Ice, ice, baby
Isn’t it cold, though. Seriously.
Some people ended up sleeping on a train last night because it got stuck in snow in Sussex. Speaking as the nation’s most frequent train traveller, you do not want to be curling up on a Southern train at 4am with below-freezing temperatures outside. The only way you want to be sleeping on a train is if it’s the Caledonian sleeper or one of those. And even then, the bed is ever so small. I salute the people who survived this bizarre enforced sleepover.
I spent this afternoon helping Richard Bacon cover the announcement of the 2018 World Cup venue on the radio. As you will have heard, we didn’t get it. The Russians did. Disappointing. This means the World Cup will not be held here in the lifetime of this blog. The earliest conceivable time is now 2026 when Kit will be 16. Hmm. As I say – disappointing.
Because of the adverse weather conditions, I can’t blog properly today. Actually it’s nothing to do with the weather. It’s because of time. I’d like to say a quick and heartfelt to the people who braved horrible cold to see me in Wolverhampton last night, and the people who will perform similar acts of fortitude in Liverpool and Halifax over the weekend. Hey, keep putting your Comments on the Very Late Review (from yesterday). We’ve had an excellent crop already. Oh and also my sports show is on tonight, ITV4, if that’s your ‘thing’. Thank you. Ta.
Not much excitement on the blog today but I hope to have a semi-exciting piece of news to unveil next week, as a result of today’s busy-ness. And hey, hasn’t it been a long time since we had a last-minute nerve-racking Blogless Day Alert! Aren’t I good to you? Or do some of you secretly wish for one to spice things up?
Posted by Tibbs on December 6, 2010
Well I’m tempted to leave that somewhat Dada-esque comment at the top, but I wanted to say hi Meg’s mom! Or, rather, hi, KateR! Very nice to see a new commenter (even if I am a few days late). It’s true, we do not bite! And it’s quite nice to know that there are luxurious sleeper trains from Paris to Venice; I see that as a helpful tip for the future.
I’ve had to sleep on (non-luxurious) trains before. Not fun, although I would rate it as better than having to sleep on a bus, which I have also done. The last time I did, some utterly repugnant person was playing a handheld video game with the sound up at about 4 in the morning! Who does that?
I am getting very worried that all this snow you’re having is going to affect my up-coming trip; I’m flying into London on Thursday and then back home on the 23rd. If I end up missing Christmas at home, I may have to revise my heretofore lofty opinion of snow. I don’t really think that’ll happen, but even the thought of it chills me.
Posted by fi on December 3, 2010
dalmations – great dogs – bred for loads of exercise – too many getting fat being pet pooches;
Posted by Meg on December 3, 2010
Wow, I didn’t expect to have that kind of response! Mum and I feel a bit bad for slightly hijacking the blog comments. Sorry Mark. She has now commented but it’s being moderated so maybe it’ll pop up sometime soon. But all the comments are making us both smile
thanks guys
Posted by MusicalLottie on December 3, 2010
Urgh, much as I love trains I would have hated to be stuck on that Southern train, especially with the weather as it was. It sounds to me like a bit of an adventure – in theory, in the summer – but in reality I have no doubt it was horrendous
Meg’s Mum: hello! Please comment?
Imagine, your first comment could have been the first comment … this appeals to my geeky brain. Anyway, next time maybe?
Posted by Suzanne on December 3, 2010
Hiya, Meg’s Mum (and Meg too, of course!)
It’s interesting to read the comments about others feeling silly and/or self conscious … most of us are like that!
But firstly … no one on here is critical … we’re all just friendly and supportive and having fun …
It’s like doing anything for the first time, don’t over-think … just go for it …
One, two, three … type, type, type … press Submit Comment … and there … done!!! Hooray!!! Now, wasn’t that easy??? Next time it will be even easier …
Why don’t you just say … hi … or alternatively, tell us all to go away and leave you alone to read from the sidelines!!!
Whatever you decide is fine by all of us in here … we’d just love to hear what you’re thinking too …
And, one and all, I shouldn’t worry too much about the end of Mark’s ten year blog … can you REALLY imagine that will be the final, absolute end??? Of course not, there’s no stopping our garrulous friend (I hope that’s not rude!!!) … he’ll spend the next 9 years and a few months (or the last few seconds!) working out his next blog challenge … you mark my words!!!
Or should that be mark Mark’s words??? Groan … Sorry, think it’s best I leave now and leave the stand up to the master!!!
Posted by Aislinn on December 3, 2010
Hi Meg’s Mum!
If it’s any consolation, I think a lot of us often worry we’re only embarrassing ourselves/talking stuff that nobody else wants to hear. So either your comment will be rather brilliant and we’ll all be in awe, or you’ll fit right in with the rest of us. No worries!
Posted by Matthew on December 3, 2010
It’s even worse than that!
We are ineligible in 2026 as the world cup can’t go to the same continent as either of the previous two tournaments and Russia’s hosting of 2018 will discount us from 2026.
This means that even if we win the right to host the World Cup at the next available opportunity (which we probably won’t) you could have done TWO decade-long daily blogs.
Posted by Natalie-Helen on December 3, 2010
MEG’S MUM! MEG’S MUM! MEEEGGG’S MUUUUMM!
GIVE US A WAVE, GIVE US A WAVE!
This is my encouragement for Meg’s mum.
^_^
Posted by Rachael on December 3, 2010
It is very strange to talk about the end of the blog. I don’t like it one bit.
Posted by KateR on December 3, 2010
Hi, I’m Meg’s mum! Thank you for all your very welcoming and encouraging comments. To tell the truth, I am extremely happy being a “lurker” and always feel I’m a bit too middle-aged to be writing comments on blogs. I certainly wasn’t planning to comment today, as I have nothing insightful to say about snowbound railways and my only experience of overnight train travel was on a sleeper from Paris to Venice which was luxurious and seems rather a smug contribution to make, in comparison with the poor people stuck on trains in the snow; but there you are, you are a persuasive crowd (and Meg has been nagging me).
Whether or not I comment or lurk, I read Mark’s blog daily and am a huge fan of his shows (Oxford was fab; looking forward to Reading) and novels. Thank you again for the warm welcome!!
Posted by Lydia on December 3, 2010
My toes are freezing off. I was wishing for a snow day but it didn’t happen.
Getting stuck on the train would kind of scare me. Well done to those people for getting through it, it must have been horrible.
And Meg’s mum, comment, it’s fine. I am embarrassed by every comment I write but I carry on putting them up anyway. It’s fine, no one has told me to leave yet. x
Posted by amycool on December 3, 2010
Not to put too much pressure on Meg’s Mum, but next time you have a thought about Mark’s blog, just write it down. If it’s insightful, we’ll all think you’re terribly clever, and if it’s nonsense it will make me feel better about the drivel I put on here.
I was thinking this morning about how weird it will be when the blog ends. I assume Mark will still blog occasionally but I wonder how we all shall cope without our daily Watson news.
I’ve not been outside for a few days but today I must walk to work. After it was -12 degrees last night. Hope I don’t break any bones.
Posted by Tracey on December 3, 2010
Hi Mark. My husband’s attempting to get to Dundee and my daughter can’t make it to college today because of the ice! We’re perched right on top of a hill and she fell over while struggling in yesterday. I feel really sorry for all those people stuck in cars or trains, must be awful. Take care over the weekend! Come on Meg’s mum, write a comment – we all feel the same when commenting for the first time but everyone here is so nice. Have a great weekend Mark and everyone who posts. Tracey x
Posted by Misha on December 3, 2010
In 2026 I will be 34ish. That is a bloody scary thought.
The idea of exciting news is indeed exciting, although personally I prefer the non-nervewracking days, it’s going to be a long 10 years and my poor brain can’t take it.
Incidentally, what will you do over the christmas period? Will there be an autoblog for xmas day? Just a sudden thought.
Posted by Rhian on December 2, 2010
Becca do wrap up warm when you go out. I went out in the winter in Liverpool once. The lack of woollies on the lasses was frightening.
And come on Meg’s mum, let’s hear from you, the more the merrier!
Posted by Rob on December 2, 2010
So glad you made it to Wolves last night, it was brilliant. Even down to that guy that arrived late because he didn’t think that you’d turn up on time and Autumn with the weak bladder bless her.
…..Meg’s mom, your mini following think you should post a comment soon
Posted by Jon on December 2, 2010
Loved your show in Wolverhampton last night, well worth braving the short drive from Telford. I was so tempted to fake a trip to the toilet in order to be chased!
So disappointed with the 2018 World Cup going to Russia. I really thought Eddie Afekafe’s speech had swung it for us but, instead, a WC final on a plastic pitch beckons. Did you hear Sepp Blatter actually describe Zurich as “the capital of international football”? That’s what we were up against.
Anyway, thanks for a great night and all the best for the rest of the tour.
Posted by Hal on December 2, 2010
Re: the blogless day
You don’t want readers who are only in it for the drama do you?
Posted by Ingrid on December 2, 2010
North district swimming trip= cancled… thats my first prediction come true! Think im going to go and watch your show now… x
Posted by Sephy on December 2, 2010
Come on Meg’s mum, wer’e all very nice honest!
I think it’d be quite exciting to be stuck on a train overnight, but I know in reality it’d be cold and uncomfortable and I’d probably cry. I nearly had a hissy fit when my bus didn’t turn up yesterday ha.
Posted by Becca on December 2, 2010
There were some people on the news this morning who had been stuck on a road near Sheffield since Tuesday afternoon! It’s actually crazy snow.
Also- you’re in liverpool at the weekend?! So am I! But at a hen do so alas cannot attend. Hope it goes well, scousers are a friendly bunch
Posted by Steve on December 2, 2010
Hi – thanks for the Wolves show, really enjoyed it – although I didn’t manage to be one with a comic quip. Did have pre-show balti though, which was warming.
Posted by Rachel on December 2, 2010
Meg’s mum, please write a comment. You won’t embarrass yourself and everybody who reads/comments is very nice
Also, the snow is slowly starting to melt here, so we should be able to make it to Halifax (phew!)
I also agree that sleeping on a train would be horrific. It was bad enough when a train I was on once broke down in the channel tunnel, so I can’t imagine trying to sleep on one too.
Posted by Meg on December 2, 2010
Wow, I’d hate to have to sleep on a train. I can’t sleep anywhere other than my bed and I even find that difficult sometimes.
My mum read today’s blog almost as soon as it was posted. Noticing that no one had commented yet, she said, “Oh, I could do the first comment. But I won’t.” This exasperates me because she is very lovely and very clever and could write some very interesting comments. But she insists on being a silent reader for fear of embarrassing herself. Please can someone encourage her to write a comment at some point?