Tuesday 7 June 2011

The Archers Sunday 5th June 2011: Shula returns to St Stephens

  • Shula gives Strength
  • Alan’s Apt
  • Susan’s got Scones
  • Is it still someone’s birthday when they’ve died?
  • South Borchester Puppy Show 2011
  • Puppy walkers
  • Christine in gossipy mood
  • Caroline’s in the dog house
  • What makes a good ‘un?
  • No! Not Oliver’s new hat!
  • The Church is the answer?



Shula gives Strength

Shula did accompany Jill to St Stephens, and seems to have made a world of difference to our rather tired Jill.

Alan seemed to be trying to temp Shula back to St Stephens by saying she looked lovely.

And Shula seemed to be quite happy.

Whether Shula does return to St Stephens or not, she helped Jill to miss Phil less, and also gave her strength during a rather tense time with her family.


Alan’s Apt

Which we do come to expect of Alan. Always the right word, phrase, sentiment, feeling, at the right time.

During the service, Alan’s prayer was on forgiveness (not much of that going round Jill’s side of the Archers clan at the moment).


Susan’s got Scones

And earlier on offered to bring Shula more Clingfilm for the Puppy Show.

She’s in charge of the scones and cream, and seems to be kept so busy that she doesn’t utter a peep the whole Puppy Show.



Is it still someone’s birthday when they’ve died?

I suppose not. Must be more of an anniversary of when they were born, for the folks that knew them that are still of this world.

Anyhoo, it’s Nigel’s birthday on Wednesday.

[Jill] “Oh, will there never be an end of this, Shula?”

I don’t think so. Birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Sundays, Tuesdays, favourite brand of crisps … this will go on and on.

Jill is worried that Elizabeth is going off on a day course, on Historic House, with Roy on Nigel’s birthday.

Better to be busy?


South Borchester Puppy Show 2011

Jill and Phil might have disagreed about hunting, but all folks love a nice puppy.

Especially when there are mountains of sandwiches to be had.

Sarnies and Puppies.

Perfect.


Puppy walkers

I also didn’t realise this, but the hunt dogs are kept by folks in their homes when they’re puppies, before they’re old enough to join the hunt.

And those folks are called puppy walkers.

That’s superb!

I’d be one myself, if I didn’t already foster racing greyhounds as they’re retired from track (to how them what a house is, not to be scared of the hoover, and how to enjoy their retirement. Brief shout-out for the charity I foster for: http://www.dgrescue.org.uk/)


Christine in gossipy mood

Christine’s at the Puppy Show with Freddie and Lily.

She slights that Mandy Beevesbrough (sp?) has to dye her hair red now.

And she then starts joking.

Yes – joking!

At her time of life … well, I never.

[Christine] “The definition of hock is the financial condition of most horse owners …”

And then she started telling Seymour, the huntsman’s, joke:

[Christine] “There was this stud groom who had too much to drink …”

… but the secret microphone moves on elsewhere before we can hear the punch line.

Naughty, on oh so many levels.



Caroline’s in the dog house

(which I know is a bad joke, but she said it first)

[Oliver] “So, where exactly are you, my sweet?”

Don’t let the “my sweet” fool you. Oliver is absolutely fuming that Caroline has missed the start (and most of the rest) of the Puppy Show.

[Oliver] “ …you just slink in , after I started my speech when I couldn’t say anything!”

Caroline had staff issues at Grey Gables, which couldn’t be helped, really.

But Oliver’s not a happy chappy.

He even made ‘text’ sound like a major affront.

(Caroline had the audacity to send him one, rather than turning up in time).

[Oliver] “The point is, I felt completely humiliated, everyone was wondering where you were”
Oops.

Retirement soon for Caroline?



What makes a good ‘un?

Seemingly puppy Cheerful looks a good ‘un (according to Christine).

[Christine] “Nice sloping shoulders, and a good length neck, and his stern’s not too curly”

No! Not Oliver’s new hat!

Oliver’s hat blew off as he was making the opening announcements at the Puppy Show.

It was okay, as Molly Button managed to retrieve it (much to Lily’s annoyance, and, I imagine, all of the wee hounds in training).

But, it was a new hat. Especially bought for the Puppy Show.

Poor Oliver. Even the small pleasures in life seem to go a bit astray.


The Church is the answer?

Alan would certainly be the right person to try and broker a peace between Elizabeth and David,

Jill certainly wishes that Elizabeth and David had the church to fall back on.

[Jill] “Just to give them that time out to reflect on it all … look outside themselves for a moment … it might help Elizabeth to forgive David, and for David to …”

[Alan] “ … forgive himself …”

[Jill] “Exactly, he can’t let it go”

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