Adam’s not at home: Fri 03.08.12

The Archers Friday 3rd August 2012

• Ruth is serenading her ‘girls’
• Eddie’s fame spreads
• Ian and Adam have a barney prt 2
• It’s raining
• It’s too late for the bees
• Keith’s a clype
• Olympics, grans and sex on the beach
• David breaks out the wine

Ruth is serenading her ‘girls’

Singing alone with Adele.

Wish she wouldn’t.

What an awful voice!


Eddie’s fame spreads

[David] “He’s a sculpturer with a growing reputation, don’t know if he’ll lower himself to driving a corn trailer!”

Seems his PR coup has also brought him some sales.

Crafty wee so and so!


Ian and Adam have a barney prt 2

Ian tells Adam about his chat with Brian.

[Adam] “So you’re all ganging up on me now!”

Later on:

[Ian] “He wants you to stay at Home Farm.”

Adam reckons that might be so, but they’ve made it impossible for him to stay.

[Ian] “You’ve lost the argument, it’s going ahead … your previous principles … what about all your other arable crops you’ve grown over the years … just because you don’t approve of this one case .. .you;re going to jeopardise our entire life!”

And Ian is most annoyed that Adam has asked him for an opinion at all. Not once. Which is rather like Brian not consulting Adam …

[Ian] “You might like to think of the consequences of your actions then … all this talk about moving away, have you thought about what you’d be giving up. Have you thought about what I’d be giving up … and look what I’d lose if we did.”

Ian loves Ambridge. His job. His boss. His friends. Being part of the community.

[Ian] “We’re accepted here.”

When Ian happens to mention what might happen to Adam’s inheritance if he leaves:

[Adam] “Ah, I get it. That’s what this is about … my inheritance. Your chance, one day, of opening your own place!”

[Ian, beyond fury] “How dare you. How can you say that. I don’t give a damn about your inheritance for me. I care about you going nuclear and abandoning everything that’s good in our life. And before you start pointing the finger at my motivation, maybe you should take a close look at yourself. I am sick to death of you playing Mr morale high and mighty, Brian and Debbie aren’t monsters, they’re not trying to poison people, they’re just trying to produce milk in a way that gives the farmer a decent wage when practically no one else in the country can do it … and honestly if I hear one more word about how fulfilling and uplifting your time in Africa was, I think I’ll break something. You go bleating on …”

Ian tells Adam that he’s only got what he has because of Brian.

[Adam] “I’m paying the mortgage!”

[Ian] “We’re paying the mortgage!!! … For all your talk about Africa, since you came back, have you followed up any of the work you did out there?”

[Adam] “I kept in touch.”

[Ian] “Rubbish. You’re nothing but a hypocrite.”

Ouch. String stuff from both.

When Ian later gets home, Adam isn’t there.

Ominous …


It’s raining

Bout time too!

Not that I’d wish it on anyone, but Ambridge did seem to have escaped the horrific summer that the rest of us have been having. Seems not so. They’ve had it as bad as the rest of us (they just never really mentioned it before, which is odd for a Brit).

But it’s bad news for the harvest, which is another problem Adam doesn’t need.

[Ruth] “And don’t you worry. You will get it in. Always do.”

It’s too late for the bees

Aw!

Seems the sun has come too late, so the bees won’t be a strong bunch this year.

[Ruth] “But Josh liked his new bee suit. And at least his new one has room for him to grow.”

Well, that’s okay then.

(!)


Keith’s a clype

The Police have arrested three more members of the gang, which David reckons means they must have the whole gang now.

[David] “So, presumably, Keith must have coughed the lot.”

Won’t that mean Keith’s going to have a hellish time in prison?

And The Horrobins might start getting nasty phone calls?!?


Olympics, grans and sex on the beach

[Josh] “I wanted to watch the trampolining”

[Ruth] “Since when have you watched trampolining?”

Well, the Olympics does bring out the random sports that we all become riveted. Quite normal, really.

It gets worse for Josh. Not only is he not allowed to watch the telly (they are about to sit down and eat), he’s getting fish and chips for tea. Normally That would be marvellous, but it’s home cooked. By Ruth.

And back onto the Olympics – mind that Alistair had got himself, Shula and Daniel tickets in the lottery? Well they’re off now, to watch the riding.

[David] “Shula can barely contain herself. Alistair must be one popular guy in that household.”

Then Pip starts texting Josh with pictures from her holiday – sun, sand and …

[Josh] “It’s not fair. Daniel gets to go to London. Pip’s having sex on the beach …”

[David] “What? Let me see that photo!”

[Ruth] “He means the cocktails”

(*snort*)

Poor Josh. All he got was a few days with Ruth’s mum.


David breaks out the wine

With the fish and chips.

He wants to celebrate that they can get back to ‘normal’ since the gang have all been arrested.

But, as David also said, there’s still the trial to get through …

Rich visits Bridge Farm 25.03.12

The Archers Sunday 25th March 2012

• Uncle Tom not interested?
• Eamon sounds like a nice chap
• First proper bee inspection
• When Rich met his grandparents

Uncle Tom not interested?

Though the coke and lemonade are on the ready, with Pat, tony and Helen nervously trying to prepare for Rich’s arrival, Tom heads out to feed the pigs.

[Tom] “Don’t worry mum. I’ll catch him later. If I get the chance”

Really Tom? Surely that’s a jest.


Eamon sounds like a nice chap

Just as Eamon and Rich are driving up to Bridge Farm, Eamon stops the car.

[Eamon] “it’s a good place to turn around, if you want to. Remember you’re the boss this morning .. it’s all happened so fat … believe me, no one will blame you if you change your mind”

[Rich] “It’s okay dad. I want to do this”

Good man.

He was also very calm and friendly during the visit, which couldn’t have been an easy one for him to have made. Rich is his boy.


First proper bee inspection

With Jill and Josh.

Though Josh is now getting too big for the bee suit Jill’s given him. He might have to get his own.

Jill was telling Josh to have patience as they are smoking the bees.

[Jill] “Let word spread it’s a forest fire before we open up”

[Pat] “One day they’ll work up it’s not really a fire!”

Jill reckons not.

And all seems well with the bees.

[Jill] “The bees have done well this winter.”

When Rich met his grandparents

[Eamon] “ This is it. These are your grandparents”

They all say help, and Rich says “nice to meet you”.

One of the first things Eamon asks on Rich’s behalf if a photo of John.

During Rich’s visit, he learns that bacon comes from pigs. That John was a good businessman (started up the pigs when he was 17), and was also a DJ.

As they were out walking.

[Rich] “Did he die near here?”

Tad morbid, but fair of him to ask. But Pat had taken them round the farm a different way.

Rich seemed to enjoy hanging out with Tom while he was dealing with a pig who had lost its yellow tag.

[Rich] “It’s what my father did, isn’t it … mum said he was good at it”

[Tom] “I expect that seems a bit weird. Most people don’t like pigs”

[Rich] “Sounds like a really cool guy”

Rich offers to help Tom, but he’s got his best jacket on. Though he sounds quite keen in helping out “next time”. That’s a good sign.

Back in the farm house, they’ve had lunch, and time to leave.

[Rich] “The ice cream was awesome!”

And he also liked the pigs, and farms.

[Rich] “They’re pretty cool. Once you get used to the smell”

(aha! He likes the pigs and the ice cream. This bodes well. Though Tom, Helen and Henry might not agree … inheritance split ahoy!)

As he’s leaving, Rich asked for a picture of John (he chose the one of him doing his DJ stuff), and also gave Pat a hug (though Eamon encouraged him to do so, he was quite glad to).

[Pat] “Isn’t it wonderful. Absolutely wonderful!”

Yay.

All’s well then.

For now.

Jim concerns a tie shop assistant 20.02.12

The Archers Tuesday 20th March 2012

• Let Brian eat cake!
• Andrew is a “silly man”
• The bees need sugar syrup
• Bert’s sorting Susan’s garden
• Jim accosts Christine (again)
• Alice is going to get an Easter egg
• Brian and cricket
• The village shop aggressively sells to kids
• Brookfield back on an even keel in 3 years

Let Brian eat cake!

As there’s no biscuits.

Andrew is a “silly man”

According to Jennifer.

Andrew Eagleton is on the BL board. Seems he’s panicking about all of the bad publicity about the Super Dairy, and wants to table a resolution for it to be withdrawn as a project.

[Jennifer] “Oh the silly man. He’s just panicking unnecessarily, surely”

Brian reckons not. Andrew has also got Martin Gibson concerned.

But there’s more.

[Brian] “Even some of our loyal customers are fed up of driving past the protestors, and are thinking of going somewhere else”

Brian’s panicking, so calls Debbie.

[Debbie] “I won’t let that happen … Leave it with me dad”

[Brian] “If we’re going to save this project, we need to do some sharp thinking”

(I still find it odd that Debbie calls Brian dad, by the way)



The bees need sugar syrup

Oh I do (genuinely) love Jill and her bees.

She was checking their food stocks today, and reckoned.

[Jill] “A couple of the hives do feel a bit light”

So she left them some sugar syrup on the brood box.

Ah.

Lucky bees.

(though I have no idea what a brood box is)



Bert’s sorting Susan’s garden

Doe the promise auction Susan won.

Though Ruth’s not so sure that it’s a good idea:

[Ruth] “Susan’s quite proud of her garden, Isn’t she?”

[Jill] “Yes, I hope she doesn’t take his suggestions the wrong way!”

But turns out it wasn’t Susan offended by Bert telling her what to do. It was the other way round.

[Ruth] “He came back most disgruntled, instead of helping her to design and create a fantastic garden for Ambridge View, he was up to his elbows in weeds and a bit of old pram at number 6 The Green”

Crafty.

That’s one way of getting Bert, Gary and Tracey’s garden sorted without Neil having to do it.


Jim accosts Christine (again)

[Jill on Christine] “Between you and me Ruth, she’s a bit worried at the moment … well, it’s Jim. He was a bit effusive in complimenting her last week … that her perfume smelt alluring”

[Ruth] “Alluring, you’re joking! Does that mean there’s a December romance in the offing?”

And they both have a good laugh at Christine and Jim’s expense … which wasn’t very nice of them.

Later on:

[Jennifer] “Oh, here comes Jim!”

[Christine] “Oh dear …”

[Jim] “Christine, just the woman I need. I have something quite important to ask you … it’s about a phone call of some consequence I need to make this afternoon, and I need you to be present, if you don’t mind … it’d make a chap very happy”

So Christine, very uncomfortably, agrees.

Later on:

[Jim] “As it was such a nice afternoon, I thought it’d be nice to do this out of doors … are you sitting comfortably? Then we’ll begin”

So, he calls someone to pay them a compliment.

[Jim, on the phone] “It was a very rewarding retail experience … of course I am, perfectly serious … unexpectedly knowledgeable on the subject of ties”

It sounded like the person on the other end of the phone hung up, but Jim just reckoned it was a bad connection due to them being in the garden.

Christine is perplexed.

[Christine] “I’m sorry Jim, you called me over to listen to a phone call to a tie shop?”

[Jim] “Gentleman’s outfitter, if you please”

Jim then records the compliment he has just given, and asks Christine to sign his book as a witness.

As she does so, she notices her name, and his compliment about her perfume, on the opposite page.

Ah. The penny drops. And Christine now gladly accepts lemonade from Jim.

Later on:

[Christine] “You’ll never guess what Jim had me doing this afternoon …”

[Jill] “That sounds intriguing!”

[Christine] “Not in the way you or me were thinking!”

Christine’s relieved, and quite tickled about Jim’s antics.

[Christine] “The poor boy in the tie shop this afternoon clearly thought he was bonkers”

Ach well. There’s nothing like a good old British farce to help us into Spring.



Alice is going to get an Easter egg

Jennifer is going to buy her one to cheer her up while she’s studying so hard.

Oh, and she also mentions she might get one for Ruairi.

Wee mite that he is.


Brian and cricket

I didn’t think that Brian was that interested in Ambridge Cricket club. But Jennifer seems to think the start of the season will help him relax.

She also mentioned that Jamie had asked Adam to help coach the youth team, but seems he’s too busy. Adam is going to ask a friend (in Yorkshire of all places, Christine was very surprised to hear … how odd of her).


The village shop aggressively sells to kids

Even Jill is in on the act.

She wants to get the Easter eggs out on display specifically before the school bus gets back in.

[Jill] “A suggestion from Lynda, she’s a great believer in pester power … not that that’d come to a surprise to anyone who knows her”

Brookfield back on an even keel in 3 years

So reckons the consultant.

The Archers Friday 3rd June 2011: Kate sits down to “talk sensibly”

• Phoebe’s birthday bound to be a farce?
• Abbie’s not an artistic type?
• Hayley has a blonde moment
• Open Farm Sunday will be at Home Farm
• Grumpy bees
• Kate tries to be an adult
• Cakes and rifts
• Shula’s comeback to St. Stephens?

Phoebe’s birthday bound to be a farce?

It’s Phoebe’s 13th birthday at the end of this month.

So, Roy and Hayley are busy planning. Village Hall, DJ, ‘bouncers’ to stop any cider being sneaked in (the bouncers will probably be a rotation of dads).


Abbie’s not an artistic type?

Roy and Hayley were being nice parents, and praising Abbie’s clay modelling efforts.

But both had to ask what it was she had just made for them (turned out to be cakes and tea).

Not to worry Abbie. You’re only 3. Plenty of time to find your calling.


Hayley has a blonde moment

[Hayley] “Lynda saw an Ostrich in the Forest of Dean”

On Roy saying ‘you what?’

[Hayley] “No … Goshawk … .knew there was on o in it somewhere”

Bless.


Open Farm Sunday will be at Home Farm

Phew.

That kept me awake all night, worrying.

And David is also very relieved.

Though he feels like he should be doing it – especially as he is President of the NFU – but needs must.

[David] “Well it will be easier working as normal instead of trying to entertain the masses”

Wonder how the Aldridge’s will cope with the masses … probably first time they’ve come into close contact with ‘them’. Though, of course, there is the Carter side of their family.


Grumpy bees

[Jill] “They’re still quite grumpy in the third hive, I hope I don’t have to end up re-queening”

Anyone who’s read this blog will know that I love a bit of bee action.

Lovely to hear Jill talking about them, and that Josh is still interested and helping.

Marvellous.


Kate tries to be an adult

Earlier on, Hayley had been talking about Phoebe.

[Hayley] “She’s still got such a grump on about South Africa”

Considering it was Kate that caused all of the problem in the first place by promising Phoebe that she could live with her in South Africa, it’s only right that Kate tries to sort it out.

Very surprisingly, and quite out of character for Kate, she actually tries to do just that.

Kate doesn’t get off to a good start. She arrives at Roy and Hayley’s unannounced, when Roy is sat around in socks with holes in them.

[Kate] “Don’t worry Roy, I’ve seen you in much worse states, haven’t I?”

You could feel Hayley’s hackles go up at that one.

But down to business.

[Kate] “She (Phoebe) seems so unhappy”

[Hayley] “Well, she is getting tugged backwards and forwards rather a lot at the moment”

Kate explains that Phoebe’s heart is set on going to South Africa to live for a bit. Roy reckons it’s just what Phoebe “thinks she wants”. But Kate insists they still need to:

[Kate] “talk sensibly and calmly”

(blimey!)

Kate explains that “mum and dad” (Brian and Jennifer) will be paying for Phoebe’s flights. (wonder if they know about that). Roy explains he doesn’t want to lose Phoebe for a whole year. Hayley reckons Phoebe is too young to be making that sort of move. Kate thinks it’s an amazing opportunity at the right time for Phoebe (before she starts exams and such), and that Roy and Hayley need to think about it properly, “for Phoebe’s sake”.

When Kate leaves, Hayley starts on a ‘the nerve of her’ rant, but Roy isn’t so sure that Late doesn’t have a good point about this being an amazing opportunity for Phoebe.

[Roy] “What if we’re being selfish?”

But, Hayley seems to be thinking with heart not head.

[Hayley] “They’re both my daughters (Abbie and Phoebe), just the same, and I can’t bear to see her go for so long”

Roy reckons they’ve all got to compromise. Which is a point well made.

BUT – isn’t the real problem that Phoebe going to South Africa means that Kate will be looking after her?

Would any of us trust the care of a child (or anyone, of any age) to Kate?


Cakes and rifts

Shula and Jill are having a chat about the twins.

Seemingly Freddie was “enormously enthusiastic” about making cakes with Jill – to the point where Jill is still finding bits of ingredients around the kitchen – and Lily made a good Victoria sponge.

Shula reckoned that Freddie and Lily going to see Brookfield’s new puppy Tigg was a small step forward for Elizabeth and David, but Jill thinks not.

[Jill] “ …Roy took them … there was no change in her (Elizabeth) own attitude. If anything, she and David seemed to be accepting that it was a permanent rift”

Poor Jill. What a horrific situation for a mum.



Shula’s comeback to St. Stephens?

During times of difficulty, Jill could normally find solace in St. Stephens

[Jill] “And no matter how hot and busy life is outside, or cold and miserable, I’ve nearly always found great comfort there”

In a very poignant and moving speech, Jill explains that she can go to St. Stephens, sit quietly, and let go of her troubles. After which, she’d often find that she found a solution to her problems.

[Jill] “And very often, I’ve been filled with a certainty, a real sense of God being with me … that’s when I’d see if he had time to take notice of my little troubles. He always did”

But, not last week.

[Jill] “No, all I could think about was David and Elizabeth and this terrible row … I sat and prayed after the service. I couldn’t see any way forward. None at all. I felt so helpless”

So Jill wants Shula to come with her to St. Stephens this week. Even though Shula still hasn’t resolved her issue with Alan, Usha and ‘that’ statue …

[Jill] “I don’t want to be all on my own again”

Goodness. Phil is still very much missed.

The Archers Sunday 24th April 2011: We all get to go to Monte Carlo!

click the title above, or the'read more' link below the bullet points, to read the full post on this eavesdropping episode

• And that’s just Jolene’s travel outfit!
• Will will make George sick?
• “Hard-core bee freaks”
• “Egg crazy kids”
• Nooooo – not the shower!!!
• Ruth’s kind to Joe
• David feels guilty
• The shower hasn’t gone away …
• “Here we go”

And that’s just Jolene’s travel outfit!

[Fallon] “Ooh la la!”

[Kenton] “Knock out … you look great. Perfect.”

And they’re off! But not before Jolene checks and rechecks everything with Fallon.

[Fallon] “Just let it go mum, we’ll be fine, don’t worry”

Will will make George sick?

Things are really coming to a head between Will and Emma.

She’s now accusing his Easter egg of potentially having the ability to make George sick.

Child. Easter Egg. Potential of being sick.

Fairly atypical, I’d have thought?

Anyway, Will is now angry with Emma, but he is a good(ish) dad to George.

He’s doing exactly what Clarrie reckoned Ed should be doing with George – spending more time with him one-on-one; doing things that the big kids can’t do, making him feel wanted and special.

He was close to flaming George’s hatred/rivalry of Keira by saying that she was too naff to be able to hunt for Easter eggs at The Bull (I do paraphrase!) – but he was also encouraging George to collect more than Jake or Mia.

So all healthy sibling competition. I suppose.



“Hard-core bee freaks”

I do adore it when Jill starts on about her bees. Even better when she’s getting ready for a new season. And wonderful that Josh is still interested.

They seemingly went to a bee conference type thing together, where Josh persuaded Jill to buy a new hive.

Though it has to be remembered that while Josh may be a nice young chap, spending time with his grandmum doing bee stuff, he is just about to hit the ‘Jamie’ phase:

[Josh] “Some of those hard-core bee freaks though … talk about weird! I mean, in a good way gran. And not you …”

“Egg crazy kids”

Blimey! George found 14 Easter eggs. 14! Makes you wonder if he managed to get the lion’s share, or if The Bull had spent all of its last few months profit on eggs.

[Fallon] “Egg crazy kids. One of them is bound to OD on chocolate”

(see – I said it must be fairly atypical)



Nooooo – not the shower!!!

Jolene and Kenton arrive in their Monte Carlo hotel, with Jolene very suitably impressed by the size of the bed and that they have a balcony, with a sea view.

Sounds lovely.

But I did break out in a cold sweat at the following exchange:

[Jolene] “A nice big shower an all …”

[Kenton] “Oh yeah. That’s good to know”

(ye gods! Jolene then decides to have a shower straight away, so she can freshen up and try her new shower gel … apparently).

[Kenton] “Maybe I’ll dig mine out too. Would be good to freshen up”

No. Good god, no. Not again? Surely not again???

But Jolene then sends Kenton off to get a magazine she’d left at reception. She had a very weak excuse for it being so important he got it right now – something about her being halfway through a story. I never knew Take a Break (and the like) was actually readable.

To make absolute sure that Kenton has got the message, just before he heads out:

[Jolene] “I’ll see you in a bit then … after my shower”

Phew!



Ruth’s kind to Joe

I think Ruth is probably the only person left in Ambridge who is willing to give Joe the benefit of the doubt being outed (for bad mistletoe advice) at Gardeners’ Question Time.

[Ruth] “Was it really just a scam, or did he just get his facts wrong?”

Jill reckons the proof was in the Panel all advising that it was indeed the wrong time to propagate mistletoe seeds.



David feels guilty

Which is nothing new, since Nigel died, but he seems to be obsessing that anything which goes wrong at Brookfield is his fault.

Very true that he didn’t take care of Brookfield while Elizabeth needed him at Lower Loxley – and Ruth told him so many, many times – but wasn’t he meant to be moving on?

Must be difficult for Ruth now to persuade him that the low milk yield isn’t his fault, after all the very candid ‘discussions’ they’ve had over the last few months.

[Ruth] “I’ve tried my best to cheer him up, but it’s uphill work”

The shower hasn’t gone away …

As Kenton returns to the room, Jolene has finished her shower.

But, maybe I said my ‘phew’ too soon.

Jolene seems keen for Kenton to take a shower, but he’s keen to have some boozy juice.

[Jolene] “Drink first, eh … we could save that for later”

(later? No. Not later. Never. Ever).

The Jolene’s reticence becomes (potentially) clear.

[Kenton] “Jolene, you did see the sign on the door? In six different languages? This is a no smoking room!”

Kenton hadn’t caught Jolene smoking, or even smelt smoke. He was just suspicious that she’d been so keen to get him out of the room.

So they have a good giggle that Kenton thought Jolene was being sneaky, even though she claims she hadn’t been smoking.

And as she pointed out, she’d have had a smoke in the balcony rather than the room.

What’s more, Jolene claims she hasn’t had any cravings since they left Ambridge.

[Jolene] “Kenton, sweetheart, why would I want one with you here? … I daresay we’ll keep my mind off it somehow”

Which sounds fair enough.

And I had been wondering whether Jolene was actually okay with sharing a room – they haven’t spoken about taking the next step for a wee bit now (though Jolene did say she was ready).

Well, that’s that question sorted. She’s well up for it.

Good on her.



“Here we go”

Ruth and Jill tune their wirelesses just in time to catch Gardeners’ Question time.

Well it’s a first for me:

[Jill] “here we go!”

The Archers Monday 4th April 2011: Jill’s not happy with Kenton

click the 'read more' link below the bullet points to read the full post on this eavesdropping episode

• The Return of the Bees
• Roy’s definitely interested
• Kenton told the family
• Jamie is stopping Kenton getting his leg over
• No sympathy for Kathy
• That’s it for Johne’s?
• What did Jill actually say?
• Brian took Ruairi fishing
• Jill’s catering Gardeners’ Question Time

The Return of the Bees

Jill was feeding her bees today, but will be able to stop soon enough. Everything’s started to grow.

Later on:

[Jill] “See that the whole farm is coming into life again … the blossoms out … you’re getting the clamp ready for silaging …cows are out … the milk’s gushing into the tank”

Stay steady folks. Summer is on its way .



Roy’s definitely interested

So Elizabeth is putting together an offer for him.

But keep it quiet … Elizabeth’s not quite ready to be bitch-slapped by Caroline.


Kenton told the family

I wondered why Jill sounded so off with Kenton (as then did Elizabeth wonder)..

[Jill] “Elizabeth, what does he expect? After what he told us at the weekend …”

He “killed two birds” and told Shula and Jill about him seeing Jolene, both at the same time.

He’d already told Elizabeth (who didn’t give a hoot), and Shula wished them well after first being a bit stunned.

Jill, however, is none too amused. As we’d come to expect, of our Jill.




Jamie is stopping Kenton getting his leg over

And Jolene from doing likewise!

Totally unintentional (of course), but Jamie staying at The Bull means Kenton and Jolene can only grab a quick snog.



No sympathy for Kathy

It might just be because Kenton and Jolene are currently in deep lust, but I’m finding their total disregard for Kathy a bit callous.

Jolene jokes about the run-in she had with Kathy:

[Jolene] “I’ve been in worse cat fights over the years … at least no hair pulling”

And they don’t seem to give a monkey’s about how Kathy feels at Jamie also abandoning her.

Maybe Jolene really does have a master plan to remove all male persons from Kathy’s life.


That’s it for Johne’s?

Only 1 out of 3 cows prefer …ahem … have Johne’s, and Alistair has traced it back through the herd.

David’s being morose about what yield they’ve probably lost over the years, but Jill’s trying to cheer him up:

[Jill] "David, you sound just like your father”

[David] “Thanks a lot. Is that supposed to make me feel better?”

[Jill] “Yes. It’s a compliment.”

And so it is David.

That you become as good a man as Phil …


What did Jill actually say?

I’m intrigued.

Just exactly y what was Jill’s response to Kenton telling her he was seeing Jolene.

Jolene reckons Jill wasn’t amused because of her rather colourful (“scandalous”, says Jolene) past:

[Jolene] “I’m well aware I wouldn’t be your family’s first choice “

But Kenton reckons not. It’s more about him than her.

[Kenton] “Let’s face it. Mum’s well past being shocked by anything I do”

But it just goes to show that Kenton knows nothing about his mum.

Jill later says to David that she was shocked. How could he do this to Kathy? And that Sid has been dead long enough.

[David] “It’s not the first time Jolene’s ended up with her bloke”

And of course – this all gives David another good reason to have a pop at his brother.

[Jill] “Still. I suppose there’s nothing we can do”

[David] “He will do whatever he wants., with whoever he wants. And the rest of us have just got to make the best of it.”

Brian took Ruairi fishing

But it won’t last..

Phoebe and Jennifer only left today, and Ruairi will soon be packed off to Ireland.

Leaving time for Brian to get to know Elona better …???


Jill’s catering Gardeners’ Question Time

Marvellous.

But she does seem a bit stressed about what ‘light refreshments’ for the presenters and the production team could mean.

[Jill] “It’s a very lose term, though, light refreshments. A sort of buffet tea, I suppose”

19th July 2010

The Archers: David takes to the field with Edana … Lynda’s plotting away … the Fete’s celebrity is confirmed … Josh fixes a washing machine … Pip’s still back to ‘normal’

• Edana come a plucky second
• These days, just post a message to contact Jill
• The name game (again)
• Secretive about the celebrity …
• “It’s like there’s a bee Armageddon”
• Josh looks set to be a pretty decent chap

Edana come a plucky second

Or, at least, I’m assuming that’s what David and Pip meant about her coming so close to first.

I’m still loving the freshness of the new/old Pip, and the fact David and her can have conversations without shouting.

Lovely.

“All want to do now is try and move on”

Thank you Pip. Thank you.


These days, just post a message to contact Jill

Who’d have thought Jill would become such an enthusiastic silver surfer – to the point where she’s telling Emma to post queries on the website about her recipes.

That’s kind of sad in a way. Days before, she’d have told Emma to pop round. And have a cup of tea and a cake.


The name game (again)

So Lynda is being her usual modest self regarding The Strange Affair at Ambridge Towers. It’s seemingly “carefully crafted” with the “perfect plot”.

But I do have to agree that

“The whole idea is a stroke of genius”

I can’t wait! Must be the classic crime fan in me …

On the characters names:

So we worked out Jill’s character (Doris Perkins – Doris Archers and Polly Perkins)

Emma’s Nora Larkin could be Nora Salt or Nora McCauley (though am not sure either was buried at St Stephens), and the Larkin really should be Jethro, but could be Bob, Lizzie, Mabel, Ned, Susan …

We also worked out Tom Gabriel (Tom Forrest and Walter Gabriel)

Letty (Letty Lawson-Hope)

But still no joy with Raith (sp?) Fairbrother (Grace Fairbrother, assuming her gravestone had ‘nee’ on it – but who is Raith? Anyone?)


Secretive about the celebrity …

Cheeky!

As if we haven’t had enough excitement with the ‘topical’ football inserts.

How will we ever cope …


“It’s like there’s a bee Armageddon”

Erm. Okay then Emma.

I haven’t as much talk about bees dying/disappearing this year, but maybe I’ve not been keeping up with Countryfile as much as I should.

Either way, looks like Jill’s bees are doing just fine:

“Good honey crop means happy bees”

Josh looks set to be a pretty decent chap

Helping out on the farm and with Jill’s bees, and now Josh fixed Emma’s washing machine for her.

What a super wee laddie!

I’ll probably stop saying this soon (!), but Pip had better not assume she’s next in line for Brookfield. Foretelling a bit of an argy-bargy between Josh and Pip over that one in the years to come.

24th June 2010

Fallon’s back … Hurrah to more ‘learning about bees with Jill and Josh’ … Brenda is not match for Matt when it comes to negotiating

• A swarm of bees in May is worth a load of hay; A swarm of bees in June is worth a silver spoon; A swarm of bees in July is not worth a fly.
• Fallon returns, so Harry finds his voice
• Tiger stalks and lands his first prey since prison
• But can he get away with it?

A swarm of bees in May is worth a load of hay; A swarm of bees in June is worth a silver spoon; A swarm of bees in July is not worth a fly.

Seriously – I didn’t start listening to The Archers for the drama of it – I started because of these lovely wee moments.

I learn something (tonight, about queen substance), while listening to a lovely warm, summer scene.

Hurrah for the bees!


Fallon returns, so Harry finds his voice

Good to hear Fallon back and not entirely in pieces.

Though she didn’t sound sure about whether she and Jolene would carry on running The Bull.

Ominous.

But, never fear, as where Fallon treads, Harry will appear


Tiger stalks and lands his first prey since prison

I don’t suppose any of us would have put money on Brenda managing to get more out of Matt than he’d be happy to give.

Bless her for giving it a go – and an extra £1,000 is nothing to be sniffed at – but she did fall for all the usual pressure techniques.

It’s as if Matt simply threatened to take his ball home if she didn’t play nice.

And it worked.

Despite all her good reasoning – that her current job brings better links, could take her over the world and has a formal career path – she was obviously not going to turn Matt down.

Matt had a point that she’d be saving more by not having to travel plus rent a room, and that a ‘career’ with a large company could mean:

“Five more years, you’ll be on teaspoons”

So Brenda gets £19,000, and Matt gets … Brenda.

Actually – I think Brenda might have won that battle after all!


But can he get away with it?

So Matt’s told Brenda she’s an essential part of the business, but told Lilian that she’s nothing more than an office girl.

But Lilian was then rightly horrified that £19,000 is a lot for Brenda’s wages.

Just what is Matt up to?

According to Matt, Brenda is:

“Loyal .. [has a] little bit of nous and drive”

And that the

“whole essence is [of the business is ]teamwork”

Hmmm. Something doesn’t quite add up there.

20th June 2010

Pip cooks and cleans for a toneless Jude … Loves young dream (Alice & Chris) are back together … How to smoke a bee …

• Jude “wasn’t being rude”, but …
• The hunt’s on for Alice and Chris to have privacy
• Smoking bees with Gran is indeed very cool

Jude “wasn’t being rude”, but …


Just as when someone says ‘I’m not racist, but …’, you know that what’s going to come next is exactly what they’re trying to pretend they’re not doing.

It’s so bloomin’ obvious to all of us – why doesn’t Pip see any of the rubbish that Jude keeps throwing at her?

She’s probably too busy trying to find a new bin bag to put it in. Not as if Jude cares.

So Jude now has work to do, and can’t “muck about”, unlike when Pip was being dull and boring for studying when Jude wanted to party.

Instead of taking the hint, Pip gets food in, cooks in, cleans the kitchen – only to be basically told to go away.

I suppose it’s easy to scoff at her mindless devotion – she’s so ‘in love’ with Jude that she’ll do anything to spend even just 5 more minutes with him.

Can we all foresee problems with their trip around Europe?


The hunt’s on for Alice and Chris to have privacy

And, quite sensibly, they’re going to go on holiday for a month.

An American road trip sounds grand – but where are these two getting the money? Isn’t Alice a student? And Chris a trainee farrier?

Or is Brian and Jennifer unwittingly bankrolling this trip?

Either way, with them unable to even ‘snog’ without one of their parents catching them, it sounds like a cunning plan.

And how nice to hear a young couple who really like each other, neither of whom is a complete idiot.

Pip could learn ‘relationships 101’ from them.


Smoking bees with Gran is indeed very cool

Now this is why I listen to The Archers.

I learnt something new, while listening into a lovely scene between gran and grandson.

I knew that smoking bees had something to do with them thinking there was a fire – but didn’t know that the smoke made them load up with honey, making them too heavy. I thought they just became drowsy. Actually, if I had thought about it, I’d have realised that being drowsy isn’t a great response to fire.

Wasn’t it nice to hear Josh getting so enthusiastic about something that Jill loves?

I’ve said it before, but I think he might be the next Brookfield farmer, rather than flighty wee Pip. Plenty of time, but he’s certainly interested and keen.

Also made me *snort* that Josh had picked up David’s way of saying Jude’s name.

All together now: Juuuude …