29 Comments
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Emma Renton's avatar

Boarding school book is wonderful and I’m going to reread. My school and several I know were featured . Luckily girls boarding schools rarely had the same issues that many many boys schools had at the time ( and therefore not the long term consequences ) . Thanks for the reminder

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Ella Beech's avatar

Yay! So brill to see Tor (my very best friend, we were born two days apart!) here! X

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SB's avatar

As usual, there's so much it has to be a list;

1. Volunteers: my late husband refused to call them weeds, and called them "natural things" instead.

2. Corgis are so silly (not an insult). They remind me of the story Jeremy Paxman told about a friend walking his dachshund in Hyde Park, and being stopped by a foreign man (possibly Turkish, I can't remember) who asked "how much did he cost you?", to which Paxo's friend replied £2000, and the questioner, scandalised, said "Two thousand pounds! With no legs!"

3. Thatcher's index: OMG it's brilliant. "Talks to people as if their dogs have died." A perfect description of her manner.

4. Quite agree on gastronomic extravaganzas - I've bored on before about my dislike of e.g. gels, foams and exquisite tweezered food. I ate a while ago at Josephine's sister restaurant in Chelsea, it's just the same. Finally tried quenelles de brochet sauce nantua (pike quenelles in a freshwater crayfish sauce) after reading about them years ago in Elizabeth David. They were delicious, but very rich - just as well it was lunch not dinner!

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Dragana Hartley's avatar

The index had me snorting. Mrs T inspecting an enormous tool…..sorry my mind just went there.

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India Knight's avatar

Hahaha - what an image : /

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Maggie Alderson's avatar

My nightmare restaurant outing: anything with three Michelin stars. Or worse - two stars. (I wish I could italicise that 'two'.) Love the sound of this Marylebone joint.

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India Knight's avatar

Me too. I just can't be doing. Would rather eat a really delicious bowl of noodles.

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Christene Barberich's avatar

India, I am SCREAMING over here in Brooklyn! To make the cut in your newsletter/coziest of ALL communities here has made my SPRING DREAMS come true. Thank you SO much...your superfan 4-ever...xxCb/A Tiny Apt.❤️

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India Knight's avatar

Honestly, thank YOU - your posts enhance my life.

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Wendy Varley's avatar

I just read that Crufts piece in the LRB, coincidentally! Loved the bit about the whippet (which eventually won) in the coffee queue, only slightly trembling when two ginormous wolfhounds passed, ‘cargo ships looming over a paper sailboat.’

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India Knight's avatar

That piece is pure brilliance.

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Wendy Varley's avatar

It is! The LRB can be hit and miss but I adored that article.

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Amelia Wilson's avatar

Little presents to give friends sounds lovely - can't wait!

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India Knight's avatar

Oh good! (Now I worry I've oversold it)

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Amelia Wilson's avatar

Of course not!

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Theresa Breach's avatar

Step out of London and come to sunny Aughton in West Lancashire as we have five Michelin stars.

They are Moor Hall with The Barn and Sōlō ( and no I’m not affiliated with them )

No regrets just the most wonderful meals.

Love Tx

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India Knight's avatar

Do you know, have never been to Lancs. Must remedy!

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Ellie Rickard's avatar

Booked 'Joséphine' for our Anniversary on Wednesday. Perfect timing for the recommendation ❤️

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India Knight's avatar

Oh excellent - have a wonderful evening and congratulations!

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Becky's avatar

Hattie’s reply to the dream pee was everything. What a lovely friend 😊

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India Knight's avatar

Right? What a pal.

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Rhian E's avatar

Looking forward to the present ideas - I always feel it’s a failing on my part that I struggle in this area. I am full of admiration for those thoughtful gift givers. I think the key seems to be thinking ahead and not leaving things until the last minute ( note to self)I found the link on immigrants very thought provoking.

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India Knight's avatar

Oh good, am delighted (immigrants, not going blank on the gift front).

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yasmina keynes's avatar

Thank you for posting Bubbles and the piece about immigrants. Well said on both counts.

And yes yay Josephine! So good.

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India Knight's avatar

Very welcome. Both brilliant pieces.

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JP Clark's avatar

Fab links. Loved the piece about immigrants. Happy strimming.

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India Knight's avatar

Thank you!

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Jolene Handy's avatar

Christene is the absolute best!

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India Knight's avatar

She really is!

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