Tophole!

A non-Chalet EBD book this week, although it includes a Chalet character (not that you'd recognise her) and reference to a Swiss sanatorium.Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2025/05/13/s2e18-high-heels-and-a-hand-grenade/You can contact Tophole via Facebook or at topholepodcast@gmail.com.

Wendy and I discuss some of the top bonkers moments and situations in the Chalet School Series. There are plenty to choose from, so if your particular favourite isn't here, please do get in touch. You can find Tophole on Facebook, or email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com.Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2025/04/29/s2e17-bonkers/

Back in wartime Armishire for a review of Lavender Laughs at the Chalet School. Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2025/04/15/s2e16-i-need-nine-frocks/You can contact Tophole via Facebook or at topholepodcast@gmail.com.

It's that time of year when we finish varnishing our scrapbooks and stuffing our toy animals, and encourage our friends and family to get out their purses and spend, spend, spend at THE SALE! Are we organising the stalls by forms, groups, or houses? Do we need a Sale Committee or shall we skip it for this year? Readers participate in 13 sales of work at the Chalet School - here's a recap of each one. Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2025/04/01/s2e15-our-highest-total-ever/You can contact Tophole via Facebook or at topholepodcast@gmail.com.

Let's spend a year or so in Guernsey, catching up with friends. Or, if you've never read any of the La Rochelle books, let's get hugely confused by dozens of characters. Either way, settle down for an authentic portrait of the first year of married life.Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2025/03/18/s2e14-a-romance-for-older-girls/You can find Tophole on Facebook or contact us at topholepodcast@gmail.com.

Second half of our discussion of Armada paperbacks - second style covers from 1972 to 1985.You can see most (although not all) of the covers we discuss at https://uk.pinterest.com/deborahlofas/chalet-school/2nd-style-pb/Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2025/03/04/s2e13-paperback-writer-2/You can find Tophole on Facebook or email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com.

It's a Wendy week (woo-hoo!) and we're discussing Armada books, and particularly their covers. You can see most of these on the boards at https://uk.pinterest.com/deborahlofas/chalet-school/. Obviously this took us hours so part 2 of our conversation will come next time.Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2025/02/18/s2e12-paperback-writer-1/You can find Tophole on Facebook or email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com.

Delayed for technical reasons (for which apologies) - in this episode I consider Prunella Davidson's arrival at the School, and refrain from wondering what exactly 'It' is. I also don't talk much about the arrival of Bruno because we covered that last time.Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2025/02/04/s2-e11-this-one-started-with-antonia-forest/You can find Tophole on Facebook or email us at at Topholepodcast@gmail.com - I do get round to reading the emails eventually...

The long-promised episode where Wendy and I discuss dogs in EBD's books, and what we learn about training and caring for them. We talk about Rufus and Bruno in the Chalet School books, as well as They Both Liked Dogs, The Lost Staircase, and Kennelmaid Nan - and there are, of course, spoilers, but it is absolutely still worth reading Kennelmaid Nan for yourself if you get the chance.Where I refer to 23 November 'this year', actually I mean 2024!You can find Tophole on Facebook or email us at Topholepodcast@gmail.com. Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2025/01/14/s2e10-woof-i-quite-agree-barked-rufus/