Happy Christmas all you heathens ...

[catcitrus]

Its good to be a Pagan

[Crossrutted]

Used to beat me every day near enough.

He wasn't all bad, then?

[Tramp]

we have spent the last 8 chrimbo in France and it will continue that way so long as I can crawl my sorry ass over there (thumbs) B) ....

I`m materalistic....but folks can believe what they like

[Simon_100]

Mornin' all - the first TV screening of this amazing film came out last night so I watched it - we saw it at the pictures too! It's a new take on and old story and visually absolutely stunning. I see that an English version was made - easy really as it's a 'silent' movie - the soundtrack is amazing too! - they just had to change a few speech boards or whatever they are called. Here's the UK trailer. I can't seem to find a complete version in either Spanish or English on Youtube*, but streaming it might make a n¡nice alternative 'Christmas Movie' for you all to watch! (thumbs) It was a shame to have to watch it on my crappy TV - my Mac is connected to my f***off posh HiFi on which the soundtrack really is stunning - literally at 07.50! (thumbs) Regs Simon

[Elle]

Happy Xmas!
Although, it's a bit weird seeing Xmas trees for sale on the beach front today

[strike][/strike]

i give up.... :blink:

[JenP]

Can't believe it's Christmas time again, where has this year gone?? I see all the Christmas trees and decorations around and think what are they doing up already it's only......oh......December, crap!

I'm not at all religious but I do love Christmas. For me it's a time to slow down, take a break and enjoy spending some time with my family - parents, sisters, brothers-in-law. Get together, cook together, talk together, wear silly hats! Can't beat it, life's too short to work all the time!

[Simon_100]

Can't believe it's Christmas time again, where has this year gone?? I see all the Christmas trees and decorations around and think what are they doing up already it's only......oh......December, crap!

I'm not at all religious but I do love Christmas. For me it's a time to slow down, take a break and enjoy spending some time with my family - parents, sisters, brothers-in-law. Get together, cook together, talk together, wear silly hats! Can't beat it, life's too short to work all the time!

I couldn't agree more Jen, we were back in Britain last year for the first time in early december since 1996 and we just couldn't get over all the 'tat' out there: all the houses draped in lights, trees in gardens, etc.

Christmas commercialism, which was bad enough the FFS, has gone absolutely crazy! In fact the whole visit, which was based around Chichester that lends itself to that sort of 'Dickensian' nostalgia trip, just blew our minds - especially Polly's as it was her first time back in about twelve years!

Sadly this is another import here - which was one main point of my original post - although there are a few 'special' Christmas traditions like Christmas dinners - these vary from region to region, including whether you have it on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day (our foodie friends have both!) but the rest, children's presents especially, waits until Los Reyes, that is to say Epiphany on January 6th, when in place of father Christmas the three Kings deliver presents to the kids on the night of the 5th.

No matter how much we say we won't do it we almost always end up having the full on; turkey (well, free range chicken actually), 'chipolatas'*, stuffing, bread sauce, etc - I draw the line at Brussels sprouts, can't stand even the smell of 'em cooking ... We've still got a Christmas pud from last year - Sainsbury's of course - and we'll get some Stilton and Cheddar to go along with the home made cake - if my new set of pearly whites are up to cracking icing by then!

Sadly there's no family, but we're usually up at Casa Rafela in splendid isolation and that's fabulous - we're often snowed in and have half of the Pyrenees, or so it seems, on our doorstep!



Regs

Simon

[Simon_100]

It was a shame to have to watch it on my crappy TV - my Mac is connected to my f***off posh HiFi on which the soundtrack really is stunning - literally at 07.50! (thumbs

Well I never could find a full version but did find a review by The Guardian:



And of course they did a Gruniad moment when they introduced te clip as being Snow White's - they also pronounced 'Blancanieves' in an appalling way! - final entry into the bull ring, then proceeded to show a clip of her first entry into a bill ring - The Gruniad is genuine nostalgia for me (thumbs)

Looking at the film yesterday reminded me that the owner of the best Jamon bar in Tarragona - who is a bike riding acquaintance of mine (F800GS) - told me that his great uncle was a performer at bullfights at those days - they weren't dwarves, more a clown act that included an impersonation of Charlie Chaplin*, who was a really big hit here - silent movies being a doddle to market across language barriers of course.

So - just in the name of research you understand :whistle: - I had to pop down there and take a few photos of the posters:





My pal, predictably enough a José, come from Huelva and the bar is real Andalusian - totally different to the Catalonian style - and is somewhat raucous, but that genuine Andalusian Bellota Iberico** - is the real deal, some of the hams hanging from the ceiling cost upwards of €400 wholesale!



Sadly my newly installed choppers aren't up to doing such quality grub justice, so I had to settle foe a few beers and lots of memories of times gone by (thumbs)



Regs

Simon

* in Spain Chaplin's Tramp character was known as 'Charlot' - as in France apparently.

** 'bellota' means acorns, which is what the Iberico semi-wild pig breed feeds on - hence the barking price tag

[Redmurty]

Happy Xmas!
Although, it's a bit weird seeing Xmas trees for sale on the beach front today

[strike][/strike]

i give up.... :blink:

yep watching Father Xmas ride a Harley down the High St in Invergagil was interesting especially with jet lag

enjoy it mate (thumbs)

cheers Spud

[Redmurty]

religion is not the cause but the excuse, it's a very good place for people to hide in plain site

all the Christian holidays I can think of are place on top of a previous pagan one, good day for a ride out though

cheers Spud