I'M NOT CHRISTINE HAMILTON ANY MORE!!  Yes really, promise I'm not kidding!   Just for fun I've changed my name to Mrs British Battleaxe (well, what else?)  If you don't believe me have a look at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bK2mY2TaUOQ   The Legal Deed Service make it very quick and easy so if you want to do it for real take a look at their website http://thelegaldeedpollservice.org.uk

ON THE HIGH SEAS! - For the first time in my life I spent Christmas away from home.  Leaving the family to fend for themselves - yippee - we went on a 2-week cruise with P&O  - Mexico, Nicaragua, through the Panama Canal, Costa Rica, Aruba, St Lucia, St Vincent and home from Barbados.  I know what you're thinking, a real hardship posting!  Well, someone's got to do it and it was work - we were speaking.   We had a wonderful time aboard the family friendly 'Oceana' but the trouble is I've now got the taste for December sunshine, no shopping, no cooking, no washing-up, no tree and decorations to put up - and then have to take down.   It might be hard to go back to the good old ways this Christmas!

EDINBURGH FESTIVAL - In August we went back to the Edinburgh Festival for the third (and last?) time.   We had splendid fun with our daily show - 'Lunch with the Hamiltons - One Last Time!     Nothing is scripted, it is a touch anarchic (Neil describes it as a cross between 'Hi- De Hi' and 'Newsnight' ) and we are never sure what is going to happen each day!    We have three or four guests - other performers at the Fringe - and I am happy to report that it was a sell-out again this year - as were our Saturday night shows 'Midnight Feast with the Hamiltons' when the guests are, shall we say, somewhat more risque and the style more cabaret than chat show.  We always make some splendid new friends, live like students for the month, burning the candle at both ends and chucking the middle into the flames - but it's a real tonic and keeps us young at heart.

HELP - GROUNDED!  I was hobbling around on sticks recently after an operation to cut out a swollen nerve in my left foot - ouch!    I had hoped to be back to normal by now but it's still playing up and I have a nasty feling I shall be back for another operation quite soon.   I had the right one done last year and that does seem to have settled down again.   No, it's not because I have spent my life in Manolo Blahniks (is that how you spell it?) but because I am a bit flat-footed - well, we can't all be perfect.   The toes gradually squash the nerve and at my great age the time had come for something to be done.

HELP THE AGED TREK CHINA 2008 - I am Ambassador for Help the Aged Trek China 2008 and should have been going on the Trek later this year - but foot not permitting!  I am so sad to be missing such a great opportunity to visit an amazing country and walk through breathtaking scenery, part along the Great Wall and ending up in Beijing while, at the same time, raising money for a hugely worthwhile cause. But it was not to be - I just wouldn't be able to do it.    Maybe next year..... !www.helptheaged.org.uk/events

SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS - We are always busy rushing around the country, and occasionally abroad, on speaking engagements, conference hosting and that kind of thing.  We clock up a lot of miles but enjoy the varied events we attend and the huge range of people we meet.  Never a dull moment - well, a few, but we gloss over those!

 DESTINATION LUNCH  - I have recently started presenting a regular show called 'DestinationLunch' which goes out on the European property channel - Sky 287.  It's a fun mix of travel, food, and guests and I have my own resident wineexpert on hand - none other than  Neil - who is in his element choosingwines to complement the food and the countries we are visiting thatday.    We am doing six shows a month which keeps me out of mischief for two long days as we record three shows a day.

SUNDAY EXPRESS - Neil now writes a page every week in the Sunday Express.  His brief is to be topical, opinionated and to entertain.  He loves doing it and I love the fact that he has a regular income again!

WORLD CUP SONG - I know - I can't sing - don't remind me!   But Neil and I recorded a very jolly World Cup Song last year called 'England are Jolly Dee'.    It is a catchy tune but, oh dear, they needed more than our encouragement.....!   It's still available to download from www.itunes.com and do download the video as well - it is hilarious - I promise!   Apart from anything else you can have a giggle at the sight of me in football shorts!

'THIS MORNING' -  I know, I'm nuts but last year I spent a week living on a first floor roof at the London Studios, overlooking the Embankment and the Thames.  I started on the Monday dressed in just a dressing gown and slippers, armed only with a laptop and I had to get everything I needed for survival on the internet.  No phoning a friend!   I mean everything - loo, tent, sleeping bag, food, water, clothes, alcohol - mustn't forget the essentials!   I had a budget of £2,000 and it was plenty.  I ordered a gas barbecue and had delicious fresh food, I even carpeted my roof, ordered a gorgeous New Zealand guy to come and give me a massage, arranged live entertainment and an aerial display on the last day.  It was huge fun and I had a ball.    There was a live webcam 24 hours a day and people could look at me on a large screen down below on the Embankment - Neil came along every day to shout and wave at me but he was never allowed up!

MISS GREAT BRITAIN - I was delighted to be one of the judges in the Miss Great Britain contest again this year.   Neil was hugely jealous that I was the one eyeing up the delicious girls on parade - but, of course, he came along to keep an eye on them too.  It was a fantastic evening although, sadly I was overruled by the others and my favourite was second - exactly what happened last year!

BBC RADIOs SWINDON & WILTSHIRE - Neil and I hosted several 3 hour live radio shows last year for BBC Radios Swindon & Wiltshire. The usual local radio mix of chat, music and banter.  We had some great guests - Carol Thatcher, Jilly Cooper, Eddy Shah, Jenny Eclair, Bel Mooney, Michael Crick, Jilly Cooper, Charlie Brocket, Gloria Hunniford, Ken Dodd, Louis Theroux, Tony Hadley - to name but a few!  It was terrific fun and we may well do more later this year.

FRIENDSHIP WALKS -   I was thrilled to be asked to be the 'Face of Friendships Walks' helping the Breast Cancer Campaign to raise money for and awareness of Breast Cancer.   We can't all run a marathon but we can all walk - or be pushed - with friends, colleagues and family - to raise money for this hugely worthwhile cause.    There can hardly be a person in the country who hasn't been touched by this disease, with a friend and family member falling prey. 

HOW NOT TO DECORATE - Hope you caught C5 on 10th November for a good laugh, often at our expense, when Colin & Justin (the outrageous Glaswegian gay 'Design Duo') were let loose in our little London flat.  The transformation was amazing but, gosh, how they screwed up on our sitting room!!

SAUSAGES!!   Yippee!! 

I was delighted to be the Face of British Sausage Week lin 2005 and last year I handed the sausage over to Carol Thatcher. The largest annual celebration of the British Sausage  it is run by the British Sausage Appreciation Society. and raises money for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust as well as celebrating the Great British Banger!   I led a team all over the country in search of the winner.  For more information - perhaps you would like to enter this year! -  log on to: www.britishsausageweek.com      I love sausages – I’m a bit of a sausage tart really – If I’m not near the sausage I love, I love the sausage I’m near!   It’s the delicious combination of crispy hard exterior and soft squishy succulent middle that makes the sausage so truly irresistible.

MY  AUTOBIOGRAPHY:  ‘FOR BETTER FOR WORSE’  

 
My autobiography was published in March 05 by Robson Books price £16.99.  I have to be honest - if I had known what hard work and how time consuming it would be I might never have started!  But now I'm glad I did.  It's all there - early life, love life, politics, scandal, legal battles, arrest, Louis Theroux, Jungle - I hope you enjoy reading it - it`s been a lot of effort!    If would like to order your own personally signed copy, please visit the Books page where you will also find details of my 'Book of British Battleaxes' and Neil's 'Great Political Eccentrics'.

VAGINA MONOLOGUES - Well - I've finally made my West End debut!!  In May 05 I appeared in the Vagina Monologues at Wyndhams Theatre, Charing Cross Road, sharing the stage with comedienne Jenny Eclair and Heather Small of MPeople.  I last performed the Monologues three years ago during the Edinburgh Festival and I was delighted to be doing them again.   They are very funny and enjoyable even if you haven't got one or have no interest in them!!   I am happy to report packed audiences, standing room only!