witch

My son has bought the book about spiders, and the sequel, for his dad so I will let you know what mrwITch thinks when he has read it

I have been rereading HMS Ulysses by Alastair Maclean You probably know him from books and films such as Where Eagles Dare and The Guns of Navarone This book is completely different. Not a gung-ho adventure at all It almost reads like non-fiction It is the story, over just a few days, of the Royal Navy ship HMS Ulysses - a naval ship which escorts a convoy to Russia It has the most brilliant description of cold I have ever read - I actually shiver when I read it. It is harrowing, and exciting and you just can't put it down. I believe the author's brother was on the ships and that is where he got his information from. Everybody raves about Monserrat's "The Cruel Sea" which is quite similar only over a longer period. But Ulysses is much much better - you start to care about the people in it, and the survival of the ship. There is a lot of talk about port and starboard, angles and directions, but you can just let this wash over you and still not miss a thing. I do find myself trying to work out where the U boats are and which way the ships are going so I can really imagine what is going on. It is SUCH a good book.

T2 here. Expected. The council pretty much said they would put us in T2 even if the government said T1

Quite enjoyed Stormbreaker - bonkers but fun

@mikeprice To be honest it is absolutely up to MrsMike what she is prepared to do. Seeing sons MIL isnt really that important, however well she gets on with her. Would she be prepared to have Christmas on Boxing day (other days are available) and see son and family in YOUR home? Not perfect but a reasonable compromise. Not seeing family on Christmas day happens normally - two of my three children are going to the other parents this year so I definitely wont see them on Christmas Day (well, covid permitting of course) ree children are going to the other parents this year so I definitely wont see them on Christmas Day (well, covid permitting of course)

OK So I have abandoned the idea of getting him something he doesnt know about but will love. Very sad but I just cant think of anything atm I have bought the dryer thing for his printer Three sci-fi books as recommended on here And A Weird Fish sweatshirt that will look great on him. If he wears it. If I can wrench at least one of the ancient ones he wears off him. He has a nice Kangaroo Poo one and a Fat Face but hey, a girl can dream... Thanks SO much for all your thoughts and ideas See you next year!

Um...he doesn't eat cheese Nor do I Other than Mozzarella and Halloumi in my case which I am told doesnt really count as cheese

Why not have dinner at home but perhaps visit family morning and or afternoon? We are supposed to be having dinner at my sons as my other two are going to the in-laws this year. But at the table will be daughter-in-laws mum who has just had very major op (see cool things) and will be very vulnerable. So I suspect one pair will go for dinner, and one for tea. Not sure about seeing the rest of the family - as you say, a last minute decision. But it is going to be very hard to get train tickets etc for those who do need to travel to see family

The Undoing on Sky Atlantic with Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant. Pretty good thriller so far, despite Nicole not really being able to show any facial expression!

He doesn't go outside very often! Wildlife camera sounds good though

Can we please say where the film was found - Netflix, Amazon, etc as I would like to watch some of them. Yes, I am guilty of not saying as well but will do in future

Yes, he has them We've done all the films that we want to do thanks As for the chopsticks - very cool - but he doesnt eat anything you could eat with such things. Strictly meat and potatoes sort of guy. I'm making him sound really odd - he really isnt, he just isnt into "stuff". We love to travel and new experiences like that interest him but he doesnt want or need to try new foods as he likes what he eats and doesnt get bored with the same thing over and over again!

He has a telescope, thanks - didnt mention that, did I? That was the unexpected but loved present a few years ago! Maybe I wil look at the spider epic. I personally love spiders. I don't think mrwITch has any feelings one way or the other about them

Extra Ordinary (netflix) Cute little Irish film - fills a bit of time and there are a few laughs in it

The Mary Robinette stuff sounds good. Children of time sounds too fantasy to me - he likes spaceships! Noumenon sounds worth a look too as well as Six Wakes and Autonomous He didnt get on with Expanse - I am not sure why. We watched quite a few episodes but it just didnt click He doesnt like short stories (sorry, I love them!) Thanks very much though - gives me some ideas

We both loved Killjoys but don't rewatch stuff as a rule. Although I am thinking very hard about rewatching Justified as we loved it So..so far I have bought the dessicator or whatever it is called. I had to tell him though so I got the right one. I would like to get the laser thing too but the link I got was one that had very bad reviews. Anyone seen a different one? What about new hard sci-fi @sonofsanta ?

Yep, he's read them. I cant see a model number on his 3D printer. I know he went through all the glass bed and leveller stuff with his old printer but I dont know about this one. I shall have to try and find out more! Thanks guys, keep ideas coming!

@jmak No, I understand and I do get it. The thing is that several years running - with the lovely Dave of ICT Direct's help last year, I have given him something that he didnt know he wanted but was absolutely thrilled to get - and I love that feeling of watching someone you care about being very happy because of something you gave them. mrwITch wouldn't mind if he got very little from me but it is MY wish to get him something that he will love. I come on here and ask because he is an IT geek and you lot understand people like him He's read the Tim Peake btw

I'm not sure I'd mind too much if he did!

And now you will feel my pain We have many mugs - he doesnt care about them He only wears a specific type of black sock He doesnt wear slippers (tbf, nor do I) He doesnt like chocolate orange He will wear a weird fish or similar t shirt as long as the big logo is on the back. He doesnt really like the small logo on the front but has got used to it He loves fudge, chocolate, liqorice allsorts (must be Bassetts though) and Toblerone. But the children buy him all that They usually buy him real ale too but he forgets to drink it. He touches the earth lightly. He likes books but only sci-fi. He plays Elite and that's all His hobby was fiddling about writing computer programs and such (he is a software enterprize technical architect by trade) Now his only hobby is the 3D printer - but mostly he fiddles as "it isnt level" or "the filament is getting stuck" or something. He doesn't produce anything! He likes fiddling with his camera and has even done some courses but doesnt seem to want to take it any further He does like to travel and do things like ride zip wires or do these Red Letter Day type thing. Not even bookable at the moment

Thirty years ago I would have said "YES" but as he gets older he cares less and less about the quality of coffee at home.

I LOVE "Can't pay..." The guys are so compassionate and helpful - even when the clients are nasty! And I bet this one will be!

Getting mrwITch to go and do exercise? Hahahahahahahahaha In the last lockdown I got him to walk maybe 4 times a week in the evenings but now it is dark by the time he finishes work, no chance. The coffee thing is ingenious but tbh the only exercise he gets is walking downstairs to make coffee or get a drink of water! I will look at the thrustmaster thanks Any other ideas? He says he doesnt need anything for his NEW 3D printer (Creality something) but if anyone knows of anything I can get for it that he will love even if he doesn't know it yet, please let me know!

That. That is expensive! Not looking for it to be a main present really - so maybe sub £50

The Last Witch Hunter Vin Diesel doing what he does..but it was OK to pass the time