Strictly…. keep me away from the remote control.

For the last 3 months, my good lady and I have enjoyed a particular routine each weekend. Before you get any sordid ideas, read on. On Saturday and Sunday evenings, we have enjoyed watching Strictly Come Dancing, compliments of the BBC. Like most of these type of shows, it begins with a bit of a laugh as some of the so-called celebs prove that they can do for dancing what the male host does for comedy. But as the weeks rolled on and the obvious also-rans were eliminated, the remaining contestants have produced some amazing dancing and provided awesome entertainment. It has become our way of life over the past 13 or so weeks. Saturday:- the big show. Sunday:- the elimination. Fabulous and riveting viewing - especially when accompanied by a glass of wine…………or two…………or three (if you like that sort of escapism). Last night however was the final. Sadly this also coincided with a Christmas concert for which we had tickets. No problem I hear you cry. Use the remote and set the TV to record the final. I agree. I had the same thought process. I even checked the daily listing the see what time the programme started. I then pressed "record" and left technology to wave its magic wand. May I add here that the Christmas concert was fabulous. The small church in Dordrecht where it was set, was stunning. The acoustics were amazing, The Rotterdam Opera Choir - fantastic. Even the wine at the interval was first class. Needless to say, by the time we got home it was well after midnight and we were already three sheets to the wind, but decided that despite the late hour we would watch the final of "Strictly" rather than risk having the surprise spoiled before we got a chance to watch the recording. By now, most of you will probably have guessed at what happened next. Well you are wrong. Do you really think I am that stupid that I recorded the wrong channel? We duly sat in the living room, had another glass of wine and watched a 90 minute programme in a little over an hour. (we like to skip though the banal comments and attempts at comedy by the male host). Unfortunately, the end of 90 minutes was not the end of the show, just the end of the first part. It was followed by another programme about some ancient civilisation before "Strictly" resumed, with the four initial finalists reduced to three. What I had failed to appreciate was the final being in two parts and so only recorded the first part; much to our consternation. By the time we finished the first part, it was almost 2am and we had to "google" the winner to satisfy our curiosity. Unfortunately "I-player" doesn't work abroad, so we can only hope some kind soul posts "part 2" on youtube so we can see the finale we worked up to so conscientiously. Keep the remote away from me!!!