- On a Wednesday?
- Robert’s wrestling with a cane backed rocker
- Cranford doesn’t seem to be popular
- The Snells are consummate hosts
- Yat Rock for Lynda’s birthday
- No pints and banter for David
- Susan was Cleopatra in a Balloon Debate
- Jennifer Vs Susan
- Do they just need their dad?
- I’d forgotten about Caroline and Mark
On a Wednesday?
I thought the Boob Club was a Friday.
Damn.
I have read Cranford, but it was many many moons ago. Not sure I’d be able to contribute to the discussion properly …
Robert’s wrestling with a cane backed rocker
Which makes him lose the thread of what Lynda’s saying to (well, at) him.
He’s confused between the Book Club tonight, and Lynda arranging the committee for the Britain in Bloom effort.
Ach well. Better to just nod, Robert.
Cranford doesn’t seem to be popular
Judging by the lack of participants in tonight’s Book Club.
Joe wasn’t there:
[Robert] “Mrs Gaskell’s not quite his cup of tea, or words to that effect”
Robert himself doesn’t sit in on the chat (preferring to serve food and drinks):
[Robert] I’m afraid I find Cranford a little underwhelming … not enough unexplained corpses in the pantry for my liking”
Usha and Jim also couldn’t make it.
The Snells are consummate hosts
Despite guests arriving slightly early for the Book Club:
[Lynda] “Oh,. Not already I haven’t even stoned the olives”
AND Robert somehow surviving with his manhood intact, after telling Lynda to plump the cushions and tidy her hair (I’ll have to have a very long ponder on how that on earth he got away with that).
Robert is composed and generous as he greets the few that have made it along:
[Robert] “Let me take your cloaks and bonnets”
(Well done, that man)
To top it all, as part of their nibbles, they even have blue cornmeal homemade tortilla chips.
Blimey!
Yat Rock for Lynda’s birthday
So they can do a spot of bird watching. Yat Rock also her peregrines nesting.
Wonder if Lynda will find a Lychgate to hide behind.
No pints and banter for David
Kenton unsuccessfully tried to get David to take time away from work, to nip down to The Bull for a couple.
He might have managed it, if he hadn’t mentioned that David can always talk to him. That surely put David right off.
[David] “Talking won’t do anything … I’ve smashed things up for badly with Elizabeth. It can’t be fixed.”
Susan was Cleopatra in a Balloon Debate
Which I thought was Susan being a bit dim again – but it twas I who was being ignorant.
Sorry, Susan.
Jennifer Vs Susan
At the Book Club, Jennifer seemed to dominate – Lynda agreed with Jennifer – Richard was silent (really???) – and Susan was forced to talk by Lynda.
Jennifer quoted Gaskell to illustrate that she felt she found significance in Cranford’s small things.
[Elizabeth Gaskell, Cranford] ''The use made of fragments and small opportunities; . . . [t]hings that many would despise, and actions which it seemed scarcely worthwhile to perform, were all attended to in Cranford.''
Whereas Susan reckons Gaskell showed no understanding of retail
Susan seemed to be focused on Miss Matty telling everyone not to buy green tea.
It was her bestseller. It would
[Susan] “have been commercial suicide. That would have been a step too far”
BUT, to stop myself being a snob and sniggering at Susan – I suppose it goes to prove that we all find different meaning in a novel.
Do they just need their dad?
Kenton’s talking to Shula about his failed attempt to get David to the pub, to relax.
[Kenton] “He’s completely adrift. Like the mast has gone”
Shula and Kenton agree that it would have all been different if Phil has still been alive.
Both Elizabeth and David trusted, and talked, to their dad.
I’d forgotten about Caroline and Mark
Shula’s Mark was killed when he swerved to avoid Caroline on her horse (another car had spooked Caroline’s horse – the driver of which was never found).
So, Shula has experience of both her husband dying – and a close friend feeling guilty about the cause of that death.
Shula reckons it must be Elizabeth to tell David that it wasn’t his fault, before he might start to accept it himself. Caroline felt the same guilt as David … if only she hadn’t gone riding …
So, off Shula goes to see if she can persuade Elizabeth to not denounce and demonise David.
[Shula] “You can’t let it destroy your faith or your family … let go of destructive feelings”
You know, I might have a bet in Shula making some headway. She’s quite canny like that.
- How long does it take to fix a waste bin?
- “I should have waited before blundering in”
- Elizabeth threatens Kenton
- Come on Neil – it’s got Almond icing!
- “Barry still gets his hair cut from the 1980s”
- Ambridge lost at cricket
- Jolene wants to prove herself to Kathy
- Clarrie’s useless at keeping family secrets
- Ambridge … the new Cranford?
- “If David hadn’t goaded …”
How long does it take to fix a waste bin?
Only five minutes, according to Elizabeth.
She’s turning into a bit of a Victorian factory owner, though.
Fancy expecting Aaron (her employee – probably on rock bottom wage) to come in on his day off to fix it.
Almost as if she’s lady of the manor …
[Elizabeth] “I want things running smoothly when I’m off. I won’t be taken advantage of …”
But it’s okay to take advantage of a poor salary monkey? You’ll be first against the wall with that sort of talk, Elizabeth
“I should have waited before blundering in”
Kenton tried to talk to Elizabeth about David, but she was having none of it.
Then launched into an almighty rant:
[Elizabeth] “How do you think it felt? Finding out that David was responsible for what happened. That was dreadful enough, but what I can begin to get over … to admit he’s been lying about it ever since …my own brother, here coming here virtually every day to help out, and saying nothing
“How about having a bit of courage and opening his mouth … to be so deceitful … well damn him!”
[Kenton] “Then be mad with me as well. It’s as much as my fault as his … I mean, it was my idea to put the banner there in the first place”
[Elizabeth] “You didn’t taunt Nigel … you didn’t work beside me … knowing what you’d done, saying absolutely nothing about it”
[Kenton] “I’m sorry. I should have waited before blundering in”
Elizabeth threatens Kenton
After ranting about David, Elizabeth then warns Kenton off trying to even begin mending the rift.
She basically said that he’d better not talk about it again to ensure:
[Elizabeth] “we’re going to be alright in the future”
Hmmm.
Elizabeth could end up with no family if she carries out threats like that.
[Elizabeth] “Just accept I never want anything to do with David again”
She’s only going to make it easy for the rest of the clan to choose sides …
Come on Neil – it’s got Almond icing!
Neil is very non-plussed about his birthday.
He’s only 54 (by my reckoning), but his cricket mates seem to be taking the Michael that he’s now a bit over the hill.
But Susan is still planning a “few sandwiches and a bit of cake … with almond icing”
Now there’s an offer a birthday boy can’t refuse – no matter what age!
Neil’s also got fire in his belly about the Single Wicket. He reckons he’ll prove himself by winning.
My money is on Jamie.
“Barry still gets his hair cut from the 1980s”
So says Neil.
Ambridge lost at cricket
To Paxley.
Jolene wants to prove herself to Kathy
At last – Jolene’s taking Kathy seriously.
Kathy was in The Bull, “not in the best of moods” according to Jolene.
She wasn’t happy that Jamie was still working in The Bull during his exams. Jolene had to explain that Jamie simply hadn’t told her that he’s agreed with Kathy to talk about it.
[Jolene] “She said she felt let down … she’d been counting on my support”
So, Jolene’s going to trim down Jamie’s hours so that Kathy knows she’s taking notice of her wishes.
There ya go Jamie – pincher movement. About time!
Clarrie’s useless at keeping family secrets
While working with Susan, Clarrie’s let slip about the whole Will wanting to procreate with Nic issue.
[Susan] “ … and she said both her boys are natural fathers … that’s when she let it slip …’our William would love another one’ …”
Whoops.
Susan bided her time before pushing Clarrie on what she’s just said (and tried to ignore she’d just said)
[Neil] “Don’t tell me you actually got on with some work””
[Susan] “Waited a few minutes, until we’d made some headway with fruits of the forest … turns out she (Nic) didn’t like the idea at all … I can’t help it if Clarrie confides in me”
So, Clarrie has told Eddie and Susan when she shouldn’t. Clarrie has now told Neil and Emma (!) when she shouldn’t.
Seemingly Emma was fascinated about the news (I’ll bet!), though Susan reckons that when she said to Clarrie she wouldn’t tell anyone, it didn’t meant she wouldn’t tell family.
And in amongst all of that, Neil can’t get to his pigs for Susan getting in the way.
Ambridge … the new Cranford?
Susan seems to be slowing down in her new found passion about reading.
While she claims that she’s ‘savouring’ Cranford (the next Book Club book), it just sounds like she’s finding it a bit of a bore.
[Clarrie] “Jennifer’s right. It’s a landmark of 19th century literature … all that seems to happen in it is all the women in Cranford get together and spend their time gossiping”
[Neil] “Oh. Nothing like Ambridge then”
“If David hadn’t goaded …”
Jill is having a go at talking to Elizabeth about David.
Elizabeth isn’t having it. But Jill isn’t one for giving up on her family.
[Jill] “Elizabeth, we mustn’t let this tragedy because even worse … what happened to Nigel … there’s no logic or reason to it … there’s non-one to blame either … you mustn’t’ let it break up the family … it’s not about fault .. what happened was a tragic, meaningless accident … that’s the awful truth”
But, Elizabeth reckons that it is squarely David’s fault. He “goaded” Nigel into going up on that roof, and has
[Elizabeth] “destroyed my family”
Jill’s going to have to do more than tea and cake to heal this one …
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?
