Nigel Slater Christmas Chronicles Read Along 2023 - Part Two

[RainbowZebraWarrior]

Continuing from Part 1

For anyone who has not already had the pleasure, the annual Nigel Slater Christmas Chronicles read along is a real time annual MN tradition.

The book began on 1st November, however there is still time to fully appreciate Nigel in All His Splendour as it takes us to Christmas and beyond.

Most of us already have the book (or Audio book) For anyone who doesn't, it's a challenge to see of you can pick up a bargain. WH Smith has come up trumps in the past, as has ebay. A rare and precious charity shop find is the holy grail and adds a certain special-ness that simply extends that warm, fizzy Nigel feeling (and some well earned smugness)

I shall continue to make a post each day and we can share our thoughts and feelings on the days recipes, sentiments and indeed Dear Old Nige himself.

Pull up a chair and a cosy blanket and join in. Twinkly lights are optional, but candle light is definitely recommended. Regulars and newcomers are welcomed like old friends.

copies being sold here….goldenharebooks.com/collections/pre-orders/products/a-thousand-feasts-by-nigel-slater-signed-edition-pre-order-26th-september-2024 goldenharebooks.com/collections/pre-orders/products/a-thousand-feasts-by-nigel-slater-signed-edition-pre-order-26th-september-2024

Ooh thanks for this. I'm definitely indulging!

@Decafflatteplease thanks for the reminder, too. I'd spotted it on his Instagram and it had been mentioned here, too, but I'm now going to pre order a signed copy. I have to say, the cover is beautiful.

@EversoDisorganised next weekend! Although I’ve seen it at the ROH a few times already. I have Tosca booked for the summer 😍
do it, you won’t regret it. Shout out for tips!

I have to go by train for a couple of hours to get there and it’s well worth the journey.

I should shouldn’t I. We’re a couple of hours out on the train too, we go to see musicals in the West end quite often but no one wants to go and see ballet or opera with me, but I go and see these things at the cinema on my own quite happily so now reason why I couldn’t do this too. I’d love to see The Nutcracker. Maybe I will ask around my friends.

I often go solo and love it (uk and overseas for performances). It’s also great to go with friends and family. Do it!

Lovely to catch up with more posts over the past few days Bimblesalong and EversoDisorganised - your trips to concerts sound wonderful, especially as I’ve been at home for the past 10 days after testing positive for covid having managed to avoid it for the past 4 years. The upside was that I’d just bought Nigel’s Kitchen Diaries from an Oxfam bookshop; the perfect book to pick up and put down after just a few pages or a longer read if I felt like it. All well again now, and inspired to try out lots of new recipes. Thank you, Nigel!

@Bubblesbythesea really sorry to hear this. Good to hear you avoided it for four years tho. Hope you’re ok and no doubt you will be soothed by Nigel.
I had to cancel a recently planned trip to Spain to stay with friends when my adult son came down with it. Couldn’t risk carrying it to my friends’ place.

Glad you are feeling better @Bubblesbythesea . My friend works in data for the local NHS trust and says the hospitals are filling up with cases again which is a worry.

Hi all.

I've ordered a signed copy of Nigel's new book (birthday gift from my Mum) I'm so excited about receiving it in September, and, as always, I seem to be thinking already about Autumn and Winter. This happens every year, as I seem to think 3 to 4 months ahead. It may also have something to do with today's atrocious weather. I am currently burning a candle and have the heating on!

My next job is to book a mini break to Copenhagen for the Christmas markets for me and DD. I'm quite limited due to our rubbish airport not having many other options, and I seem to have found a rather good deal going with Jet2 leaving on 20th December and returning on 23rd. This is perfect timing for us as DD breaks up from school on 19th.

Has anyone done the Copenhagen markets and do you have any tips?

Oooh my husband has ordered it for my September birthday too!

No tips on Copenhagen as I’ve never been but will listen with interest. :)
I’ve booked Paris in the spring for me and ds2, including the Philharmonie and, I hope, Palais Garnier.

how fab to have plans!

I've only been to Copenhagen in summer but it was lovely and very easy to get around by public transport, we had a 48 hour ticket on an app. I gather it is VERY cold in winter.

Nigel is on BBC2 now! It’s the Chelsea coverage if anyone would like to see - he’s chatting to Monty Don, what a great match! Think it will be on iPlayer afterwards.

Ooh. Thanks for this. I'll try and find it on catch up.

Just saw Nigel with Monty on the Chelsea coverage so thought I’d pop in here, but see @MerryMidwinter got there first. It really was the mutual appreciation society with the pair of them - loved it! Great hearing all your travel plans - I’m just back from a trip to Basel which was unexpectedly delightful if eye-wateringly expensive. Among its attractions is a Christmas decoration shop which is open all year round so I felt obliged to go in and investigate on behalf of the thread, but it felt distinctly un-Nigel to be there so out of season as the photos will confirm.

Haven't done Copenhagen for Christmas, but going next week, and while planning the trip saw that Tivoli gardens get decorated for Christmas with stalls etc.

We are going to Vienna (and possibly a day trip to Bratislava) for Christmas markets this year. Coincidentally, with Jet2, best fares and dates offer from London airports.

It was lovely seeing Nigel on the telly. Especially with Monty - just need Edmund deWaal to complete the mood.

More potential Nigel news.

I was cataloguing my Nigel books, and noting the few I still didn't have. Thought I'd check his website and have just seen a note on there that he's working on a documentary for 2024. I'm really hoping for something Christmas related!

Oh I really hope so!

Right, so, it's been a while, but all this rain has got me thinking about the autumn to come, specifically about making one of Nigel's liqueurs. I'm currently eyeing up the apricot/orange/star anise one. Has anyone made it before? Any advice? It says 'sweet white wine' - do we think that means dessert wine?

I said to DH it feels very autumnnal today, my favourite season, can't wait! Looking forward to Nigel's new book aswell I've got it on pre order. I can't advise on the wine thing really but I think dessert wine could be nice!

Nothingbuttheglory. I haven’t made this liqueur, but Interested to know what sweet wine you decide to use ~ and what the result tastes like!

Will keep you updated. (Now thinking I could probably use any old white and just add a couple of tablespoons extra sugar, right?)

@nothingbuttheglory I made the orange and apricot thing a couple of years ago. I left the wine out and the star anise out and just made it with orange and apricots and whisky. It was delicious. I've just won two bottles of whisky at the PTA raffle so I'll be doing it again this year. A few have made it on here and almost all have said either skip the star anise, or just put a tiny bit in.

Edited to add, previously made with Brandy. Will likely use the PTA whisky to make Bramble Whisky for my Dad.

I had been thinking of posting at the weekend, as I'm also getting excited about Autumn (and it also feels like it here)

As always in July, I've been scouting out various wintertime bargains. Some new (to me) cashmere from vinted and ebay and the most divine Diptyque Biscuit candle which I can't wait to light. This year I'm also going to try the St Eval Embers and Inspiritus.

14 weeks on Friday till 1st November and the readalong will begin again.

Lovely to think of some warm cocooning- if only we can have some sort of summer beforehand.

In a Nigel-adjacent visit, I was out in Spain a couple of weeks ago. I. Visited the Monastery at Pedralbes, which was featured in Monty Don’s gardens of Spain series.

I like the idea of seeking winter candles for a reduced fee!