Britons love Doctor Who and Little Britain if the latest television awards are any indication. The sci-fi program won three gongs at the National Television Awards while the sketch comedy picked up the most popular program award for the third year running. Special guest for the night was Queensland's Terri Irwin, who presented Sir David Attenborough a lifetime achievement award. She said Attenborough had greatly inspired her late husband Steve.

My wife and I were at the cinema last night and we were discussing how fortunate is was that we arrived early for a packed session. I said: "Otherwise we'd have to sit up the front." She said: "You mean down the front." I said: "Well if it was a plane, you'd say up the front." And she pointed out that, because of the rake of the seating, "down" was definitely the right word. "It's so down," she said, "that you have to look way up and hurt your neck."
PS: It reminds me of a story my father used to tell about a European immigrant who couldn't understand why, in English, we speak of chopping a tree down when it is up, then chopping it up when it's down.

I'll try to avoid a Sally Field moment* here, but it is gratifying to note that this website received a record number of visits last month. Thanks to you all.

* When she picked up her second Oscar in 1978, Field told the audience: "I wanted more than anything to have your respect. The first time I didn't feel it, but this time I feel it and I can't deny the fact you like me. Right now, you really like me!"