The Corona Diaries – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Chapter 216. Rescued from a lifetime of tweed

Saison 1 · Épisode 216

lundi 12 août 2024 • Durée 53:27

Big shout out to Roger Harvey, who in a round-about way has filled the middle of the TCD doughnut this week. Confused? Well let me explain..

As you know I read a bit of something in the middle of each week's pod. Since I got through all of The Invisible Man diaries, I have been rooting around the bottom of the digital drawer looking for interesting (and previously unread) stuff to include. And, as most of you are aware I tend to do this a bit 'on the hoof' each week.

Anyway this week I had to message Ant in a panic to see if he had any inspiration, because I had lost all track of what I had (and hadn't) read already. After a few minutes contemplation he recalled that Roger Harvey had been in touch to share pictures of a handwritten excerpt I wrote for the Web Magazine in the way back when, about my 100th show.

So that is what you have got, and it is thanks to another Mr.H that you have that at all.

Cheers Roger...

Love’n’mosi-bashing

h x

Chapter 207. The 5 Star Omelette Station

Saison 1 · Épisode 207

lundi 6 mai 2024 • Durée 01:03:55

It doesn’t really matter which of the many metaphors you choose, win or lose, the ups and the downs, the peaks or the troughs.

The fact is that when we started this run of AHBID themed episodes we kinda hoped by roping in members of the band we would be able to provide a broader collective on the making of that particular record.

Alas it hasn’t really worked out that way, so although we have managed to tease out a few nuggets so far, this particular aspiration is heading for the bucket. (N.B we do still have Rothers to go, but on current form it ain’t that promising…)

But with every near miss comes a full-on hit, and the one thing we didn’t expect was how each of these chapters have been imbued with the quirkiness of the particular invited guest.

And so it is with the arrival of The Count, as we delve into clicks, debate marmalade and grill Ant over some frankly bizarre behaviour around eggs.

Chapter 117. The Essence of h (Part Two)

Saison 3 · Épisode 117

lundi 1 août 2022 • Durée 01:16:13

Not a lot to report this week, if you listened to Chapter 116 then you know what’s about to happen and you don’t need anything from me by way of explanation.

However, and whilst I have your attention, both Ant and I are aware that Ronan Keating was never actually part of Westlife. So if you think you hear us say anything to the contrary, you are in fact mistaken.

And it is a well known fact that Seagulls are very proud of their regional accents, and celebrate them most wholeheartedly.

Love ‘n’laundromats

Chapter 116. The Essence of h (Part One)

Saison 3 · Épisode 116

lundi 25 juillet 2022 • Durée 01:17:03

I hour, 17 minutes and 2 seconds. What were we thinking....

To be honest there are three reasons why Chapter 116 of The Corona Diaries is over an hour and a quarter long;

We clearly weren't thinking (we were just blathering)
I tried to explain what's in my music room...
Ant came up with a bonkers concept for conversation, that will probably take us the rest of the year to get through.

So I am going to stop typing - so you can start listening - because you haven't got a moment to waste.

Love, ghost trumpets, and ukulele-hangers

Chapter 115. Nobody expects a Rotisserie Chicken (thanks for that Drew)

Saison 1 · Épisode 115

lundi 18 juillet 2022 • Durée 01:00:46

If you go all the way back to the beginning, way before it was called The Corona Diaries (or even TCD for that matter) one of the first things that Ant and I talked about was incorporating a reading from my diary into every episode.

Not only did we think it would give some structure, but it would provide the opportunity for me to expand on the entries and answer any follow-ups that Ant thought might be interesting for you, dear listener.

Clearly we have evolved since then, as the tap-room banter and general ill-preparedness has been raised to somewhat of an art-form, but the diary segment has remained true to that original intent.

I say this because every once in a while the diary entry takes centre stage, and this week is one of those occasions, as you are about to hear.

Buckle up, and don't argue with the cabin-crew...

Chapter 114. I often listen better with my eyes.

Saison 31 · Épisode 114

lundi 11 juillet 2022 • Durée 56:56

It's one of the characteristics of this time of day, especially true at this time of year. The sun is dropping toward the horizon, but in a very languid fashion as if it wants to hang around for as long as possible.

Rafa is just about to edge the fifth set, but it's been a rollercoaster of a match. The tension has been building, the crowd is getting more and more animated and every point is like an entire match, wrapped up in time. The very essence of tennis.

The man from the ministry has been and gone in a vehicle unknown. He seemed nice, maybe a little older than me, but very affable and he left happy with me and my boiler.

Only yesterday I was boarding a plane, half the world away, but now I am back, watching the corn flies in the early evening haze and contemplating the diminishing level of my gin glass.

Nothing to do. Nowhere to be. Bliss.

And then the familiar ping of a WhatsApp notification.

Oh bugger, I should be recording this weeks TCD - now where is my microphone?

Love'n'line-calls

Chapter 113. Navel poking is a definite no-no

Saison 1 · Épisode 113

lundi 4 juillet 2022 • Durée 56:30

There is always a slight sense of apprehension when Ant & I reconvene to record a new episode of TCD and I am overseas.

This week I am in Montreal so we were at the mercy of hotel wi-fi and a strong Nor' easter, and as a consequence there are a few bits of mid-atlantic turbulence baked into the conversation - but I think we just about got away with it.

It is some testament to the power of Zoom that we even manage to cobble TCD together at all in these moments, especially when you consider that the original plan was for Ant & I to get together once a month and batch-record. How things have changed.

Anyway, here it is and Happy Canada Day!

Love'n'skiving off

Chapter 112. Cut yourself some slack, but don't spend too long in the hammock

Saison 1 · Épisode 112

lundi 27 juin 2022 • Durée 01:04:24

I might have started repeating myself a little.

I think you may well already know that, but because you are so very sweet you don't tend to mention it.

I also think Ant has started to notice, and I don't know whether he is being equally polite or whether he is just humouring me (but, more likely, using it as an opportunity to illustrate my onset of dementia.)

For this week's chapter we are talking about Happiness is the Road, and as part of the conversation I may well have enthusiastically said a few things that I have previously (and equally enthusiastically) said. If so please bear with.

Saying that I am pretty confident I haven't mentioned the Queen of the Sandwich, the crowd at Montpellier or my crunchy Maracas before. I also don't think I have likened our songs to Sinatra up until now.

So maybe it isn't such a problem after all.

Love'n'jamming without tension