I should have added my name Diane Westlake

I am so happy that I have discovered you and your podcast. It was through an X post. My world is now a more pleasant place with your voice, your readings and your gentle presence. I am a senior and live in Ontario Canada, with English grandparents. I feel very connected to the material you cover in your programme. It brings me much joy.

Dear Gretel, I don't know if you can receive this text, as I live in Chicago, IL, USA. My name is Nancy Leoni, and I very much appreciate the shout-out to your "new subscriber" -- me. My subscription was a Christmas present to myself as I so want you to continue expressing your lovely, informal, and hopeful thoughts and meanderings with me and your other supporters. Just as an FYI, I am poetrylover1992 on Bluesky. It would be nice to know if this text message gets to you or if it is better that I send an email. Also, I look forward to listening to Barnaby Rudge. I read it years ago, so because my brain is a sieve, I can't remember a thing. I just know I loved it, as I have all of Charles Dickens's works. Happy New Year, and thank you for reminding me that we are surrounded by beauty even during tough times.

I have really enjoyed your readings from the introduction to Wuthering Heights & the extract from 3 Men in a Boat. And I thought the history of boats in Salcombe was really interesting. I know your holiday wasn’t what you were hoping but the readings & musings have been just right. Thank you.

Dear Gretel, just a quick note to say that I was so taken with the first reading from Scenes from a Clerical Life that I immediately went and ordered it. On the same day I found a very good, used, copy of The Woodlanders with nice woodcut illustrations. Still enjoying Pepys and Bede, too....and the Church crawlings...and the notes from a Dorset garden. All the best, Brendan

Just discovered. Can’t wait. Should I start with the first episode?

listening to your universals episode and just have to say how much I admire your honesty. I think you’re wiser than you know! I recognise so much of what you say but think that you might have missed how much you’re changing yourself through doing the podcast. Suddenly realising I’ve hit the post-career stage has been enormously liberating - all of a sudden it doesn’t matter that you never made CEO/General/PM and I wonder if that’s true for you too. Anyway thanks for the pleasure I get from listening

Thank you for my daily drink of restorative tea. Authentic, thoughtful, charming and so full of joy and hope. I am rooting for you Gretel and feel you’re rooting for us! Katerine, Toulouse

I've appreciated your exploration of anticipatory grief, as a palliative care nurse I've wanted to reach out and reassure you that spending the time with your mother was the best thing you could have done. Your readings are so soothing and thoughtful. My condolences for your mother's death, she must have felt such comfort when you were with her.💕

I'm so very sorry for your loss

I've just download OUR MUTUAL FRIEND so I'll be reading along from Solvang in California. Wishing you all the best!

thank you for this charming and profound podcast! It brings me great comfort.

love listening

Hello Gretel. I've just started listening to your Beede Pod on grief. I saw the green light and really fancied a small cup of tea, so if I may, ill join you. My name is Seana. Thank you for your efforts and endevours.

Good Morning! I’ve just found you on Twitter! Like you I follow all sorts of interesting archeologists, historians and all those in between and never knew that it could be so brilliantly enlightening. Happily, I seem to avoid all of the dross that I was always led to believe Twitter was full of and instead I love discovering fellow enthusiasts like yourself and a fellow Dorset girl no less - how fabulous! I loved your pod cast and will listen out for more - v brave! Have a happy weekend…Sarah (Nr Milton Abbas) X

Were you at the Friendless Churches AGM at Crichel a few Saturdays ago? We may have already met!

...and you follow the brilliant Andy Marshall 👏👏👏👏

I just stumbled across your podcast and wanted to say how much I enjoyed it. So gentle, beautifully read and thought-provoking. Thank you. I host Devon Book Club and would love to talk more. Best Wishes Ian.

hello