Sweet Cyder is a Great Thing, writes T Hardy; Pepys remarks on King Charles II Ordinary Mien; and we Learn how to Diagnose the Birth of Gothic Architecture

Listener mail is warmly welcomed 🙋‍♀️Good evening dear friends, old and new.  This is more of an audio-journal than a podcast, so do bear that in mind and refrain, if at all possible, from giving me a low rating, which grieves me much 😓.  I have no team, money or equipment and I’d be so grateful if you’d take that into account.  And if you’ve not yet rated this, I’d be overjoyed if you could take the time to give me a nice rating.  Thank you so much 🌞What are you up to this Tuesday?  How are you this early August week?  How caught up are you in the horror of international events?  Are you suffering or grieving?  Struggling with the bleak moments that creep up on us all?  Do share with me and I promise to reply, either privately or an episode, if you give me permission.  Do share any photos or thoughts on what I’ve said. And do correct me when I’m wrong; or let me what’s annoying.Best wishes G [email protected] Support the showGretel le Maître likes to look for the beauty and curiosities in life, one day at a time.  She shares with you snippets from books about history, art and literature and regularly takes you on adventures to new locations, to explore churches, cathedrals and architecture.  We’ve reached over 80,000 downloads.  Don’t try to listen in order, unless you’re very committed.  Dip in and out, choosing an episode based on the title information.  Whether you are interested in history, literature, poetry or one-to-one chatting, I try to give you something that will interest you.  This is a podcast for the curious, the kind and - possibly - the suffering or lonely.  Historian Tom Holland is the Honorary Patron of this podcast.  Thank you Tom🙏 Gretel invites you to accompany her as she navigates the world a day at a time;  the podcast is unscripted, it’s ad-free.Gretel loves the world and history, architecture, literature and people. And so is determined to walk this path with light footsteps and with humour and warmth.  Let’s gather up the beautiful things and ponder them in our hearts.Top 10 in Global Rankings according to Listen Notes.  I would be so grateful if you would spare the time to give me a kind review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 😬☺️🥴Previous guests include  historian Tom Holland; Sir Richard Eyre; Actors Guy Henry and Enzo Cilenti; Art historian Philip Mould; Writer David Willem; Author Nicola Cornick; Composer Matthew Coleridge; Vicar Angela T...