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.

There’s a short video on YouTube of Nigel talking about his garden. It’s been made by Gardens Illustrated. Amazing foxgloves!

Hello all

🍁🌱🍂🌿🌾🍁🌱🍂🌿🌾

It's been quite autumnal this month, hasn't it. Not quite ready for that tbh given the distinct lack of sunshine/summer this year. 😞

But never mind. Thought I might hang out here in readiness for Oct.

I did find myself thinking of seasonal candles yesterday. But this is actually a very good reminder that I want a paper copy this year rather rather than last years Kindle edition.

I had a quick glance through my copy the other day, I read one random day. It was so lovely, and I can’t wait to read it all 🍁🍂🍁🍂

Hello Yuletide!

We live in the North East of England, and it was like flicking a switch here once it hit 20th August. The weather just seemed to change and the nights were very noticeably cutting in.

I'm excited for my new Nigel book arriving in September, and I'm starting to plan for Christmas.

I always listen to Christmas Chronicles around July each year anyway on Audible, but today I've played some Nat King Cole Christmas classics on Alexa. Some would say I'm bonkers, but for me right now I'm focusing on back to school early Sept, Halloween in Oct, then I'm in full on winter mode. My daughter has Reynauds and is already asking me if I can get the heated blanket out.

Greetings! We got back from a few days away in northern Europe yesterday where we had very warm, sunny weather and spent the entire time outdoors, emerged from the channel tunnel into cold, wet, gloom and it getting dark an hour earlier. It was nice today after overnight rain (SE England) but we have battened down the hatches for tonight. I’ve got both hard copy and audible versions of CC, both definitely have their place, I tend to overshoot chapters on audible.

Well hello! Checking in and looking forward to a thread of lovely things. It’s been a crap summer. Unfortunately I’m going to be going through another operation and chemo through the winter months, so uplifting threads like this will be just what I need. I’ll be far away from my trips to faraway places but will enjoy the Nigelness here until I can travel again.

Sorry to hear you have more treatment ahead @Bimblesalong

I hope you can find some solace here.

Nice to see this thread pop up. It is a bit too early for me to be contemplating Christmas, though.

@Bimblesalong sorry to hear you have to undergo chemo. Nigel will help you get through!

I would really like to go to Copenhagen. I know some of you have been. Is it wheelchair friendly (DH is a wheelchair user)?

I've booked to go to Copenhagen on 20 December. (Very excited!) Not been before, and I'm disabled so I did a lot of research first. I looked at this site, which was helpful. I also chose my hotel carefully based on area and accessibility.

www.wonderfulcopenhagen.com/cruise/travel-trade/accessibility-copenhagen

People who have been will hopefully have more specific info for you.

@Bimblesalong sending much love and strength to you. Very much hope that the thread will be a welcome distraction from your recovery and treatment.

@Bimblesalong wishing you strength and peace. Hopefully some hygge here and there will help a little.

I've made a strategic purchase for December - found a 12-piece set of Sophie Conran's Mistletoe dinnerware for a very good price. And a gravy boat too! Have had my eyes on this pattern for a long time, so decided to go on and treat myself. It'll make a lovely winter dinner service, so we'll get loads of use out of it.

Hope the treatment goes well @Bimblesalong and this yhr3ad provides some comfort.

@RainbowZebraWarrior excited to hear you're going to my homeland for Christmas! The Danes do Christmas hygge very well! Make sure to go to Tivoli Gardens in the evening, it's so pretty with all the lights. 🎄 🎄🎄

@IClaudine I'm sorry I can't be of any help - I'm Danish but haven't lived there since I was a young woman and haven't been back in quite a few years by now. Hope you can get some good info from others. But in general, everything in Copenhagen is quite easy.

Just a heads up in case anyone was thinking of buying the (much talked about on this thread) St Eval candles for Autumn / Winter. Candles Direct have 20% off until midnight on Monday. I've checked the site and it includes Inspiritus and Embers which were definite favourites with a lot of posters.

https://candlesdirect.com/collections/s-t-eval

Brilliant thankyou @RainbowZebraWarrior I also found the code LATEST15 which took a bit more off so saved me the postage.

more lovelies for my treat box and also a Christmas gift (sorry!) to put away for ds2 who loves scented candles - having a great perfume wafting from his room is a win!

@Bimblesalong

Sorry @RainbowZebraWarrior I somehow managed to miss that you said hello to me! 💐

My Yuletide-themed name on this thread is bothering me - too early, even for me!

I find being 'honorary owner' of a thread (in other words, starting it) too stressful somehow...does anyone want to start an autumnal thread where we can hang out until CC proper?

It's September on Sunday, so I feel that sounds much more acceptable, Solace.

I will start an Autumnal preamble thread and link to it here.

Back soon!

Autumnal Preamble thread duly created for anyone who would like to follow along (also a chance to chat about Nigel's new book A Thousand Feasts which is out in 4 weeks)

www.mumsnet.com/talk/christmas/5150816-the-autumnal-christmas-chronicles-premable-thread

Lovely to see some familiar names joining the thread again - like meeting old friends! @Bimblesalong - so sorry to hear you will be undergoing an operation and chemo; very best wishes for a successful outcome and a speedy recovery.

@Bimblesalong so sorry to read this, sending love & strength