poppy

I loved this TV series, but maybe you have to be a Kiwi to understand it properly? My memory is questionable at the best of times, but I remember the Maori and Chinese characters having quite major roles in the series.

to comprehend the depths the cheezal man will sink to! 'Must wush away, other wegulars to dwop in on. Toodle pip.' He fluttered a manicured hand and exited in a wave of nauseous after-shave. 'Where did you find Siegfried?' I asked, at a complete loss to see the attraction. 'I meth him at elocushun lethonth. You probably haven't notithed but we have slight lispths. I have trouble with etheth and he has trouble with rths.' 'Never noticed a thing, old bean!' bellowed Bunty. I began to wonder if she ...

my chest out and attempting to look staunch. He grabbed my hand in a crushing grip and wrung it with the strength of a beefy washerwoman who'd spent her whole life throttling the life out of unsuspecting laundry. Trying not to wince, my voice went up an octave and I squeaked out 'How do.' 'Thiegfried likth to pop in from time to time to checkth up on uth, make thure we're not cooking the bookth,' giggled Petunia. 'Brilliant mind! Absolutely brilliant!' boomed Bunty, full of unmitigated admiration. Siegfried didn't bother to deny this, merely inspecting his manicured fingernails and flicking an imaginery speck of dust off his sleeve. 'I weally only dwopped by to weturn a book on statuwary wights and the judicawy.' Oh lordy, there were two of them now! How on earth did they manage to ...

Somewhere Over the Rainbow ~ Judy Garland

I intended any disloyalty to Rosie. But it was always nice to have some other adoring female to admire and flatter me. Rosie knew me too well now to put me on any pedestal. I bowled in full of bounce and self-confidence, only to discover a strange and singularly unattractive male behind the counter. 'Who are you?' I demanded. 'Oh Johnny, let me introduce...

Arriving Somewhere but Not Here ~ Porcupine Tree

the litter trays, a job Rosie and I detested and always argued over whose turn it was. I had a feeling this was all going to work out well. After my third large cup of tea, half a dozen cherry oatmeal biscuits and filling my pocket with salted peanuts, I meandered off to the Cosy Book Nook, looking forward to catching up with Petunia and Bunty. I should just about time my arrival for lunch and I let my thoughts dwell on ...

Here Comes The Rain Again ~ Eurythmics

Miss Mole by E.H. Young

Frogspawn Lane, next to

a beautiful blond so therefore, to put it crudely, in parlance you would understand, as 'thick as a brick'.' 'Tull, I believe,' I interjected. He ignored me. Rosie's bottom lip came out in her sullen, obstinate look. 'Timmy was a DOG!' she muttered. 'I think, old chap,' I said giving him a hearty whack on the back, sending his monocle flying, 'you'll find we're talking Blyton here, not Hermann Hesse!' 'In that case ... 'Yes, in that case ... time you were off. Nice to meet you, sorry you're off so soon. Don't call us, we'll call you and all that jazz,' and I shot him out the door. Our next would-be employee ...

half a quid from

Cat

I Don't Want To Set the World On Fire ~ The Inkspots

Austen!' 'I haven't heard of her,' replied Rosie, 'Johnny's the reader round here. But I did love the books about Jane, Anne, Dick and George. There was a dog called Timmy, too.' 'I think you'll find that was Julian,' said Clutcher, rather looking down his nose. 'No, I'm pretty sure it was Timmy,' said Rosie, frowning. 'No, Jane was Julian.' He was obviously a stickler for accuracy. 'But there were two boys and two girls! That makes three boys and one girl, four boys if you count Timmy. It wouldn't be fair to make Jane the only girl on their adventures. They'd expect her to do all the dishes, all the housework, all the ...' This was just too good to intervene. Clutcher started tearing at his hair in frustration and ...

a good time for you to pop around now, if that suits.' 'Topping! I'll be there in a jiffy.' Rosie offered him a coffee when he arrived. 'Spiffing! A quick Dirty Chai, non-fat, vanilla soy, extra foam, light whip with caramel drizzle would be simply marvellous, my dear.' Lordy! I thought, rolling my eyes, one of those! But Rosie's eyes lit up. 'I'm an aficionado of specialty coffees myself. Come and look at my ...

and extra hot sweet

...well ... he wanted me to leave you and run away with him to his mother's cupboard under the stairs at a Professor Guzzlegrub's, or something equally ghastly, ramshackle hovel!' 'Did he, by the powers! The little worm! We'll soon see about that, health condition or not!' 'But Johnny, darling, what are we to do? We need extra outside money, but I need help in the cafe as well.' 'How about we ...

We Are All Made Of Stars ~ Moby

Munchkin Morsel Munchies, a cwt kindly supplied by the company because of our considerable support for their products. As much as the kitties hoed into their tasty provender (well, I assumed it was tasty, I hadn't actually sampled it myself. It had a rather offputting odour reminiscent of wet dog, with a hint of sardine) it had the rather unfortunate effect of ...

holding anything back, 'How can you squander your lovely self on such a useless drop-kick? Give him the heave-ho and join me and my devoted mother in a life of bliss at Professor Razzlegrub's luxurious residence.' 'Clyde! I will NOT have you bad-mouthing Johnny! He is the future Daddy of our little bundle of joy and the love of my life. I asked you to come back because you love cats and the cats love you, but ...

Iron Sky ~ Paolo Nutini

recipe here ... Fusion Zucchini Blossoms with Vegan Garbanzos Bolonaise and Kimchi Slaw.' 'Mmmmm,' I said. 'What a load of old rubbish!' Bunty wasn't having any of it. 'What you need is a good steak and kidney pie with lashings of tomato sauce! Put some colour in your cheeks and some lead in your pencil. You're far too skinny, girl!' 'Oh Bunthy!' Petunia giggled. Meanwhile, back at Chez Feline ...

Mr. Blue Sky ~ Electric Light Orchestra

find it to pay for these books.' Included in her pile were 'Love At First Bite', 'Bitten, A Steamy Vampire Romance', 'Fangs, Vampire Spy Book' and 'Something To Sink Your Teeth Into'. 'So where exactly is the practice you're working at, Carole?' 'You'll find Morticia and me down Nightshade Drive. Would you like to book an appointment?' 'No, no,' I replied quickly, 'but I know someone who might.' You wouldn't get me within 10 miles of the place! But old Padre Cross could do with his buck teeth and halitosis looking at. I'd have great pleasure in ...