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Isabel's avatar

I hope this makes you giggle ! My best friend for the last nearly 45 years is exactly a foot shorter than me ( I’m 6ft) and as two dog alcoholic lemonade drinkers ( yes it was a thing) back in the 90s we would lose each other in bars in own home town , to find each other one would shout “ my steps my way Fran “ from strictly Ballroom and wait for an arm to fly up into the air flamenco style . 🤣 and to be fair we do it now when needs must !

Sam's avatar

The photo of the Nuns and then Einstein! Just 👩‍🍳 💋 perfection. I have to inhale your Substack like your drug dealing nephew first thing and then come back later and read it more sedately with more tea.

Maria's avatar

Your drawing from when you were a squab 🤗❤️

Katy Wheatley's avatar

I was obsessed with having a mouse as a pet when I was a child. We lived in the countryside and the cats were always catching them but they would inevitably be quite unwell after that. I decided the only way to ensure mouse health was to catch it myself so I embarked upon my foolproof plan which involved me digging great holes all over the garden as fast as I could to catch a mouse as it was running down a tunnel. It didn’t work and I got into a lot of trouble due to the garden looking like a battlefield. My mum asked me what I would have done with it if I did catch it. I said: ‘keep it on the corner of the bath in a Dairylea cheese triangle box.’ As if it weren’t obvious. Not quite Brambly Hedge style.

Laura H's avatar

You're description of Einstein's sandals made me spit out my morning coffee... I hope you're pleased with yourself. X

Jacqueline's avatar

I CANNOT believe I have found another Thirks fan. So exciting. The Substack algorithm has found a common denominator of dreams. I have collected all her novels, even the last one she didn’t finish, and read them all on repeat. How many have you read?

Also that park. It’s not Cardiff by any chance?

Caroline Spearing's avatar

I discovered them in my school library aged 15 and have been obsessed ever since.

Jacqueline's avatar

You are so lucky! A whole lifetime of them.

Caroline Spearing's avatar

I’d just read Trollope (it was the era of Barchester Chronicles on TV) so it felt as though she and I were sharing a private joke.

Jacqueline's avatar

I tried to read Trollope after reading Thirkell. I haven’t made it all the way through one of his books yet.

Caroline Spearing's avatar

Try The Warden - v short

Abie Longstaff's avatar

My sisters and I STILL say "That was unexpected" in a dodgy Aussie accent every time something totally predictable happens.

Anj's avatar

Ooh Me too! Feels like a rewatch is needed!

WriteFoxy by Miranda Dickinson's avatar

I love this! Albert's peep-toes are the best!

Here's a little bit of loveliness for you in return... I went with my family to our local zoo yesterday and overheard the most delicious conversation (imagine the following said in a *very* Black Country accent):

Woman nursing a blue slushie: "Giraffes have long necks in real life? I thought that was just AI."

Her friend, munching sandwiches: "Nah, chick, they only use AI for the orangumatangs." ☺️

Rebekah Daley's avatar

I LOVE Strictly Ballroom! The bit where Scott streams into the room on his knees still makes me SWOON!!

Cheryl  Queen of Markets's avatar

Thank you for brightening my Sunday morning with Einstein's sandals, pigeons, otters, frogs,& the eternally brilliant Strictly Ballroom. Joan Collins. Dynasty wig page bookmarked for emergencies.

Penny R's avatar

Oh oh SO MANY Strictly Ballroom phrases are helpful in everyday life. Just from the clip you shared: "...became what we term 'boxed in'" and "Did I fail him as a mother?" are in regular use round our way. We had 'Love Is In The Air' as the last dance at our wedding in tribute. I can't believe it's been thirty five years.

Karen Peters's avatar

I am late to the party but thanks to the wonderful India Knight I found you! But the best bit about being tardy is I’ve now got loads of past joy to immerse myself in. I suspect Elizabeth Taylor the otter may in fact be my spirit animal!

Tina Walker's avatar

Try Sudocrem on the bites - known as magic cream in our house. And I love your weekly posts - my husband keeps asking what I'm laughing at..

Larissa Hennessy's avatar

Einstein preoccupied of course by mathematical constructs , put on his wife’s shoes. It made him have very dainty little feet. The Nuns are seeking to entice the seal back to the convent for legs akimbo acts. They can fool you with their sanctified looks but underneath they can be minions of a darker art. Strictly Ballroom, the epitome of the best Australian comedies.

Jane Berrisford's avatar

Oh Gawd.... I guffawed so loud at Animal on the drums !!! This was hilarious and thank you so much for bringing the joy as always x

Anne Cowper's avatar

It’s only been a few weeks, but already I wake up on a Sunday & think - it’s today! Meanwhile, I think you’ll find Victoria Plum already exists as a purveyor of vintage plumbing accoutrements.