Given that this blog is entitled 'Thoughts of a Time Lord' you would be forgiven for coming to the conclusion that I haven't had a thought in my head for six months.  Whereas I am sure that Rob Cope who went to the enormous trouble of setting up this splendid website is probably thinking 'Why did I bother?'  I can only apologise to those of you who are kind enough to show interest in my activities.  Part of the reason is that there hasn't been much going on that I thought would be of interest to anyone other than my family (ie got up, had breakfast, took the dog out)  Work has not been abundant, although there have been bits and pieces to keep me occupied if not wealthy!!  As I am about to get busy, I thought I should perhaps let you know I am still here in sunny (today) Buckinghamshire.  As I type this, Wimbledon is reaching its final stage and Rafa Nadal has just taken the first set off Thomas Berdych.  I like Rafa - his on court persona is quite different to the genuinely diffident chap you see off court.  I hope he wins - and I am a little tired of Federer and his monogrammed jackets celebrating his victories that are prepared for him before he even starts the matches! Pity of course about Andy - who played really well but Nadal just played better.  Bit like the German football team - although however much I would like to be able to say otherwise the English team weren't firing on many cylinders were they.  Thank goodness we did better against them than the Argentinians though.

Still n the football front, I am as some of you may know, a season ticket holder at Wycombe Wanderers (my local team), who despite a late rally under their new manager Gary Waddock did not survive in Division One and were relegated this summer.  I am looking forward to seeing at least the first couple of matches before I start my autumn tour (more later) at the beginning of the campaign for instant return to that division - and I'm feeling very positive.

I have been quite busy trying to get my book of short stories finished.  I'm quite pleased with the way thet're turning out and hope that when they're published (Hirst Books) that you enjoy reading them if you are kind enough to purchase the book, provisionally entitled 'Gallimaufry'.  And, of course, as the reaction to my first compilation of my columns in the Bucks Free Press has been so gratifyingly positive, Tim Hirst is bringing out a second volume imminently, which is very gratifying.

Acting-wise - I am about to launch into a few weeks of Big Finish audios and am looking forward to that as I always do - especially as I shall be seeing my dear friend Maggie Stables again for the first time in a couple of years for a story with Evelyn Smythe - I mustn't say too much more as I know I will get my legs slapped by the folks at Big Finish for giving too much away.

Back in April my very good friend, Louise Jameson and I entertained the Ladies and Gentlemen of the Eastbourne Theatre Supporters Group to an afternoon where we interviewed each other as a tea time entertainment at the Winter Gardens in Eastbourne.  I went to see my daughter Bindy's showcase in London - she is leaving her drama school this summer and will be out there fighting for work with all the rest of us in this strange profession that we somehow can't resist subjecting ourselves to. She has completed a musical theatre course so watch out for Bindy Baker in the West End one day...

My oldest daughter Lucy has qualified as a primary school teacher and has secured her fist post at a primary school.  My No 3 daughter, Lally,  will be starting her thrid year at University in the Autumn and my fourth daughter, Rosie, has just finished her A Levels and is planning a gap year before also having a go as an actress, auditioning for drama schools.

Our lovely old Jack Russell, Arthur, died this spring, aged 14, and we have just acquired a lady greyhound (Susie) from a local dog rescue group.  She is an ex-racing dog, who clearly did not cut the mustard as she achieved three sixth places in three races. ie she was last in all of them.  She was then presumably dumped,as she was found wandering the streets. (You are able to find out the history of racing greyhounds from the tattoos in their ears). After our two cats initially moved out, some six weeks later things have settled down and they both treat her with same indifference/contempt as they do the other dog we have - Daisy - the poodle/Jack Russell cross who thinks she is a cat and loves chasing balls to the exclusion of all other activities.  One of our two Shetland ponies has laminitis and has to be kept away from grass.  My daughter's horse is lame and can't be ridden for several weeks.  All very expensive - situation normal. And don't get me started on cars!!

In my I did a book signing at the Who Shop in Blackpool which was great fun.  Dave and Cat who run the shop are really great people and they have recently moved to a bigger shop and have great plans to expand there.  I went down to Cornwall to contribute to a film called Back2Hell but in fact was unable to film because another actor had to return to America unexpectedly.  It was quite disappointing as I was looking forward to playing the rather unpleasant American gangster - Wynchapel.  They have rescheduled but the dates at the moment clash with my upcoming tour, so it may be that I can't make it second time around.  Shame!  I had a busy time at Collectormania at Milton Keynes and down in Bournemouth at the Collectors' Fair there.  And I enjoyed meeting some of you at Bad Wolf in Birmingham where I was signing my book.

Unfortunately I had to withdraw from the concerts in aid of Muscular Dystrophy which I had agreed to do in association with the Sound Power Orchestra, whose conductor, George Hastings is a personal friend.  I had agreed to do them as a favour to him and the orchestra, but when the organisers decided to engage another orchestra for the series of concerts with Russell Watson, then my services as compere were no longer appropriate.  A shame, but these things happen occasionally. 

I had great fun doing a low budget film for some friends of my good friends Jane Tucker and Freddy Marks (two thirds of Rod Jane and Freddy from Rainbow). I filmed over two days in Licolnshire at a wonderfully remote rural location in front of a green screen.  The film is Shadows of a Stranger - and if you want a sneak preview  go to the website

http://www.shadowsofastranger.co.uk/

I was very impressed by Rich Dutton, Chris Clark,  Brad Bourne, Alex and Kit  - the guys who are making the film - and greatly enjoyed playing William, the legless (literally not intoxicated!!) millionaire who hires a detective to find his son who has been missing for a long time.  Watch out for it.

And of course, I am about to start rehearsals for the autumn tour of House of Ghosts where I get to play yet another iconic role - Chief Inspector Morse.  And I will 'endeavour' to fill the shoes of the late and very  great John Thaw with as much distinction as I can. I have been working my way through Colin Dexter's novels during the summer and have only the last one to read now.  I have of course found them incredibly useful in getting into the skin of the grumpy genius but I have also enjoyed reading them as stories.  But I have been astonished (and slightly appalled) at the similarities between Morse and myself. Whilst I may not be 'of slight build with a paunch' - well not the slight bit anyway - I share many of his characteristics.

I did Greek at Grammar school. I don't like spiders, blood or heights.  I prefer instant to ground coffee.  I love doing the Times Crosswords and when I did it on a daily basis could do it in much the same time as Morse.  I get hot under the collar about the misuse of English and correct people's grammar.  I cannot wear wool. I was emphatically not a boy scout. I played a bit of tennis and had a mean backhand.  I didn't study physics. I could never bear not knowing what words meant and always had to go and look them up in books too. I had a Meccano set and read the Dandy and the Beano.  Add to that the fact that I took my driving test in my father's car when I was 19 and he suddenly had a stroke so I had to learn to drive quickly - and that car was a maroon Mk 2 Jaguar.  Also all my children were born in Oxford as well!

So really all I have to do is learn the lines and hope that the audiences will accept me after John Thaw's wonderful and definitive performance.

The tour dates are elsewhere on this site - and I look forward to seeing some of you maybe as I tour the country until Christmas.  It looks like no panto this year as a result, which is sad in one way.  But I will get to spend more than one day with my family this year.

Oh and watch out for a celebrity Eggheads this Christmas, featuring yours truly and Louise Jameson, Frazer Hines, Katy Manning and John Leeson.  My lips are sealed.....