Strictly not too old!

The row over the sacking of Arlene Phillips (66) from BBC's Strictly Come Dancing rumbles on. After Harriet Harman previously describing the decision as "shocking" we now hear the Lib-Dems Equalities Spokeswoman telling the Party Conference it "sent a bad message" and "she would not be able to describe her feelings on the matter in parliamentary language."
Interesting as well that we get Justin Lee Collins (35) wading in with a swipe at Bruce Forsyth (81) suggesting that he should have got out 3 or 4 years ago. I wonder was that a piece of clever PR to deflect from the sexism aspects of the Phillips - Dixon row?
It seems a shame that ageism will be the likely casualty in this row. If you watch the show (which of course I don't) you would appreciate that the original panelists shared a similar perspective as critics, and so maybe a different angle will limit repetition. There certainly were clashes and personal exchanges. The trouble now is that if Len (65) falls out with Craig (44) as he did last Saturday (I'm told) we will dismiss this as cantankerousness by the old fella!
Of course it's viewing ratings that will ultimately settle this debate and the head to head with X Factor last Saturday wasn't a good result with Strictly losing out by 2 million viewers.
But the BBC have the answer. They've "gagged" the Strictly judges and issued suitable responses they can give to questions on the affair. Their record with costume drama is renowned and adding censorship to ageism within the plot is bound to increase viewing levels.

Beige is the new black!

We've just got home after a wonderful week's holiday on the North Devon Coast and what a result it was! With weather expectations fixed firmly low by the miserable rain of July and August we were delighted to find wonderful blue skies and warm sunshine. And on top of that the schools had gone back...sorry kids, no offence intended.

North Devon is a great part of the world. You've got the peaceful isolation of villages like Berrynarbour, the one we stayed in. The stunning beauty of the cliff top walks that link up rocky bays and coves. The "time stood still" experience of towns like Lynmouth...and the incredible Clovelly, a must see with it's narrow cobbled high Street that steps down from cliff top to harbour. And the hugely popular surfing locations like Woolacombe and Croyde. Of course we gravitated to the latter. I'd always fancied a go at surfing. It may be difficult now though. The legs are bereft of reflexes ever since the disc op. The permanent catarrh and ear problems make balance a bit difficult. And despite my best efforts, a bit of white fluff on the neck was as near as I got to the bouncy long haired look of the young board dudes. Mind you I maybe could have fitted in with the "senior surfers." These were the guys who'd long since lost the bouncy long hair and seemed to wear a larger sizer of black wet suit. I didn't actually see any of them surfing but they walked about the beach a lot with boards under arms and expressions of serious intent on faces. Yes I could have managed that but I'm not so sure I could have kept up with the beige army. Bless 'em, they were all out there with their walking boots, hiking poles and beige windcheaters of course. Scampering up and down cliff walks. Snapping pictures from precarious vantage points. On the 175 step ascent from Clovelly Harbour we were actually overtaken by couples who easily gave me 15 years and should have given me a 50 step start. Of course I had to show that I was still fit and energetic and unwisely chose to try and catch and pass them. It was the next day when I paid for that rashness. Oh the pain!! I'm still not sure whether I've kicked off the old disc problem. Or maybe it's a hip joint....oh dear...that's another of life's milestones!!! Anyway, the cool dude surfer look definitely went by the board as the holiday was played out with a walking stick. To be fair it wasn't a walking stick...more of a hiking staff, which I thought gave me a rather impressive biblical look. Not sure the cheap stetson from a gift shop complimented this though! But at least I was my own man....no wet suit or beige for me...just yet

"I'm treated far better than I deserve thanks!"

A couple of nights ago I bumped into my long-time friend Alan in Sainsbury's. He stood by the chiller cabinet....closely scrutinizing his shopping list in one hand and an 8 pack of sausages in the other. "Isn't it scandalous" I observed..."how prices are going up all the time." For a second or two we nearly went into one about grocery inflation, and then instinctively realised we were heading towards a grumpy old men conversation and pulled back just in time. Alan and I go back many years when we both joined Golden Wonder as young ambitious Divisional Sales Managers and we like to think we haven't changed much in the subsequent 30 years. And I always smile inwardly with nostalgia at Alan's retro 70's hair style....although it's snow white now. Of course we have changed. Both divorced. Twice in Alan's case. Bit heavier. A bit wiser....and that's not because we started from a low base as Golden Wonder Sales Managers!
Both fairly healthy....considering!!! We were certainly encouraged to live a certain life style in those GW days. Our boss Keith had a terrific attitude to motivation which was to start by treating yourself well. Of course we followed his teachings faithfully. Good restaurants. Posh hotels. Well stocked drinks cabinet for home entertaining. All claimed on the expenses budget of course. What we may not have realised at the time though was that this apparent self-indulgence did motivate us to do our best. What Keith was doing of course was creating the trappings of success and because we behaved as if we were successful we made sure that we were successful. We felt like winners and we were obliged to be winners.
30 years on we still recognise that attitude in ourselves. The expense funded meals have gone although we both still have the Cross pens. But more to the point we learnt and still practice that philosophy feel that life is treating you well and you will want to repay it by doing your best with life. We shared stories of our current successes, particularly Alan's offer of a Sales Management role. "At 62!!" And agreed that today's breed wouldn't hold a light to us ex-GW managers. And then we were off, stopping at the chiller to get some of that delicious Italian Red Grape juice that Sainbsbury's sell. "This stuff has that anti-ageing ingredient" says I. "Righto" says Alan, "Give us one here!"