Monday 21 December 2015

STEPHAN'S SIX - CAROL DRINKWATER


Forever associated with the character of Helen Alderson, James Herriot's wife in the BBC series All Creatures Great And Small, Carol Drinkwater set pulses racing as the sexy wife of the Yorkshire vet. She left the programme after three series and two Christmas specials, because of other work commitments, and was replaced by Lynda Bellingham. Carol's television and film career is extensive, but a love of writing revealed itself when she bought an old olive farm in France's Le Cannet. Now a successful author of the Olive Farm Series of books, amongst others, what would she make of "Stephan's Six"?

What is the first smell that you can remember?
Burning is my first smell. It was not actually the first smell I recall, but the one I remember most vividly. At a very young age I was pretending to iron, copying my mother, after she had left the kitchen and gone for a bath. I plugged the iron in and then she called me to the bathroom. I always used to like to wash her back and cover her in soap suds, so I lay the iron flat on the board when I heard her calling my name. We were laughing in the bathroom when a terrible smell of burning wafted up the stairs. I knew straight away that I was in BIG trouble.

What perfume do you remember your mum or dad wearing?
It was Yardleys' Lavender Water for my mum and Old Spice for my father. I always bought a bottle for her birthday and Christmas presents, and felt a rush of excitement when she opened my gift.

What was the perfume of your twenties?
Definitely Opium by Yves Saint Laurent. I was quite well known for it. A cameraman once said that the crew knew when I had arrived in the building because they could smell my perfume.

What was your biggest perfume mistake?
Verveine. I didn't wear it, but I once found a man who wore it very attractive… say no more... big mistake. (I'm sure that we can all link perfumes to relationships).

You can only choose one perfume, what would it be?
This is easy, Chanel No5. It has been my perennial for years, and I simply couldn't be without it. (A true signature scent).

What perfume should I try?
I buy my husband, Michel, Allure by Chanel. That is pretty sexy, I think, so I would say for you to try that.

Carol's latest novel, The Forgotten Summer, is available from Amazon and you can also read more about the olive farm at www.caroldrinkwater.com.

4 comments:

  1. Chanel No5 is my signature scent too, has been for decades. I remember my mother and paternal grandmother wearing it, so it has lots of pleasant associations.

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    1. Hello Judith, it's wonderful when a fragrance spans generations, in your case a magnificent three generations! Have a great Christmas and Thankyou for reading. Stephan

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  2. Sorry I missed this, was before I knew about your blog. Really interesting rad. Thanks for the link Stephan.

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    1. Hello Bary, Carol is always surrounded by a cloud of Chanel No.5, and I always smell of her when we've been together! Best, Stephan

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