A productive and enjoyable jaunt into London saw lunch with the ever-lovely Liz Fraser, a catch-up with Robert’s favourite publisher, Marcus Hearn and the Calders bookshop launch of Sheila Steafel’s autobiography ‘When Harry Met Sheila’. It’s a fascinating read and is available from her official website: www.sheilasteafel.co.uk

Robert finally saw the first installment of ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows’. Although the first film still remains his favourite this is the best so far. The ‘Deathly Hallows’ animation is breath-taking, the three juvenile leads can really carry a film now and Toby Jones will make you weep. Always lovely to see David Ryall, as well.

A fun day broadcasting from the BBC’s Western House and pushing the Christmas comedy releases from AudioGO; including ‘Hancock’s Half Hour’, ‘Round the Horne’, ‘The Goon Show’ and a lovely set of six ‘Remembering…’ collections showcasing Kenny Everett, Spike Milligan, Bob Monkhouse, Willie Rushton, Peter Sellers and Kenneth Williams. Liquid refreshments with Paul Cole, Alan Coles and Bob Golding followed. And Robert may well have a title for his new biography!

A delightful evening at the National Film Theatre with Vera Day and the gang. A pristine print of ‘The Crowded Day’ played to a packed and very appreciative audience. It’s coming to BFI blu-ray and DVD next year.

Snow finally comes to Buckinghamshire just in time for Robert’s rustic jaunt to the BBC Written Archives in Caversham, Berkshire. One of his favourite parts of any book. Lovely people.

That wonderfully talented actress and wit Sheila Steafel has set up her own website in light of writing her new volume of autobiography ‘When Harry Met Sheila’: detailing her marriage to Harry H. Corbett. As a child, Robert’s affections were split between Elisabeth Sladen as Sarah-Jane Smith and Sheila in ‘The Ghosts of Motley Hall’. Happy memories. The site is well worth a peek.

Wonderfully exciting news as BBC2 have announced an 8-episode repeat season of ‘The Goodies’. From 22nd to 30th December, an episode a day will be screened. It is expected that ‘The Goodies and the Beanstalk’ will be repeated on Christmas Eve thirty seven years to the day of its first broadcast.

A wonderful time with actor, writer, producer, director and all-round good egg Paul Cole which started off at the BBC Club and ended up at the Annual General Meeting of the Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society. A fun evening made even more enjoyable by bumping in to Dodie Smith’s charming heir.

Robert is knee-deep in research for his new comedy biography and has enjoyed anecdote-stuffed chats with some of his all-time favourite writing partnerships. Today is a recovery day from an evening in the Southampton Arms with Terry Jones and Michael Palin. There will also be lots of telly watching. Good times.

The long wait for a proper repeat season of ‘The Goodies’ continues but at least BBC2 marked the 40th anniversary of the show with a second repeat of the 2005 reunion clip-fest ‘Return of the Goodies.’