Sunday 21 November 2010

The Archers Mon 15th Nov 2010: Tony agrees

The Archers: A pig Ark is damaged … Tony’s going to the Race Evening …Tom and Brenda aren’t … Tom’s big plans … Nigel’s big plans … Jazzer and Eddie’s big plans for Nathan

  • The Ark is going to take some hammering out
  • Tony has an evening off
  • “Saving our money for the one eyed bear”
  • Tom’s finished the great Light Bulb survey
  • Deck the Halls does indeed sound marvellous!
  • Nathan’s heading for a big loss
  • “Saint Clarrie o the perpetual ironing board!”
  • Jack’s reduced to making decorations
  • “You weren’t waiting for me to start supper!?!”
  • Helen’s hobbling




The Ark is going to take some hammering out

Which is entirely Tom’s fault for not moving it, despite Jazzer warning him.

Tom then assumes Jazzer can stop on to help out, but:

[Jazzer] “You’re way overdrawn at the bank of big favours”

And anyway, Jazzer has to see Eddie, get something to eat … then it’s off to Panto rehearsal.

[Jazzer] “Cause there’s nothing I’d rather be daein, expect sticking me heid down a cludgie”


Tony has an evening off

At first blaming Jazzer for talking him into going to the Race Evening, Tony admits that he’s actually happy to be going out as Kathy is coming over.

Again.

Seemingly Tony does feel sorry for her, but she does tend to go

“about Jamie all of the time”



“Saving our money for the one eyed bear”

Which sounded incredibly rude, but was only about Children in Need.

Tom and Brenda are saving their pennies for the quiz on Friday, which is in aid of Children in Need, so that means they won’t be at the Race Evening in aid of the British Legion.

Is it just me, or does that seem a bit tight? Surely they can support both, especially they’re both working (and could have two nights out … steady!).



Tom’s finished the great Light Bulb survey

And didn’t Tony sound excited when Tom told him.

(not at all)

So with such a lack of demonstrable enthusiasm, I found it very odd indeed that Tony that agreed to all of Tom’s plans without even a hint of protest.

Is Tom completely right?

Has Tony just been swayed by savings?

Or has Tony genuinely had enough of being nagged and harassed from all quarters?

Whatever Tony’s motivations, Tom can now:

  • Replace all existing lights in the cattle building with high pressure sodium lamps (24 lamps a shed)
  • Replace the flood lights with security lights that use energy bulbs (and have top rims to cut out light pollution)
  • AND can buy the new refrigeration for the milking parlour

All very well, but with some of the initial cost having to go onto the overdraft, can we sense a whole new round of financial problems heading its way to Bridge Farm?




Deck the Halls does indeed sound marvellous!

The website pages are ready – the dates are set (5th to 24th December) – and the German Market will be on its way soon.

Yes folks – it’s the rather magical Deck the Hall at Lower Loxley, in only its second year.

Nigel and Elizabeth didn’t mention how much the entrance fee is, but some of the attractions include:

  • Traditional decorations
  • Stollen
  • Mulled wine
  • Gluhwein
  • Santa*
  • Ice rink
  • Greenery
  • Carol Singers
  • Horse drawn carriage rides (which you do have to pay extra for)
  • Nativity scene
  • “Breath-taking display of living Christmas trees”
Even Cranford (the horse) is “back in the harness” to help out.

I quite agree with Nigel that the

“whole place is going to be magical this Christmas”

and wish I could make it down.

I think we also need to keep an eye on the Open House day Nigel and Elizabeth are planning for January 2nd.

“Let the whole clan see this place while it’s still in its winter finery”

Hmmm. The thing is, when a family event like that is mentioned, you know there’s going to be a falling out;.


*Nigel and Elizabeth seem to think Santa comes via an agency, but we (of course) know that he personally sends his own deputies to cover all of the Santa Visit requirements, while he’s busy making those toys and checking those lists

“Both Father Christmas’ are confirmed … we don’t want a repeat of last year’s missing Santa horror”

“[the agency must have a] substitute bench full of Christmas elves waiting for their big break”



Nathan’s heading for a big loss

Well, if Jazzer and Eddie’s plans go right. Which would be a first.

Eddie’s given Nathan the ‘winners’ for the Race Evening. Nathan has also gone for the ploy of losing some, winning others, but waiting until the last race to

“Then pile everything onto a dead cert”

At least if it does come to blows, at least it will be 2 on 1.



“Saint Clarrie o the perpetual ironing board!”

Was Jazzer’s horrified response to hearing that Clarrie knew of their ploy to trick Nathan.

Jazzer was a bit more confident after Eddie reassured that Clarrie was livid at Nathan trying to take advantage of a charity event.

I wonder who could lose their nerve first.



Jack’s reduced to making decorations

Don’t get me wrong – I’d also be quite happy making tree decorations, but I found it a bit sad to think of the powerhouse that Jack once was.

Now he’s best kept busy with basic ‘fun’ tasks.



“You weren’t waiting for me to start supper!?!”

Oh Tony, that was too close for comfort.

Lucky that Pat became distracted by Tom’s talk of light bulbs.

Although you didn’t mention about waiting for Pat to come home to start tea, you had made mention that you wanted to grab a bite. Which is not the same as making food for the whole family.

Cheeky!



Helen’s hobbling

Pat reports that Helen “is in such discomfort”, as her knee really hasn’t had a chance to get better.

After Pat and Kirsty harassing her, Helen has:

“Finally admitted it was getting too sore”

And might go in late tomorrow, or even take the afternoon off of work.

“Saying she’ll look after herself is one thing – getting her to do it is another”

Come on Helen! You’re fated to be miserable, but why make the chance of that even greater?

2 comments:

imipak said...

"The thing is, when a family event like that is mentioned, you know there’s going to be a falling out;."

What a shame you were so prescient...

Inga McVicar said...

Absolutely agree. The world's a slightly less jolly place without Nigel.