Thursday

New thing was watching the incredibly funny Borat; Cultural Learnings of America for make benefit glorious nation of Kazakhstan.

Wednesday - the Pogues again

New thing for today was going into Subway in Brixton ahead of the Pogues gig at the Carling Academy. Brilliant, and Christmassy, they were supported by the Holloways who were great too.

Tuesday

New things were Cafe Nero in Rickmansworth, then the treatment rooms at the gym - I'm going back tomorrow, such is the tension in my back!

Monday

Two new things today which were both amazing, and in total contrast to each other! First was a tour of the Foreign and Commonwealth office courtesy of my friend which was a fantastic insight into the true corridors of power. We had a proper tour ranging from the canteen to the Locarno Rooms where peace treaties were signed. The other new thing was a bar in Swindon called the 12 Bar to see Drunk in Public (comprised of some of the Levellers; Simon, Mark and my beloved Jon), supported by a brilliant and watchable guitarist called Dan Donnelly. All of them were truly great, as usual. And such nice guys too.
They chose a truly great selection of their songs- these are the ones I remember from off the top of my head; Ballad of Robbie Jones, The Road (I CLEARLY remember this one because Mark forgot the words to the second verse, and asked the crowd if anyone knew them! I put my hand up, then got really embarrassed and mumbled them at him!), The Boatman, 15 years, Confess, Dirty Davey, Cardboard Box City, Julie, The Riverflow, One Way, Carry me, Together all the way, Men-an-tol, Burford Stomp, Ragtime Annie, What a beautiful Day and Just the one.
I positioned myself directly opposite Jon (whose trousers got stuck to his bum when he got up at the end, much to my amusement), and I made a point of touching Jon's arm as his 6 foot 7 frame walked past me, and after the gig I spotted him through a window upstairs at the venue, and chucked him the remainder of my cigs. He caught them deftly (well, not really; with both hands), and then gave me the thumbs up signal and waved at me, before I lost control, told him he was my hero, and waved at him, while shouting Happy Christmas. Classy. My carriage turned up then, and then I saw him showing the fags to his fellow band members. I'm in love.

Sunday

We were supposed to be doing Christmas shopping in Regent's Street, but saw a pub called the Phoenix and dived in there on DG's recommendation. Had dinner and far too much to drink.

Saturday

We walked into Rickmansworth to do some shopping, so my new thing was walking through the underpass past the 1950s style police station up towards the shops.

Friday - a step back to Victorian days

New thing today was venturing into a new shop called Sugar Mouse in Hungerford when I returned to the town for the Victorian Extravaganza. Brilliant evening which made me feel really Christmassy.

Thursday

New thing for today was buying the woefully misdescribed "Giant Buttons" from Martin McColl's newsagents in Ricky. Firstly, they're not buttons, but made of chocolate, and secondly, if they're giant, then I must be frigging enormous. They didn't seem any bigger than a £2 coin to me.

Wednesday

New things ranged from Burton-on-Trent to South Ealing. Then the back streets of Oxford Circus where I shouted Big Issue at people randomly. Also met up with some friends in the Ben Crouch pub.

Tuesday

Much to Mabel's horror, my new thing today was buying something called Burgamix - a packet max to make non-meat burgers. He'll change his tune when I serve it up with Mayomix and saladsmash.

Monday

New things for today included trying to find a shortcut to my sister's house in Barnsbury, and also doing a U-turn on the A40 in order to check out a beautiful camper van in Hammersmith somewhere, which necessitated a couple of three-point turns down back streets. Love the camper, not sure about the price.

Sunday

New thing for today was sitting in the back seat of my friends' new car which they've bought to accomodate the baby that's on the way.

Saturday

New thing for today was visiting the village of Prestbury near Cheltenham to buy a Camper Van which I'd bought from ebay! Except the owner didn't have a V5 form, and thus was unable to prove it was hers to sell! I very, very sadly walked away.

Friday

Dad and I specifically ventured into Starbucks in Dorchester so we could tut.

Thursday

A lovely Christmas service in the Methodist Church in my home town. Being a good Catholic girl, I'd never ventured in here before.

Wednesday

The lift in the new Waitrose in town!

Monday

Bit of a struggle to find something new thanks to long hours in the office, so unfortunately the best I could do was buying a jar of aubergine meze from Tesco! Look forward to serving that up to our guests at the weekend.

Tuesday

Ventured into the Nissan side of the office for a meeting.

Sunday

New thing for today was a bit lame, but strangely I'd not done it before. Due to the number of cars outside my grandma's house, I had to park the car round the corner in a place called Neville Road.

Saturday

New thing for today was going to the very, very posh Old Bull's Head pub in the village of Woodhouse Eaves ahead of a party. Nearly got knocked over by a posh person on the way in, then realised that they probably wouldn't look upon my footwear very kindly (a kind of shoe not seen in this pub before - called a "trainer"). My cousin's husband told us they came in here and realised they'd paid £7 for two pints!