1990s Food & Drink

My 90s food memories are very much centred around the vast number of kid-based labour-saving ready meals (turkey dinosaurs, crispy pancakes, waffles), instant foods (just add boiling water) such as pot noodle, cup-a-soup (with noodles/croutons), gravy granules and instant custard.
Vegetarian options began to be more widespread, with more exotic, world-based foods (particularly from Asian countries) finding their way into supermarkets and menus, although not so much in pubs, who were slow to drift far from the traditional burger, pizza, pie, chilli and spaghetti bol. However the demand for healthy and vegetarian options increased, particularly among students and the middle-class, white-collar brigade, with a scant few embracing the strictures of vegan lifestyles (as in no animal products such as leather shoes). This all changed at the end of the millennium, when protesters threw cans of red paint over people wearing fur coats, however vegan choices would not become mainstream until the mid-to-late noughties.

Breakfast
Pop-tarts (toastable, frosted pastries filled with – lip-burning – fruit)
Breakfast bars – whether fruit-filled baked grain, granola or muesli – they were de-rigeur for 90s time-poor working women
Oatmeal swirlers – instant oats plus flavoured syrup – strawberry, cherry, apple cinnamon, milk chocolate and maple brown sugar
Banana Bubbles ( launched late 90s: like coco pops but turn the milk banana milkshake flavour)
Kellogg’s Cinnamon Mini Buns Cereal – short-lived (91-93) as it was way too sweet

Mains
Birds Eye Potato Waffles (Grill ’em, bake ’em, load ’em, love ’em. Waffly Versatile)
McCain Micro Chips (an unsuccessful development of their oven chips – too pale and soggy)
Findus Crispy pancakes (super-quick, cheesy tea-time treat)
Bernard Matthews Turkey dinosaurs (more kid-friendly fast-food)
Stuffed-crust pizza (launched by Pizza hut in 1995)
Focaccia bread (Italian, herb-infused – especially rosemary)
Caesar salad (90s power lunch staple invented in 1920s)
Rocket (this peppery delight – and my favourite – became the salad leaf of choice)
Pesto sauce introduced in 1991 (green – basil and red – sundried tomato)
Goat’s cheese and sun-dried tomato bruschetta
Baked Brie (possible en croute)
Tuna pasta bake – covered in melted cheese – another signature of 90s – the (tuna) melt
Pot noodles (the late 70s invention) gained sauce sachets in 1992, Pot rice range added
New Convent Garden soups (fancy fresh soups in cartons – only in high-end supermarkets from 1986)
Tex-Mex – From Old El Paso spice mixes to TGI Fridays serving Chimichanga (deep-fried burritos), loaded nachos, enchiladas and tacos.

Puds & sweets
Banoffee pie (actually invented at The Hungry Monk Restaurant in East Sussex, in 1971)
Ben & Jerry’s Ice-cream (launched in 1978 in Vermont, but didn’t reach UK till 1994)
Viennetta (originally launched in 1982) added Mint, Strawberry, Cappuccino & Praline flavours
Chocolate lava cake (aka fondant, choc sponge with molten chocolate centre)
White chocolate (invented many decades earlier, but really came to prominence in 90s – The Milkybars are on me)
Cadbury’s Fuse (raisins, peanuts, crispy cereal and fudge pieces, all cloaked in Cadbury’s chocolate – only lasted a decade from 1996)
Barratt’s Flumps (twisted marshmallow), Dip dabs (sherbet with red lolly) & Wham (chewy bar)
Arctic roll, originally from 1970, was discontinued in 1997, then made a comeback a decade later
Marathon became Snickers in 1990, Opal Fruits became Starburst in 1998

Kids lunchboxes
Capri-sun (pouch plus straw perfect for kids lunchboxes)
Cheese strings (1996 – Real, A-peelable Cheese – another lunchbox favourite)
Dairylea Lunchables (build-your-own ham ‘n’ cheese crackers)
Yoplait Frubes (tubes of fruit yogurt) and Petit-Filou (tiny pots of fromage frais)

Drinks
Bass launched Caffrey’s Irish Ale in ‘’94 – a lighter-brown Guinness lookalike. Lambrini – before Prosecco became widely available, also Black Tower and Sambuca – ’nuff said! Enterprising teens had plenty of options to fuel their (underage) drinking with so many options seemingly aimed at them: Archers Peach Schnapps, Taboo (fruit-flavoured spirit), Diamond White & White Lightning cider, Ready-to-drink mixers – stubby glass bottles with a ring pull, handy for the park/beach etc Beefeaters: Gin& Tonic/Whisky & Lemonade/Whisky & Ginger Ale, Gordons (91), Mailbu (92), Barcardi Breezer (93) and Smirnoff Ice (99) Alcopops – bright packaging and 97% sugar! – started by Two Dogs alcoholic lemonade produced by an Aussie farmer with a crop of wonky lemons Remember Hooch (one taste and you’re hooched), Alize (vodka – Higher proof. Drink responsibly), WKD (vodka – have you got a WKD side?), Mad Dog (fortified wine), Metz (schnapps-based – Beware the judderman, when the moon is fat)

1994 Top Thirteen

1. Bryan Adams, Rod Stewart & Sting – All For Love 01-1994
2. Seal – Kiss From A Rose 08-1994
3. Bon Jovi – Always 09-1994
4. Garth Brooks – The Red Strokes / Ain’t Going Down 01-1994
5. Aerosmith – Crazy / Blind Man 11-1994
6. Sheryl Crow – All I Wanna Do 11-1994
7. The Cranberries – Zombie 10-1994
8. Guns ‘N’ Roses – Since I Don’t Have You 06-1994
9. Rednex – Cotton Eye Joe 12-1994
10. Sting – When We Dance 10-1994
11. Jimmy Nail – Crocodile Shoes 11-1994
12. Luther Vandross & Mariah Carey – Endless Love 09-1994
13. Elton John – Can You Feel The Love Tonight? 08-1994

And the bubbling unders:
Ace Of Base – The Sign 02-1994
The Beautiful South – Everybody’s Talkin’ 06-1994
Big Mountain – Baby I Love Your Way 05-1994
Mariah Carey – All I Want For Christmas Is You 12-1994
The Cranberries – Linger 02-1994
Crash Test Dummies – Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm 04-1994
East 17 – Stay Another Day 12-1994
Gloria Estefan – Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me 12-1994
Janet Jackson – Any Time, Any Place 06-1994
Jamiroquai – Space Cowboy 10-1994
Jazzy Jeff & Fresh Prince – Summertime 08-1994
Elton John – Circle Of Life 10-1994
Meat Loaf – Rock And Roll Dreams Come True 02-1994
Richard Marx – Now And Forever 02-1994
Kylie Minogue – Put Yourself In My Place 11-1994
Alison Moyet – Whispering Your Name 03-1994
Robert Palmer – Know By Now 09-1994
Pearl Jam – Spin The Black Circle 11-1994
Prince – The Most Beautiful Girl In The World 04-1994
Eddi Reader – Patience Of Angels 06-1994
Cliff Richard With Phil Everly – All I Have To Do Is Dream / Miss You Nights 12-1994
Roxette – Sleeping In My Car 04-1994
Bruce Springsteen – Streets Of Philadelphia 03-1994
Wet Wet Wet – Love Is All Around 05-1994

And these are some most people would expect to see in a round up of ’94 – me, not so much.
Blur – Parklife 09-1994
GUN – Word Up 07-1994
Oasis – Live Forever 08-1994
PJ & Duncan – Let’s Get Ready To Rhumble 07-1994
The Prodigy – Voodoo People 09-1994
Pulp – The Sisters EP 06-1994
Red Hot Chili Peppers – Give It Away 02-1994
Whigfield – Saturday Night 09-1994

1990s Sports

The 1990s were dominated by Pete Sampras and Steffi Graf at Wimbledon, Stephen Hendry versus Jimmy White in snooker and Manchester United in the FA cup.

1990
Wimbledon singles winners were Stefan Edberg (SWE) and Martina Navratilova (USA).
Paul Gascoigne (Football) won BBC Sports Personality of the Year award, beating Stephen Hendry (Snooker).
World Snooker champion was Stephen Hendry (SCO) and World Darts Champion was Phil Taylor (ENG).
FA Cup – Manchester United won 3-3/1–0 over Crystal Palace.
Tour de France – Greg LeMond of the United States

1991
Wimbledon singles winners were Michael Stich (GDR) and Steffi Graf (GDR).
Liz McColgan (Athletics) was voted Sports Personality of the Year, beating Will Carling (Rugby Union).
World Snooker champion was Steve Davis (ENG) and World Darts Champion was Dennis Priestley (ENG).
FA Cup – Tottenham Hotspur won 2-1 over Nottingham Forest.
Tour de France – Miguel Indurian of Spain.

1992
Wimbledon singles winners were Andre Agassi (USA) and Steffi Graf (GDR).
Nigel Mansell (Formula One) was voted Sports Personality of the Year, beating Linford Christie (Athletics).
World Snooker champion was Stephen Hendry (SCO) and World Darts Champion was Phil Taylor (ENG).
FA Cup – Liverpool won 2–0 over Sunderland.
Tour de France – Miguel Indurian of Spain
The 1992 Summer Olympics, branded as Barcelona ’92, marked the first year South Africa was re-invited to the Olympic Games by the International Olympic Committee, after a 32-year ban due to apartheid. The Unified Team (made up by the former Soviet republics without the Baltic states) topped the medal table, winning 45 gold and 112 overall medals.
The 1992 Winter Olympics, commonly known as Albertville ’92, saw he addition of 11 new events, including freestyle skiing and short track speed skating. They were the last Winter Olympics to include demonstration sports, consisting of curling, aerials and ski ballet.
The 1992 Summer and Winter Olympics were the last games to be staged in the same year.

1993
Wimbledon singles winners were Pete Sampras (USA) and Steffi Graf (GDR).
Linford Christie (Athletics) was voted Sports Personality of the Year, beating Sally Gunnell (Athletics).
World Snooker champion was Stephen Hendry (SCO) and World Darts Champion was John Lowe (ENG).
FA Cup – Arsenal won 1-1/2–1 over Sheffield Wednesday.
Tour de France – Miguel Indurian of Spain

1994
Wimbledon singles winners were Pete Sampras (USA) and Conchita Martinez (ESP).
Damon Hill (Formula One) was voted Sports Personalities of the Year, beating Sally Gunnell (Athletics).
World Snooker champion was Stephen Hendry (SCO) and World Darts Champion was John Parl (CAN).
FA Cup – Manchester United won 4–0 over Chelsea.
Tour de France – Miguel Indurian of Spain

1995
Wimbledon singles winners were Pete Sampras (USA) and Steffi Graf (GDR).
Jonathan Edwards (Athletics) was voted Sports Personality of the Year, beating Frank Bruno (Boxing).
World Snooker champion was Stephen Hendry (SCO) and World Darts Champion was Richie Burnett (WAL).
FA Cup – Everton won 1–0 over Manchester United.
Tour de France – Miguel Indurian of Spain

1996
Wimbledon singles winners were Richard Krajicek (NLD) and Steffi Graf (GDR).
Damon Hill (Formula One) was voted Sports Personality of the Year, beating Steve Redgrave (Rowing).
World Snooker champion was Stephen Hendry (SCO) and World Darts Champion was Steve Beaton (ENG).
FA Cup – Manchester United won 1–0 over Liverpool.
Tour de France – Bjarne Riis of the Denmark
The 1996 Summer Olympics, held in Atlanta, Georgia marked the 100th anniversary of the modern Olympics held in Athens 1896. With a total of 101 medals, the United States topped the medal table for the first time since 1984 also winning the most gold (44) and silver (32) medals out of all the participating nations. The Games were marred by violence on July 27, 1996, when a pipe bomb was detonated at Centennial Olympic Park (which had been built to serve as a public focal point for the festivities), killing two and injuring 111.

1997
Wimbledon singles winners were Pete Sampras (USA) and Martina Hingis (CHE).
Greg Rusedski (Tennis) was voted Sports Personality of the Year, beating Tim Henman (Tennis).
World Snooker champion was Ken Doherty (IRL) and World Darts Champion was Les Wallace (SCO).
FA Cup – Chelsea won 2–0 over Middlesborough.
Tour de France – Jan Ullrich of Germany

1998
Wimbledon singles winners were Pete Sampras (USA) and Jana Novotná (CZE).
Michael Owen (Football) was voted Sports Personality of the Year, beating Denise Lewis (Athletics).
World Snooker champion was John Higgins (SCO) and World Darts Champion was Raymond van Barneveld (NLD).
FA Cup – Arsenal won 2–0 over Newcastle United.
Tour de France – winner disallowed due to doping.

1999
Wimbledon singles winners were Pete Sampras (USA) and Lindsay Davenport (USA).
Lennox Lewis (Boxing) was voted Sports Personality of the Year, beating David Beckham (Football).
World Snooker champion was Stephen Hendry (SCO) and World Darts Champion was Raymond van Barneveld (NLD).
FA Cup – Manchester United won 2–0 over Newcastle United.
Tour de France – winner disallowed due to doping

My Top Thirteen 1993

1. R.E.M. – Everybody Hurts 04-1993
2. Aerosmith – Cryin’ 11-1993
3. Whitney Houston – Queen Of The Night 11-1993
4. Gabrielle – Dreams 06-1993
5. Ace Of Base – All That She Wants 05-1993
6. Billy Joel – The River Of Dreams 08-1993
7. Guns ‘N’ Roses – The Civil War EP 05-1993
8. Lenny Kravitz – Are You Gonna Go My Way 02-1993
9. kd lang – Constant Craving 03-1993
10. M People – Moving On Up 09-1993
11. Sting – Fields Of Gold 06-1993
12. Ugly Kid Joe – Cats In The Cradle 03-1993
13. Meat Loaf – I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That) 10-1993

And the also rans:
Bon Jovi – In These Arms 05-1993
Peabo Bryson & Regina Belle – A Whole New World (Aladdin’s Theme) 12-1993
Mariah Carey – Hero 11-1993
Def Leppard – Heaven Is 01-1993
Haddaway – What Is Love 06-1993
Whitney Houston – I’m Every Woman 01-1993
INXS – The Gift 10-1993
Iron Maiden – Hallowed Be Thy Name 10-1993
Elton John & Kiki Dee -True Love 11-1993
Lenny Kravitz – Heaven Help 09-1993
Madonna – Fever 04-1993
Freddie Mercury – Living On My Own 08-1993
Metallica – Sad But True 02-1993
George Michael & Queen With Lisa Stansfield – Five Live (EP) 04-1993
Dannii Minogue – This Is It 07-1993
New Order – Regret 04-1993
Pet Shop Boys – Go West 09-1993
R.E.M. – The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite 02-1993
Roxette – Almost Unreal 07-1993
Sade – No Ordinary Love 06-1993
Take That – Pray 07-1993
Take That feat Lulu – ReLight My Fire 10-1993
Thunder – A Better Man
Tina Turner – I Don’t Wanna Fight 05-1993
UB40 – (I Can’t Help) Falling In Love With You 05-1993
Paul Weller – Wild Wood -09-1993

1990s Women’s fashions

Top 90s brands included Calvin Klein, Guess Jeans, Tommy Hilfiger, and Polo. Some of the sculpted, fitted looks of the 80s were replaced by natural shoulders and fluidly draped jackets, blouses and dresses. Oversized, loose-fitting sweaters and vests topped gathered skirts of varying lengths. Trousers were multi-pleated or gathered and cut with wide legs – harking back to 70s flares.

Aside from the “preppy” look, long dresses were teamed with wide belts, and splatter and sponge paint clothes with neon colours were popular among teens/young adults. Bright yellow, blue, teal, and hot pink knit tops, shirts, sweatshirts, pants, shorts, and dresses were simple pairings, usually with white or black bottoms/leggings.

Jeans – especially acid-washed – had pleated or paper bag waistband high rise / high waisted with a tapered leg. Gradually slim fit skinny jean (still with a high waist) and boot cut jeans came into 90s fashion in the middle to late years. The high waist dropped to hip hugger status too. These were often paired with crop tops.

Overalls were effortless and casual, considered a wardrobe staple in the decade, worn in a variety of ways and frequently paired with a classic white tee-shirt. They became popular after members of TLC wore them. A more edgy look pairs black linen overalls with a matching turtleneck and Doc Marten combat boots, accessorized with a mini leather backpack.

Hip hop had a strong influence on ‘90s fashion, and popular street style brands like FUBU emerged, making hip hop fashion even more mainstream. An iconic look inspired by Aaliyah’s sporty hip hop style included a bandana, athletic windbreaker, Calvin Klein sports bra, black joggers, and white Adidas. A Destiny’s Child-inspired outfit consisted of a Tommy Hilfiger logo top, low-rise jeans, and white sneakers.

Grunge fashion was inspired by icons like Courtney Love, Gwen Stefani and Kim Gordon. Foreshadowed by Madonna’s “Desperately Seeking Susan” look from the 80s, it featured layers and had lots of attitude: feisty, edgy, and authentic. Flannel shirts and distressed jeans are one look, alternatives are mini slip dress with fishnets and leather boots; ribbed tops with patterned cargo pants and platform boots or for extra sass a crop tank top, low-rise jeans and suede creepers with hair styled in space buns.

My Top Thirteen 1992

1. Richard Marx – Hazard – 05-1992
2. Manic Street Preachers – Motorcycle Emptiness – 06-1992
3. Jimmy Nail – Ain’t No Doubt – 07-1992
4. Sophie B. Hawkins – Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover – 07-1992
5, Guns N’ Roses – November Rain – 02-1992
6. Freddie Mercury & Montserrat Caballe – Barcelona – 08-1992
7. Mr. Big – To Be With You – 03-1992
8. Bon Jovi – Keep The Faith – 10-1992
9. Def Leppard – Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad – 09-1992
10. Kiss – God Gave Rock And Roll To You II – 01-1992
11. Right Said Fred – Deeply Dippy – 03-1992
12. Shakespear’s Sister – Stay – 01-1992
13. R.E.M. – Man On The Moon – 12-1992

And the ones that got away:
Bryan Adams – All I Want Is You – 07-1992
Michael Ball – One Step Out Of Time – 05-1992
Nick Berry – Heartbeat – 06-1992
Michael Bolton – To Love Somebody – 11-1992
Mariah Carey – I’ll Be There – 06-1992
Cher – Oh No Not My Baby – 11-1992
Joe Cocker – All I Know (Feels Like Forever) – 03-1992
Joe Cocker – Unchain My Heart – 07-1992
Crowded House – Weather With You – 03-1992
The Cure – Friday I’m In Love – 02-1992
Billy Ray Cyrus – Achy Breaky Heart – 08-1992
Deacon Blue – Your Town – 11-1992
Def Leppard – Let’s Get Rocked – 03-1992
Del Amitri – Always The Last To Know – 05-1992
Celine Dion & Peabo Bryson – Beauty And The Beast – 05-1992
Genesis – I Can’t Dance – 01-1992
Annie Lennox – Walking On Broken Glass – 08-1992
Brian May – Too Much Love Will Kill You – 09-1992
Metallica – Nothing Else Matters – 05-1992
Roy Orbison – I Drove All Night – 08-1992
Roy Orbison With kd lang – Crying – 08-1992
Pearl Jam – Alive – 02-1992
Cliff Richard – I Still Believe In You – 12-1992
Lionel Richie – My Destiny – 08-1992
Diana Ross – One Shining Moment – 06-1992
Bruce Springsteen – Human Touch – 03-1992
Lisa Stansfield – Someday (I’m Coming Back) – 12-1992
Take That – Could It Be Magic – 12-1992
Ugly Kid Joe – Everything About You – 05-1992
Luther Vandross & Janet Jackson – The Best Things In Life Are Free – 08-1992
Wet Wet Wet – Goodnight Girl – 01-1992
Vanessa Williams – Save The Best For Last – 03-1992

1990s Top Thirteen Movies

Following on from last week, here’s a more detailed look at my/our fave movies – all three of our kids have grown up with a glorious appreciation of movies and TV shows – when we got a copy of Scene-it the battles were hard fought, and both Jo and Steph quote lines at each other all the time – perfectly mimicking all the accents and able to remember entire scenes. And don’t get them started on Friends …

1. 10 Things I Hate About You
Fave scene/line: When Heath Ledger serenades Julia Stiles to Frankie Valli’s “Can’t Take my Eyes off You,” (you may know it by Andy Williams). Or when Kat (Julia S) gets Patrick out of detention by showing the PE teacher “the distraction plan.”

2. Strictly Ballroom
Fave scene/line: When Scott and Fran dance backstage to Doris Day’s “Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps.”
Or the Paso Doble scene when the music stops and they dance just to handclaps.
Fran: “What happened to a life lived in fear and all that stuff? You really are a gutless wonder!”

3. Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
Fave scene/line: “Just taking a lady’s advice,” when Robin (Kevin Costner) is bathing in a pool. Side note – we walked behind that waterfall (at the back of a pub in Yoorkshire), and also found the waterfall where Robin challenges Little John (Nick Brimble) and Azim (Morgan Freeman) advises him to “move faster.”

4. Hook/Mrs. Doubtfire
Bit of a cheat here, mostly because these both show off the fabulous talents of Robin Williams and they are proper kid’s movies.
Fave scene/line: Hook – the food fight scene “You lewd, crude, rude, bag of pre-chewed food, dude!”
Mrs D – “Stu? It’s more of a thick soup than a name.”

5. Galaxy Quest ‘99
Fave scene/line: “I see you managed to get your shirt off.” A fabulously cynical Alexander Dane (Alan Rickman) to Tim Allen’s scene-stealing hack (Jason Nesmith) after the fight scene with the rock monster.

6. The Mummy ‘99
Fave scene/line: Where Evie (Rachel Weisz) gets drunk around the campfire: “I may not be an explorer or an adventurer, or a treasure-seeker or a gunfighter, Mr. O’Connell, but I am proud of what I am. I… am a librarian.”

7. The Mask of Zorro ‘98
Fave scene/line: Where Elena (Catherine Zeta Jones) challenges Zorro (Antonio Banderas) to a sword fight and he cuts all the ribbons so her bodice collapses. Or the Tango scene.
Don Rafael Montero: “Did you recognize Zorro?” Elena: “No, but he was young and vigorous. He was very vigorous, father.”

8. True Lies ‘94
Fave scene/line: The one where Helen (Jamie Lee Curtis) rips off the frills from her dress, slicks back her hair and attempts to dance for Arnie (playing her husband). Or the Tango scene.
And the quote: “Kids – ten seconds of joy, thirty years of misery.”

9. Sister Act ‘92
Fave scene/line: When the choir first perform in the church, rocking up Hail Holy Queen, and the people walk in off the streets.
Quote: Dolores (Whoopi Goldberg) “How can you say that? I worked my butt off with these women! They’ve given up their free time to do this, and they’re good! I mean, sister, we could, we could Rock this place!”

10. Independence Day ‘96/Armageddon ‘98
Another cheat, but I really couldn’t choose between them and they both tick a lot of high-octane Fave scene/line: Armageddon: “Well, we all gotta die, right? I’m the guy who gets to do it saving the world.”
Independence Day: “I picked a hell of a day to quit drinkin’.”

11. Pretty Woman ‘90
Fave scene/line: When Vivian returns to the snobby shop assistant who snubbed her, showing off the dozens of expensive purchases from Rodeo drive.
“You work on commission, right? Big Mistake. Big. Huge.”

12. Con Air ‘97
Fave scene/line: Poe (Nick Cage) comes across a dead body in the landing gear and tosses it out with a message for Larkin (John Cusack). He interrupts one of the convicts rifling through the cargo and is forced to kill him.
“Why couldn’t you put the bunny in the box?

13. Die Hard: With a Vengeance ‘95
Fave scene/line: When John McClane (Bruce Willis) and Zeus, (Samuel L Jackson) try to solve a puzzle involving jugs of water to stop a bomb going off.
Quote: Zeus: “Wait a minute. You mean to tell me I’m in this shit ’cause some white cop threw some white asshole’s brother off a roof?”

1990s Movies

We had a tradition for several years when Bri worked shifts, that the kids would stay up until he finished work at 9pm on Friday. We’d have a carpet picnic including hula-hoops, mini cheddars and popcorn, but the star turn had to be the sandwiches with “billy-bear” processed meat. We always watched a movie – more often than not a Disney one, but many of those listed below found their way into our movie night.

1990 –Pretty Woman, Ghost, Home Alone, Kindergarten Cop, Bird on a Wire, Mermaids, Edward Scissorhands, Goodfellas, Dances with Wolves, Misery, Total Recall, Flatliners, Arachnophobia, Days of Thunder, The Hunt for Red October, Tremors, Die Hard 2, Gremlins 2, Godfather 3, Back to the Future 3

1991 – Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Hook, Hudson Hawk, The Silence of the Lambs, Thelma & Louise, Beauty and the Beast (animated), City Slickers, Point Break, JFK, Cape Fear, The Fisher King, The Commitments, Father of the Bride, Terminator 2: Judgement Day, Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country

1992 – Strictly Ballroom, Sister Act, Aladdin (animated), Scent of a Woman, Batman Returns, A Few Good Men, My Cousin Vinny, Basic Instinct, Wayne’s World, Death Becomes Her, Reservoir Dogs, Under Siege, Patriot Games, Malcolm X, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, Alien 3

1993 – Mrs. Doubtfire, Sleepless in Seattle, Jurassic Park, The Fugitive, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Schindler’s List, Groundhog Day, The Piano, The Firm, The Pelican Brief, The Remains of the Day, Philadelphia, Shadowlands, Cool Runnings, Carlito’s Way

1994 – True Lies, Pulp Fiction, Four Weddings and a Funeral, The Lion King (animated), The Shawshank Redemption, Speed, Natural Born Killers, Leon, Serial Mom, Timecop, The Mask, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, Forrest Gump, The Madness of King George, Body Snatchers, Clear and Present Danger, Star Trek: Generations

1995 – Die Hard: With a Vengeance, Desperado, Toy Story (animated), The Usual Suspects, Twelve Monkeys, Get Shorty, Braveheart, Leaving Las Vegas, Apollo 13, Babe, Seven, Sense and Sensibility, Dead Man Walking

1996 – Independence Day, The Rock, Mission Impossible, Romeo + Juliet, The Hunchback of Notre Dame (animated), That Thing You Do!, The Birdcage, Secrets & Lies, Stealing Beauty, Michael Collins, Matilda, Trainspotting, Scream, Jerry Maguire, The English Patient, Star Trek: First Contact, Mars Attacks!

1997 – Good Will Hunting, Con Air, As Good as It Gets, Men in Black, The Full Monty, The Fifth Element, Contact, Face/Off, L. A. Confidential, Starship Troopers, Donnie Brasco, What Dreams May Come, Jackie Brown

1998 – Armageddon, The Mask of Zorro, Truman Show, The X Files, The Big Lebowski, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Saving Private Ryan, There’s Something About Mary, The Thin Red Line, Pleasantville, The Negotiator, Antz (animated), A Bug’s Life (animated)

1999 – 10 Things I Hate About You, Galaxy Quest, The Mummy, Notting Hill, The Matrix, The Sixth Sense, She’s All That, Sleepy Hollow, Fight Club, The Green Mile, Analyze This, Eyes Wide Shut, Wild, Wild West, The Talented Mr. Ripley, Toy Story 2, Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, The Blair Witch Project, American Pie, Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, Being John Malkovich, American Beauty, The Cider House Rules

My Top Thirteen 1991

1. Bryan Adams – (Everything I Do) I Do It For You – 06-1991
2. Guns N’ Roses – Live And Let Die – 12-1991
3. Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes – (I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life – 01-1991
4. The Clash – Should I Stay Or Should I Go – 03-1991
5. The Scorpions – Wind Of Change – 09-1991
6. The Waterboys – The Whole Of The Moon – 04-1991
7. Robert Palmer – Mercy Mercy Me / I Want You – 01-1991
8. Extreme – More Than Words – 07-1991
9. Chesney Hawkes – The One And Only – 03-1991
10. Queen – Innuendo – 01-1991
11. Right Said Fred – I’m Too Sexy – 08-1991
12. Simply Red – Stars – 12-1991
13. Zucchero featuring Paul Young – Senza Una Donna (Without A Woman) – 04-1991

And the bubbling unders:
Paula Abdul – Rush Rush – 06-1991
Oleta Adams – Get Here – 01-1991
Marc Almond – Jacky – 10-1991
Rick Astley – Cry For Help – 01-1991
Bananarama – Preacher Man – 01-1991
The Bee Gees – Secret Love – 03-1991
Michael Bolton – When A Man Loves A Woman – 11-1991
Cher – The Shoop Shoop Song (It’s In His Kiss) – 04-1991
Alice Cooper – Hey Stoopid – 07-1991
Deacon Blue – Twist And Shout – 08-1991
Jason Donovan – Any Dream Will Do – 06-1991
Guns N’ Roses – You Could Be Mine – 07-1991
Michael Jackson – Black Or White – 11-1911
James – Sit Down – 04-1991
Lenny Kravitz – It Ain’t Over ‘Til It’s Over – 06-1991
Kirsty MacColl – Walking Down Madison – 06-1991
Madonna – Crazy For You – 03-1991
Brian May – Driven By You – 12-1991
Metallica – Enter Sandman – 08-1991
George Michael & Elton John – Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me – 12-1991
Bette Midler – From A Distance – 06-1991
Dannii Minogue – Jump To The Beat – 07-1991
Nirvana – Smells Like Teen Spirit – 12-1991
Alexander O’Neal – All True Man – 01-1991
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark – Pandora’s Box – 07-1991
Queen – The Show Must Go On – 11-1991
Chris Rea – Auberge – 03-1991
R.E.M. – Shiny Happy People – 05-1991
Diana Ross – When You Tell Me That You Love Me – 12-1991
Roxette – Joyride – 03-1991
Salt-N-Pepa – Let’s Talk About Sex – 09-1991
Seal – Killer (EP) – 11-1991
Simply Red – Something Got Me Started – 09-1991
Slade – Radio Wall Of Sound – 10-1991
Soft Cell featuring Marc Almond – Tainted Love – 05-1991
Sonia – Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy – 09-1991
Lisa Stansfield – Change – 10-1991
Rod Stewart – Motown Song – 06-1991
Tina Turner – Way Of The World – 11-1991
Midge Ure – Cold Cold Heart – 08-1991
U2 – Mysterious Ways – 12-1991
Paul Young – Don’t Dream (It’s Over) – 11-1991

My 1990s

The 80s was a busy decade and saw me going from a single journey away from the UK (to Brittany in 1978) to four wonderful trips to Greek Islands, the first being Rhodes in 1985. The second of these (Crete, May ’86) included an off-the-cuff proposal and a mere 6-months later, I married my wonderful hubby, Bri, and we honeymooned in Corfu. A year later saw our second trip to Crete, and we came back with our first addition to the family, a beautiful, bouncing son whose arrival in July meant we didn’t get away during 1988. After a short week in Yorkshire a year later, our daughter burst into the world on November 30th 1989, with merely a month to go before the new decade.

1990 – Returning to work after maternity leave was harder this time, but I found a childminder who was a national treasure (Auntie Anne) and she brought up our first two way better than I could ever hope to. May/June Tremorel, Brittany (a gite most memorable for the full-sized pool table which dwarfed Chris) + Limousin in the Massif-Central – land-locked, lake-district with oppressive humidity. September Dunoon, Scotland

1991 – Ambitious or what? A 3-week, 3-centre holiday took us to Tremorel (Brittany), Biarritz (Pyrenees) & Loire.
Then in October, back to the Loire.

1992 – La Grange, Royan with a small pool heated by solar panels – way ahead of its time. Then in September, back to the Loire (again – we loved that river and its environs!)

1993 – 16th May our second daughter gave up the week-long struggle and finally emerged into the light – a massive 9lb 9oz and on the 90th percentile for height. She was only 3.5 months old when we took a 2 week holiday (Lorgues, Var) which ended up in Eurodisney where Chris blended with the cowboys, Jo got a beautiful Belle ballgown and Tigger made a big fuss of Stephie.

1994 – Flayosc, Var (pool) + Disneyland, Paris
Steph took her first steps amid the vine-covered courtyard where we shared many a happy candle-lit barbeque. And Brian made the second of his daily pan-run journeys into town, accompanied by Garth Brooks’ “Sail My Vessel.” Wonderful stuff. More fond memories of Jo singing “Little Town,” “A Whole New World” and her signature tune “Part of Your World.” Most of which we have on DVDs which I torture her with on a regular basis.

1995 – Flayosc, Var (pool) + Disneyland, Paris. Yep, a total repeat of the previous year’s holiday. Except this time, the fridge in the room had been switched off and turned around. Also, some rotten thief stole the camcorder (and Steph’s nappy bag including my purse) on the second day so we have no video footage. Plenty of pix, though.

1996 – Moraira (with views of Calpe), Spain
Our first taste of the Costa Blanca, this beautiful market town is almost midway between Valencia (to the North) and Alicante (South) . First time we went, the place was very much an upmarket resort-in-the-making, including a spit-and-sawdust funfair. We were absolutely smitten with the Crazy Frog – the funkiest ride ever which went forwards, backwards, spun, undulated and even hopped. Not for the weak-stomached.

1997 – (Vidiago) Llanes, N.Spain
The coast of North Spain is nothing like as crowded and Brit-centric as the Eastern coast – chalk and cheese spring to mind. It’s way closer to Brittany, with a similar climate, lush green vegetation and glorious beaches. We discovered the Beach of Caves (Playa Cuevas del Mar), and it drew us back to the area several times.

1998 – Marans, La Rochelle (pool) + Disneyland
A wonderful holiday, the highlights of which included Bri reprising his Indiana Jones role piloting a punt and a motor boat through Green Venice. The glossy sheen had definitely worn off Disneyland, with everything a tad care-worn, cheaper and less generous than the previous two visits. The fridge had disappeared completely from the room in the cowboy hotel, portion sizes seemed smaller and worst of all, they were no longer showing the Beauty and the Beast show in the main theatre (Videopolis) in Fantasyland.

1999 – Camango, N.Spain + Moraira (Norte Mer), Spain
Another ambitious one with a week exploring the mountains and after a two-day drive via Madrid, a week in the sun, including a trip to nearby Benidorm for a ride on a submarine.