Saturday 31 December 2011

Best New Years Eve ever, watching fireworks from top of Primrose Hill with son Charles Atherton-Laurie. Happy New Year everybody a fab 2012!
Commitment & perseverance by my son Charles was rewarded with two return tickets (best seats in house) to see the excellent musical Matilda.
Fantastic my son Charles & I were able to catch up with friends Colin Ngan, Wai-han & son Christopher at Rock & Snow Cafe in Covent Garden.
Son, Charles thinks the Nitrogen Ice Cream at Chin Chin Laboratorists in Camden Market, is the best in the World. http://tinyurl.com/6slfzez
My son, Charles Atherton-Laurie makes visit to friend Julie Dobson for lunch & sees her new born son Milo who is just 7 weeks - very cute.

Friday 30 December 2011

Elizabeth Block, Marcia Scott & Ben are exhausted by son Charles's scalextric marathon. Driving Le Mans style in the dark with headlights on
David Williams became the coolest, according to son Charles, allowing him to play the video games Uncharted 3 & Golden Eye Reloaded on PS3!
The Wallace Collection's Winter Wonderland Workshop inspired son Charles to make a beautifully designed snowflake http://tinyurl.com/cydxs7r

Thursday 29 December 2011

It's official I've been offered a "Venue Entry Team Leader" role in the main stadium of the Olympic Park for the London 2012 Games - excited
Son, Charles Atherton-Laurie's London Christmas morning, more Lego & Scalextric. Now he's cooking Christmas lunch - could get used to this!

Wednesday 28 December 2011

Love my son's choice for take-away. Ottolenghi main http://tinyurl.com/29hfxa8 & Laduree for desert http://tinyurl.com/c5rtrt7 Happy Father.
Son Charles, has great taste in films, chose unprompted to watch original Italian Job - thought it was hysterical & keeps saying catchphrase
Son Charles, having his London Christmas Eve by visiting Hamley's toy store & Toy department of Harrods, guides me to what presents he wants
Son Charles, in awe at the worlds tallest Lego Christmas Tree in St Pancras Station. Shame staff weren't in Christmas mood for treasure hunt

Tuesday 27 December 2011

Pheasant pie & Christmas Pie (goose, turkey, cranberry etc.) proving a huge hit with son, Charles - last of Christmas food from Harvey Nics!
Doing duet with son Charles Atherton-Laurie, crossing Waterloo Bridge has been the highlight of day (No Place Like London from Sweeney Todd)
A trip to storage unit with son Charles, is like a visit to Santa's Grotto. Scalextric, Lego & fighting helicopters - that's before presents
Son Charles arrives to meet Tamara Thomas for hot chocolate in the Lanesborough hotel with christmas cake biscotti- best in London he claims
First my Christmas, now time to share with my son Charles Atherton-Laurie. This is when it gets really exciting & fun - Toy stores & theatre

Monday 26 December 2011

Loved being able to share my London with Wanda today. The views from Parliament Hill are stunning & her enthusiasm for my town is infectious
Love my London Christmas traditions. Off to see Deer in Richmond Park for my Boxing Day walk (with Tamara Thomas). http://tinyurl.com/bobzpp

Sunday 25 December 2011

Presents open, Guinea Fowl in the oven, log burning in an open hearth - thanks to everybody who sent texts this morning, feeling very loved.
Fabulous swimming weather for the Peter Pan race in the Serpentine, Hyde Park - It's a favorite London tradition, my 12th year of attending!

Saturday 24 December 2011

Rose Champagne, smoked salmon & scrambled eggs on freshly baked, toasted bread - is there any better breakfast start to a Christmas morning?
Thanks to Ponni Arumugam & Lada Luks for making one of the best Christmas Eve's so far. Fortnum & Masons, fabulous champagne, food & company
Only way to get Christmas Food. Sit at bar in Harvey Nichol's drinking champagne & have your greengrocer, butcher,fishmonger bring it to you
Wishing everybody an amazing Christmas from London (where Christmas was invented - Dickens' A Christmas Carol to Sir Henry Coles' 1st Card:)

Friday 23 December 2011

Great catching up with Charles Wahab at The Albion (http://tinyurl.com/cuw4j5). Entertained by barmaid's disdain of customers in fancy dress
Bratwurst, Gluhwein, Churros & Chocolate, all at the German Christmas market on the Southbank. Beautifully lit, London shines at Christmas!
Hard as local councils try to tell me things can't be done - proving to them all that they can - few more wins like today - king of councils
Driving with roof down in the sunshine, breakast at Smiths of Smithfields and Christmas drinks with friend David - is this really December?

Thursday 22 December 2011

Extremely pleased friend Lynnette Peck Bateman managed to say the word "orgasm" on Radio 4, brought smile to face http://tinyurl.com/c4r3ezq
Champagne night with Tanja Coetzee & Basil the cat (he's a real drinker), sexy Christmas watching Fergie in Nine http://tinyurl.com/bujv4lk
Festive Mexican food with Lada Luks & Cristina Keech at Cafe Pacifico in Covent Garden. Try Pomegranate Margarita for true Xmas experience:)

Wednesday 21 December 2011

First Mulled Wines in the UK at Somerset House's, Tiffany sponsored Ice Rink with my dear friend Cristina Keech, now it feels like Christmas
Finally got my car back from Camden Council at the meagre cost of a £999. Even my 12 year old son, made the point that this was unreasonable

Tuesday 20 December 2011

Should be compulsory for all Public Servants to be made to watch Brazil http://tinyurl.com/27j9ds & 1984 http://tinyurl.com/7zm5sea - Evil!
After 4 weeks getting better in terms of health & work. On returning, 2 days of dealing with the local council & I feel back to square one.
When your dental surgeon gives you his personal mobile number & says call me anytime day or night - you know he's done a good root canal:)

Monday 19 December 2011

Now root canal. Dentist has bath & shower in his toilet, which concerns me how long this is going to take. Though it could be just Harley St
Car has been kidnapped by Camden Council. Trying Blackmail, £1,000 to get it back. Not my fault - allegedly have to claim it back - RIGHT!

Sunday 18 December 2011

Returned from Poland to London to discover my car has been stolen or towed (waiting for Police to confirm which) - still smiling though!

Saturday 17 December 2011

Returning to London today. Weather permitting. Going to miss the crew I've been working with, especially Wanda Zaleski who's been invaluable

Friday 16 December 2011

Finally, finishing touches on trailer for Inside Watch Docs: The Film Makers Journey, then our final dinner in Warsaw - film lovers paradise
12 days, 6 films, 16 interviews, 14 hours of footage a production team of new comers and a finished product everybody should be proud of :)

Thursday 15 December 2011

I hear it's cold & snowing in London, whilst we experience the warmest December on record here in Warsaw, Poland. Sun & Blue skies beautiful

Wednesday 14 December 2011

Celebrating Rachel Fansahwe's 23rd Birthday Party at the Film Club in Warsaw, Poland. No chance of an early night - but still have to work!
Irony not lost on crew, that we accidentally imprisoned a cinema audience for 15 minutes while we shot an interview at Human Rights Festival

Monday 12 December 2011

Hoping to have at least one night where I go to bed before 4a.m. and get up after 07:30. The 22 year old girls can't keep up with the pace:)
Glad to see Terry Pratchett's documentary has been selected for the Warsaw WatchDocs Human RIghts Film Festival - hope it's in competition.

Sunday 11 December 2011

Free beer night in Warsaw proved successful with the crew. However English would have helped for a film spoken in Dutch, subtitled in Polish

Saturday 10 December 2011

My crew from UK did a brilliant job interviewing Italian Director, Stefano Savona, at Human Rights Festival, - 1st timers, proud of everyone

Friday 9 December 2011

Opening Gala of Watch Docs Human Rights film festival Warsaw, manic evening but film about Tahrir Square, great! http://tinyurl.com/d6xmeyo
Getting private yoga lessons, massages every night and have found the best PA & friend in Wanda Zaleski Nova. Bringing Warsaw back to London
To alert you, am having problems with my paul(at)simpletvproductions.co.uk email address. Please use theballetofchange(at)me.com in interim

Thursday 8 December 2011

Being treated like Royalty in Warsaw. Private viewing of Polish National Opera, largest Opera House in the world! http://tinyurl.com/75td2wo

Wednesday 7 December 2011

Meeting with Izabela Kiszka-Hoflik, Head of International Relations at Polish Film Institute, if BFI followed lead UK film would be saved.
Excellent meeting with Violetta Kaminska, Managing Director of the Polish production Company Apple Film. Potential collaborator on Vigilia.

Tuesday 6 December 2011

1st Day in Warsaw meeting some extraordinary people especially three girls from Spain, Zimbabwe & Woleverhampton respectively, led me astray

Monday 5 December 2011

Wales in the morning, Harley Street, London in the afternoon, Warsaw, Poland in the evening, Jet setting raising funds for our film Vigilia!

Sunday 4 December 2011

Sunny Welsh Valleys with my son for the weekend (he's clearly blessed), to make the Christmas rounds of the few remaining friends left there
Son, Charles Atherton-Laurie's superb sensitivity in dealing with my mother's alzheimers & fragility, left me proudest father in christendom

Friday 2 December 2011

Working with Amanda Baker, putting final touches to Rhianna Pratchett's amazing script for our feature film Vigilia, soon to start casting.

Thursday 1 December 2011

Thanks to all my amazing friends who made my last drinks party of the year such a fabulous event on The Yacht http://tinyurl.com/2fev2jf