"THOSE BLOODY ORSTRALIANS HAVE ARRIVED!"

WEIGH-IN WEDNESDAY

Nothing has changed this week - but like I said last week I am waiting to return to London to resume a serious approach to my diet regime where I will be able to focus a lot, lot better with fewer distractions. It won't be long now as we are on the final 3 weeks of the Schedule. Enjoy the Blog:

THE SCREECH OWL SANCTUARY

A few of months ago a man approached me in Tesco's in Wadebridge and said he was the part owner of an OWL SANCTUARY. The Sanctuary was near St Columb about 20 minutes outside of Wadebridge - he said he ran it with his wife,  Caroline and that their Surname was Screech (You really couldn't ask for a better name if you're running an Owl Sanctuary!!) He said it was their 25th Year Anniversary of running the Sanctuary and would I come along and host their Celebration Party. Cindy and I showed up this Saturday to meet the Owls!

Tom & Caroline Screech.

With all their Helpers & Flight Instructors 

With Rupert the Siberian Turkemanian Eagle.

A Barn Owl

There are about 3 Flying Sessions with the Owls each day.

This is "Gandalf" - Cindy's favourite.

I love this one's outfit & socks!

5 week old babies in the Hospital Wing.

Some of the other animals they had - an Emu called Doris.

Cindy got to feed this Roger the Racoon with some dead baby chicks - nice!

Philip & Brenda (Below)

I must say the Meerkats remain my true favourites and for £140 you can become a Sponsor and name an Owl or animal, have a plaque, etc and I thought my son, Joe Absolom in Doc Martin and I might name a couple of Meerkats BERT & AL!

As I was leaving the Sanctuary the owners asked if I would become their PATRON - apparently their previous patron was now serving a prison sentence for child abuse and several of their Sponsors had requested that Rolf Harris' name be taken off their headed note paper! 

THOSE BLOODY ORSTALIANS

For the past few days we've had David & Meg Hinchliffe from Australia. These are the parents of the Australian Joe - who was one of Angus's best friends in Chile when he was working on the Santiago Times. We first met up with them in Brisbane where they both live and then in Prague where we took Angus for a surprise Birthday Present.

David is a professional Artist with showings in Galleries Worldwide - so the above photo depicts him as he sets off for a days painting around the village of Port Isaac which had him painting on peoples rooftops, on Breakwaters in the harbour, wherever - however an episode involving a gust of wind that happened during the afternoon prompted a Stephen King Style Sentence: "No one knew that this would be the last afternoon that David would ever be wearing that hat." (It was sadly blown into the sea!)

We managed to snag them two prime Extra parts in a DOC MARTIN Scene where the Doc & Louisa were having a dinner in a posh restaurant. 

The Shot starts on David & Meg and pushes through to the 2 principles. Mega - with thanks all round to the Crew for this Coup!

A cuddle on the Set.

Meg & Cindy in Padstow

A lovely walk in Port Isaac.

........and another stunning one on the cliffs.

With the American Public Television Crew (Team America) from Boston responsible for giving the US - Doc Martin via PBS. Last year myself and Joe Absolom went to Boston to promote Doc Martin for PBS.

DOC MARTIN

Finally all the souvenir shops in Port Isaac are selling BERT MUGS and yes! the good news is we get a cut of the merchandise - so kerchink-kerchink - let those pennies roll in. And hey Kids, guess what's going to be in your stocking this Christmas!!

WINSTON CHURCHILL

Winnie is coming back - when I finish in Port Isaac I am going to make 4 new AUDIO BOOKS for Big Finish Productions as Churchill:

THE FISHERMAN'S FRIENDS

On Monday I got invited down to the  St Austell Brewery to join in the launch of the new Fisherman's Friends Shanty Singer's new album "Proper Job". They provided a very swanky black Mercedes to take David, Meg, Cindy and myself  down to the Brewery where I introduced the UK's Oldest Boy Band to an invited audience. They then sang all their hits for about an hour and  half. A few Pasties & Pints later we tottered home!

St Austell Brewery is a family run concern. Here I am with a Mr Hicks head of St Austell Brewery who is a relative of the first Hicks who founded the Brewery.

MARTIN CLUNES

This week we had a party to celebrate not only Martin Clunes' OBE but Doc Martin's 50th Episode. The Mote Restaurant in the harbour put on a mega bash with endless crab and lobster. The Elex-Lighting-Rigger boys celebrated heavily with "Happy Birthday Tequila Shots". It was a school day- so the next day's shoot was a tad difficult for everyone.

Martin will eventually have to meet with the "Old Baked Bean" to receive his OBE. We congratulate him on his award. 

LETTER FROM DUBLIN

(From Maisie on leaving Stoneybatter & Ireland)

"Dublin has been good to me for the past seven years but it's time to move on- seven years is a long time to be on an Island! 

Maisie's favourite Local Pub called Walsh & Co.

Maisie's illustration of the Pub.

I said good bye to all my friends on Saturday evening and then of course...being Maisie...left final packing up for Sunday that stretched out till the early morningy! I had a nice break in between to meet friends in Stoneybatter for a cold Guinness at Sitric Picnic-  an annual event where the Stoneybatter community comes together, listens to music and catches up.

The Red Door - 3 Murtagh Road - Stoneybatter.

I'll miss 3 Murtagh Road and all the people that came with it- Stoneybatter will always be there - but happy to move on!" xxx

See More from Maisie McNeice

 WIMBLEDON IS BACK!

Maisie's Illustration

My fourteen year old son has totally slobbed out into his summer holidays. He is normally a great kid and he was very focused in school, as he had a really busy routine, between schoolwork and sports. But now that he has no school he is just lazing in bed, on his phone all the time, and when he does get up it is simply to go out to his friends. We’ve had two big rows already about his laziness. Even if he got up earlier and showed some interest in the family I’d be happier. How can I avoid fighting for the summer? 

EMILY 

(PORT ISAAC 2017)

There is a possibility that we may be back in Port Isaac in the Spring of 2017 to make Series 8. This depends on a number of things. The ratings have to be good when Series 7 airs on ITV in September/October, whether the Producers can come up with new Story-Lines for the main characters, The Doc & Louisa, and finally if Martin Clunes still wants to make it. Reading between the lines and keeping an ear to the ground - there is a positive vibe around BUT nothing is definite!

But if that is the case & we do return both Cindy & I would like Emily & her Family to be the FIRST people we invite to come and stay and for them to have FIRST CHOICE on dates to suit them. Whether it might be the EASTER WEEKEND & EASTER WEEK or a SCHOOL HALF TERM BREAK please pencil that in your diary now.