If living things can become drawings then maybe drawings can become living things.

The Visitors Book at the cottage is always a source of delight - mainly because of all the lovely drawings we get in it !

I thought you might enjoy seeing a selection.

 

 

 

Physician heal thyself

Our Open day at the cottage went very well, it was nice that some of the local people around Lydd who had waked past the cottage and spotted the Tardis finally had a chance to take a proper look !

I enjoyed all the 50th Anniversary programmes, books and audios and they make a nice addition to my late brother's collection.

I was particularly pleased that the Eigth Doctor got to return, however briefly, in the 6 minute prequel to 'The Day of the Doctor' - 'The Night of the Doctor' and he foretold the events of  'The Day of the Doctor' very well - because the Doctor did heal himself !
It gave Paul a chance to show what a great Doctor he could have become.

Of course he had already done that with his performances in the 'Big Finish' audios, but nice to see him 'in the flesh' !

If you enjoyed 'The Night of the Doctor' I strongly recommend purchasing some of the audios to discover his adventures prior to regenerating into 'The War Doctor.

His first one 'Storm Warning' is an excellent introduction to the series, and is in the collection at the cottage if you fancy giving the audios a try. If staying at the cottage at Christmas, I would also highly recommend the Eight Doctor audio story  'The Chimes of Midnight' - a perfect seasonal treat.

All we have to do is open the doors

Not surprisingly, we have had a lot of inquiries from people wishing to book the cottage for the 50th anniversary weekend. We thought, however, that we that it would be better to make the collection as accessible to as many local fans as possible who might like to see it - as a celebration of Doctor Who's 50 years.

Therefore, we have decided to have an Open Day from 10.00 a.m.-4.00 p.m. on Saturday 23rd November.

There is no charge for admission - but we will offer refreshments of a cup of tea or coffee and a seasonal mince pie (well, it will be nearly Christmas!) for £2 to visitors. Any profits will go to one of my late brother's favoured charities.

e-mail me at tony@doctorjohnsmith.co.uk if you would like further details.

My word, it is. It's been a long time.

I can't think of a better 50th Anniversary treat for Doctor fans than the discovery of the two missing Troughton stories 'The Web of Fear' and 'The Enemy of the World'.

Astonishing to think that I was only seven years old when these were first transmitted, and that is 46 years since they were last broadcast !

Patrick Troughton was my Doctor - I was a little to young to really remember the First Doctor that well and found the Third Doctor' a bit too 'establishment' to fire my imagination.

I remember being totally convinced by the underground setting of  The Web of Fear' as too, it would seem, were London Transport - given that the quality of the sets, lighting and photography were so good that they angrily wrote to the BBC demanding to know how they gained access to their tunnels !

Fantastic feeling to see the episodes again - although a little bittersweet, as I know my late brother would have been over the moon about the return of them. Can't help wishing they had been found just a few years earlier.

Buona Fortuna Numero 12

Very pleased with the news that Peter Capaldi is to be the 12th Doctor, he was my favourite choice.

Nice to have a Doctor that is older than me (just) again !

In another one of life's strange coincidences, I notice that his father emigrated to this country from Picinisco in Italy - which is the same place that my mother emigrated from, probably at about the same time for similar reasons, I imagine.

Her maiden name was Ferri, and here is a photo of her and my father (on the right), on their honeymoon, visiting their relatives in the 1950's.

If Peter fancies a practice spin in the Tardis he'll receive a warm Italian welcome at the Cottage!

Who's Who 3

Another contender for the 12th Doctor - Damien Molony.

If they bottle out of going for an older Doctor, I think he could be a good choice. Once again, he is an actor who has pulled off mixing the light with the dark, and is used to taking over a lead role from a departing actor.

Who's Who 2

I notice that the bookies favourite, to replace Matt Smith as The Doctor, is now Peter Capaldi.

Another interesting older actor that could carry off the necessary mix of gravitas and humour.

Given that Steven Moffat favoured the idea of an older Doctor, before he was bowled over by Matt Smith's audition, perhaps this speculation has some basis in truth?