35 Comments

Thanks for sharing Kate, sobbing your way through love actually feels very fitting. Hope the second trip was more fun - it looks it! Hope you have a lovely Christmas and see you in the new year x

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Thanks Hannah, have a lovely Xmas and New Year! 😘

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Ah Kate, thanks for sharing. It was a jollier trip this time around wasn't it. Enjoy your Christmas break.

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It really was a fab day! 😘

And thanks for stopping by my front row balcony for an Intermission chitchat… which hopefully proved to the Christmas Jumpered couple on my right that I wasn’t lying when I (weirdly) felt the need to say “I am part of a larger group” as I squeezed past them pre-curtain up! 😂😂😂

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Ha ha! Snow white likes to stop by.

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My favourite annual boo-hoo! Our Christmas Eve tradition here is prosecco, charcuterie and Love, Actually. The scene where Emma Thompson smooths out the duvet on the bed to the strains of Both Sides Now is all I can think about before watching the film, during, after and still. Even typing this out now makes me feel like I swallowed my coffee mug sideways.

Thanks for sharing both of your sides, then and now, and filling the gaps for your dear readers on your Gap Year. Enjoy your holiday regroup and keep being fabulous, Kate!

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Aaah, thanks so much Jules! 😘

I love that Emma Thompson scene, although I don’t think I’ve ever seen it in focus… usually in floods by then. 🥲

Enjoy the festivities! 🥳

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If you want to totally dehydrate yourself, follow Love Actually up with The Family Stone! Happy egg nog fog, Kate!

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I haven’t seen The Family Stone! It’s now on the list, thank you! 😘

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You'll now have a Christmas double bill! Family Stone is star-studded too but watching it is open-heart surgery!

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It's on the agenda for tonight! 😃

PS. Have you seen UK TV series Cheaters? Quite a masterpiece, and the episodes are only about 10 mins long so you can do the entire series in one sitting!

They've just released the first half of the second series, which I binged on yesterday having rewatched the first series first... I'm undecided so far, hopefully the second half will pull it all together... or maybe they should have left Series 1 in isolated perfection. It's on BBC iPlayer, can you get that where you are? x

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Looks like we can watch Cheaters on something called Plex! It's amazing what we can turn into one sitting. I call it Film Fest Fitness. I'll trust your masterpiece designation, Kate!

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What a lovely, sweet little sharing moment. You've done so well, in so many areas, don't stop writing, it makes you the very best version of yourself. Xx

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Awwww, thanks Em. 😘

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I LOVE going to the movies by myself. In fact, if I get a decent amount of writing done today I plan to go see Wolf Man at 10:45 🙈 we have a $5 movie theater near us so I’ve been going at least once a month!

I love this peek inside your life! Keep going🤎

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Thank you so much for the praise, it's really encouraging. 🥰

Our cinema is only £5/ticket too, so I plan to go much more this year! 🍿

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Almost hate to admit this here but I have never seen Love, Actually. Everyone I know loves it and considers the movie their favorite holiday flick. I am afraid I will cry...don't even know the premise of the story but that seems to be an emotion that viewers share. I enjoyed this post and I am so glad that fast forward to your life now and you are able to enjoy the film with a cadre of Substackers - terrific fun. And, that you are in a much happier place in your life. Single parenting is not easy but it is rewarding. Happy 2025. Here's much good health and memory making.

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Thanks so much! x

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Oof! That probably wasn't the movie to see when you were going through that. 😬

Have you ever, or do you often go to the cinema on your own? Yes. All the time. I actually reveled in it when I was first able to go by myself. Still do.

Which is your favourite sub-plot of Love Actually? I remember this movie, but I DON'T remember this movie. If that makes sense. I don't remember who all the couples are, but if this is the one with Hugh Grant befriending the young boy, then I think that's the part I enjoyed. Espesh that part where he boogies across the floor a la Tom Cruise in "Risky Business." LOL

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Thanks for sharing this Kate, I love how things worked out for you and it's been an absolute blast getting to know you IRL this year during our little pub meet-ups 👍🥰 Bring on 2025! Wishing you a very Merry Christmas! 🎄🥂☃️

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I can’t believe I’ve only just seen this! Just proves my Substack Christmas break was a reality! 😂

Have loved getting to know you too, and I hope we have lots of meet-ups IRL again this year. Happy New Year Eva! 😘 🎉

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Awww thanks Eva, likewise! 😘

I hope we have many more IRL meet-ups in 2025! Have a fantastic Christmas! 🎄🎉

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THAT Joni Mitchell song when Emma T opens THAT present! Happy holidays. S

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I know! Am filling up just thinking about it. 🥲

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Not sure I should admit this, but I've never seen Love Actually!! Sounds like a great trip this time for you. Have a great Christmas.

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You’re lucky to be able to watch it for the first time now! It is a bit dated, but the stories are sweet, give it a watch!

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Thank you for sharing! It was lovely meeting you - Wishing you a Christmas full of love 🥰

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You too, have a fantastic festive break. 😘🎄🎉

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What a lovely reflection Kate, and cheers to this viewing being a better experience than the first time around!

Always lovely to see you, and grateful to have connected with you this year 🥂

Wishing you a very love-filled Christmas! 🥰

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You too Lauren, lovely to connect and I’ll hopefully see more of you in 2025! 😘

Have a fab Christmas! 🥳

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This American adores Love Actually. It’s a go-to holiday flick.

Tough to pick a favorite scene.

I love that all the Substackers in the pic are all women.

Merry Christmakkah.

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Hee hee, yes! Weirdly the male Substackers didn’t flock to this event! 😉

Have a fab Christmas and NY! 😘

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Lovely to see you, and weep with you (from my own section of the balcony) as well as raise a glass to all the change and chasing the fun! Looking forward to seeing what happens for you in 2025 ❤️

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You too Michaella! 🥂

I’m looking forward to seeing how your story unfolds too, I think 2025 will be a fab one for you! 👏😘

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