55 Comments

What a wonderful story JP! I have been here since the very beginning of your 'my gay best friend days' and remember all of those things! I hadn't known about the EM Forster-Surrey connection. How fascinating that parts of the film where made near your old home. I was obsessed with that film as a teenager, I think Merchant-Ivory films were definitely responsible for my love of EM Forster, and not my old English teacher 🤣....also perhaps my obsession with Rupert Graves, who was rather easy on the eye as Freddy! That table is brilliant, I love it. Happy Sunday to you & Mr C!

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My gay best friends seems so long ago now Sara doesn’t it? Thank you for sticking around and putting up with all the changes! I was equally obsessed with Merhant Ivory films and indeed, in my late teens dressed like I was in Room with a View, or Howard’s End. I had no idea either at about the E.M Forster connection with the Surrey Hills till we moved there. I could walk to those ponds in ten minutes. Imagine my joy!

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Love that console table! I have a ridiculously large collection of vintage lead figures and this would make a great way to show them off without losing any up the hoover (which is more commonly done than you might imagine.

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Sounds like the perfect table for you!

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I think I have only ever named cars, oh and house plants. My last car was Darcy and this new one is too new but I’m leaning towards Stan? Naming your table Freddy is pure JP and makes me smile.

Love your stories ❤️

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I love this little story, and I adore Freddy! We are just back from the most sublime weekend in the sunshine at your beautiful Harbour Deckhouse. Thank you for sharing your stunning home with us JP x

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I love, love, love the table! How can you resist filling the wee compartments though? I have so many wee shells, stones and various "crap" as Mr AllyG calls it could use! Mission started to find something similar to yours....

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I so wanted to fill the compartments for this story, but with moving house I have no idea where my bag of shells etc is! 🤣

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I have loads I can send you from my morning walks on the beach!

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Now I require a console table. Apparently the table on the back wall needs a lady to converse with in the evening.

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🤣🤣 Well, you wouldn’t want the table to get lonely!

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Gosh my gay best friend feels a lot g time ago! What a wonderful story and how lovely that Freddy is now where he deserves - centre stage!!

My bike is called Pebbles - she’s probably been out as much as a Benjamin! Xxx

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Pebbles and Benjamin should hook up Penny! 🤣🤣

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Ooh I bet they’d love each other! X

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🤣🤣💝

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You're such an entertaining wordsmith, JP! Iove this story.

Trust you to gravitate towards E. M. Forster village. Must be that instinctive serendipity that comes from inside you.

Talking about anthropomorphism, one of my stories for children features a cloud as protagonist!😅

Anyway, good old Freddy has finally found his home. I think he's a beauty. How lovely of you to credit where you got the idea from. Yet, the style is all your own. What a beautiful talented friend you have in Amanda.

Happy Sunday.

Frannyx

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I’d like to read that story of yours Frances. Amanda is so talented. Yes, super important to always acknowledge inspiration. X

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Have always loved this console and love it even more now I have read this story 👏

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Oh thank you darling. I feel like he’s finally found his home.

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Thank you for sharing another lovely story JP! I’m looking forward to reading next Sunday’s story!🙋🏼‍♀️🫶🏻🥂Cheers!

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So glad you enjoyed it Chriss. Have the loveliest day.

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Love it! I had a couple of those printing trays and hung them on walls in our London house and filled them with my Mother’s collection of thimbles. But as hard as I tried I couldn’t find a suitable wall in our cottage! Should have made them into a console table!! Thanks JP. Xx

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I bet that was lovely Marion. Have you still got them?

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No, I gave them to a local friend who follows you on Insta. Xx

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Oh how kind.

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What a lovely heart warming tale!! Note to self to re-watch Room With A View 🏊🏼‍♀️ My plants all have names and back stories too! My olive tree is called Lazarus having been retrieved from a friend's bin looking like a very dead stick! After a dodgy start he is now fully recovered and thriving in my sunny garden 🫒💚 Have a lovely Sunday JP 💙

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Lazarus sounds wonderful. I call my dad the same name after rising from the dead. We were planning his funeral, now he’s fine!

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Oh my word!!! I shall think of this as I chat to Lazarus each day!! 💙

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🤣🤣😳🌱

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Morning Jp. What a wonderful story about Freddy, he sounds and looks fabulous. I love how you name certain things, really brings them to life, I shall have to give that some thought in my home. Xx

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I only name the best objects or plants. They do have to be special. Xxx

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Ahhh he’s just the right height isn’t he for your new spot ! This will be the year when you fill it with treasures . I have an old bike with a basket , a puch Toledo. It keeps its name , as it’s perfect! I rode it yesterday and as I was pulling back up home , Cliff said why don’t you take it back to the shop and get a new one in part exchange ? I felt my heart squeeze . We need to keep what we love don’t we ? Happy Sunday darling X

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Oh my I can just imagine your heartstrings being pulled when Cliff said that. Some things are for life Nic. Xxx

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It’s true isn’t it X

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What a beautiful story and a lovely friend in Amanda, her work is amazing. You’ve made me think about moving our sofa and putting a console behind it.

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Go on Sandra! You know you want to! Amanda is super talented and such a good friend. X

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Loved reading that this morning! I love that you call ‘things’ names! I remember ‘Balcony’ etc. Really makes me giggle. I’m sure ‘Freddy’ loves the barn, he looks very at home there. Enjoy your Sunday ❤️xx

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Oh Freddy is completely in his element. Apparently he won against Sebastian the smoking room chair at a game of Gin Rummy last night!

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He’s a boy isn’t he!! 😆❤️

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Most certainly!

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