Year Round Nigel Slater discussion thread - Part 4

[RainbowZebraWarrior]

Hello all and welcome to this lovely space for our continued chats.

A bit of background for anyone not familiar with this topic:

The Nigel Slater Christmas Chronicles readalong usually takes place here between November and February each year - the Christmas Chronicles being a book written by Nigel Slater full of winter recipes and anecdotes - It has been running for a few years, and the contributors collectively decided it would be nice to have it running all year round.

So here it is. It is a place to appreciate all things Nigel-esque. Think seasonal food and recipes, enjoyment of nature, gardening, appreciation of the weather, and sharing of news and small moments of joy. It's a calm, cosy space for gentle chat and merriment so pull up a chair, grab a drink and relax.

A very hearty welcome to friends new and old!

The computer glitches sound very stressful @leporello. When DS was writing his dissertation last year he used to periodically send me updated versions just in case of such an event and also email a copy to himself. Theoretically it should be less stressful than the typed up paper versions of my day when the horror stories were of leaving it on a train or up-ending a drink over it (in a dog ate my homework type scenario!), but new technologically brings new possibilities - the stuff student nightmares are made of!

Good Morning Nigelistas I still about but not posting much. Having a bit of a tough time right now, feeling very down so don't want to come on here and be a misery. Very much enjoying the gentle nature of the thread though.

@LillianGish many years ago I found someone's dissertation on the sinks in the ladies loo at Liverpool St station. I never went to uni but I realised how important it was and went straight to lost property with it, I actually ran with it in case some poor girl was in freefall at the lose😂 I've often wondered if she got it back.

Love to all x

Aargh to computer glitches! When I went to uni we were just at the start of using computers for essays, but had to save them onto floppy discs and it cost us to print them out.

Glad to hear doggle is getting the operation soon @piscofrisco but the recovery sounds no fun at all.

Seem to be getting all the weather in one day here - it was sunny when I went downstairs 10 minutes ago, but grey by the time I came back up with my lunch (nice manchego cheese, tomatoes and salad with lots of herbs).

Sorry to hear you are feeling so down @thebabessavedme - light a candle and scrunch up some herbs and we’ll all do the same to send healing Nigel vibes. Thanks so much for posting that dissertation anecdote - it’s the sort of kind deed you’d hear recounted on that R4 Saturday morning show (I forget the name) where people would phone/write in to thank anonymous strangers who had helped them in some way. You’ll definitely have some good karma in the bank with that so hope you’ll feel better soon.

Sending you a massive hug. I've always said that this place is as much about support as kindred spirits. I often whinge about my circumstances or rant if I am feeling hard done by. There's nothing wrong with that. I do hope something comes along in life soon to lift your spirits though as it's sad to hear how down you feel.

That was such a kind thing to do dashing straight to lost property, and I bet that stranger often thinks of you, or has told someone in their life how grateful they were to you.

Sun has come out here, and I have just dragged my Dad out to snaffle some glass frames I saw someone getting rid of. They will make the most excellent cold frame. For now, I have one pinned against my potting table, but I will fashion something more appropriate soon.

Had a lunchtime wander along the bridle path to the edge of the village and took some snaps of Hawthorn (I love it when you find a really pink one among all the white) I took this picture of our view towards the sea. Hoping we keep it (damn you, Lidl and your plan)

Also just noticed that some of the trees aren't even in leaf yet. Things are definitely late here this year.

Klaxon!

Going to be on radio 2 in 10 mins talking about this group with Trevor nelson

@leporello what a nightmare - please tell your daughter, with apologies for the obvious, to attach the saved draft to an email at points throughout the writing. It can stay in the drafts box. That way, if all goes tits up (technical term - I'm a former Masters-Level tutor), there is a recent copy available by accessing her email from any computer. It's saved me on a couple of dodgy computer moments!

@piscofrisco glad you've got a plan for doggle. It helps.

Ooohh Nigelistas in partic Dawn from WB...have you just hit Trevor Nelson and national radio?Well done on knowing the '3 seconds' artist. I hope Nigel gets in touch after that..expect an influx of interested bodies

Ooh I will go and listen back!

Sending you lots of love @thebabesavedme….be miserable all you like on here my love-we understand x

Haha, thanks @Towanda12 Although I didn't mention Mumsnet, Trevor did ask if Nigel knew about the thread, and if not, wether he would get in touch after it being discussed live on air. I also said that CC was a lovely way to embrace winter and that might have sold him a few more copies 😁

It was live at around 3.10pm so will be available on BBC Sounds a bit later on I guess.

Best of luck with doggies forthcoming op and recovery my lovely. Never an easy time x

Ooh I think Trevor LOVED you!

It Available now! I just listened to it! You were so confident!

Ah, thanks Pisco. I'm a big believer in feeling the fear and doing it anyway. I sort of do things without overthinking and it can lead to great experiences. Trevor was lovely. I chatted to him a bit off-air as well. My family joke that they don't know where I am going to pop up next. Radio, Podcasts, TV... 😆

It’s available on Sounds - approx 1hr 7mins into the show. Thanks for flagging that up @RainbowZebraWarrior - I wasn’t sure I’d be able to access it here, but found it no problem! So amazing to hear your voice. I loved the fact you said we’d all become good friends - because we have. Excellent summary.

Just listened back to Trevor and heard you @RainbowZebraWarrior! Well done on getting the 3 seconds to name - I have never ever got one right. Hope Nigel was listening 😀
Long tedious day at home with poorly DD. Well, she was poorly until I rang preschool to say she wouldn't be in and then she miraculously perked up! I think a quiet day has done her good though. All the talk of the Magic Faraway Tree makes me wish I had kept my old copy to read to her today. Like many of you I read my Enid Blytons over and over. I feel a nostalgic amazon order coming on...

Oh that is so fun, @RainbowZebraWarrior ! Fame at last. The cult of Nigel 😂

Markknopflersheadband ; They're available free to read online or download; on fadedpage.com (166 books!)

I heard you on with Trevor and wondered if it was you, from the “Nigel Thread”.
I’m very much a lurker. I did finish reading Christmas Chronicles this year. Came on to check if the radio appearance had been mentioned!
Well done on getting it right. (I’ve only ever got one right and it was the Pet Shop Boys.)

Long time lurker on these threads and Nigel fan - MH issues together with bereavements, coping with elderly parents etc mean I am rarely brave enough to contribute. However I just wanted to say how well you came across on the radio @RainbowZebraWarrior x

Just had the chance to listen back to my interview with Trevor. I was asked by his researcher to pull over and 'put the phone to my ear' before we went live as it sounds awful via radio on speaker phone apparently.

Thanks for all the comments you lovely lot. So nice ro hear from folk who usually only lurk.

When the researcher rang me, she asked what I'd done today. I mentioned school run, the beach, shopping, cinema, collecting sea glass etc. I then mentioned the Nigel 'book club' Trevor then came on the phone and said "I am going to rib you about being a Nigel Slater groupie"

Also, I always hated my voice - no idea why, now - and listening back or seeing myself on film, but it's amazing how much age brings more acceptance and makes you less self conscious. (If you choose to embrace and love who you are)

Honestly the one time it’s so busy at work that I don’t listen to 3 seconds to name and it’s our very own @RainbowZebraWarriorwell done on getting it. I never have a clue on that segment

you sound so lovely on the radio and I hope this doesn’t sound creepy. But know I what you sound like I am going to read your posts with your beautiful Geordie accent in my head.

Sending much love to you as that sounds like a lot to cope with my lovely. Thanks for posting as that's so kind despite your own worries x