Happy Birthday Postman Pat!

Do you ever check the paper on your birthday to see what celebrities share your day?  I do.  And I'm always a bit disappointed to be honest.  Russ Abbot is about my most exciting match to date.  Rock and Roll.

This year though, he can move aside. Because this year, on 16th September (my birthday), Postman Pat turns 30! (He's looking pretty good on it, no?)

Yes, Britain's favourite mail delivery professional has been delighting children and getting his catchy them tune stuck firmly in the brains of their parents for three whole decades.  Which is pretty impressive if you ask me.

Dylan loves Pat.  In fact, the theme tune was the first 'song' he ever learned, so we were delighted to be asked to review the special 'Happy Birthday Pat' DVD That's released on September 12th to mark the occasion.

The DVD includes over three hours of Pat's adventures, plus a bonus CD of Pat-Brand party tunes to really get you in the mood for celebrating!

It's been a massive hit in our house.   Dylan has been glued to it daily for the last week - even above a certain cowboy/space ranger combo, which is unheard of!  And it's fun for the parents too - to mark Pat's big 3-0, the DVD includes a mixture of brand new episodes not previously seen on TV, plus several incarnations of 'old school' Pat - just like the ones I watched myself as a tot!

I must admit, I was concerned those decidedly aged versions (what was going on with everyone's hair? The people of Greendale were decidedly less well groomed back in the day!) wouldn't hold Dylan's attention - given that he's used to glorious technicolour, fully animated Pat, but I needn't have worried.  He doesn't bat an eyelid - it's all Pat, and he loves it - old or new.

It left me wondering though - whatever happened to Peter Fogg?  Why would you cut a guitar playing biker with an amazing beard from your cast of characters?!  And Sam with his mobile shop?  Granny Dryden, I suppose may have moved away to a nursing home, and I can't say I'm too fussed about Miss Hubbard (bit snooty that one), but I'm all for Peter making a reappearance.  And The Major for that matter - how great was the Major?! (I told you, we've watched it a LOT.)

Getting back to the point though, if there's a Pat fan in your house, I definitely recommend getting this DVD.  I can't say we love the music CD (well, not true, Dylan does, I try to zone it out and then 'lose' it.), but the DVD itself is great value for money, perfect for a rainy afternoon - and the nostalgia value for parents is priceless!

It will be available from all major retailers from September 12th.
Happy Birthday Pat - here's to another 30 years of making sure that nobody realises Jess is the brains of the operation!