Stencil Map of Europe .... from History!

How times have changed. Germany wasn't united. Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia had not split apart.

At first I thought this might date back to the very early 1990s, just before the declaration of independence of Croatia and Slovenia and Yugoslav war. The reason for that thinking was the presence of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania on the map. These countries declared independence from from the Soviet Union in 1990 (Lithuania) and 1991 (Estonia and Latvia). However, I can't say for sure.

Let's just leave it as late 1980's/early 1990s. This stencil was from Boots, and it was used a bit so isn't pristine. Still, I'd say it's decent condition and it's a nice keepsake with a bit of history.

Random Christmas things

Tis the season and all that waffle.

To fit in with the yuletide festivities I've decided to post a picture of my earliest decorations. I bought all these with my pennies in the mid-1980s. I'm pretty sure they were all bought from Notcutts in Norwich. I know the badge was because it still has part of the price label attached (sadly not the bit that says how many pennies it cost.)

Pull the badge on chimney and Santa pops out. Genius. It hasn't been worn in anger for many many years (probably since the year it was bought!) and is used just as a tatty decoration nowadays.

The tree is adorned by a single sad looking bauble. the bauble dates back to at least the 1970s, possibly the 1960s. I think I decided the family tree had enough decorations and my little tree needed brightening up. I'm not sure there's tinsel small enough to go on this tree!

The boot. Well, the boot was bought a bit later, but still mid to late 80s.

At the same time as when I bought the tree I also bought a small sock/stocking decoration which has the words "Merry Christmas" on it. When I find the sock (lol) I'll add a picture to this post.

Battlestar Galactica books

As a kid I didn't actually have any Battlestar Gallactica toys or other stuff. At least, I don't think I did. I don't remember seeing any in the shops, but that's not to say there wasn't any. Let's face it; When you're up against Star Wars, there is only going to be one "space war" winner. 

Actually, I did have one Battlestar Gallactica annual - I used to get loads of these (including Star Wars, Star Trek, The Beano and its contemporaries...) for Christmas as they were great presents for Aunts and Uncles to buy. 

Still, I enjoyed the TV series. Yes, it helped having Face from the A-Team playing Starbuck being all funny and cool, especially as they kid with the robot teddy-dog (Muffett the Daggitt) was a bit annoying. Seriously, what kind of name is Boxey anyway? Starbuck sounded much cooler, although nowadays just sounds like product placement. 

Anyways, I digress. Many moons ago I started collecting books from second hand stores of all things sci-fi. To be honest, this hobby didn't last too long but during that time I picked up a BSG novel and another annual. So, here you go. My 3 Battlestar Gallactica books starting with the annual I got as a kid. 

Oh, I do also own the entire 1970s TV series on DVD too. FYI I enjoyed the first series of the revamp too, though they messed with the formula too much.

Corgi "Fire" fire engine/truck

Not much to say, other than this little truck from the early 1980s is in pretty decent condition. I've found a few similar ones (the stickers on the side are different to mine) but they aren't in as good a condition as my fire engine.