A frivolous round-up of 2014!

Most enjoyable films

Paddington

Mr Turner

Pride

Most enjoyable piece of music

Happy by Pharrell Williams – the only song that caught my attention in 2014. Yes, the music scene has changed somewhat since my days of seeing more than 160 bands in a year!

Most enjoyable television programmes (as seen here in the UK – not sure whether they’re available elsewhere!)

Great Continental Railway Journeys – is Michael Portillo stepping into Palin’s (Michael, not Sarah!) shoes as our leading travel broadcaster?

Speed with Guy Martin – still crashing (at 90 miles an hour with just a scratch on his crash helmet in the last one of the latest series), but getting various records along the way.

Marshall amplifier documentary on BBC4 – can’t remember the exact title, but it was the story of the UK’s iconic rock amp brand

Books

My Autobiography by Guy Martin

The Moon’s A Balloon by David Niven

The People’s Songs: The Story Of Modern Britain In 50 Records by Stuart Maconie 

UK Destinations (further afield on the agenda for 2015!)

Suffolk – unexpected pleasure that’s going to get at least one return visit. There will be a piece on here in early 2015.

North Norfolk – the place of many visits now. Relaxing, peaceful and a delight. There will be a piece on here in early 2015 too!

Langdale Valley – two visits in a month. No mobile phone reception and the week in an apartment was nice and quiet – unlike the two campsites visited over the August Bank Holiday weekend. That weekend was a one-off, because I don’t usually head off on a Bank Holiday!

Views

Up the Langdale Valley from above Elterwater Village

The view from Southwold Pier – complete with inland lighthouse…

Take your pick of those on the North Norfolk coast…

Attraction

Flixton Air Museum, Suffolk – wasn’t in the guide books, a poster was spotted on the notice board at a camp site.

National Media Museum, Bradford – first visited in 2000, plenty of other visits since!

Salt’s Mill, Saltaire – galleries, a good book shop, art shop, home shop, outdoor shop and a busy diner too.

Fodder Bailey’s Torte at Treeby’s Gallery Cafe, Keswick

Bacon, sausage and egg bun,  Devil’s Bridge, Kirkby Lonsdale – look for the motorbikes and you’ve found the right place!

Lamb Rogan Josh and Chapatis at The International, Bradford – good choice before or after a film at the nearby National Media Museum or a show at The Alhambra (or a gig by The Mission at Rio’s).