Tuesday 29 December 2009

The Christmas Wilderness

Well December 18 has come and gone and Sir Terry Wogan has presented his last breakfast show, amid a fanfare of publicity. I have never been a TOG (Terry's Old Geezer). Somehow he has never been my cup of tea. Perhaps it is because I am not quite old enough. Or perhaps it is because my literary taste is somewhat more sophisticated than Janet and John. I have always looked forward to Terry's holidays, when the BBC Radio 2 breakfast show is presented by Johnnie Walker, whose calm and laid back style is exactly what I need to bring me to life in the morning. In his quiet and understated manner he is currently presenting the breakfast show, in the Christmas wilderness, (the time when most of us don't want or don't have to work) for the three weeks until Chris Evans takes over the breakfast slot in January, again amid the fanfare of publicity. But I have to admit that I am a recent convert to Radio 2. I have not always listened to it.

When we lived down in Surrey my radio was permanently tuned to London's Capital Radio. The move to Chester meant that I could no longer receive Capital and I had to find another station to listen to. In fact, in our area Capital's 95.8 FM frequency is used by BBC Radio Merseyside. Initially, I listened to Chester's local radio, Dee 106.3 and eventually got used to the presenters and their different styles. However, it wasn't long before changes were made. Progress I suppose. I tried but just could not get on with the new schedules and presenters. First thing in the morning I need a soothing noise to help ease me into the day. Conversation alone is not enough. What I had was two presenters with mangled grammar which really grated on me and I wasn't too keen on their choice of music.

One Wednesday, when I was at home painting the study, I decided to listen to the radio to help me keep track of time, as I find that I totally loose track of it when I am painting and I decided to try Radio 2. Throughout the morning I happily listened to Ken Bruce. I am not so keen on Jeremy Vine, but part of his show coincided with my lunch break. Then, Steve Wright provided the afternoon entertainment. After him was the Drivetime show. I was still busily painting and by now it was getting dark outside, but that did not matter to me. I was enjoying listening to Johnnie Walker presenting his Drivetime show. Not long after my conversion to Radio 2 Chris Evans took over the Drivetime show.

My radio is now permanently tuned to Radio 2, even though we are no longer painting. I always try to listen to Johnnie Walker's Sunday afternoon show or if I miss it I use the listen again option on the Internet. His warm and soothing voice has me hooked and his choice of music is often a trip down memory lane, reminding me of my days as a teenager, student and then the heady days of my first job in Oxford. If like me you are a child of the 60s and 70s, give him a try. I am sure you will enjoy him.

Apologies to my overseas readers. This post is about a UK radio station.

21 comments:

Rosaria Williams said...

I had to interpret a bit, your radio show and all allusion to the same. Interesting and peculiar how we keep track of time by listening to the radio.

Valerie said...

We're all different. I used to like listening to TW and the humour when driving to the office. I admire the way JW coped with his illness, JV is okay at what he does, but KB really irks. Nevertheless I stick with Radio 2. Yes, we're definitely all different.

cheshire wife said...

lakeviewer - thank you for your comment. I have made some changes to the post which I hope will make it more understandable to overseas readers.

Valerie - it is a good job that we are all different.

Jennytc said...

I used to listen to Radio 2 when Ray Moore did the early slot and Terry took over from him, with a few moments of banter between them. I loved Ray Moore's voice - ironic as he died of throat cancer.
These days, I'm a dedicated Radio 4 fan with occasional forays into 2 and 3.

Thud said...

I stick with classic fm...best of a bad bunch.

Lindsay said...

I LOVE Jonnie Walker - he is my favourite DJ - knowledgable and witty - he plays the best music - have talked to him a few times!

cheshire wife said...

Lindsay - I am glad that somebody agrees with me.

Jennyff said...

I'm normally a Radio 4 listener, but travelling over Christmas we have had Radio 2 on in the car and I must admit I've sung along and enjoyed the music. A combination of both from now on I think.

Maggie May said...

I love the radio and would choose it over TV if I had to.
Happy New Year.

Nuts in May

Jinksy said...

My favourites are BBC 4 and 3, with Digital Radio 7 adding large chunks of nostalgia while I potter around the kitchen during the morning. I do occasionally listen to some very strangly named stations, via the TV, thanks to Freeview,though it's more by luck than judgement, to come across something that I can enjoy for long. BBC 2 was never on my favourites list, but Eurovision was a must all the time Terry Wogan was in charge.

French Fancy... said...

Isn't it funny how the image of radio stations can change. When I was young Radio Two was the old fogey channel and now, like you, I really enjoy it. I'm looking forward to Chris Evans show - I know he is not everyone's cup of tea but I used to listen to him on Virgin about 12 years ago and I found him ever so funny and natural

Have a happy new year Cheshire wife and husband and let's hope the year ahead is kind to us all

debsdigest.com said...

I'm afraid I turn Radio 2 off when I find my husband's car tuned to it. Some of the presenters sound like old men chewing on their pipes! I'm glad I've found someone else who isn't keen on Terry Wogan - quite liked him on the Eurovision Song Contest but that was about all - and I can't stand him on the Red-Nose-type programmes.

Akelamalu said...

I've never really been a fan of Terry's but I do like Chris Evans.

Grumpy Old Ken said...

All too modern for me. I miss Charlie Chester!

Strawberry Jam Anne said...

I love the radio too CW - not only the Radio 2 presenters but Radio 4 with comedy programmes, Desert Island Discs and, of course, The Archers! A x

Gilly said...

Oh dear! makes me feel an old fogey! If I listen, its Classic FM, or maybe Radio Three if I can understand the music there!

But Radio 4 is hard to beat most times!

A Brit in Tennessee said...

I seem to tune in only to Through the Night....
Just stopping by to wish you and yours a Happy New Year !
May it be filled with much happiness, peace, and contentment.
I've so enjoyed our visits back and forth this past year, and look forward to more of the same in 2010.
Cheers,
Jo
x

Gill - That British Woman said...

how old is Terry Wogan now?

A Happy New Year to you and your family......

Gill in Canada

cheshire wife said...

FF - I resisted listening to Radio 2 for a long time because of what I perceived as it's old fogey image.

Akelamalu - I am not sure about Chris Evans. We shall have to wait and see.

Thank you everybody for your comments. I am wondering just who used to listen to Terry Wogan.

Working Mum said...

Isn't it funny how we all like different radio shows? I loved Terry in the morning. It took me about a fortnight of listening before I 'got' it, but then he made me chuckle every day on the way to work for years. I shall miss him dearly.

Now, Johnnie Walker I find deeply depressing! I used to turn off Radio 2 when it came to his Drivetime show (I was delighted when they replaced him with Chris Evans who made the drive home from work much more enjoyable) and I can't stand his Sunday afternoon show (switch off time again!)

I must admit that I love Chris Evan's infectious enthusiasm and have really enjoyed his Drivetime show and will enjoy his breakfast show, but Simon Mayo taking over from him on Drivetime....... no, no, no, no!

Wouldn't do to all be the same, would it?

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