Here we are again as we wrap up November, and ready ourselves to unwrap Christmas. We find ourselves somehow ruminating on the state of the social contract whilst discussing gateway drugs that introduce you to a lifetime of addiction to the festive season, as partners start topping up decorations, and the all important, and annual, new set of fairy lights

Weather, pannage pork and weird shaped members of the cauliflower family hint at light and frothy podcast content, where, once we’ve lulled you into a false sense of security, we hit you with weighty analysis of the farmer inheritance tax ripple of discontent or of a Trumpian, dystopian future, awaiting many following America voting against itself, blissfully unaware of this duo’s experienced (Ed. !) political insight. The rest is (are) revolting.

Summing up on another short break, induced by medical interventions, we determined to leave you with a flourish of festive cheer as we began to discuss the onset of Christmas traditions and eager anticipation of the happy times ahead.

As we hurtle towards our 50th episode which we’ll hit sometime early in 2025, we thank you once again for listening, to our asymmetrical brand of topical chat, local guidebook and commentary on diverse matters for which lack of qualifications have never been an obstacle.

Stay tuned for more Christmas crackers and seasonal snippets in the weeks ahead as we celebrate Love Actually, with only 5 weeks to go until until Christmas, the gateway drug to all the festive cheer you can stomach.

Thanks for listening

Tim and Rory

As the boundaries between light and dark, ‘twixt summer and winter begin to thin and fade, and as the warm, azure skies and glistening seas give way to crisp, cooler, autumnal hues QWightLike A Podcast returns to old friends and familiar themes. Once again, we invited Dr Malcolm Schofield from the University of Derby to join us for a topical chat exploring all things Halloween. Spirits are high and hauntings afoot as our conversation explores the themes of belief, the origins of the modern Halloween and through fascinating insights into the history of spiritualism we start to peel back the myths and legends that drive our modern day fascination with a good fright.

Dr Malcolm takes us through aspects of his research and how they relate to the popular celebrations of unpopular concepts, revealing insights into the human condition.

Jumping from island hauntings to the haunting prospects that an election on the other side of the Atlantic brings we touch on Conspiracy Theories and recommend a horror movie or 2 filmed on the Isle of Wight wityh Hollywood royalty, Calista Flockhart. Tune in to find out the name of the movie … if you dare.

Our thanks to our special guest for giving us some of his valuable time, allowing us to spend some of your time as we wrap up the episode with a discussion on our budget over here, and their election, over there.

As always its our privilege to spend an hour or so in your company, whatever you are doing whilst you listen to us, so thank you for listening.

Tune in next time, for more topical chat, tall tales and snappy one liners.

Tim and Rory

A week late, for reasons beyond our reasonable control, we surge onto the playing field to bring you another pitch perfect cast of the pod, hoping for a bite or two on Spotify, or wherever you fish for your chat content.

Invited by friend of the podcast, Ed Blake, who triples as a successful fisherman, local Councillor, and star player of Ventnor Rugby Football Club, Tim and I spent a charming afternoon dodging horizontal rain whilst marvelling at the entertainment served up, both in glass and on grass. To coin a phrase, we’ll be back, to enjoy more convivial hospitality, the energy of a passionate sporting endeavour in glorious (Ed. apologies) surroundings. Crunching tackles and towering giants set the scene for this clash of the titans sent into battle by Ventnor and Christchurch, as Godzilla scaled the cliffs below to arrive, dripping, on the touchline looking for a King Kong to toy with.

Interviews with the club secretary, James Morton, and the scorer of a stunning try,, Ed Blake, give this week’s episode a hint of the nostalgia of Grandstand with Rory channelling Bill McLaren, and Tim reviving a very passable David Coleman?

For the surrounding chat, we find ourselves eulogising for the recently departed Alex Salmond, one of Rory’s political heroes and great influences, and will no doubt find the themes of independence and efficient government returning to our running order in future weeks.

Hunting moons, chasing sailing dreams, seeking comets, and celebrating the end of the island and New Forest’s CO2 nightmare, ease us away from the joy (Saturday rugby) and sadness (loss of a hero) of Saturday 12th October 2024.

Stay tuned for future episodes where topical chat and totally pointless endeavours combine to entertain and pass all our time in productive participation, in the great miracle that is life.

Thanks for listening.

Tim and Rory