John Pilgrim: All the best, even if Armageddon is around the corner

Not withstanding the gloom and doom I must say that an old man was made very happy while walking the dog this week.

Yes it was cold and I was wrapped well (which is different to just wrapping up, which my kids tell me to do sometimes). A little girl aged about five years old came up to and wished me a “Merry Christmas mister”. I looked at her bright cheery smile and just felt good.

Having returned her good wishes I continued the walk and I chatted to myself as I sidestepped the dogs’ droppings which were liberally placed in my path.

“What a nice child,” I mused. “It’s great to know that some kids are still brought up happy and content”.

We arrived back at ‘Chez Pilgrim’ and I made myself a cup of Bovril and took a look at what I could expect from the TV this Yuletide.

On Christmas Eve BBC2 kindly presents Morecambe and Wise for an hour closely followed by ‘The Many Faces of Les Dawson’ followed by The ‘Best of Les Dawson’ followed by ‘Top of the Pops 2; Christmas Special’ presenting music from the BBC archives’. As much as I adore Eric, Ernie and Les, I really think that the Beeb could have found some decent modern comics to fill the spots – or maybe they couldn’t!

Never mind because Channel 5 offers the Alistair Sim version of Scrooge, made, would you believe, in 1951. I won’t go on because it will only prove that nearly all the decent stuff is old.

On a more serious note I really do wish everyone a very happy Christmas and hope and trust that the New Year brings you success and happiness or at least a few bob in your pocket to spend on yourself.

And the dog says don’t blame her for all those piles in the park because she has an assistant who clears up after her. I get all the best jobs!