Episode 66 A Portrait Of The Artist

Here is the final podcast of season one, recorded before we take a break and prepare to return in 2020.  It finds us in relaxed and reflective mood looking out at a grey seascape from Paul's house in Whitstable, reviewing their first year of podding.  We look forward to returning to you, our kind and valued listeners, rejuvenated and refreshed in spring 2020. Until then, have a Merry Christmas, and a happy New Year. Keep the faith.   See you on the other side. Love Paul and Guy X

A fast moving and sometimes fierce pod, in which battle lines between the friends are drawn up, attacked and defended with gusto.  Paul continues his political journey to the left with trips to the food bank, and Guy does his best to get him to vote Tory before it's too late.  But when the shouting has subsided the lads share a tender moment about no longer living together in Pilton, and reaffirm their abiding love for each other despite both believing the other one is wildly wrong on almost every subject.  Paul finishes with a light hearted anecdote about nearly murdering a prime minister.

Therapy, camping, Bukowski, being a writer and gay easyjet stewards.  Add hungry children, drawing and cruelty and you have this weeks' podcast. 

The two friends discuss plans for the forthcoming season of good cheer.  Paul proposes to liven up Christmas with a pagan celebration that includes animal sacrifices, upside down Christmas trees, and dinner in the West End.  Guy delivers a very brief moral lecture and unburdens himself of some horrific culinary confessions before they both confront the food that dare not speak its name.

From a couple of armchairs in front of the woodburner on a rainy morning we discuss old age, eco militarism, and Prince Andrew's passport.  Paul, as an expert, comes up with a working definition of the verb 'to party'.  We then pass via Isadora Duncan's scarf and castration onto the subject of transgender people, which in our characteristic manner we gave a considered and balanced ragging.

This week the friends discuss the Catholic Church. Paul was brought up in the religion and so feels qualified to speak on the subject. Guy has little experience of it but offers his opinion anyway. The conversation then veers into the subject of celebrity crushes. Could it be true that Guy has never had one? You, dear listener, must decide for yourself.

On a crisp sunny winter’s day, we pod from Paul’s house on the beach at Whitstable.  We sample oysters Paul picked from the foreshore, and hear about his adventures on his boat, the Lamia.   Beach huts, sex and death also all come under consideration as we discuss his new home town.

This week we talk about the fatbergs clogging our sewers and what to do about them; Paul interviews Guy for a job as his butler, and then admonishes him for behaving too politely in restaurants.  We finish with a look at some old proverbs while Paul indulges in some good old fashioned work place harassment. 

A pod for the hard core fans of That’s Just Ridiculous.  We tramp across the outer limits of taste and decorum as we submit Gary Glitter lyrics to a forensic textual analysis, then charge through flight shame, virtual reality and rapist shamen.  Sit forward and pin your ears back. Your sick bag is in the seat pocket in front of you.

Still in Jamaica, we talk in the evening over a glass or two of rum.  We discuss bars, clubs, benders, and country dances we have recently enjoyed.  Paul turns the talk to Xtinction Rebellion, and Guy explains what he would do in the event of a revolution.  We round off with a good dose of psychedelic drugs and Paul’s move to the seaside.