This has appeared on my feed today - 1st January 2025! I don’t know why Substack doesn’t like me! Happy new year to all!
The Substack event was terrific. I do hope there’ll be more in the pipeline.
Early coffee is an issue in places you wouldn’t at first suspect. I remember roaming the streets of Paris’ 6th arrondissement - the home to some of the capital’s most iconic cafés - attempting to find a 6am cup of coffee. Nada. That there’s nothing in London comes as no surprise whatsoever.
I have adored Richard Scarry’s safe, cosy world since I was a child, especially loving the sweet faces of the cats. I wanted to live there and I’d endlessly renew the books from the library.
I was 61 on the 20th December and don’t quite know what to make of it. Apart from the aches and pains, I don’t feel 61 - whatever that’s supposed to feel like. I know that I am - objectively - an old lady, but… I haven’t *done* anything yet. I haven’t worked out what I want to do when I grow up and time runs short.
Well, here’s to the new year - let’s see what’s in store. xxx
Happy Birthday for yesterday, India 🥳. I hope you were feted by your family and had a thoroughly marvellous time.
As always your posts are invaluable. Honestly, invaluable. I’d be lost without them and do appreciate how long they must take to compile - so thank you ❤️
1. I realise I had got Barbara Skelton and Ann Fleming mixed up (or combined) in my memory, were they both flagellants?
2. Edie Sedgwick, Amy Winehouse - it's so sad. I still can't listen to "Rehab", which made me smile when she was alive.
3. I loved that Martin Amis piece, so much that's good in it (which is another way of saying so much in it I agree with!)
4. I am jealous to be missing Monday night. I have a fantasy that we could take a private room in a nice restaurant (like Jeremy King's new one, the Park), and have a long lunch there, with everybody paying a set menu price, and basically do kind of musical chairs round a long table so everybody met everybody else. This fantasy is a testament to you, and to the quality of your commenters! Also, I do realise you have thousands of subscribers, so it's totally unrealistic....
1. Yes but Ann F flagellant in whole different league I think. Did you ever read her letters, the ones edited by Mark Amory? She and Ian Fleming really not messing about. BS semi-interested at best (I think).
2. Horribly sad.
3. Me too. I love Martin Amis, including the novels.
1. I can't remember whether I read her letters, if so it would have been years ago. More likely I read a review of the Mark Amory book when it came out. Which reminds me, did you ever read that biography of Sir Richard Burton, and if so what did you think?
Happy Birthday! My birthday is on the 17th and have had to use ‘insufficient fuss’ a few times! Particularly if the idea of a joint birthday/Christmas present is suggested. :)
Happy Birthday! Glad you love it! Mine is Monday and I’ve always adored my December birthday. Everyone is in a party and presents mood! I don’t understand negativity about December birthdays. We always used to put the tree up on my birthday — doubly exciting!
Now I do it earlier to have the tree longer, and love having decked halls for my birthday!
This has appeared on my feed today - 1st January 2025! I don’t know why Substack doesn’t like me! Happy new year to all!
The Substack event was terrific. I do hope there’ll be more in the pipeline.
Early coffee is an issue in places you wouldn’t at first suspect. I remember roaming the streets of Paris’ 6th arrondissement - the home to some of the capital’s most iconic cafés - attempting to find a 6am cup of coffee. Nada. That there’s nothing in London comes as no surprise whatsoever.
I have adored Richard Scarry’s safe, cosy world since I was a child, especially loving the sweet faces of the cats. I wanted to live there and I’d endlessly renew the books from the library.
I was 61 on the 20th December and don’t quite know what to make of it. Apart from the aches and pains, I don’t feel 61 - whatever that’s supposed to feel like. I know that I am - objectively - an old lady, but… I haven’t *done* anything yet. I haven’t worked out what I want to do when I grow up and time runs short.
Well, here’s to the new year - let’s see what’s in store. xxx
Many happy returns from the beautiful west of Ireland! 🙏🏼🧁🌟
Happy Birthday for yesterday, India 🥳. I hope you were feted by your family and had a thoroughly marvellous time.
As always your posts are invaluable. Honestly, invaluable. I’d be lost without them and do appreciate how long they must take to compile - so thank you ❤️
Happy birthday India ! 💐🌷🪻🌺🌸
Happiest of birthdays India and thank you for the joy, perception and laughter you bring to us all
Happy birthday!
Wishing you a very happy birthday tomorrow dear India!! Xx love from kim x and my Woodbridge girlfriends!! We all think you’re fab!
Happy Birthday, India! 🎂 🎉 I now need to know EVERYTHING about Barbara Skelton!
Happy birthday, India!
And thank you for links:
1. I realise I had got Barbara Skelton and Ann Fleming mixed up (or combined) in my memory, were they both flagellants?
2. Edie Sedgwick, Amy Winehouse - it's so sad. I still can't listen to "Rehab", which made me smile when she was alive.
3. I loved that Martin Amis piece, so much that's good in it (which is another way of saying so much in it I agree with!)
4. I am jealous to be missing Monday night. I have a fantasy that we could take a private room in a nice restaurant (like Jeremy King's new one, the Park), and have a long lunch there, with everybody paying a set menu price, and basically do kind of musical chairs round a long table so everybody met everybody else. This fantasy is a testament to you, and to the quality of your commenters! Also, I do realise you have thousands of subscribers, so it's totally unrealistic....
1. Yes but Ann F flagellant in whole different league I think. Did you ever read her letters, the ones edited by Mark Amory? She and Ian Fleming really not messing about. BS semi-interested at best (I think).
2. Horribly sad.
3. Me too. I love Martin Amis, including the novels.
4. Wouldn't that be lovely?
1. I can't remember whether I read her letters, if so it would have been years ago. More likely I read a review of the Mark Amory book when it came out. Which reminds me, did you ever read that biography of Sir Richard Burton, and if so what did you think?
Hope you have a wonderful birthday! Middle age is the best time of my life!
Thank you! And it is of mine too, by miles.
Happy Birthday! My birthday is on the 17th and have had to use ‘insufficient fuss’ a few times! Particularly if the idea of a joint birthday/Christmas present is suggested. :)
Yes, joint is absolutely NOT ON. Happy birthday for Tuesday!
Happy Birthday! A suggestion for your links posts - if a subscription is needed to read the article you’re linking to, add a £ symbol or suchlike?
Yes it's a v good idea except that I never actually know if it's £ or not because if I've read it then I'm a paying subscriber.
Happy Birthday! 🥳 I loved this post and the willful embracing of life! Carpe diem!
Thank you and YES!
Happy Birthday! Glad you love it! Mine is Monday and I’ve always adored my December birthday. Everyone is in a party and presents mood! I don’t understand negativity about December birthdays. We always used to put the tree up on my birthday — doubly exciting!
Now I do it earlier to have the tree longer, and love having decked halls for my birthday!
Happy birthday for Monday! Dec birthdays are fantastic. I do exactly the same with tree - used to wait until day after, now do it early too.
Have a very Happy Birthday weekend xx
Thank you very much!
Happy birthday for Saturday!
Thanks Will!