Third time lucky for recording this particular episode, which is about backs and back problems (a) at the Chalet School (b) elsewhere in children's literature and (c) across the whole of recorded time. We are nothing if not ambitious.

Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2024/12/17/s2e8-oof/

You can find Tophole on Facebook or email us at [email protected].

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An overview both of Girlguiding, and the Chalet School's experience of it.

Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2024/12/03/s2e7-on-my-honour/

You can find Tophole on Facebook, or email us on [email protected]. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The final book set at Plas Howell (which I keep accidentally calling Plas Gwyn, but I think Kit has managed to edit out all the incidents).

Full transcript at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2024/11/19/s2e6-the-series-re-boot/

Tophole has its own Facebook page, or you can email us at [email protected].

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Loads of spoilers in this discussion, and also the shock of a man's voice, as Kit joins us to discuss The Lost Staircase. He's made clear he won't be doing it again.

You can find Tophole on Facebook or email us at [email protected].

https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2024/11/05/s2e5-the-kitten-did-it/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We conclude our conversation about The Chalet Girls in Camp, and our own experiences of guide camp, with reference to camp fires, latrines, rest hour, and much more.

Full transcript at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2024/10/22/s1e4-campfires-burning/

Tophole has a Facebook page, and you can email us at [email protected].

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's a Wendy week, and what could be better for two former Guide leaders than a Chalet School book devoted to Guide camp? We compare our experiences to those described by EBD (who, I think it's safe to say, never tried incinerating disposable nappies at a girlguiding campsite).

You can find Tophole on Facebook, or email us at [email protected]. Full episode transcript at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2024/10/08/s2e3-dont-walk-on-the-table/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I'm joined today by Caroline Crampton (Shedunnit, A Body Made of Glass) to discuss health, and health anxiety, at the Chalet School.

Transcript at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2024/09/24/s2e2-slipping-something-into-the-coffee/

You can find Tophole on Facebook, or email [email protected].

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A look at the start of the Chalet School's final year.

You can find Tophole on Facebook and email us at [email protected].

Full transcript at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2024/09/10/ive-as-much-right-to-the-book-as-moira/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

End of term so Wendy does the interviewing in this one! Transcript at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2024/07/09/s1e23-deborah-visits-the-chalet-school/ and you can find us on Facebook or email [email protected].

Podcasts recommended for your summer break:

The Kindred Spirits Book Club

The Children's Literature Podcast

Backlisted

Shedunnit

A Body Made of Glass

Countrystride

The History Chicks

Pictures and Conversations

Book Hoots

BBC Sounds - Val McDermid on the Chalet School (2011)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's the centenary of the Chalet School's conception this summer, so today I'm taking a look at the holiday which inspired it all.

I made considerable use of Behind the Chalet School by Helen McClelland in preparing this week's episode - more than usual, I mean - but also went down lots of lovely rabbit holes about fashion, ski-ing, and station departure boards.

Transcript at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2024/06/25/s1e22-a-holiday-to-remember/

You can find us on Facebook or email us at [email protected].

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.