Seen and heard: December 2012

"Tapestry: Weaving the Century at Dovecot Studio 1912-2012" - exhibition at Compton Verney. Extraordinary story of how a group of arts and crafts weavers, assembled to make tapestries for a Scottish aristocrat, created a future for themselves by collaboration with modern artists such as Graham Sutherland and Henry More.
The Nativity - lovely illustrated book, with the story sensitively told by Geraldine Elschner to accompany paintings by Giotto.
A Very Peculiar Practice - both TV series (1986 and 1988), written by Andrew Davies, on DVD. Classic black comedy set in a university medical practice, basically about trying to do a decent job while the seismic shifts in the higher education system make it almost impossible. Timely re-viewing!
Cinderella - pantomime at Milton Keynes Theatre. Annual treat for our grand-daughter.
Strictly Come Dancing final - won by Louis and Flavia, whom we're proud to say that we supported from the start. Not only an impressive showdance (where the other contestants went for fast and flashy, they went for slow and strong), but also massively improved performances of their salsa and Charleston.
Sister Wendy and the Art of the Gospel - a Christmas meditation from the unlikeliest of TV stars, whom her producer persuaded to leave her hermitage for what may be the last time.
Climbed Every Mountain: The Story Behind the Sound of Music - surprisingly profound BBC documentary by Sue Perkins, tracing the problematic relationship with the film of both the Von Trapp family in particular and Austrians in general, culminating in the first ever Salzburg performance of the stage show (in German), which seems to make some kind of reconciliation.
LATER ADDITION: Jacquie Lawson advent calendar -  excellently conceived animated e-card, with daily reveals through December, which we sent to our grand-daughter when the month began. Only later did I realise, watching her playing with the snowman-building, wreath-tying and tree-decorating animations, just how good it is: rich and rewarding and well within the capabilities of a five-year-old.