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17. So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, goodbye!
25:13||Season 3, Ep. 17A pivotal summer term book this time, as we look at the Chalet School's final term on St Briavel's - a book which might well have inspired Roald Dahl, given that it could be subtitled "The Chalet School and the Chocolate Factory". Subjects I had to google while researching this episode included how much milk a goat produces, 1950s university entrance requirements, the Allied occupation of Austria, and the actual definition of a step-sister.Please don't panic if the next episode is late - we are about to go on holiday a podcast research trip to Guernsey.Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2026/06/02/s3e17-so-long-farewell-auf-wiedersehen-good-bye/You can find Tophole on Facebook, or email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com.
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16. Fat-shaming, drug-pushing, and an ornate belt buckle
26:52||Season 3, Ep. 16The 50th book in the Chalet School series was specially written by EBD to mark the occasion, and she dedicated it to fans - so this is OUR book. It's more of a romance than a school story, but mostly we, the readers, are reunited with characters we love, in situations which we recognise from earlier tales in the series. Cliff-dangling rescue? Check. Torrent of water blocking the way? Check. Marriage to a doctor? Check. But this isn't recycling. It's referencing, and that makes all the difference.Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2026/05/19/s3e16-fat-shaming-drug-pushing-and-an-ornate-belt-buckle/.You can find Tophole on Facebook or email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com.15. Comfort and joy
28:51||Season 3, Ep. 15Hayley and Deborah discuss fan fiction, particularly about Chalet School. Audio warning: we recorded this using Teams, and you can tell Kit was not there supervising! Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2026/05/05/s3e15-comfort-and-joy/You can find Tophole on Facebook, or email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com.14. Girls on film
32:02||Season 3, Ep. 14It's a Wendy week and we're discussing how a talented producer might go about making a documentary about the Chalet School, just in case any talented producers listen to the podcast.Please substitute 'Paul Ozanne' where I said 'Julian Lucy'.Episode transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2026/04/21/s3e14-girls-on-film/.You can find Tophole on Facebook or email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com.13. Saved by the medium of fashion
22:54||Season 3, Ep. 13Back at last with an episode answering a question posed by Kit.Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2026/04/07/s3e13-saved-by-the-medium-of-fashion/You can find Tophole on Facebook or email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com.12. The Secret Life of Mlle Lachenais
26:15||Season 3, Ep. 12In honour of our Winter Olympic medals in skeleton, a look at the Chalet School book which mentions the sport - one which Mlle Lachenais has done many times. I know, right? We're looking at Trials for the Chalet School.Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2026/03/10/s3e12-the-secret-life-of-mlle-lachenais/You can find Tophole on Facebook, or email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com.11. Something to keep your hands occupied
38:56||Season 3, Ep. 11It's a Wendy week and we're talking about handcrafts at the Chalet School. And also through history. And in the real world. And in our own lives. Context, that's it - we're providing context, we're not just rambling. Glad we've cleared that up.Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2026/02/24/s3e11-something-to-keep-your-hands-occupied/You can find Tophole on Facebook or email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com.