Monday, 13 December 2021
That's Food and Drink: Mawish Superfood Blends
That's Food and Drink: Mawish Superfood Blends: Mawish is a leader in producing superfood blends. Liquid Gold Turmeric Blend costs £8.99. It is powerful and nutritious blend that makes a...
Sunday, 12 December 2021
Buy Dyson for Christmas
Dyson now produce a wide range of products. From vacuums to haircare products to air conditioning units and heaters, every one of them will make an excellent Christmas gift.
If you have someone to buy for who sufferers from asthma or allergies they will be really appreciative of a Dyson HEPA vacuum cleaner.
They will also appreciate a Dyson air conditioning unit, because these are also fitted with HEPA filters. Some also heat and cool, some also have a humidifier instead of a heating function.
This means that Dyson lights can become a family heirloom passed down through several generations.
Dyson products are available for order direct from Dyson https://www.dyson.co.uk or from major and independent retailers throughout the country and from other retailers outside the UK.
Our American readers can buy Dyson products at https://www.dyson.com/.
To find out about purchasing Dyson in the rest of the world please contact Dyson.
To check out demonstrations of the entire range of Dyson products please visit
https://www.dyson.co.uk/inside-dyson/dyson-demo.
Do we have any commercial relationship with Dyson? No, but we do own three Dyson air conditioning units (two that are hot or cool, one that is a humidifier and a Dyson stick vacuum cleaner, so we can recommend Dyson products based on our own experiences.
Saturday, 11 December 2021
AlphaBetty Doodles & Her World of A to Z
You will read and see the adventures of a very special little girl, AlphaBetty Doodles, as she roams around in her very special world.
Fly with AlphaBetty Doodles and check out the clouds, enjoy discovering butterflies, listen as AlphaBetty Doodles tells her purring pussy cat about her day.
And what about AlphaBetty Doodle's sweet little sausage dog and their adventures in the park? Why did they have to go home? Read this gentle, lovely book and you'll learn why.
There's a host of characters, both human and animal, all with brightly coloured illustrations on each and every page, with each mini story (there are over 25!) told in a neat and fun little rhyme.
And do watch out for the word puzzle that the book contains which adds a little bit more magical fun to this funny and fascinating book.
You must buy this book as it's probably one of Christmas 2021's top stocking fillers.
It is available on Amazon at £7.99 in paperback or £2.99 for Kindle. Why not buy both, then you and your children will always be sure to have AlphaBetty Doodles adventures to hand for when you need them most!
And remember:-
"AlphaBetty
Loves Spaghetti
Slurp Slurp
It gets a bit messy"
That's Food and Drink: Bounce back with Bounce Back
That's Food and Drink: Bounce back with Bounce Back: Sometimes wouldn't you like something to help you bounce back a little in your life? Done too much? Partied more than you should? Or per...
Wednesday, 8 December 2021
BBC Countryfile Christmas in the Park
More familiar faces from the show such as Brian Turner, Anita Rani, John Craven, Joe Crowley, Tom Heap, Charlotte Smith and Margherita Taylor will also join the line-up across the weekend.
BBC Countryfile Christmas in the Park takes place from Friday 10th to Sunday 12th December within the splendid grounds of Wiltshire's Charlton Park Estate.
There's Christmas activities to please the entire family across five acres of wonderful parkland. You'll enjoy woodland walks, seasonal crafting and Christmas cooking presented by top chefs, plus local food heroes, the show’s iconic arboretum and special festive tented village will welcome all guests.
The Countryfile presenters will be dropping into feature areas across the show’s weekend run, including Ellie joining a walk with Woodland Trust experts, alongside meeting, greeting and taking selfies with visitors.
Join the Countryfile presenters for a packed programme of six live shows daily, featuring a host of special guests.
Talks on environmental trends to farm life, Friday and Saturday will launch with Countryfile farmers regaling show-goers with stories from their years on the farm, in a talk called Winter on the Farm and how the industry adapts.
Later on Friday and Saturday and first on Sunday visitors will see the presenters discuss filming Countryfile in the winter months and how the show battles the elements to continue to create award-winning content year after year.
The stage will also be the scene for a good-old fashioned Christmas quiz, A Question of Christmas, where Countryfile presenters challenge guests on their festive general knowledge!
The Christmas Kitchen for 2021
The party is always in the kitchen and it’s no different at Countryfile Christmas in the Park. The Christmas Kitchen, which has the backing of NEFF and Bosch, will present a wide menu of TV culinary stars, local chefs and food heroes, hosted by one of the countries favourite celebrity chefs, Brian Turner.
But that's not all! Chef and presenter of BBC1’s Saturday Kitchen, Matt Tebbutt, will also be joining the extensive list of culinary talent cooking up a festive storm over the weekend, with TV Chef and Food Writer, Ching He Huang MBE, Food writer, Xanthe Clay and BBC Masterchef Champion 2020, Thomas Frake. The Countryfile presenters will also join in the festive fun to help cook sustainable Christmas feasts.
The Christmas Shopping Village
But there's more! Timed to coincide with the final two-week Christmas shopping dash, show-goers can purchase their 2021 Christmas shopping from over 200 of the best independent traders and brands in the Christmas Shopping Village, including Gloucestershire Chock Shop and Beckfords of Bath, with thousands of gift and decoration ideas for stocking fillers on offer.
NEFF and Bosch Merry Baking Tent
A baking demonstration tent hosted by Bristol-born, Hobbs House Bakery’s The Fabulous Baker Brothers, Tom and Henry, the NEFF and Bosch Merry Baking Tent will take guests on a festive baking journey of live stage demonstrations, including ‘How do you bake the perfect loaf?’ and ‘What can you do to get the kids involved at Christmas?’ The Baker Brothers will share their secret tips and ideas, as well as welcome guests including award-winning patisserie chef and chocolatier, Will Torrent.
Deck The Halls
Visitors to Deck The Halls will be invited to watch modern and traditional craft makers working, learn how to make Christmas wreaths and decorations with natural materials, plus watch beautiful furniture being hand whittled and the process of candles being made. The weekend will kick off with a demonstration on making a wire robin with Zack from Paper and Wood, followed by beeswax Christmas candle making by Wild Harvest School of Self-Reliance.
Classes throughout the weekend will also highlight sustainable wrapping ideas while making the picture-perfect present for under the tree.
Carol-oke Live
Whether it’s ‘Once in Royal David’s City’ or ‘O Holy Night’, everyone loves belting out a carol! Guests can rest assured that they will get their chance, alongside the Malmesbury Community Choir and online choir, the Wiltshire Wailers, who will be treating visitors to festive carol performances throughout the weekend at the Carol-Oke Live Stage. Guests are encouraged to pick up a song sheet and join in the carolling.
Winter Woodland Walks
Outdoor lovers can also join The Woodland Trust on a series of expert-guided walks around Charlton Park’s stunning arboretum, where they can learn about the various flora and fauna, as well as how to tend their own gardens over the winter months. Kids can also get involved with Woodland Trust festive workshops, such as make your own reindeer from hazel sticks.
All of this fun will work up an appetite and thankfully there’s plenty of opportunity for delicious festive delicacies at The Park Food Market & Wine Bar, offering a tempting array of street food and of course warming mugs of mulled wine.
Making Christmas Crackers in 1910
Making Christmas Crackers (1910) | BFI National Archive
I found this video on YouTube and I have shared it here for your viewing pleasure.
To learn more about the BFI please visit https://www.bfi.org.uk/
A Christmas Vehicle Recovery Story
I don't think we have published a fictional Christmas story on That's Christmas, before.
This is about to change with a story called "A Christmas Vehicle Recovery Story." I hope you enjoy it.
Bob and Mike had drawn the short straw that Christmas Eve. They were one of the two vehicle recovery teams their employer, MacV Recovery, was using to provide 24/7 recovery that day and on Christmas Day. They were working Christmas Eve, someone else was working Christmas Day.
And as Mac, the owner said, every year: “If we say we offer 24/7 recovery, we’d better offer 24/7 recovery, even over Christmas and the New Year!”
The area the company covered was a substantial one so rather than keeping both duty recovery trucks waiting in the compound in the centre of the area, it was Mac’s habit to have one unit parked up in a layby in the North of the area, whilst the smaller Volvo tow truck was further south.
The Northern position was colder and more prone to snow as it was on higher ground.
Bob and Mike chatted about Christmas. Both of them were married, Bob had been married for 15 years to Betty, they had one son, Josh and Mike was not long married to his childhood sweetheart, Sally. They had no children, as yet.
Times had been tough of late and they’d had to scrimp and scrape to get the money together for presents.
Bob said: “We wanted to get Josh a top of the range iPad, but the shop we ordered it from burnt down, so I have no clue when we’re going to be able to get one for him. Unfortunately we'd paid for it weekly, but as the owner wasn't properly insured, we might lose all the money we paid.”
“That’s terrible!” replied Mike. “I’d love to get Sally a real diamond necklace, but my budget could only stretch to £100, so I got her a cubic zirconia necklace. The diamond one was £1,000. Way beyond what I could afford. What are you getting Betty?”
“Some perfume. Not the expensive stuff I’d prefer to have got for her, but like you the budget was stretched, what with getting Josh his iPad.”
The heater was doing a good job of keeping them warm and the radio was tuned to a station playing Christmas tunes. They were both at the point of nodding off, when the radio gave a burst of static and died. There was a flash of light and a whooshing sound from above their vehicle.
“What was that?” gasped Bob.
“Dunno,” said Mike. “Was it a plane crash?”
“We’d better get out and take a look.”
They put their reflective winter jackets on and clambered from the truck, amazed to see snow had been falling and there was already a covering of about four or five inches.
Behind them in the layby they saw a sight that stunned them. There was an old fashioned red sleigh like you see on Christmas cards and a man dressed as Santa stepped down. He turned and waved at Bob and Mike then ensured his six reindeer were feeding from nosebags.
Bob and Mike looked at each other, gobsmacked, for want of a better word.
“One of us must be dreaming!” said Mike.
Santa walked toward them, his boots crunching in the snow. “Hi, lads! Am I glad I spotted you. Could you help me out, please? I’m having problems. It’s the left hand runner, it’s developed a squeak and made the sleigh shudder. I don’t want to be behind schedule, I’ve got presents to deliver all around the world, tonight.”
“I’ll just get my tool kit,” said Bob. Mike stood there, transfixed.
Bob returned with his tool kit and approached the sleigh. He noticed the reindeer had stopped feeding. They were gently steaming and were eager to get going again, as they were pawing the ground.
Bob put his headlight over his cap and turned it on. He looked at the ornately carved wooden runners. He was no expert, but he thought they looked early Victorian. They were, he thought, in very good condition, especially considering their age.
He called out: “Santa, I see what your problem is. It looks as if a bolt has sheared through. It’s a non-metric one, a Whitworth imperial. But that’s not a problem because I always keep some old style Whitworth imperial screws, washers and bolts in case I meet up with a classic car, or an interesting vehicle…” Mike finished off by saying: “Like this one?” Bob nodded. To be honest, he still thought he was dreaming.
Mike looked at the reindeer and had helped keep them calm. He reasoned they couldn’t be that much different from the horses his sister kept.
When Bob had finished greasing and tightening the nut Santa said: “How much do I owe you, boys?”
Bob shook his head. “That’s fine, Santa. There's nothing to pay. I’m just glad we could help.” Mike nodded in agreement.
“Thanks, boys! I’ll be off, now! Merry Christmas!” He walked to his sleigh, climbed in and with a “Ho, Ho, Ho!” the reindeer took the sleigh and Santa off and up into the night sky.
Bob took his tool kit back with him, as they talked about what had just happened. “Got to be a dream,” said Bob. “Yeah,” replied Mike. But whose dream?”
As they climbed back up into their recovery truck they noticed the radio was working again. But to their shock they saw there was a box containing a brand new top of the range iPad, a bottle of very expensive perfume and a box containing a very costly genuine diamond necklace. And two bottles of top single malt Scotch.
“Happy Christmas, Bob,” said Mike.
“Happy Christmas to you, Mike," replied Bob.
Mike said, with a grin, “What should we put this job down as on our record sheet?”
"Ho, Ho, Ho!" replied Bob.
We would like to thank OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay and Miller Industries for the photographs and images used to illustrate this story.
Merry Christmas, everyone!
Interested In Pixabay? Please visit www.pixabay.com.
Want to learn more about Miller Industries recovery vehicles, tow trucks and wreckers? Please visit them at https://www.millerind.com/
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