I like Griff Rhys Jones. I’ve liked him since Not The Nine
O’clock News and I can never, ever, read the word “Alibi” without hearing it as
“Alee-bee” thanks to him!
I’ve enjoyed his documentaries from the Three Men in a
Boat series to the Rivers and Mountains he’s visited – and who could forget his
lovely chocolate Lab, Cadbury? I warmed to him a great deal more when I realised he was a dog person.
Last night I caught up with Britain’s Lost Routes from
last week, the one about Thames barges.
Anyone who knows me will know I have a huge fondness for
Thames barges. I have loved them for as long as I can remember and my first
ever published poem was written about them. I could happily sit and watch them
on the water all day and if I happen to catch the Barge Race, then I am a very happy bunny indeed!
So I was very excited when I saw he was going to do a
programme about the barges. Very! Perhaps rather over-the-topperly so.
And often when you are very excited about something, it
can turn out to be disappointing.
Not so! It was brilliant. It showed the side of Essex that
I know and love. It also showed my home town and the beaches where my family
have played for at least five generations. His coastal trip from the peaceful Walton
backwaters, via Harwich along the entire Essex coast was riveting.
He stopped off at coastal villages along the way and met what
I think of as the “real” Essex folk. But we are a big county and I believe the
most heavily populated so our population is going to be diverse.
I learned such a lot from this programme as he travelled
familiar waters. He also stopped at Chatham where a good few of my roots are buried.
And he made Plum Duff! Must say it didn’t look anything
like the “duff” my mum used to make, but now I have a fancy for that too.
Last night was the Highland Cattle Drovers – another I am
looking forward to. And the series is going to be on DVD. That will be one for
my Christmas list!
Glad to know they are at last showing a positive side to Essex.
ReplyDeleteAs you are aware I love North Yorkshire with all my heart, my roots are there, but I was born in a small Essex village.
I spent many a summer in Maldon, Essex with my grandmother, she would take my sister and I on a bus to play, picnic and walking along the waterfront.
When I was a child there was boatyards and the old Thames Barges, but the yards have gone now though some of the boats are still there not as many as I remember.
The funny thing is when I went to Whitby for the first time it remind me of Maldon.
Both places have a Church which is St Mary. I also found out that the ships use to trade between the two places while researching my family history.
I love barges too and I love short stories set on boats.
ReplyDeletePlum Duff reminds me of my father. He was always trying to persuade my mother to make it for him, but she rarely did.
I have really fond memories of Not The Nine O'Clock News. I could just fancy watching it all again.
I love Whitby too, Paula. I have no roots there, but going there felt like going somewhere familiar. Maldon is probably one of the best places to see the barges isn't it? x
ReplyDeleteI watch episodes occasionally and it still feels fresh to me, Joanna. I think there may be some form of "duff" for tea tonight here - I really, really fancy it :-) x
I didn't see the programme, Teresa, but I'm glad you saw so much of your own area and that it was positive! This type of programme is great for showing us parts of the country we might not know and I'll look out for the remainder.
ReplyDeleteWe love the Michael Portillo rail journeys as we both love trains.
I love GRJ too but somehow missed this programme. Like Rosemary we are now watching Michael Portillo's rail journeys for the second time. It's great to see many of the places you have visited and know well.
ReplyDeleteI didn't see the Thames barges one, but I did watch last night's programme about the drovers' roads. The Highland Cattle were beautiful!
ReplyDeleteIt was good wasn't it Teresa! As an adopted Essex girl (I lived there for 20 years) I lived by the Thames and used to see barges passing all the time. It always looked idylic - but after watching the programme - it's hard work! Caroline x
ReplyDeleteI'll check out the Michael Portillo rail journeys, Rosemary - thanks x
ReplyDeleteI miss a lot, Maggie - not realising something I would have liked to watch is on until it's halfway through a series. But it is nice to see familiar places isn't it x
I'm looking forward to that one, Joanne - I love Highland Cattle :-) x
There is something very sedate and peaceful about them isn't there, Caroline, but as you say, very hard work! x
I love GRJ too. Do you remember that wonderful car ad he did on TV ?not quite meerkat standard, but it did make us laugh!
ReplyDeleteI think Essex is under estimated, and agree with you that it is fascinating. thanks for the nice post.
ReplyDeleteNot seen this myself, but I'm glad that your excitement was justified.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, Frances - wasn't he a bearded scientist? x
ReplyDeleteMe too, Jenny - there is so much more to Essex :-) x
Did I mention I was excited, Patsy ;-) x
I've plussed that one but haven't got round to watching it yet. I'm a fan of him too. Do you remeber him in the Bookworm series, years ago?
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ReplyDeleteI do - I had forgotten Bookworm, but it is coming back to me - thanks for reminding me, Debbie! I'd also forgotten to include the Restoration series x
ReplyDeleteI love plum duff. And barges feature in my second novel, though I've never actually been on one.
ReplyDeleteI like them to look at, but am not keen on water. Now if they were on dry land ... well, I guess it wouldn't be the same!
I loved the programme too Teresa, and recently wrote a Thames Barge poem. You are so right about the image of Essex, I was born in Witham and went to school in Maldon but now, living in Dorset, feel I almost have to apologise for my roots because of the constant bad press.
ReplyDeleteHi Teresa, I think his programmes are good, funny and I also love the brown labrador. I'd rather see that side of Essex. The other is all hype. I've given you the be inspired award over on my blog, as you've been an inspiration to me for a long time.
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I wonder if they are nicer to look at than to travel on, Karen - I'm determined to find out one day x
ReplyDeleteDorothy L Sayers lived in Witham didn't she, Beryl? I think those barges do awaken the poet inside us :-) It is as if there are two completely different counties of Essex isn't it x
Thank you, Suzy - what a lovely thing to say and thanks for the award, I shall try to make that my next blog post x
I am so watching this on iplayer tonight once I get home from work!! Oh wow - the programme looks even more delicious after reading this!!! I think Essex is such a beautiful county - I've only ever been to a tiny part of it courtesy of what was then National Express and their super saver gold card buy one get one free rail tickets!! And Plum Duff!!! What's not to like about plum duff! (It's a sort of steamed pudding isn't it?) LOL! Take care
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I too loved Three Men In A Boat and wish they would make some more.
ReplyDeleteI've got them all recorded and looking forward even more now to seeing them!
ReplyDeleteI loved Three Men in a Boat and isn't Cadbury gorgeous. :o) xx
Sounds like I've missed out here. I'll try and find the programme on iplayer later on...
ReplyDeleteRiver life interests me, I once wrote a story set on a barge, after my neighbour announced he had purchased one. We were invited to board one day in the school summer holiday, and I have been fascinated ever since.
It does have some very pretty bits doesn't it, Old Kitty? Yes it is a steamed pudding - ooh pudding, I do fancy a pudding :-) x
ReplyDeleteI hope so too, Marian x
Agree with you there, Sue :-) x
How lovely, Maria, living on a barge! They're very roomy aren't they? :-) x
I enjoyed this, thanks Teresa. I love reading about your side of the world. :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Diane x
ReplyDeleteI don't know Essex, but it's so nice when they show where you come from in a positive way. Jersey was on Coast the other day and looked so beautiful, whereas usually the programmes/papers focus on tax exiles, etc.
ReplyDeleteHi Teresa,
ReplyDeleteThis was great and gave me a further insight into the "real" Essex folks.
I've always wanted a barge and I reckon it would be such a peaceful way to live.
Okay, no mention from me of "TOWIE":)
All the best,
Gary x
Jersey does look beautiful, Debs - and if it's any consolation, I don't think of tax exiles when I think of it, just a lovely island :-) x
ReplyDeleteThank you for not mentioning TOWIE, Gary. You'll notice I didn't either ;-) x
I wish I'd seen that programme, Teresa! As an Essex Girl myself I know there are beautiful parts of our county and it's a shame it's got such a dire name in some quarters. We always go to Walton on the Naze if we get nice days in the summer (ha ha!) - as it brings back childhood memories. Both Himself and I were taken there as kids - but only for special treats. Southend was the norm!
ReplyDeleteYou may still be able to see it on iPlayer, Olivia. I like going over to Walton now and then and I used to cycle over there when I was a teenager - happy days :-) x
ReplyDeleteI do like GRJ - unfailingly entertaining. I can still vividly remember a lot of the sketches from Not the Nine O'clock News. Such a talented lot.
ReplyDeleteThey really do stick in the memory, don't they, Biddy :-) x
ReplyDeleteJust thought of the other person I really like and quite similar to GRJ - Michael Palin. Thought he crossed over the road in front of my car today! Must have been thinking about him because I'm sure he's not from these parts. I think he's from my home town of Sheffield?
ReplyDeleteMichael Palin, there's another one I like very much, Maggie :-) Maybe it was him who crossed the road in front of you? He gets about doesn't he :-) x
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