My Xmas Card from Nick Clegg and Miriam Gonzalez Durantez

So today in the post, I rather unexpectadly received a Xmas card from Nick Clegg and his wife Miriam Gonzalez Durantez.

Now, as I prepare to enter the year in which I turn 30, I must admit that my memory isn't always the best but having said that, I'm pretty sure that this is the first time that I've received such a card from the Liberal Democrat Party leader and now Deputy Prime Minister. I may be wrong here but it doesn't stand out in my memory from years past so I'm presuming that this is the first time I've appeared on one of his lists.

Jim Hacker in Yes Minister
It immediately brought to my mind the sight of the hapless Jim Hacker in that 'Party Games' episode of Yes Minister when as Chairman of the Conservative Party, he found himself swamped with a mountain of Xmas cards that he had to sign in differing variations depending on who the recipients were.

It made me wonder how many Xmas cards that Nick Clegg and his office feel obliged to send and to which various groups. For example, I can't be sure as to why it was decided that I should receive a card though don't get me wrong, it is a nice gesture which I appreciate.

The card is not signed by Nick as party leader or as Deputy Prime Minister. It is actually quite a personalised looking card signed by Nick and Miriam. Now of course I realise that the signatures are printed from the original as to sign each one individually could take weeks as was indeed Jim Hacker's concern and whilst it was a basic message that wasn't written specifically for me, the fact that it comes over as a more personalised card with the front depicting a family of snowmen made me feel that I was on the 'personal' list of card recipients. Of course I don't know whether this is the case or not. I mean, has Nick Clegg used the same card and internal wording for every single card sent or are there indeed different messages and signatures for varying groups of individuals as was the case with Jim Hacker?

I don't know, but as I say it is a nice touch and it has given me a perfect excuse to find and replay that memorable scene from Yes Minister...

Cole's Musical Christmas Advent Calendar - Day 12

It's December which means for those who have them, it's time to get out those chocolate advent calendars!

But for those of you who, like me, don't do such things anymore (and indeed for those of you who still do!), I thought I'd give my own unique little twist on this festive time of year with my Musical Advent Calendar countdown of my Top 25 favourite Christmas songs!

I'm blogging a song a day, culminating with my favourite on Christmas Eve. So let's continue on our seasonal countdown...

Cole's Musical Christmas Advent Calendar - Day 12!

Today we witness one of the most surreal duets in the history of pop music. The whole concept of putting Bing Crosby and David Bowie together on the same single must have come about as the result of some hallucinogenic drugs, but in this case, it was an inspired choice! The pre-amble chat before the song is wonderfully bizzare!

'Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy' was recorded on September 11th 1977 for Crosby's up-and-coming Christmas TV special. The show aired on November 30th but by that time, Crosby was dead. He died on October 14th, of a massive heart attack, barely a month after this incredibe recording, whilst in Spain having completed a full round of golf.

So here is Bing's final musical triumph, and possibly the most unlikely, of them all.

Cole's Musical Christmas Advent Calendar - Day 11

It's December which means for those who have them, it's time to get out those chocolate advent calendars!

But for those of you who, like me, don't do such things anymore (and indeed for those of you who still do!), I thought I'd give my own unique little twist on this festive time of year with my Musical Advent Calendar countdown of my Top 25 favourite Christmas songs!

I'm blogging a song a day, culminating with my favourite on Christmas Eve. So let's continue on our seasonal countdown...

Cole's Musical Christmas Advent Calendar - Day 11!

Today we have another under-rated sesonal hit. This time from the talent that is Chris Rea. A sweet melody and catchy lyrics, it hits the yule-tide spot. He's 'Driving Home for Christmas'.

Cole's Musical Christmas Advent Calendar - Day 10

It's December which means for those who have them, it's time to get out those chocolate advent calendars!

But for those of you who, like me, don't do such things anymore (and indeed for those of you who still do!), I thought I'd give my own unique little twist on this festive time of year with my Musical Advent Calendar countdown of my Top 25 favourite Christmas songs!

I'm blogging a song a day, culminating with my favourite on Christmas Eve. So let's continue on our seasonal countdown...

Cole's Musical Christmas Advent Calendar - Day 10!

Today, that perennial favourite from the that top pop crooner, Dean Martin. 'Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!'

Cole's Musical Christmas Advent Calendar - Day 9

It's December which means for those who have them, it's time to get out those chocolate advent calendars!

But for those of you who, like me, don't do such things anymore (and indeed for those of you who still do!), I thought I'd give my own unique little twist on this festive time of year with my Musical Advent Calendar countdown of my Top 25 favourite Christmas songs!

I'm blogging a song a day, culminating with my favourite on Christmas Eve. So let's continue on our seasonal countdown...

Cole's Musical Christmas Advent Calendar - Day 9!

Today we have a song that has only become a seasonal favourite of mine over the past year or two. I'd never given this song any credit in years gone by and yet somehow out of nowhere, I am now a firm fan of David Essex's 'A Winter's Tale'.

Watching the video over now, it's hard to fathom that this is the man who was recently on Eastenders, almost 30 years later!

But still, it's a sweet melancholic ballad and I adore it!