Ben Brown was brilliant

But more of that later.

First, Doctor Who. It didn't take long; halfway through the first episode and Billie Piper gets to snog the Doctor. In her altered state as Cassandra but nonetheless. Is this the way it's going to be? While David Tennant is very kissable, the Doctor just doesn't do that! William Hartnell would be turning in his grave - if he wasn't a Time Lord and therefore not dead.

That rant out of the way, happy Easter!

Husband saw me off for the morning service/concert with the words, 'It beats me that someone like you, with no co-ordination, should get involved in two things (drumming and puppetry) that involve a deal of hand co-ordination.' With that behind me, it's no wonder I got to the drumming rehearsal late and then realised that I had forgotten the words I was supposed to be reading.

I sped home (praying that the speed cameras would be switched off for Easter?), dashed into the house and upstairs to find the words by the bed. Except they weren't. A quick replay of the morning and I found the words on the microwave.

Back to Linden, to find Alun waiting to haul me behind the screen to practise the puppets. 'But I've got to ...'
'You've got to practise the puppets!'
'Oh, oh, okay.'

Rest of the morning a bit of a blur but I am assured it all went well.

Ah, yes, the brilliant Ben Brown. He was to perform a monologue I had written. Up to and including the final minutes before 'curtain up', he kept telling me he hadn't managed to learn it. The little s.o.b. He performed it brilliantly. He was taking the part of the boy, who had given Jesus his loaves and fishes, after hearing that Jesus had risen. He did it with a Welsh accent and leapt around the stage, the perfect performer.

And talking about perfect performers, Tim Oakes was also rather impressive as Linden's own magician. I don't know how he did the tricks but even if it was magic, we all think it was a set-up anyway!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I'm now near the end of About a Boy and it is definitely different from the film. I am enjoying it though and it gives an interesting insight into the mind of a male, albeit a thirty-something single serial womaniser.

Apparently an ancient Greek philosopher said the best thing about getting old was losing the obsession with sex. 'Now I can think uninterrupted about the greater issues of life,' he said.

It's a curious thing. I suppose at its extreme, a man and woman could be discussing what to have for dinner while he's thinking about sex, or they could be having sex while she's thinking about what to have for dinner.

I think I shall have to study the male of the species more carefully.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

It was the male of the species (husband) who, having read that the shops were selling out, suggested that we should have turkey for dinner today. He then did the man thing of battling an old lady for the best of the three remaining ones on the shelf (he returned triumphant).

I was preparing it for the oven just now when, on taking it out of its wrapper, I discovered a red button on its chest. I was about to yank it out when something whirred deep in my brain - yes, it was a pop-up timer! It guarantees perfectly cooked and safe-to-eat chicken every time (although you must still do the skewer check and if you don't follow their instructions correctly, they will not be held responsible).

Now if this works, it could overtake George Clooney as the most popular response to the question, 'What is the answer to a girl's prayer?'

Spellchecka just asked me if I meant 'home-maker' where I'd written 'womaniser'.