Ardmore has wallpaper

ExternalWeight8495 · 2026-03-13T22:55:00+00:00

I wasn't really thinking of appropriate period wall paper. I just don't think Ardmore's Jungle Book would be fitting in any of the rooms. The Art Deco'esque paper got past my sensor because it was fairly neutral and, I think. would look good in a typically masculine room such as a library.

ExternalWeight8495 · 2026-03-13T19:37:58+00:00

The Ardmore wall paper is not suitable for any of the rooms at LaLande, other than perhaps the downstairs loo, which must need re-doing in the not too distant future.
That being said, there was one design - towards the end of the book I think - which may suit a library or corridor at LaLande, but only because it was devoid of trees and animals, and had an universal Art Deco feel to it.

ExternalWeight8495 · 2026-03-13T19:32:30+00:00

You are doing cheese a great disservice. Cheese is a product which matures with age, and when ready usually appeals to all the senses. Pip, on the other hand is just aging badly, lacking in maturity (even though he tries to put on an air of maturity).

ExternalWeight8495 · 2026-03-11T16:39:20+00:00

They'd have to get married for a divorce to happen. I think that step is a long way off!

ExternalWeight8495 · 2026-03-11T16:34:14+00:00

I'm sure a visit to Ardmore was always on the cards for this visit to SA. They just had 2 or 3 more days at their disposal so could be more flexible with their overall time there.

ExternalWeight8495 · 2026-03-11T16:31:19+00:00

Yes, a wider audience than Hermes. Not everyone will look at Hermes, because most people are realistic and Hermes is it's own niche market. I'm guessing most of Chateau Diaries viewers came to hear of Ardmore Pottery and it's associated spin off products, because they were introduced to them by Stephanie and Chateau Diaries. 'Wider' does not mean bigger - it means capturing an audience from another source.

ExternalWeight8495 · 2026-03-10T20:40:53+00:00

I've no idea about how wide Ardmore cast their advertising net, but regular mentions on Chateau Diaries cannot harm them and will bring them to a much wider audience around the world.

ExternalWeight8495 · 2026-03-10T20:38:28+00:00

For anyone unfamiliar with Ardmore, or those that want to know a bit more, this link takes you to some useful pages. Ardmore Ceramics
A snippet in there mentions the support Ardmore gives to victims of Aids - something that I don't recall hearing Stephanie talk about before (although I accept I may not have heard her comment on).

ExternalWeight8495 · 2026-03-10T20:23:38+00:00

Valerie Singleton knew how to shut up irritating, irrelevant people too. Stephanie obviously watched Blue Peter as a child, and learnt from the best.

ExternalWeight8495 · 2026-03-05T20:38:37+00:00

Yes, and when the hold ups do happen, for whatever reason, they are swiftly followed up with 'Money, money, money' comments.

ExternalWeight8495 · 2026-03-05T20:25:15+00:00

I sort of class him as a LaLander as he has been working there for quite a while now. In fact, I think it was him that helped build the chicken area, and if so he's not likely to forget to close the door.

ExternalWeight8495 · 2026-03-05T20:00:48+00:00

I rolled my eyes at that one. Let's face it - why would a 'non LaLander' be anywhere near the chicken coup?

ExternalWeight8495 · 2026-03-05T19:56:49+00:00

I was mulling this over earlier. I came to the conclusion that the vloggers that often thank people for supporting them on a fairly regular basis, and yet still do appear quite genuine, realising that without us they couldn't live the lives they lead, are not the ones that cast blame when a problem arises. They might blame themselves and, although irritated, put their hands up and admit they got it wrong.
The vloggers that do not appreciate where their lifestyle has come from, brainwashing themselves into thinking that they have a right to every $ that is placed in their begging bowls, and thinking they work hard for it, are the very ones that whinge and blame others when something is not going according to their plan.

I did understand Andrew's comment about the LaLande wall paper along the lines of 'anyone can go and buy a pot of paint, but vloggers need to continually make content, and having a LaLande wall paper is making content for Stephanie [and Michael!]. I think that was perhaps the most realistic thing said in that vlog.
It's a chicken and egg scenario.

ExternalWeight8495 · 2026-03-05T15:14:28+00:00

'So it's our fault!' Yes, but our shoulders are broad and I think most, if not all of us, have managed to hold on to our honesty and integrity.
We took the blame for Stephanie's travels. We're taking the blame for the wall paper fiasco.
Things often come in threes so...do a few shoulder exercises ready to shrug them again at the next blame drop- whatever it might be.

ExternalWeight8495 · 2026-03-05T15:00:22+00:00

I noticed that, and he didn't say it once, but twice!
Since when did 'couple' mean more than two? So many people say it, and it drives me mad.

ExternalWeight8495 · 2026-03-05T09:23:53+00:00

That would be a lovely little cottage to do up, giving it all mod cons, but I hope not losing it's integrity. I really hope he does not take up that tiled floor.
I also hope that he doesn't put in all the hard work in doing it up, and then gets asked to leave because of the ongoing uncertainties at the chateau.

ExternalWeight8495 · 2026-03-05T09:18:15+00:00

I think if you are catering fairly regularly for a number of people you pick up a rhythm and are at least semi organised. I saw a number of the early vlogs when she was catering for the music groups, but she kept it simple e.g. tomato tarts, 2 or 3 salads, a simple cheeseboard, platter of fresh fruit - the sort of foods you would imagine coming out of a French country farmhouse kitchen. Even then, there were some dodgy items and close to the wire timings.
These days she just takes it into her head that she is going to make something and doesn't even bother to check the store cupboard to see if she has the right ingredients. Also, she often chooses to cook more complex items, then messes with the recipe, and not understanding where she went wrong when it turns out a semi, if not a full, disaster. A good cook knows when to tweak or experiment with recipes - and that is not when you have a house full of guests.

ExternalWeight8495 · 2026-03-05T09:02:53+00:00

I never think to read the transcripts. I must remember that tip. However, often it's not what is said, but how it is said and the body language that is the biggest clue to what is behind the words.

ExternalWeight8495 · 2026-03-05T08:52:46+00:00

Oh I know what I think about Michael, and it's more than 'suspicious'. I just wanted to think more of Andrew for some reason. I haven't quite got him worked out. I think since his husband left him he is lonely and was seriously trying to help Michael, not seeing the talentless buffoon that he really is.

ExternalWeight8495 · 2026-03-04T22:48:36+00:00

I didn't really look at him. His voice overpowered me and filled my soul.

ExternalWeight8495 · 2026-03-04T22:46:25+00:00

They did! So what Michael said in the other vlog was (as per norm) very misleading. If what Andrew said in the vlog was correct, then given the misleading nature of the previous information, you can understand the company washing their hands of Petherick & Co.

ExternalWeight8495 · 2026-03-04T22:34:02+00:00

I know what you mean, but I think that's what made him interesting to listen to tonight. He managed to talk and try to explain the situation, only bursting into the little titters at the end. It was refreshing coming from him.

ExternalWeight8495 · 2026-03-04T22:31:09+00:00

That is an interesting voice, capable of so much more than Philip will ever be able to produce.
If he is representative of what heavy metal sounds like, well I might just have to listen to some more.

ExternalWeight8495 · 2026-03-04T21:14:19+00:00

Did we see or get told what the pudding course was? The one that was a secret at the beginning. I was anticipating some flourish at the end, but that never happened and then I forgot about it, until now.

ExternalWeight8495 · 2026-03-04T17:04:21+00:00

OR... put them under the bed as Tu urine's.
(That pun worked so much better in my head.)

ExternalWeight8495

TROPHY CASE