over. Very emotional and I felt very porud.
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Bournemouth Air Festival

Looking forward very much to joining Tristan Pascoe in the BBC marquee on Sunday afternoon. Watching the aeroplanes and trying to spot exactly what they are - must take my glasses!!! Looking forward to meeting some of you there too.
Loved talking today to Newton Faulkner and hearing him play live 'just like that' was great - he is a real talent and you tend to forget he is only 23. I particularly like the fact that in his dreadlocks he has many 'treasures' such as toe rings, and a small watch!!! Wished I had brought something in to add to the collection! Youc an see the pictures on the Facebook page.
Have a great weekend!
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Hoorah summer's back!

Well, the weather men are telling us the BBQ summer could be on its way back, so I am looking forward to taking full advantage this weekend. A day at the seaside with Min and India and we are entertaining Mr M's cousin this weekend too. Strange phrase that isn't it - brings to mind the idea that we will suddenly come from inside the curtains in the lounge with the Ikea lamp lighting us and start singing and dancing!
Loved speaking with Sir Robin Knox Jonston this afternoon and hearing his riveting account of what happened 30 years ago in the Fastnet tradegy, life as a sailor although exciting can also be terrifiying at times, and Nature will always win.
Enjoy the sunshine and have a fab weekend!

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Lovely weekend - back refreshed!

Amazing what a break from jobs at home etc can do for you! Mr M and I stayed at this lovely hotel and walked in Windsor Great Park and lunched at a local pub, having had a swim and steam room and sauna in the spa. When we arrived at the pub we were told that there was a wedding being held there at 1.30. What a brilliant idea to have a wedding reception at your local. We thought that must be a real credit crunch way round the expense of a wedding. Until we asked the price - £4,500!!!! Wow!
We then walked around Virginia Water, filled with people paddling in the water, playing badminton and picnicing. Quick shop in Winchester on the way home - only 24 hours away but it felt like we had really relaxed. I am sure all you listeners who have camper vans do this on a regular basis and know the way it revives!
Bought India's school (nursery) shoes on Sunday and she made me laugh out loud because she has lights in the soles and to activate them she needs to stamp on the floor. This involves for her, an extremely exagerrated stamp on the floor and a shout of 'look at the lights Gran'!!!
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Not sure where the week has gone!

But looking forward to the weekend! Mr M and I are treating ourselves to a night in Windsor at a hotel with a spa. I need some chill out time and we are making the most of the sunny weekend after days of rain! The Hooligans have loced this weather this week, being ducks, but I am beginning to think I have also grown webbed feet and I need some warmth. Hoping to do a bit of walking as well, and then seeing the girls on Sunday. India was upset today at nursery because she was told her birthday wasn't until October, and couldn't understand why if Granny had just had one why hers wasn't next!
have a great weekend
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Guess what it was!

Well you will be delighted as me to know that it wasn't a goat! A beautiful tall graceful lemon tree greeted me on my birthday morning. Mr M had very cleverly remembered that I wanted one as I mentioned it some moths ago. The only worrying comment was when he said that the best way to keep a lemon tree was to wee on it! Well count me out on that one Mr! And if I see you sneaking out in the night.......
Min, India and Zac came over for a meal on Sunday and we enjoyed a wonderful day in the garden, feeding the Hooligans (our family of 8 ducklings)! and watching India ride her new bike. She has suddenly become a little girl and is very grown-up! She planted some seeds and I will give you an update as to their progress! She then said she wanted to sing so out came Mr M's guitar as he valiently tried to strum along to the warblings of Bob the Builder 2 and three quarter year old style!
A wonderful weekend - how lucky I am

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Celebrations!

Really looking forward to my birthday tomorrow - quite a lot of candles to blow out on the cake - 48 in fact! I am very excited though - and intrigued as to exactly what Mr has got locked in the outside loo. A huge sign saying 'keep out' has been on there all week. Mmmmmm - I will let you know! Really looking forward to seeing Min and India and Min's partner Zac for lunch on Sunday. India is going to love the family of ducks that visit for breakfast every morning and at dinnertime by waddling up to the back door. We have named them 'The Hooligans'!
Have a great weekend!
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Hardy Walk

We are going tomorrow to Dorchester to find out more about the great man who is Thomas Hardy - if like me your knowledge is limited to school learning it wilbe a great opportunity to see what influenced him and where he lived. It's part of the BBC Poetry Season, and also this week I interviewed Wendy Cope, who is a local poet and spent a lovely morning in her garden talking about what influences her and her writing.
Although the ducks are loving the rain, I am beginning to feel that I should invest in a Paddington type sowester and be done with it. There is the promise of fair weather tomorrow so I am keeping my fingers crossed. Mr M is regretting telling his Australian mates that 'we are having the best summer ever' as the rain lashes against the window!
I am hoping that the sun appears next weekend for my birthday and I am really looking forward to my daughter and grand daughter coming to have lunch - hopefully in the garden!
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What a weekend on the bus!

Great to see so many listeners on the Big Red Bus Tour over the weekend at the Mela! Thank you so much for coming to say hello, it meant a lot to me. I love now being able to put a face to a caller's name when you call or text! The Mela was great and we got a chance to listen to some incredible music and the smell of the gorgeous different foods was wafting our way and tempting me all afternoon.
Steven Mulhern dropped into the studio this afternoon to tell me all about his exciting panto role at the Mayflower Theatre this Christmas! he is Chief Elf and will I am sure be fabulous in it. I got terrible giggles and so did he when he was trying desperately to do a magic trick with me on air. I just couldn't think of a country beginning with D! In the end I went for Dalmation - I mean to say where on earth did THAT come from????!!! Needless to say I had to play a track very quickly whilst we composed ourselves! he was great fun and I am looking forward to having him on the show again later in the year when he starts rehearsals.
Mr M did do the lawnmowing over the weekend by the way, and did an excellent job with the new strimmer I got him! Although he has been driven nuts by the wire coming out all the time - any tips from you out there how to stop that happening?
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It's festival time!

Come and join us on the Big Red Bus Tour at Southampton Mela tomorrow at Hoglands Park in Southampton and join us on the bus - I am really looking forward to meeting listeners and will be there from 1.00. I understand there may the opportunity to try my hand at some Bollywood Dancing and Belly Dancing and a couple of samosas I am sure will find their way to me! If you haven't experienced a Mela before you should come and have a look.
I am very excited that I have exchanged contracts on the sale of my house in Sussex, particularly as the purchasers' first baby is due in a couple of weeks. I was worried that she would be carting boxes around whilst her husband was boiling kettles and getting towels (does anybody know why they always say that in films???!)
Pete from Christchurch made me laugh out loud when he told us of the the free day of activites at Two Riversmeet Leisure Centre in Christchurch on Sunday, and when I asked which two rivers he didn't know - I know he will have his leg pulled on that one over the weekend! I am sure if you know, you will leave me a note on this page!
I have promised Mr M that Sunday we will do nothing more energetic than watch the Romsey Carnival float by, although the grass does need cutting darling.......!
Have a great weekend
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I promise not to make him pack any more boxes!

At the weekend we collected the rest of my worldly goods from my house in Sussex as hopefully the buyers are exchanging next week. Now I have everything in one place it seems we may have to move just to accommodate my stuff! Of course we don't want to, so another mass clearout is called for. I started on my books - I love books as you know - and I find it so hard to get rid of them, but the thought that a charity will benefit from them spurred me on. However I simply cannot bear to get rid of my Magpie Annual 1973 or the Judy, Mandy or Blue Peter annuals from the same time even though a couple of them have what suspiciously looks like mouse teeth marks on them! As for the Ladybird book called The Postman (aged 6 that was what I told people I wanted to be apparently!), it has to stay and will I just have to find space. I also found my old school blouse (Brutus round collared) which everyone signed on the last day of school - was I really only that size?!
I promised Mr M that we won't move, or have to move anyone else for some time although he says he is getting quite proficient at driving white vans now. He has been so good helping me out and it was only when we collected last weekend's hire van with not a whiff of diesel in it and then found problems finding a petrol statin that he did show a little bit of stress (unlike me who at this time was definitely ranting!). Happy Days!
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Rain rain and more rain

The papers are saying that we had more rain in three hours than we had had for 100 years yesterday and I know that as were driving in it last night! It's really quite scary when your windscreen wipers are going as fast as they can and you still can't see. I am now waiting for the news that we are in the middle of a drought. I need to check my rain gauge I have put in the garden to see how much fell in Romsey.
Interesting opinions on today's show about the Michael Jackson memorial and whether you felt it was appropriate for Paris to speak in front of the world's media. Many of you shared stories of how you wished you had had that chance at your parent's funeral and those of you who had felt it had been one of your most important memories. Mosaic who helps bereaved children said the most important thing is to include any children in any decision making regarding the funeral and then they ultimately have the choice.
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Feeling hot hot hot!

The heatwave continues whilst Mr M keeps saying things like'you think THIS is hot'! Australia went up to 47C earlier last year and people were fainting all around! I love the fact that this year the UK is looking like being one of the top holiday spots and we are looking to inject some much needed income into the country via hotels, b and b's and guest houses. Let me know some of the little know gems in the BBC Radio Solent area.
I loved talking about feminism today with Ellie and how things have changed over the years since the burning of bras in the 70's. I am so glad that I can call myself a feminist without having to do that!!!!


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A packed show today!

Brilliant to welcome the brilliant Jazz Quintet Opus Blue into the studio today and show that there is good young talent out there. Wonderful to see the mums of the boys anxiously waiting in the wings in the production area willing them on! Enjoyed speaking to Nicky and Tony Cook about her career as a femal footballer and the prejudics she has come up against. You can read more about that online at www.bbc.co.uk/hampshire
Everyone was shocked this morning to hear the news of the sudden death of Michael Jackson and as the story unfolds, the pictures of fans maintaining vigils shows what influence music has on people's lives.
have a fabulous weekend - thank you for all your camping tips!
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Birdwoman!

Having now discovered a huge love of ducks and swan, rescuing a pigeon in the high street seemed the next step! Everyone clapped the man who shimmied up the post along with the walking stick I had borrowed from an onlooker and the pigeon was moved slowly up and happily flew away!
Mr M was at his school reunion this weekend so I helped my daughter and her partner tackle the jungle that is their garden. India my grand daughter helped out with a small fork and a lot of watering with her little watering can, and by the end of Sunday we were all exhausted by delighted at the difference. There is now an area for India's slide she wants us to buy her, and a swing and small trampoline. Now we need to start looking for low maintenance plants that can add some immediate colour.

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I'm back!

Have had a fabulous two weeks leave, although a lot of packing and unpacking. We've moved to the beautiful market town of Romsey and we have already been made to feel so welcome. When I went to the bank this morning, the cashier, who has only seen me once, said 'how are you settling in'! Great service, and quite a difference from living in the city! Had a bad experience with the letting agents that we rented the last place with on handover, all very odd, but now we are in our lovely new home it all seems worthwhile. We were so lucky with the removal company, who made what can be a very stressful time seem very easy, and we sat in the garden with a glass of chilled white and felt incredibly lucky that we had found this beautiful place.
Mr M is very organised, unlike me, and had all the packing boxes opened and arranged within two days, and even managed a couple of flat packs so it is really looking like home now.
Good to be back at BBC Solent today and lovely to have your welcome back messages that you sent me.
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I'm on holiday!

The lovely Alina Jenkins will be keeping the studio chair warm for me for two weeks as I am on annual leave.
We are moving in just over a week and there is a LOT of packing to do! So yesterday, instead of that I
went and found myself a new car! Remember last year I put the deposit down on a Golf and it somehow
got sold to somebody else overnight, well now I am happy that it did because I found a beautiful shiny black one
which should hopefully come to live at our new house in a few days. Lots of people say that they need a car to
get from A to B but I adore cars, and the moment the salesman said 'take her for a drive', I knew I would be seduced!

We are loving the good weather, and it felt like we were in the South of France whilst we were having lunch today on
Langstone Harbour with some friends.
Happy Days! See you on Monday 15th!
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So, how would you reform Parliament?

was what we asked today - and if you have any further ideas do post them on to Facebook? It seems there needs to be some sort of shake-up to regain trust in the voters and with the European Elections coming up do you think it needs to be a drastic change so that voters turn up at the polling booths on the 4th of June?

Mr M has just called me from Heathrow he has landed! Hoorah - really looking forward to seeing him!


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Weekend weather

seems set fair so I am looking forward to wandering onto the beach with my grand daughter to throw skimming stones into the sea. India seems to have a great over- arm action already going on, just as long as you duck as she swings around! She has started her new nursery this week so I am looking forward to hearing all about her new pals and who has done what - which normally comes out in a huge sentence which includes exactly what she had to eat on what day! Reminds me of when I was at school and apparently I would tell my mum that I had pink custard and shortbread every single day!
I am missing Mr M big time and looking forward to him coming home next week from Australia. I shall do a big housework as well this weekend and some more clearing out ready for our move, finding no doubt some other little treasure I can't do without - but I shall be ruthless!


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At least you got it off your chests!

What made you angry? Well all sorts of things, spitting, swearing, queueing, rustling sweet wrappers, roundabouts and so on and so on. We did this on the show today because Britain has come top in a poll in Europe about how many times we get angry a day. It's 4 apparently here, so if today has only seen you have an outburst twice, guess what, you have two more opportunities when you get home!
Mr M is still in Aus and is taking his tent onto the coast for a few days - jealous moi?! I am missing him!!!


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Remember what it is to cook....?

Well frankly no, because I have been spoiled rotten with Mr M's cuisine. So now that he is back in Australia for a couple of weeks it's back to the drawing board, or rather recipe book. I am determined to amaze and astound him with my culinary skill on his return, so I will stick my pinny on and toss round a few capers and peppercorns!
I am delighted to tell you that my hosue has sold in three days! In times of people grumbling about estate agents I have to say I am pretty impressed. So fingers crossed it should go through in the next few weeks.
I am going to start the big clear out again, ready for our move to Romsey. I know I did it recently but there is always a pair of trousers and a casserole dish that have seen better days and a spring clean makes you feel great!
Stayed at my daughter and grand daughters this weekend and Min has just called to say thanks Mum Indie now has your cold - well, I am the caring, sharing type.


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Summer breeze

has blown
in and brought me a cold too so I have a very attractive red nose and everyone around me when I sneeze looks aghast and asks me if I have travelled to Mexico recently.

Had a wonderful weekend with my grand daughter. Mr M and I decided that we should let her stay up until she was tired so that she then slept well through the night. First night 9.45 and she then nodded off. Next night I was nodding off and she was full of the joys of spring at midnight! My daughter said that she slept all the way home and had an early night! We did finger painting, and cutting out, and went on the train at the Royal Hampshire Country Park - I think that is more for my enjoyment than hers! I love miniature railways and I can remember when my daughter was little I was forever taking her to our local park that ran one and now history is repeating itself in a good way!
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An epic!

Mr M and I decided last night to watch a DVD - glass of wine, nice meal (cooked by him of course) - perfect! I had this film on the shelf and had not watched it - and it was brilliant! Gone with the Wind - I have started calling Mr M Rhett as he was insistent that when I was younger I looked like Scarlett -mmmm I wish ! I am practicing saying 'tomorrow is another day' with a winsome look!

My grand daughter India is coming to stay with us for the weekend - it is my daughter's partner Zac's birthday so they are having a weekend out and about. I have bought a huge bag of finger paints, colouring books and puzzles - so that's Mr M sorted - what about India and me hahahahahaha

Looking forward to speaking tonight at Romsey Rotary's 60th Anniversary dinner - posh frock and tiara and all that!!!


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To vote or not to vote?

An interesting discussion on today's show on whether voting in this country should be mandatory. Eugene called to say 30 years ago she was 'requested' to attend the polling station in Australia where she was living by two strapping men that she didn't feel she could say no to! However it made her think about politics. Lots of you felt that there should be a box you could tick which meant you were abstaining - but my feeling is at least you have taken the time out to vote. I feel very strongly that women fought so hard for my right to vote that the least I can do is get off my bum and go and put a cross in one of the boxes!


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Breaking News....

One of the delights of live broadcasting is when breaking news comes in. Today's news of Southampton Football Club's certain relegation hit the BBC Radio Solent listeners like a mallet. With the help of our excellent Sports Team we were able to bring immediate comment from the likes of Laurie McNememy and Mark Fry and make sure all fans were kept right up to date. It was a sad day for fans and ex players and managers, and has left people fearful of the next stage.

Meanwhile, Mr M and I have decided to move to a quieter area of the BBC Radio Solent patch, and are currently looking at houses, which I always enjoy. Quite often how other people decorate their houses is the most interesting bit! Mr M has just done a marvellous job of redecorating my house in Sussex now my tenants have left, and that too is now ready to market. I am keeping my fingers crossed that the house market really is on the upturn as the pundits are telling us!



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Dancing Queen

and singing too! A lot! Karaoke grabbed me by the throat and with not too much persuasion last night saw me take to the stage of our local pub and throw myself Tinar Turner style into everything from Love Shack to YMCA! Mr M very kindly said I did very well but I know there were a few 'head in hands' moments when I tried for the top notes! Huge fun. We even did a duet of 'Have I told you lately that I love you' eeeeeeek!
Have a fab weekend - speak on Monday



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Hoorah they're in!

Spent the weekend helping my daughter and grand daughter move into their new home. It is fabulous and I know they will be very happy there. Wonderful to hear the sea and India and I spent a wonderful afternoon on the beach whilst unpacking was being done back at base! I woke to the sound of seagulls this morning which was great.
I hope you spent a lovely Easter weekend with people you love and who love you - because that's what matters in life.




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Breathe in!

and take your waist measurement! Apparently us ladies are becoming a nation of 'muffin tops' and we are not talking Listen with Mother and a horse puppet! Waists are getting bigger and on the show today we got you to text your waist size in. We all know that feeling of a pair of trousers that fit snugly on your bum and then a tell tale spare tyre appears, from nowhere, and spoils your sylph- like silhouette! I should not only be speed walking like a maniac but now I am to do waist crunchers, sit ups and twirl arounds like some swirling dervish, looking like a Twister participant in order to keep my waist trim.
Anyone got an old hula hoop I can borrow....?


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50 ways....

to find a lover - Lucy Ann Holmes made me laugh out loud today when she spoke of her new book and her quest (now resolved) of finding a new boyfriend. Stories of bad singles nights parties and flashing a thigh at the unsuitable member of staff that you really should stay away from made me even happier that I have found my man! You can see her blog on spinstersquest.com - very funny!
I am looking forward to going to help my girls out with their move to the seaside - India has packed most of her toys and stuff from her bedroom and when I asked her on the phone if she was looking forward to their new home she said 'yes Gran I'm 'cited'!
Have a great weekend - enjoy the sunshine!


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The winds was blowing!

Now two things came to mind when we arrived in Cornwall - number one - does it always blow a gale down here and two - why do all the men have beards?! We had two days of awful weather and two days of sunshine so a good mix! It was lovely to spend time just walking talking and eating and we seemed to do a lot of all of that.
Wonderful reactions from a number of listeners both yesterday and today re whether our soldiers are heroes - of course they are! A caller got me very hot under the collar and a lot of you felt the same. Great that all of you feel you can join in with the discussion. Always feel free to put your points forward - whether I agree or not!
Out into the sunshine now - power walking in the mornings now before work - with the clocks going back there's no excuse - hoorah here comes Spring!!!!


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Off to the land of the piskie!

It's a small lepracaun type thing - the piskie! Mr M and I are off to Cornwall for a few days and I am really looking forward to it. We were really surprised that since the arrival of some rather high quality seafood restaurants the area we are going to seems to have the poshest B and B's ever known to man! He has promised that at least one way we don't have to use the Sat Nav - map reading arguments have definitely been taken over by the sat nav annoying voice!
So have a great weekend and I look forward to seeing you all on Tuesday!


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Jade

Well she died on Mother's Day which strangely seemed to be the right time. So very sad, and I am glad we could reflect on her passing by talking about how to help a bereaved child and then to Jo's Trust a cervical cancer charity. I have made a donation via the Cancer Research site in her memory, and know that others will be doing the same. It was sad that she couldn't be with her boys on Mother's Day. I held my girls extra tight yesterday as I am sure all Mums did throughout the country. God Bless.



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Mothering Sunday

is this weekend. On the show today we spoke about what it is like for a five year old to lose their Mum, and how they would reflect on this special day. It is important for them to be able to remember and talk about their Mum whenever they want to, and to continue their memory with love. Even though it is 26 years since I lost my lovely Mum, there isn't a day goes by when I don;'t think of her, and I will be again on Sunday, joined by my lovely daughter, and grand daughter. So to all Mums, Mums no longer with us, women who hope to be a Mum, I am sending love.

Can I just say if in doubt about the cupboard clearing that I am now saving about 10 minutes every morning because I am not searching through a load of clothes that I never wore. It has revolutionised me! I am going to do some more!



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Perchance to dream ...

We went to watch Mr M's nephew in his school production of Midsummer's Night Dream. Is it only me that only understands every eighth word of Shakespeare? I felt totally dumb and wondered whether my previous thought that I am at least good at English Literature is in fact a false one!
On Saturday we cleared the garden at my house in Sussex ready for new tenants. 10 car loads to the tip and lots of laughter as my daughter's boyfriend demolished the shed! I wish we had videoed the moment when his leg appeared through the wood! What we are left with is a space double the size it was before, but the fence needs replacing as I think the battered old shed was holding that up!
On Sunday we took a walk up St Catherine's Hilloverlooking Winchester - what a spectacular view! Mr M's parent walked up there and had their first kiss many years ago, so we did the same at the top! They then named their first-born Catherine - all very romantic! There are 331 steps up to to the top and I felt very pleased with myself until my producer Vicky said that she regularly RUNS up them!




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Balaclava or a greek cake???

I loved chatting to Steve today about the favourite recipes he finds on the internet - Greek being the best he thinks, which made me say balaclava when I knew I meant a cake made with with honey! Steve said that his Mum had knitted him one of theose, the hat, not the cake,( keep up in the back there!) One of the eyeholes was in the right place, the other decidedly nostril -placed! Made me think of all those things that people knitted for you and you were forced to wear. Marilyn then text me to say that she hoped that buttons were all right on the cardigan that she has just finished for her ' nearly here ' Grandson as she has just sewn them all on and had heard me speak with Susan, my button guest today saying I thought you weren't allowed to put them on babies' cardigans any more!
Last night Mr M and I had a night in for the first time in ages and relaxed with a movie called The Shawshank Redemption - I know it's been out for ages but it was worth the wait - fantastic!
I won't spoil the plot if you haven't seen it, but good prevails and it made me cry at the end - perfect ! Thoroughly recommend it.


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Spring cleaning

I've started - hoorah! The sping cleaning that is. I have done several boxes and even thrown stuff away! I have another huge bag for the charity shop and am looking to pare down my wardrobe even more. We have a big leak in the wardrobe in the spare bedroom at the moment so I am worried that my clothes hanging there will get musty so whilst we wait for the plumber to repair it I am making more roomin the other wardrobe by getting rid of that top that 'might fit if I pull my tummy in and don't bend down'. Bet you've got the exact same one in your closet!



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Facebook!

Because you're all a bit brilliant, I am now up to 200 listeners on the Charlie Crocker show Facebook page! Thankyou.
The weekend looks to be almost Spring- like so I am looking forward to Mr M and I taking a trip up to London. It will be nice when we don't have to pack a whole load of thermal stuff every time we go away. This time last year I was in the West Indies and I think the difference in temperature is quite marked!
India my grand daughter came on the phone yesterday to tell me for supper she had had pizza potatoes, bread tomatoes and a whole list of things, when I spoke to her Mum she said she hadn't had any of those things! Reminded me of when my mum used to ask what I had had for school dinner and I would always just say 'custard'.
Have a great weekend.



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To be or not to be

We went to stay with some friends in Warwick and a visit to Stratford on Sunday. My friend and I were proper tourists and posed with a very large teddy bear dressed as the bard much to the embrarrassment of our partners!
On the morning of our trip out another friend of ours had a flat tyre, so, buoyed by the fact that I had had our lovely female mechanic on the show last week, I barked orders to the men about taking off the wheel. They pulled and they pushed, and then they sprayed WD40 over it to make sure it slid off - it didn't and then they read the manual that said 'under no cicrcumstances should WD40 be put on' so then we washed the wheel with hot soapy water, and still it stayed on. So we pulled a bit more, and kicked and thumped. Finally the mechanic arrived and with a rubber mallet and ONE thud off it came! Of course the men were all left saying 'of course we loosened that for him..........'!


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Oh PS!

I am going to do what Granny's do best and that is boast about their grand children. I received an email from my daughter saying that India had had her 2 year check and they had said she is above average on speech (she has to get a word in with her Mum and me!), that it is was brilliant she is potty trained, and she has the cognitivie ability of a four year old! She is a credit to her Mum and I am very proud Granny/Mum


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Something is getting worked out...

I'm sure of it - because my thighs are aching and my calves feel the same. As the evenings are drawing out it means there is no excuse not to go out for a power walk before one of Mr M's gorgeous suppers! He keeps saying it's all good fresh vegetables and fruit but I am thinking the amount I am eating of it means I will need to start jogging on the spot whilst I'm on air. Although I'm thinking that might sound a bit like a dodgy phone call (breathless)!
A friend is going out to Kabal as a journalist so we are going out for a meal tonight and I shall cheer her on her way with a glass of something white and cold. I think she is very brave and I will be sending her good vibes for her three month assignment.


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The weekend was fab!

we had my grand daughter for the weekend whilst my daughter and friends went to a party in Bristol with one of their old schoolfriends. India decided that sleeping really was not much use at all when you are staying at Granny's house and so I was beside myself by 3.30 in the morning! She then snored happily, as did Mr M in the other bedroom, so I ended up in the lounge on the sofa grabbbing a hour here or there dressed in my Ugg boots wrapped in a blanket!
We went to Royal Victoria Country Park on the Sunday for a trip on the minature railway ( I love that!) and then on to a bouncy castle and a carousel which was set up in the grounds. She may only be tiny but India can certainly push her way through a crowd of older children when it comes to going down a slide! It was funny to watch them all lining up behind her allowing her through.
Mr M cooked a gorgeous roast dinner for us all when my daughter and her friends got back from Bristol, which meant they had a lot more colour in their cheeks from when they had arrived!

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Who are we to judge?

I say this because of my guest Kim Martin who joined me on the show this afternoon. Do you think that she is best remembered for the fact that being in a wheelchair means she has overcome many obstacles? Or the fact that she worked as an escort? I' ll leave that one with you. Too often we are quick to judge the situation and not the person, and that was what came across. I am sure you will let me know if you feel differently!
We have got India my grand daughter coming to stay this weekend so we are looking forward to that. She is getting to the age where she can phone me on her own, and yesterday she left a message which said to my answerphone 'I'm TRYING to phone my Goggy' !
Pure gold.




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Don't start me on that one!

by that I mean trying to sort out a mortgage! It seems that everyone is running scared. I took two days off to sort out the mortgage, cleaning the oven, etc etc and also to slip in a day trip to Ikea (more of that later!). Gone are the days of just saying yes, I can pay that, which of course is why we are in this state of affairs anyway, but a good job and never having missed a mortgage payment is not enough it seems grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! So I pay the privilege of a higher interest rate for the next year before my fixed term expires. Oh I feel better for getting that off my chest!
We ventured into Ikea and back out again - too many people! My mate and I found ourselves having a leisurely Italian instead (meal that is)!
And yes, my first Valentine's day with Mr M was lovely. Twelve red roses and a card that meant a lot to me - hope yours brough everything you wanted too.




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I hope you hear those words...

whether it is I love you, je t'aime, or ich liebe dich I hope you hear the words of love this weekend. make sure however that the feeling continued throughout the year! That seemed to be the mantra of listeners today. We all love receiving roses, and helium balloons with teddies in them but the thought of a daily cup of tea by the bed is perhaps far more important.
Whatever you are doing have a great one - I am having a lond weekend with Mr M which I am really looking forward to so see you on Wednesday! The lovely Alina Jenkins will be in the chair till then so make her very welcome.




Join us on BBC Radio Solent 96.1/103.8FM weekdays 1-4pm or on the BBC iPlayer anytime at http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p001d7rv

Wayne Sleep

joined me in the studio today - he is playing Emcee in Cabaret at the Mayflower in Southampton and what an extraordinary performance he brings to the show. I hadn't seen the show/film before and Mr M was very good at not telling me anything about it so it was a real shock as the story unfolds. Utterly gripping, and as Wayne was saying on air today the true horror of Auschwitz is brought home in the most incredible way on stage.

Needless to say throughout this I had sweet eating man next to me who rustled his way through a family pack of Maltesers (other brands are available and less noisy!)





Join us on BBC Radio Solent 96.1/103.8FM weekdays 1-4pm or on the BBC iPlayer anytime at http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p001d7rv

Facebook!

I have now got a Facebook page for the Charlie Crocker Show and I am LOVING it! Fantastic to hear comments on the page and to see some piccies of my lovely listeners! Keep them coming!
The snow has been incredible today in Dorset and I am quite concerned about Harry oure reporter, last heard of without mittens or bobble hat, looking for somewhere to stay for the night!
I am a judge for the Rotary Young Chef of the Year tomorrow which I am really looking forward to - I get to taste all the puddings and possibly find the next Gordon Ramsey (or the female version)! But of course without the swearing!
Seeing the girls on Sunday - India has had her hair cut into a Pob just like Posh - that girl is a budding fashion icon hahahahaha!
Have a great weekend


Join us on BBC Radio Solent 96.1/103.8FM weekdays 1-4pm or on the BBC iPlayer anytime at http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p001d7rv

Charlie's Show on Friday 6th February

John Barrowman is on the show!

We had a lot of fun with him last time he was on the show - so I'm looking forward to catching up again.

Send me any questions you want me to ask him ...

Join us on BBC Radio Solent 96.1/103.8FM weekdays 1-4pm or on the BBC iPlayer anytime at http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p001d7rv

Noisy neighbours will not know what has hit them!

Mr M's guitars have arrived at last so we could be heard singing everything from John Lennon to Simon and Garfunkel last night. I was particularly good at a Rod Stewart song which I belted out whilst Mr M accompanied. Wait till my grand daughter India joins us on the drums and the band will be complete and my noisy neighbours will have real competition! Talking of which my daughter said that one of our kind gifts at Christmas, a recorder, strangely found its way straight into the dustbin when we left on Christmas evening.........mmmmmmmmmm

I also cleared out my knicker drawer and to my embarassment discovered that I have 71 pairs of knickers - now either this means I don't have to wash any for 10 weeks or I should start wearing two pairs at a time in this cold weather. Tonight I am tackling tights and vests - no not string ones, the type that you wear underneath something so you are not revealing too much when you bend down (unless you are very slim you will know what I mean!)





Join us on BBC Radio Solent 96.1/103.8FM weekdays 1-4pm or on the BBC iPlayer anytime at http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p001d7rv

On the Charlie Crocker Show on Wednesday

I'll be talking about step-parenting on the show on Wednesday.

How easy is it to take on someone else's children? How do you build bridges, and set boundaries, as a step-parent?

I'd love to hear your stories and experiences from 1pm - call, text, or e-mail me your thoughts.

Join us on BBC Radio Solent 96.1/103.8FM weekdays 1-4pm or on the BBC iPlayer anytime at http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p001d7rv

Charlie's Show on Tuesday 3rd February

Do you pre-judge gypsies? Do you know anything about their history?

Charlie will be looking at the traditions and tales of a New Forest gypsy community on her show on Tuesday 3rd February.

6% of the New Forest's population are gypsies and a local campaign is trying to increase people's understanding of their roots and culture.

Share your views with Charlie from 1pm on Tuesday on BBC Radio Solent

Join us on BBC Radio Solent 96.1/103.8FM weekdays 1-4pm or on the BBC iPlayer anytime at http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p001d7rv

Let it snow, let it snow

Whilst Mr M's Australian coastline struggles with 45 degrees in the shade, we get the coldest and snowiest winter on record for 18 years! He doesn't believe me when I keep saying 'honestly it isn't normally this cold'! I have purchased a goose feather duvet which I think is the best thing since sliced bread, and he suffocates under - why are men so hot?!?!
We travelled to Essex and Sussex over the weekend and the snow seemed to follow us - it is utterly mesmerising whilst you are driving isn't it, and yesterday we decamped into a very nice pub/restaurant and sat like extras from Miracle on 54th Street as the snow came down. One fish and chips and posh hamburger and apple and blackberry crumble with hot vanilla custard later, we felt able to brave the blizzards whilst Mr M muttered under his breath ' I may be some time' as he wandered outside to smoke a cigarette.
Which reminds me, I need to book that hypnotherapist for him....

On Monday's show

Do you know how to use your digital camera? Do you understand what the buttons do? Have you figured out what to do with the photos once you've taken them? No? Neither have I!

So on Monday I'm launching our 'Wireless Women' series, where Judy is going to try and help me figure all this out - and help you at the same time.

Let me know what's confusing you on your camera - or if you have any tips for us that you think we should know.

Also, Rory Bremner is on the show - before he features on the BBC show Who Do You Think You Are?

Join me on Monday afternoon from 1, on 'BBC Radio Solent', or any time on BBC iPlayer

Bagpipes r us

and all that - well it was Burns Night so where better to be than in Scotland? There were actually people reciting his poems in the pub we stayed in! I visited my father and stepmother who are unwell at the moment and it is so sad when the children start having to take over the parental role. The circle of life and all that. Lovely to see them though. My daughter came with me and spending two days without our partners and her daughter meant we had some special mum/daughter time too. Lovely to hear my grand daughter shouting 'lub you' down the phone to us!

I feel so touched when listeners share their lives with us too, and particularly so when something we have done on the show has meant that things have changed for them. The text from Mark on the show today saying that following talking on air with me he had decided to take some time off work to spend with his terminally ill father was particularly poignant when he sadly died weeks later. Mark is just glad he spent that special time with his dad.

Just a tipple

Well after 20 years of not drinking I have had a half glass of white a few evenings this week! Incredible, and I had forgotten how nice the taste of a good white is! With Mr M deciding to give up smoking I may need the glass of wine to deal with his withdrawal symptoms!

I loved the caller on my show today who said that her 8 year old daughter has taken over discipline matters in their family group. Not only annoying Mum, but her four other siblings - reminded me of the old Clarks' advertisement when the little girl says' My Mummy says when I grow up I'm going to be a proper little madam'!

Monday Monday

and apparently it is the gloomiest day of the year according to the papers. Well that would be right. Tax bills, a shower that scolds or freezes and a number of other things going wrong today meant I was beginning to believe the hype. So I was making sure that I was as cheerful as possible on air today including trying to be convinced that a caravan holiday would be the thing to do this year!

Added to that, I bent down to pick up my grand daughter India on Saturday and a muscle in my lower back went twang! I am now walking around like a constipated duck. (Has anyone ever seen a duck with constipation.......)!

Funny how

a good walk can often end up at a pub! Wanting to tick off another pub from our Hampshire Pub Walks book we decided to visit Minstead. A beautiful village with a church that is one of only two mentioned in the Domesday Book, we went to The Trusty Servant and all of a sudden fire bells were ringing and the cottage next door's chimney was alight! Much running around from villagers to check on the occupant, and all was well after the firemen had done their job!

On Saturday we went to West Wittering for a walk - Mr M had spent childhood holidays there - and when he turned the grey colour of his hair with cold, we decided to go to Itchenor to get a pub lunch ! So a bit of walking and a lot of eating sums up my weekend

So last night I pulled the walking shoes on and braved the cold and felt virtuous as I bit into a french loaf later on that night .... well at least it's not chocolate.....!

Happy New Year!

I hope you had the most fabulous Christmas and got throughly spoiled as I did. Mr M's Christmas feast turned out brilliantly and I managed to burn the Christmas pudding! it seems the very little cooking knowledge that I did have has completely gone to pot and everything I touch turns to being burned in an instant. Mr M thinks that this has something to do with the fact that I know only one setting on the hob ie high and suggested very kindly that maybe I might give midway and even low a chance. Mmmm maybe this is why on my list of resolutions 'learn to cook' figured. I also put 'teach my grand daughter French'. My daughter saw this and nearly wet herself laughing as she said 'Mum she's only just learning English!'. We'll see....

La plume de ma tante anyone????!!!!!!!!!