Eurovisioness

I can't let this weekend pass without a word about Eurovision. Ok, we sent a rubbish song this year, but this contest gets more bizarre year on year, and we haven't had a chance of winning since they let the Eastern Europeans in, so you have to enjoy it for what it is, a spectacle of the wierd and wonderful, backed by Terry Wogan's commentary, best taken with a few drinks, and a group of like minded friends. Which is exactly what I've done for the last two years, as we've had our Euro themed buffet, and wine whilst watching the show (even though Corinne didn't quite understand why she had to buy Maltesers*). It helped that it was in Greece this year, which meant meze and baklava.

Actually, every year means baklava, for two years ago, Cat and I were in Istanbul for the actual contest, watching James Fox perform in his blue suit**, waving our flags, and inflatable daffodils. I'm told if you scrutinise the video very carefully you can see our backs at the very end - you can definitely see our flags. We had a fabulous time, and you realise what a big event Eurovision is to so many countries, unlike the kitsch joke it tends to be here. We also got to meet Sakis Rouvas***in the bar afterwards. Now Sakis was one of this year's co-hosts, which brings us back to Saturday, and quite frankly he was the best thing in the show, despite the dodgy gold suit.

So, it wasn't a vintage year, although many countries scored quite highly for 'Eurovisioness' in our system, as we had ethnic dancing, skirts coming off, bizarre costume changes mid song, wind machines, and ballet dancers emerging from pianos. I was surprised with the ease with which the escapees from the armies of Mordor****(ok, actually Finland) romped to victory, though I have finally stopped ranting about them stopping the voting once Finland were announced as winners, which gave the show a very abrupt ending. I did feel very cheated at the time. Ah well, it's all over for another year, and then it's off to Helsinki.

*For Malta of course - sadly they only got 1 point
**who I may add got more points than this years entry - 16th is starting to look quite respectable
**Apart from James, he was the best thing in the show, and got douze points from the UK for ripping his shirt off. He was terribly sweet when I carried out a dare to tell him that those back in the UK loved him (and is a big star in Greece, apparently)
****with apologies to the non Lord of the Rings fans