A White Christmas is looking rather unlikely in most of the UK, but wherever you are the Folly Flâneuse hopes your festive season will be merry and bright, and she sends all best wishes for a happy and healthy 2024.
Thank you to everyone who has helped with research, offered access or shared knowledge in 2023. And huge thanks to you for reading.
The Folly Flâneuse is taking a short break and will be back in mid-January.
Pictured is Fishers Hall at Hackfall in North Yorkshire, a flâneuse favourite. Photo courtesy of Alison Brayshaw.
Gand says:
Not so much of a white Christmas, but more of a white Fishers.
Compliments of the season to the Flaneuse and uncouth compamion. May you savour your well earned break.
Gand.
Editor says:
Good morning Gand. Wishing you a peaceful Christmas.
Lisababes says:
Merry Christmas 🎄 I loved reading your posts this year and look forward to many more in 2024 🏰🌟
Editor says:
And a Merry Christmas to you too Lisababes. I hope that no-one finds out that you are one of my oldest friends and that I bribed you to write this with the promise of champagne and mince pies tomorrow morning.
Edward Mirzoeff says:
Many thanks for posting such weekly delight.
Now have a richly-earned Christmas rest, Mme. Flaneuse.
Editor says:
Good morning Edward. Thank you, and very best wishes to you and the family for the festive season and beyond.
John Holland says:
Happy Christmas to you too! I’ve loved reading all your posts over the past year – always so interesting. Saturday wouldn’t be Saturday without them.
Editor says:
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas John, and thanks for your support.
Roger Smith says:
Hi Karen
You must have the other half of my brain – I was wondering where it had gone!
You use the splendid word ‘gallimaufry’ which is the heading for the final chapter in my forthcoming book about monuments – and then you introduce the man who I place above all other comic geniuses, Spike Milligan.
I worked in television for a time (a long time ago) and worked with Spike several times. He was almost impossible to work with as the idea of sticking to a script was anathema to him – his mind constantly sparked wild ideas. He was in fact a folly himself!
I was interested in your piece aboiut Spottiswoode as it introduces the whole question – what is a folly? I looked at Spottiswoode for my book and discarded it as it is really just the ‘left-behinds’ from something else. I’m sure all this has been debated before \ndfc will be again….
Best wishes for Christmas and the New Year and I hope it will not be long before you are up in Scotland again.
Roger
Editor says:
Hello Roger. I’m not sure there will ever be a universally accepted definition of folly so I just write about whatever interests me without worrying about rigid rules. Spottiswoode and Spike were both wonderful subjects to explore. Best wishes to you too and I’m sure I will be back over the border very soon.
Sally Paque says:
Totally agree with John Holland that Saturday wouldn’t be Saturday ….
I’ve even made a file on my phone so I can access your emails at any time, re-read & share at will.
Happy Christmas! 🎄🥂
Editor says:
Thank you so much for the kind words Sally. Merry Christmas
Gwyn Headley says:
Blwyddyn Newydd Dda a chi! And thank you for sharing your year of enchantment.
Editor says:
Thank you Gwyn. Best wishes for 2024 to you too and look forward to catching up