10th April 1979

Tuesday 10
Got up at 9.30
Took Sam's Afghan out for a walk
Drew out £5.00 from the post office
Bought Sam's Mum 'Fungus the Bogeyman'
Met Sam at 12.45 and 5.00
Stayed in and played Scrabble


Ah good old Raymond Briggs! Loved the stuff Briggs did and Fungus was one of my favourites. Written in 1977 Fungus was the fore runner (in my eyes) to Shrek in looks.

Fungus was an ordinary working-class bogeyman whose job was to scare us humans. He preferred muck to cleanliness, stinky pongy stuff to perfume and slimy, mouldy food to fresh. Us humans were referred to as 'Drycleaners' because of our obsession with cleanliness. (I tell you I have been in some houses that were far worse than Fungus's). He lives deep underground in the dark tunnels of Bogeydom (I believe that is South of Watford *snigger*)

I still have a copy of the book. I did used to have the 'Plop-up' version but goodness knows where that is now but I do believe it is quite rare these days (mmm maybe during the 'who's CD is who's' split that was something that the Raymond Briggs collection was divided up!!)

I also have Father Christmas, The Snowman & When the Wind Blows.

Father Christmas (1973) is excellent. It portrays Father Christmas as a grumpy old git (mmm? who does that remind you of??)
The write up on Wiki even more sums up a GOG that we know and love (just replace cat & dog with llama & Uma) Just watch him moan ... fabulous :-)

'While he bumbles and mumbles about his work and life, its clear he has a deep affection for his animals (he gives his cat and dog presents and refers to his reindeer as "m'deers") and enjoys his work. He comes across more in the book as a stereotypical old man who complains about everything but ultimately loves what he does.'

The Snowman(1978) needs no explanation. A delightful flight of fantasy. This clip is a good one to watch, chill and enjoy. Narrated by David Bowie.

'When the Wind Blows' (1982) had me in tears even now when I think of it it brings that solid lump in my stomach.

It tells the story of Jim and Hilda Bloggs (well, well I bet he never envisaged Blogs!) a loving retired couple in rural Sussex.
They are going about their daily lives when there is announced the likelihood of a nuclear attack on Britain.
Hilda is more concerned about baking cakes & getting her washing dry on the line whilst Jim takes on the dads army approach and builds a shelter in the living room.
Jim listens to the public information given out on the radio and prepares as instructed. They whitewash the windows (to shield the radiation), stock up on supplies (a tin of Christmas pudding) and anticipate a Blitz-style scenario sipping Olvaltine in an Anderson shelter.

It is comical but with ever so much a dark side to it. They understand but not fully the effects of the aftermath, which is devastating and true to what would actually happen. It is such a brilliant observation of life and peoples perception of what is told to them by the powers that be at the time of the Cold War