Looking back at 2013

It's certainly been a busy year with ups and downs. Nelson Mandela passed away, sadly. Andy Murray won Wimbledon and Prince George was born and eventually named.

For me personally it's been a bit up and down. Not bad but not brilliant. I hope, as always, that the new year will provide an opportunity to improve matters.

Doctor Who's 50th anniversary year has certainly been busy. Back in January Matt Smith was sitll the Doctor, fans were complaining that there was nothing interesting for the 50th anniversary. But we got a 3D Episode, a biopic, tie in programs and even a regeneration story for Paul McGann! Better still, could any of us imagine, back in January, that by the end of the year we would be able to watch the complete story The Enemy of the World or the almost complete The Web of Fear? It was a good time to be a Doctor Who fan

Here are five of my favourite things from 2013.

Favourite Public Event: Andy Murray wins Wimbledon
I must admit, I have been one of Andy Murray's doubters for some years. I never really thought he could win Wimbledon, so I was pleasantly surprised when he succeeded. It was nice to have a British Champion, so well done Andy!

Favourite TV Show: Orphan Black 
If you haven't seen this TV show (and you really should do because it's brilliant), stop reading and go watch it now because there'll be spoilers below.

This has been my favourite TV Show of the year. Tatiana Maslanay proved to be perfect at portraying Sarah Manning and her various clones. Series 2 will be coming in 2014 and I can't wait to find out what happened to Sarah's daughter.

Favourite Podcast: "Verity" 
The best Doctor Who podcast out there which started at the beginning of this year. Six smart women discuss Doctor Who. Their analysis of episodes are effortlessly better than my own. So, my thanks goes to Deborah Stanish, Erika Ensign, Liz Myles, Lynne M Thomas, Tansy Rayner Roberts and Katrina Griffiths for making such a brilliant podcast.

Favourite Exhibition: "Alien Invasion" at The Lightbox Museum and Art Gallery
The Lightbox Museum and Art Gallery in Woking has had many good exhibitions this year, from the Gertrude Jeckyll gardening exhibition, to World Wildlife fund art. This exhibition is great for family with sections on HG Wells and the rest of the museum. It's open until 19th January, so if you haven't seen it already, go and see it now.

Favourite Game: Gone Home (PC)
A game with no enemies or supporting characters, just you, the protagonist, exploring an empty house. It's very much like Myst mixed with the original Resident Evil. The story is a little basic, but it's a good step forward for game developers to look in different directions.