Welcome to the first post of 2024 in a dismal South Manchester that has been battered by a storm over the past couple of days. We’re used to it in Manchester but in other parts of the country, some rivers have burst their banks and torrential rain on already sodden ground has caused floods, some of which have invaded people’s homes and caused disruption on transport services. This always happens and our inept government just sits there with Rishi Sunak simply insincerely saying “We’re doing all we can” from inside his dry office. 

I mustn’t start ranting about our government so I shall dive into the first set of silly questions from Sunday Stealing in 2024. 

1. Favourite food

I like most food so it’s probably best to tell you what I don’t like. 

Thai food generally has a taste that I dislike but the food from most places is good – unless it contains rhubarb, apricots, figs, dates, turkish delight, celery, pears, is banana flavoured (though I like bananas), prunes, Christmas pudding, aubergine (eggplant for Americans),  or liver. 

Or one particularly nasty Swiss cheese that I once tried outside a cheese shop in Altrincham that tasted like somebody had blown cigarette smoke into a sock that had been worn by an athlete for a week.

2. Favourite colour

Teal. Our new sofas in the back room are teal and they are lovely.

3. Favourite Animal

Dogs and cats. I can’t distinguish between the two even though I have cats, which is mainly due to Mrs PM. I would have one of each if I could, just like I did as a kid.

4. Favourite thing to do on a cold day

It depends on whether it is sunny and not icy. It is very pleasant walking on a cold crisp winter’s day where the temperature is just above 0°C. If there is snow on the ground or it is icy and/or raining, I prefer to do something indoors.

5. Favourite vacation spot

That depends on the holiday type. If we are going to a place near to the sea then it would have to be Marbella in Spain or Nice in France. Both are fabulous and very scenic places.

In the UK, I enjoy going to London. It is huge and although I have been there countless times, I still haven’t seen it all. The city surprises me every time I am down there.

My Favourite place in the world, outside Manchester, is Hong Kong and we should hopefully be heading back there early in 2025 on the way back from Malaysia.

6. Favourite TV show

I have far too many to list here. Some highlights over the past couple of years include Dr Who, The Wire, Stranger Things, Squid Game, The Last Kingdom, Vikings, The Boys, The Expanse, Dexter, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Black Mirror, The Last of Us, Game of Thrones, Peaky Blinders, Daredevil, Jessica Jones.

7. Favourite Mythical creature

I guess vampires count as mythical creatures, don’t they? I am fascinated by them. I don’t include the feeble creatures in the Twilight Series by the way; to me they are most definitely NOT vampires. I am talking about those you see in the old Hammer Horror films and the Blade movies. 

Is it weird that I like them? I reckon so – but I don’t care.

8. Favourite fairy tale

I’m not a lover of fairy tales but if you were going to push me, it would probably be Jack and the Beanstalk.

9. Favourite thing to draw

I can’t draw at all. I’ve tried and been told not to give up my day job. My sister is very good at drawing. I don’t know where she gets it from.

10. Favourite scent

The smell of bacon cooking.

11. Favourite mode of transportation

I enjoy a good train journey. As I get older I am much more inclined to travel around the UK by train. For example, I can get to London in about two hours. I find it very relaxing. 

A close second is flying. Actually I hate flying because it is cramped and tedious but if I am in an aircraft it means that I am on my way to somewhere abroad and that makes it bearable.

12. Favourite vegetable

That would probably be carrots if you are forcing me to choose. Vegetables are generally pretty bland but I Like the taste of carrots more than any others.

13. Favourite candy

I tend not to eat “candy” (or sweets as we call them over here). If you were to push me, it would be dark chocolate Lindor.

14. Favourite sport

Football . And by that I mean what Americans call “soccer” (it’s known as football everywhere else in the world). In America “football” is a weird game that I don’t understand that looks to me like a weird and much less dangerous form of rugby.

My favourite football team are called Walsall and they are currently in a run of good form having won six out of the last seven games, culminating in a 6-1 away victory at Grimsby Town. 

15. Favourite weather

We have varied weather in the UK but the best is in the summer when the sun is shining and the  temperature is between 25°C and 30°C.