

Tophole!
Deborah Lofas
Episodes look at individual Chalet School books, Elinor M Brent-Dyer's life and other works, and wider themes, with occasional interviews. There will be spoilers, because the books have been in print for over 50 years. There will be mispronunciations, because it's too late now to put right the ones I invented as a 9 year old. And we do not ignore the bonkersness that makes EBD so beloved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 4, 2025 • 28min
This one started with Antonia Forest
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... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 13, 2025 • 39min
Woof, I quite agree, barked Rufus
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/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 31, 2024 • 21min
A magazine, Christmas, and a bath
It's that time of year, so there's really only one Chalet book to talk about!Brittany can be found hereYou can find Tophole on Facebook, or email us on topholepodcast@gmail.com (and I promise I will get to the emails this week).Episode transcript available here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 17, 2024 • 34min
Oof!
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 topholepodcast@gmail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 3, 2024 • 29min
On my honour
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 topholepodcast@gmail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 19, 2024 • 22min
The Series Re-boot
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 topholepodcast@gmail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 5, 2024 • 34min
The kitten did it
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 topholepodcast@gmail.com.https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2024/11/05/s2e5-the-kitten-did-it/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 22, 2024 • 41min
Campfire's burning
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 topholepodcast@gmail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 8, 2024 • 29min
Don't walk on the table!
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 topholepodcast@gmail.com. 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.

Sep 24, 2024 • 29min
Slipping something into the coffee
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 topholepodcast@gmail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


