Doris Visits 2024 review. The cruising Aikman's to Gavin and Stacey

Doris Visits 2024. The cruising Aikman's to Gavin and Stacey - past stories & future cruises - the year started in South Africa on the Viking Neptune and ended up as unexpected GoogleBox-like stars with a hyper viral video... 7 million views in just days.

Expanding Family

Now we are blessed with two grandchildren, we do not take contracts to work on circa twelve cruises + a year. Even when there is a new book to promote, and last year there were two, although, 4 Murders, A Wedding, and A Cruise was only released days before Christmas. Now both Grandchildren are at school with multiple clubs, we have accepted five cruises to be guest speakers on on 2025 already.

Our year ended with own children surprising us the most this year. Luke came up with more inventive family outings then Laura shocked us all as we sat together and watched TV on Christmas Day night. She WAS back in Gavin and Stacey. She secretly filmed our reaction, and Matt next to her did the same - his camera is in our end of year 2024 round-up. The Independent was first to pick up on her posting of the film, then Sky News. The video on Doris Visits own Jean screaming OMG has hit nearly 7 million views, which has to go down as Doris's (Jean's) biggest film ever.

Press coverage

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In updated articles, since the screening of Archie at the weekend, The Mail has got some of the history correct.

It somewhat retells that she was taken out of school to present the Mysti Show, as Mysti, for BBC Saturday morning TV. Many G&S fans will have grown up watching that. They failed to connect that Jason Issacs (Cary Grant) and Laura went to the same school!

But, she did not meet her husband Matthew Kennard (TV writer) in Bluestone 42 as they suggest. I am pretty sure that was a chance meeting in Harrods.

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The Mirror concentrates on the story in our film, of the wedding dress, but does not know how the Beatles song was chosen to walk down the aisle to.. revealed by Jean in our end of year review. Nor do they go into how the BBC smuggled her away from filming 'This City Is Ours' with Sean Bean to do their other show G&S.

The Birmingham Mail missed an own goal - the fact that Matt was a nurse in Doctors, and he and she were co-based in Birmingham for nearly two years. There is a frenzy to interview her now and she will be on THIS MORNING before we rush off skiing as a family to Tignes.

The Doris Visits 2024 from the Aikman's - from cruising to Gavin and Stacey

So, in this we tell a few facts that others have missed in our own year run down, which started in South Africa on the Viking Neptune. As the result of the war in the Middle East, cruise ships on World Cruises knew long before they announced it, that they would not be heading back via the Suez Canal. Ships scrambled to book ports on the route the long way around, that is heading south in the Indian Ocean, around the Cape of Good Hope, and up the African coast past the Canary Islands.

Viking Neptune

We decided to go with an offer on the Viking Neptune, starting at the port of Cape Town in South Africa. We stopped in Namibia, Senegal, and looked for the Soul Buoy in mid ocean, but he had gone missing. All weather buoys are named after music - Soul Buoy sits at ZERO ZERO. That is just off the African coast. Zero longitude, zero latitude. We would have travelled all the way back to Greenwich if Jean had not accepted a gig on the Neptune - so in Tenerife we had to disembark and fly to meet the P&O Ventura.

P&O Ventura

We revisited a Coruna, went to Vigo and Porto, then ended in Cherbourg. All the ports were videoed and it was such a busy edit time that my new book stalled in a queue of jobs. This summer we were determined to release a new list of cruise route films, where we show the ship and the ports along its route.

River Cruise to the Wine Country

In the summer, Luke. and Laura took us on a cycling tour of St Emilion and a stay in Bordeaux. It was a joint special birthday present and we loved it. I was trying to film while cycling and crashed. They laughed, which is the sympathy an old stuntman gets.

QM2

The Queen Mary 2 still remains one of our all time favourite ships. There are few ships where you can party this hard, where the band plays on live until after midnight and seventeen live musicians play together on stage in synchronisation to the Cunard Orchestra recorded at Abbey Road studios, playing on the large screen behind them. Our contract with Cunard took us back to Bruges and Cherbourg a few times - enough for us to wander up and find the beach at Blankenberge. But we got to see the new ship, compare, and enjoy. The ship tour is here.

Queen Anne

This was something we had been looking forward to for years, and we were not disappointed. Neither of us expected Cunard to reproduce the old past but were keen to see how they would move their classy cruise image into the future. I thought it was inspirational, clever and intuitive. It was like Michelin Star modern club, or to be extreme one could say new money as opposed to old money. The design, style and approach were right up our street. For those who prefer the QM2 they still have it. We have BOTH! The Ship tour is here.

P&O Britannia

We decided to complete the year in the sun - and we don't mean the newspaper although Jean did that too! Because of changing schedules we got to spend a week with the number one comedy magician and old buddy, Manuel Martinez. We also had a week with mate Chesney Hawkes, who has had three chart hits this year - so, he is no longer the 'one and only' hit. His show is without doubt one of the best cabaret dining shows you can see - up with Madeleine Bell for us. Britannia ship tour. Also, Britannia Route and ship.

Caribbean Cruise Route

We started in Curacao, the Bonaire in the ABC islands. Both are Dutch islands and amongst our favourite in this sea. We went to St Vincent, which is something I wanted to report on for cruisers. There is only one white sand beach in St Vincent (there are a couple of yellow sand, then the rest are dark sand, unlike the sister island Bequia which is beach paradise). We have been telling of this beach for years, how to get there by bus for two dollars, and the Tri Tri fishing in the new moon. Sandals have built a top class resort there, but despite the gate, the beach is public and you can just walk in. By watching the two videos you can see the beach before and after. Finally, when taking a walk around all the sites I used in my first book, Cruise Ship Heist, I got photo bombed by the most charming young lady.

In Grenada we shot a pop video section for Chesney as well as making a film of the water taxi, and he and Jean doing Titanic on the front. It St Lucia we went to a public beach in a resort, a great day at Windjammers. Previously we had been to other beaches and the rain forest. Then in Antigua we walked to find the beach 'near' to the port. It was great but a bus to Anse Beach is easier, as is the bus to Nelson's Dock Yard. Our final port visit was the third Dutch island, Sint Maarten. The port has expanded but the beach was the same. We had so much fun we did not feel the need to visit the French side again. The year ended in Barbados. We filmed the entrance procedure to Barbados and the ship as there are so many new cruisers.

4 Murders, A Wedding, and A Cruise

After I had written the second book, Cruise Ship Serial Killer, and started a maritime detective agency - I made a list of topics. A terror attack on a ship was always top of the list, and has been ignored for seven books. Sex trafficking was the third book as it was a well researched subject which I had directed a movie on years before, winning Best Director in the USA and awards around the globe. A terror attack was hard because whilst it is such an easy target to write for, it is historically not something that happens. The only real record of anything like it is an Israeli ship being attacked by opposing fundamentalists. I wanted to come up with a threat that was both modern, current, and viable. One so simple it scared the pants out of the industry - but I knew that would never be enough so the on-off wedding sub plot had to be powerful. Inevitably in any crime book there is a murder - singular. However, after editing what is now my runaway most popular book, 4 MURDERS, A WEDDING, AND A CRUISE we realised there were two murders, so added the 's'. Then, that there were three, then counted four. It had to happen Christmas Day to provide the inevitable dramatic ticking clock - and now I realise I have written a Christmas movie. One so easy to shoot - so I am currently writing the first draft movie script as well as having laid down the first few chapters of book 9 - Revenge Cruise. 4MWC is available free to those on the Kindle Library.

Christmas and New Year

We always do an end of year show, and this was the best ever outing yet. We had a gift of to visit Trishna's Michelin Star Restaurant from Ollie, Sarah, Ryan, Krystina, Leane, George, and Jo. And after we went to the best show ever - Come Alive! What a show.

This is our extended family - the ones we ski with, party with, but they have yet to come cruising. Hidden in there is our daughter, Laura. Doesn't Luke's daughter Heidi look like her. She told none of her returning to marry Smithy in Gavin and Stacey. That made two weddings in almost as many days with her marrying Cary Grant on ITV.  Headlines we keep offering the newspapers. We watched the video she made of Jean go viral and hit 7 million views. The work that gave her in dealing with all the contact and requests is something that at 70, Jean and I are pleased to have stepped back from. We can enjoy it, but don't have to be in it.

Tonight, we are off to see the New Year in with Martin and Linda Clarkson. Martin was a guest Doris Visits presenter this year with his film on the new battery operate Havila Ship, and his tour of Norway. There we will see the many from Chorleywood who bought us the amazing meal out at Michelin Star restaurant KAI.

Have a great 2025

The world throws us problems, we try and jump over them. Jean and I with you the best 2025 possible. Please use the chat groups and share your memories positively so this at home can feel like they are cruising. We join the Aurora in Belize, then the Arcadia in Singapore. I am writing a screenplay of 4MWC and have started book 9.

 

The new Cunard ship, QUEEN ANNE, is fantastic. Ship tour, top to bottom.

 The Ultimate QUEEN ANNE cruise ship tour, top to bottom. Take a look at this marvellous ship.

This is the 249th ship to sail under the Cunard flag, the newest and the most modern. The Pinnacle Class ship is well established with Holland and America, but the inside spaces of this version have been re-designed for Cunard. It is a clever use of space throughout. Second in size to the QM2 it comfortably holds 3000 guests. The theatre has 835 seats over decks 1 and 2, and the library has 2700 books not including the book swap cabinet. There are 14 guest decks, it has a gross weight of 113,000 GRT and has over 4300 artworks and sculptures.

It is easy to forget that Holland & America, Princess, Cunard and P&O are all Carnival companies, and their ship ideas and findings can be shared. There are elements throughout this very classy ship that cruisers will be familiar with.

It has all the class of the Cunard ships, the terrific service, but it has all been cleverly updated. This contemporary new ship offers what you might be looking for from a modern 2024 cruise ship. It is now Stuart's favourite cruise ship, and Jean has at least three favourites, of which the Queen Anne is firmly one of the trio, as is the QM2.

This family ship may be the one you wish to try. The film goes from top to bottom and there is so much to see we don't waste time in detailing food or the entertainment acts, it just shows everything the ship offers, and that took 18 minutes. We will have to do the food another time.

The six Cunard suites are named after famous Cunard waterways including: River Mersey, River Clyde, Hudson River, The Solent, Boston Harbour and Halifax Harbour. Those we did not see on this short five day taster cruise to Bruges but we filmed our state room on deck one, then went to see a more expensive one on deck 11. What was the difference? The balcony.

Cabin Tour Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2V_DnA2aRQ

The short cruise does not, and cannot replicate a proper cruise, but it does give many a chance to sample both the ship and cruising. It is an adventure to sample a new cruise, and in just four weeks we went to Bruges twice. First was on the QM2 and the second time was on the Queen Anne. Both were obviously Cunard is feel and service. The uniforms are slightly different on the QA, but the service is the same. Whereas the Victoria is a gin ship, the Anne is a rum ship, and where the gin bar sits on the Victoria there is a port bar that cleverly doubles as a cafe during the day. It is these small innovations that show how this classy ship has entered the new age of cruising. It is not art deco, or trying to hark back to a past era, it is most definitely contemporary, but in a smart and stylish way.

As always, we show holding back comment, and as much as we both love the QM2, this is a firm new favourite. It is definitely not built on a budget and just filled with cushions. This ship was built by Fincantieri in Italy

Compare with the QM2. tour video = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ruq3EmrX-is

Compare with the Queen Victoria = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Yd3XXY95_M

Viking Neptune - a cruise ship in a class of its own

Quite simply the Viking Neptune is a wonderful all balcony ship with spacious Explorer suites. Once sailed on, you will not be able to judge other ships by the high standards it sets. Viking has a style, and it is not based on budget. It is not a ship that you look at for a budget or bargain cruise, it is a cruise that is a wonderful holiday and there is no finer way to travel, if there is, we haven't done that yet. They may suggest that once you add in the free drinks with meals, the free fast WIFI, the free additional fine dining restaurants and a free tour at most stops, what you have to lay out saves to the point of making it a very reasonable holiday with the beautifully designed in the understated elegance for which Viking is known.

Technically it is a small ship, and although there seems far too many facilities for a small ship it has under 1000 guests so hits the title. Just as its eight sister ships (the number is growing), she is about 47,800 tons, 465 cabins with accommodation for 930 passengers.

The Neptune marks a quantum leap in the longstanding cooperation between Viking and Fincantieri for designing, delivering and operating sustainable and eco-friendly cruise vessels. It embodies the first result of the experimental hydrogen fuel cell module, with a nominal power of 100 kW. There appears to be, at any given time, at least one, but many more than one new ship being built for Viking.

The difference the guest sees starts in the way they are approached. The daily events paper is just that, it is not trying to sell things. There is no pressure to buy anything. There is no pressure. The quality of food is comparable to a top restaurant. Quite simply, you are in a top city hotel and not a motel. The staff dress and address you in a way you would expect if entering a Park Lane Hotel.

We have two versions of the film, and on both we use the music of the very talented Laurence Murray. His song Nothing More To Say/Red Thread of Fate should be a hit. Laurence's own Spotify page is here. The Red Thread of Fate is a love song, and is inspired by the Red Thread of Marriage, joining, and other variants of togetherness even when apart. It is an East Asian belief originating from Chinese mythology.

The shorter 6 minute long version of the filmed tour on our channel.

Marsworth Steam & Classic Vehicle Rally 2024

Marsworth Steam and Classic Vehicle is an established day out, yet the queue was full of excited guests discussing that they never knew about it. The faithul were joined by a huge number of new comers for this special day out. It is hard to figure why all this effort goes into just one day.

You can count the full-sized steam engines yourself in the film, there must have been over two dozen. The was half a dozen small ride on models and various engines. The parade of tractors was impressive, and there were ropws of great cars from which to find your favourite.

But as well as steam fans being thrilled by the authentic vehicles, kept with a keen eye for attention to detail and the other vintage and classic vehicles gleaming in the sun at Marsworth on father's day, there were ice cream stands, bouncy castles, carriage rides and a robot bear riding around on his tricycle.

There were garden stalls and classic toy car stalls with collections that threw seniors back to their childhood. The military vehicles and weapons flagged the 80th anniversary of D-Day and everyone was well entertained, fed by the food stalls and watered by the beer tent.

The organ played set the background music to the pumping engines young and not-so-young were kept happy. The queues to get into the field were long by midday and the car parks bursting before the various arena events. 

ALIENS - The two who were the Queen Alien is James Cameron's ALIENS

Aliens. Shot way back in 1985.

The two performers who were the Queen Alien re-met in 2024. That was 38.5 years after the movie - the testing, design, building, and the shoot of the Alien Queen which started in the fall of 1985. 

James Cameron specifically chose Malcolm Weaver and Stuart St Paul over the many others who tested and auditioned. The movie was expecting to have a team of performers to be the Queen Alien, but James Cameron said that Malcolm Weaver and Stuart St Paul 'understood' his monster. They just got it.  Stan Winston modelled the monster around their bodies.

Hear their story as they remember it.

They went inside the monster every day for months and communicated directly with James Cameron as they performed the Queen Alien, and the fight with Sigourney Weaver and Michael Biehn

Having been together for nearly six months, chatting, they opened an office at Pinewood Studios in Shed 14 just by the James Bond stage. They stored and hired stunt and flying equipment to endless movies and commercials. 

The two talk of years as stunt partners, travelling the world and performing some crazy jobs.

Malcolm Weaver Autographs

https://www.autographica.co.uk/products/copy-of-malcolm-weaver-alien-queen-in-aliens-hand-signed-10-x-8-photo?_pos=1&_sid=c3d129e63&_ss=r

The Queen Alien in Aliens

Movie contracts used to look like this until lawyers added 60 more pages.

I have a box of #QueenAlien #AlienQueen contracts. I guess Malcolm Weaver has too, he was the other side of her body. #Aliens #Aliensmovie It is impossible to know that you are working a really special film, but it was obvious to me we were working with a genius. Malcolm and I worked very closely with Stan Winston and James Cameron. Within days, Jim reduced the 6-man Alien team to just Malcolm and me. The reason we were told was that we understood his creature. I like to believe that he was that determined to get detail. Others might say it was Gayle running the budget. Whichever, it gave us a movie experience never to be repeated. Being the Queen Alien is one of those jobs that sticks. That gets you invited around the world to sign pictures and talk at events. Now, I get asked about my novels. But when you spend your apprenticeship learning from storytellers like James Cameron in a one-to-one situation for months, you absorb their character study because you are performing it. I should not ignore working closely with Sigourney Weaver but only mention her second as my work with her was so much less.

Jim built the Queen. He was there when we were hanging in bags, and he was explaining what he had in his head. The sculptures and latex modellers, including Steve Norrington who I went on to work with at Fugitive (see Krays blog) who was one of those.  We worked in a studio building, modelling and creating the Queen Alien inside and out, for weeks and months. The Queen grew in character as she grew in looks. Then, when we came to dance with the clapper loader, it was Sigourney's stunt double who everything was done with until it was ready for her to come in and see what was possible.  Then we went head to head and talked through the latex and dripping KY jelly.

Most of the work was done at Pinewood Studios, my second home from about 1979 to 1986. That period included Octopussy, Who Dares Wins, The Elephant Man and A View To A Kill. The other stages were rich with movies and other performers who became lifelong friends. But it was there I was taught to dream big, to think film, to understand your face would be sixty feet wise on the big screen so conserve your acting and emotions to be seen without great movement. It was a huge chapter in my learning to be a storyteller.

Here is a review that came in this morning on an American book club. Guess I should thank my peers.

Review of Cruise Ship Heistpost by priya43217 » 12 Sep 2023, 04:23 [Following is a volunteer review of "Cruise Ship Heist" by Stuart St Paul.] Book Cover 5 out of 5 stars Share This Review

I had the privilege of immersing myself in the pages of 'Cruise Ship Heist,' and as an avid reviewer, I'm excited to share my thoughts on this captivating novel. From the moment I embarked on this literary journey, I was immediately drawn into a world of suspense, intrigue, and heart-pounding action. In 'Cruise Ship Heist,' the intricate plot unfolds against the luxurious backdrop of a cruise ship, setting the stage for a high-stakes robbery that keeps readers guessing at every turn. As a reviewer, I found myself engrossed in the author's masterful storytelling, expertly weaving together a diverse cast of characters, each with their own hidden motives and secrets. The relentless pacing of the narrative, coupled with explosive action sequences, ensures that the tension remains palpable throughout, leaving no room for complacency. What sets this novel apart is its exploration of themes beyond the surface-level heist. 'Cruise Ship Heist' delves into the depths of human desires – from greed to loyalty – all while challenging the characters' moral boundaries. The relationships and alliances formed amidst the chaos add an extra layer of complexity to the story, highlighting the intricate web of emotions that drives their actions. As a reviewer, I appreciated how the author's vivid descriptions brought the cruise ship and its opulent surroundings to life, providing a stark contrast to the imminent danger that lurked beneath. The book's ability to seamlessly balance action with character development allowed me to not only root for the characters' survival but also connect with their struggles and triumphs on a personal level. In conclusion, 'Cruise Ship Heist' is a roller-coaster of a read that caters to fans of thrilling suspense and intricate plotlines. I am delighted to recommend this novel to fellow readers and reviewers who crave a novel that keeps them at the edge of their seats, challenges their perceptions, and ultimately delivers an unforgettable literary experience. As a reviewer, I can confidently say that 'Cruise Ship Heist' is a voyage well worth taking.". ****** Cruise Ship Heist View: on Amazon

Recently at a talk where I was explaining the months as the Queen Alien, a fan came up with the notorious flight jacket on all badged up. She presented me with a picture she had taken of me, the Alien. I have to thank artist Lynsey Hutchinson for helping me remember a very special time that few had the foresight to see how special and memorable it would be. If only we had smartphones back then.

Also, follow my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/CruiseShipHeist/

Charleston USA Jean’s guide for Doris Visits

Charleston USA Jean’s guide for Doris Visits: 

The port can appear at the bottom of a New England Cruise, or the top of a Caribbean Cruise.