I Predict That Mud Will Be No.1!

The Top 30 Today (How I think)...August 1974!

Flicking through one of my old scrapbooks recently, I came across a page of chart predictions from 1974 (see picture above). It wasn't dated, so I've checked the Guinness Book of British Hit Singles for evidence of day, month and year...and I think I've cracked it!

I wrote this on 17th August 1974, when I was 9 years old and obsessed with the pop charts. I know this because of my predicted new entries, some entered on the 17th (e.g., KC & the Sunshine Band with their first-ever hit), others on the 24th (e.g., Paper Lace). I really really wanted Mud to be number one, but were they?

Well, no, Rocket only ever reached number 6! Top spot that evening belonged to Prince Charles's crushes, The Three Degrees, who remained at number one for a further week until being usurped by primary school girls' favourites, The Osmonds (who, in turn, were knocked off the top by 9-year-old boys' favourite, Carl Douglas - hooray for boys - we obviously had much better taste!).

Not sure why there are so many blank spaces in mid-chart - I presume I just couldn't remember every song in the previous week's rundown. And what's that angel fish doing in the middle?

34 Squirrels

Delightful red squirrel nibbling chestnut, Brownsea Island.

The annual trip to Brownsea Island in Dorset produced an exciting total of 34 red squirrels this year!

Red squirrel outside the restaurant, Brownsea Island.

Last year's 60 squirrels was unlikely to be beaten, but 30+ was a good haul. They're very active in October, mostly at the inhabited end of the island. Scuffling around with nuts, leaping around trees, they're not too shy - so long as you're quiet, you should see them.

Posing Autumn peacock, Brownsea Island. Coming to a chocolate box or jigsaw near you soon!

Also seen at close quarters...chickens, deer and peacocks!