TV "Soaps" have a habit of re-writing their own history. Harold Bishop was washed into the sea, leaving only a pair of spectacles neatly parked on a rock, but re-appeared a few episodes later. Bobby Ewing returned to Dallas after a lengthy season-long "dream" in which he perished. Barbara Bel Geddes morphed into Donna Reed and back again as "Miss Ellie".
But the ratings and budget considerations all take precedence over common sense for anything that might stray into a country called "logical".
That's why the Doctor Who philosophy is so clever. The character continues despite a change of leading man (or, jury's out department, woman). Even if a key actor "passes on to that greats tardis in the sky", the rigours of time travel can arrange for subtle or major change. Hence The Master went from the wonderful Roger Delgado ...
... to Anthony Ainley and has re-appeared in recent years as John Simm, Derek Jacobi and Michelle Gomez as "Missy".
We also have the return of the very first Doctor (originally, of course, the late Willam Hartnell) ...
... who has subsequently reappeared played by Richard Hurndall and now by near look-alike David Bradley.
But some things never change.
The very first pottles of Marmite were sold in stone jars as per the souvenir repro above. But glass jays soon took over and remain de rigueur, despite lid "improvements".
The "marmite" (french for casserole pot - pronounced "mar-meet") came and went occasionally, but, overall, it has always looked the same; and tasted as gorgeous as it ever did (?).
Which inconsequential rambling (well, it is Christmas) brings us to one of today's baubles.
Viva Arriva - 1!
Some time ago Arriva announced a new livery (they said it was "transitional") which was a lighter and brighter blue.
The company also announced that it was "evaluating" a new logo - which was despised by almost all bus watchers. It looked, some wit said, like a haphazard pile of onion rings.
The heap is supposed to be three versions (?) of the old double ring ...
... but now singled, interlocked to make a letter "A". Although previously announced, this oddity seemed to fade away, with many bus watchers satisfield that it had been buried for good; but it is back!
Here is what their web site says:-
fbb was not worried!
"refreshing our colourways" = painting the buses a different shade of blue.
One question from an old grump like fbb. Will this "new look" bring more passengers flocking on to the buses?
Viva Arriva 2!
Express Motors of Penygroes (North Wales) ceases trading in the new year. Being in trouble with the law ...
... makes the bosses lose their essential status of being "of good repute". The Traffic Commisiioner has revoked their licence from December 31st. Most of their routes are tendered from Gwynedd council and many (most?) have been taken over by Arriva.
In passing, two other companies have thrown in the towel recently (or had the tower thrown in for them?).
Buses has been the family trade since the late 1960’s, and is most recently known with their familiar blue and white livery. The Acrefair based company runs over 20 vehicles in the Wrexham area.
In a statement this morning Councillor David A Bithell, the Council’s Lead Member for Transport said: “This news has come without any prior warning, and the Council’s immediate priority is to ensure that statutory contracted education transport is provided. Despite the late notice, the Council has been able to secure alternative transport arrangements for entitles students for next week.
On a less risible note, does this jokey type of poster work better than a simple "no smoking", "no vaping" - or even "no bog snorkeling"?
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ADVENT CALENDAR - 24
It's Christmas Eve and fbb will be hanging his oversize stocking at the foot of his bed tonight and trying to stay awake to see if Santa comes.
The modern city of Demre, Turkey is built near the ruins of the saint's home town of ancient Myra, and attracts many Russian tourists as St. Nicholas is a very popular Orthodox saint. Restoration of Saint Nicholas' original church is currently underway, with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in 2007 permitting Divine Liturgy to be celebrated at the site, and contributing 40,000 Turkish lira to the project.
A solemn bronze statue of the saint by Russian sculptor Gregory Pototsky was donated by the Russian government in 2000, and was given a prominent place in the square fronting the medieval Church of St. Nicholas. In 2005, mayor Süleyman Topçu had the statue replaced by a red-suited plastic Santa Claus statue ...
... because he wanted an image more recognisable to foreign visitors. Protests from the Russian government against this were successful, and the bronze statue was returned (albeit without its original high pedestal) to a corner nearer the church.
If you are a very young bus enthusiast - DO NOT READ THE NEXT BIT.
SPOILER ALERT
If there is any truth in that tradition that Nick gave children presents, the evidence is highly questionable and anyway his "Day" is celebrated on December 6th. Eastern Orthodox churches hold the festival on 19th December.
Whatever the date, Saint Nicholas has nothing to do with Christ Mas.
But we can celebrate the arrival of the Shepherds in the village of Bethlehem sometime during the night. Simple, beautiful and with real meaning.
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and saw the baby lying in the manger. When the shepherds saw him, they told them what the angel had said about the child. All who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said. Mary remembered all these things and thought deeply about them. The shepherds went back, singing praises to God for all they had heard and seen; it had been just as the angel had told them.
No star, no angels, no animals, no wise men (they've barely set out yet!), just a man, a young girl and a very special baby who came to die for the sins of the people. And those scruffy shepherds.
Wow!
If only ...
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Next Christmas Day blog : Monday 25th December
The services Arriva are taking on are only a small part of Express's operations- the Snowdon Sherpa, Llalndudno-Blaenau Ffestiniog, and Blaenau-Dolgellau don't feature for a start.
ReplyDeleteBut in any event, Happy Christmas, fbb and readers!
From armchair study, over north Wales Arriva seem to be taking over most of the services as they are the main operator. However local companies are gaining local routes. LLoyds Coaches are taking most of the Dolgellau and Barmouth routes.
ReplyDeleteCommon themes seem to be
a) Reduced frequencies
b) Reduced competition including with the Barmouth to Harleck trains.
One significant change to facilitate some of this is the increase in the TrawsCymru T2 Bangor to Aberystwyth trunk service. Bangor departures increase from 6 to 11 Mon-Sat. It will be run completely by LLoyds Coaches who are moving operation to their Dolgellau depot (ex Arriva) apart from 2 buses which appear to be based at Penygroes (Express Motors depot?). Dolgellau depot already is home to the T3 Barmouth-Wrexham service.
I think the West Midlands poster is what's referred to as 'tone of voice'. It's some overpaid marketing managers idea of proving they're not a stuffy old railway, they're one of your mates.
ReplyDeleteTo see this taken to ridiculous extremes, take a trip on Virgin East Coast, where you're attacked by screaming red posters from all angles. Apparently they have more trains than you can shake a stick at (unless you really like shaking sticks! Haha hahaha!!!) And of course even the loo on the train isn't safe from warnings not to join the unflushables!
Bring back GNER, who knew their job was to run a solid reliable unobtrusive railway.