- Susan’s guide to life’s simple pleasures
- Clarrie’s wants to be busy
- Darrel’s a good boy really …
- Autumn in Ambridge
- Are vine leaves too much to cope with at a finger buffet?
- Susan’s mum has a cough
Susan’s guide to life’s simple pleasures
[Susan] “It can make the evening, can’t it … nice finger food”
And Susan is al enjoying the book she chose for the book club, though she is wrong in thinking that Jennifer was also enjoying it (far from it, but Jennifer must be too polite to say so).
[Susan] “She did think it was a nice bit of escapism – but I’d describe it as a classic myself”
Clarrie’s wants to be busy
So she’s going to volunteer at the village shop.
That’s brave. What with what folks have been saying.
But Clarrie would rather suffer the indignity than have to sit around doing nothing.
So she goes to ask Jill, who is delighted that Clarrie wants to help.
[Clarrie] “It’s so long since I had a reception like, when Jill seemed so pleased, I nearly burst into tears”
Funny thing though – Susan said that Jennifer said “it’s really important not to lose the habit of work”. When was the last time Jennifer went out to work? Obviously brining up Ruairi was a full-time job in itself, but when did Jennifer last wear a boiler suit?
Darrel’s a good boy really …
The plot thickens.
Elona was talking to Peggy about how she likes to grow veg, and that she’s a country girl at heart (she grew up on a farm).
Elona then when onto say that Darrel wasn’t a bad chap. He just had “bad luck”, got in with the “group of people”, that he was “stupid” to believe that the boss wouldn’t mind if stuff was stolen from him, that he’s a “good man” who works hard for his family and is ashamed at having gone to prison …. Blah blah blah. Lots of clichés which felt like they were said to smooth the way in for Darrel with Peggy.
[Elona] “Who is going to employ a chippy with a criminal record?”
A stressed out older woman who trusts easily, that’s who.
So Peggy has another go at Lilian – making sure that her previous agreement to let Elona have No.3 for a lower price (without her knowing that Peggy’s aiming up the difference).
Lilian again agrees, so Peggy will no doubt start hassling Elona again.
Though I do think this is all exactly what Elona wants. I’m not convinced her Darrel isn’t a bad ‘un – nor that Elona herself isn’t anything other than a bad ‘un.
Autumn in Ambridge
[Peggy] “I love this time of year. The leaves seem to suddenly catch fire”
Are vine leaves too much to cope with at a finger buffet?
It’s far too big a question for me to answer.
Susan’s been making them for the book club spread – which is benefitting Chris and Alice, as he’s getting the rejects. Which are still good to eat – just not up to a book club standard.
Chris’ plan is to freeze them for Alice’s birthday picnic later in the week.
Susan’s mum has a cough
Oh dear.
Funeral to happen?
Clive to attend?
- Josh or Pip?
- Business for Matt’s birthday
- Matt’s also pondering Paulhill
- Fond memories and hopeful future at Brookfield
- Pat’s on the radio
Josh or Pip?
Astonishment at Brookfield as Josh is out of bed at a decent hour (during his holidays) AND he wants to helping with the milking.
In fact, he wants to do the milking everyday while he’s on holiday.
Of course, that’s somewhat about an increase in his pocket money – but also:
[Josh] “I’ve got a lot to learn if I’m going to be like you (David), Mum and granddad”
Josh is even worrying about what would happen if they ever had to get rid of the cows (unprofitable milk yields, and so on).
So now David has something new to worry about.
Pip wants to be on the farm. And would seem Josh also wants to be on the farm. That would mean Brookfield having to support a potential of three families.
[David] “I was hoping Josh would become a premiership footballer and keep us all in the lap of luxury”
Nae luck!
Business for Matt’s birthday
Classic Pusscat and Tiger moment:
[Matt] “you were dead to the world”
[Lilian] “Slumbering peacefully, I think you’ll find”
But back to business – which is what Matt wants to do on his birthday, rather than go to the Snells’ party.
Seems some bloke called Ken Dickinson (who happens to use golden tees during golf) is having a barbeque on Sunday. He’s a major developer, has invited Matt and Lilian – so Matt’s only too glad to insist they go to his shindig instead of Lynda’s.
[Matt] “Finally, I’ve been buttering him up for months”
[Lilian] “Do you really want to spend your birthday doing business?”
[Matt] “More so than having me brain numbed by Lynda”
Lilian really does want to go to the Snells – James (and Leonie) will be there.
[Matt] “He might be disappointed you can’t go, but it’s the first time he’s wanted to come within spitting distance of me”
But sounds like Lilian will give up James and the Snells for Matt’s business networking.
Well, it is his birthday …
Matt’s also pondering Paulhill
The plot does thicken.
Matt’s remembered that Darrell (the bloke who also wants to buy the Farrier business) is the brother of one of the contractors he and Lilian know. After a wee bit of digging, he finds out that Darrell is going through a messy divorce, and is having to sell his house.
[Lilian] “Well done Tiger, that’s very interesting news”
Indeed.
Can we assume Darrell also isn’t in a financial position to outbid Chris?
Fond memories and hopeful future at Brookfield
Ruth’s telling Josh about how his granddad (Phil) brought the black and whites to Brookfield, replacing the shorthorns that Josh’s great-grandfather (Dan) had.
Ruth also remembers her view from Nightingale Farm, when she first moved to Ambridge:
[Ruth] “I never imagined that view would become my life”
[Josh] “You really love the cows, don’t you mum?”
[Ruth] “Yeah, of course. I’ve put a lot of hard work into them … I suppose it’s those moments when you stand back and see a strong, healthy herd producing value food, it reminds you why you do it, you know”
Pat’s on the radio
Pat’s having her interview with Wayne Folley at Radio Borchester.
She finally gets her chance to say her heartfelt piece about the kiddies:
[Pat] “Genuinely, it’s been the worst aspect of all this. We’re a small family run business, my daughter has recently had a baby, it really does break all our hearts to imagine how worried those parents must be”
When she gets back from the interview (which wasn’t live – so it’s still to air), Pat finds out that they’ve definitely lost Underwoods as an account. It’s their biggest customer, so not good news.
Especially now that they’re able to start production again.
Will there be anyone to produce for?
- Adrian and Sally are back
- Get Ed to talk to Radio Borchester
- Lilian appalled at Alice’s career path
- The Tom Archer brand must be protected
- Helen’s on Tom’s side
- Ronnie wants a barge
- Darrell Paulhill – who he?
Adrian and Sally are back
Them from Environmental health (where did Ken MacLeod go to? Does it take three to shut them down, only 2 to re-open?).
They take their time to do their checks of the freshly steamed Bridge Farm – to the point where Tony could do nowt but tend to his cabbages.
But no need to worry – Bridge Farm has been given the all clear.
[Pat] “The E. coli has been dealt with and we’re open for business”
Which is great news.
Doesn’t mean to say that everything’s back to normal, though.
With less orders coming in, Helen even suggests that they give up on making ice-cream in the short term.
Blimey.
Get Ed to talk to Radio Borchester
Radio Borchester call to ask Pat to be interviewed by Wayne Folley tomorrow.
I’m not sure if Wayne Folley is meant to be one of those Jeremy Vine (or even Jeremy Kyle) types, but Pat should ask Ed to do the interview.
Remember when he played a blinder when he was interviewed about TB in cows, a few years back?
I did help that the interviewer was a lady who seemed to be quite attracted to Ed …
Lilian appalled at Alice’s career path
Lilian bumps into Alice at Grey Gables. She assumes that Alice is also there for a bit of pampering – so is shocked when Alice tells her that she’s trying to find Caroline to ask for a job.
Lilian sounded quite disgusted at the idea of Alice being a Chamber Maid (even though she’s done it before):
[Lilian] “But changing people’s sheets …”
[Alice] “Oh it’s fine Aunty Lilian, don’t be such a snob”
[Lilian] “Me?”
Aye, you!
Needs must, Lilian.
The Tom Archer brand must be protected
Honestly, I never know why I’m ever surprised at Tom being a selfish, overbearing, arrogant bad man.
He’s yet again harassing Pat and Tony about sacking Clarrie.
But this time he openly admits that his precious ‘Tom Archer’ brand is at stake.
Fair enough – but he surely could have kept quiet about being worried about his wee sausages, when it’s actually decades of his parent’s work which is most at risk?
What a prat.
Helen’s on Tom’s side
That’s more like it.
Helen being quite clinical, practical and controlling.
Phew! I thought we’d totally lost her to Henry!
Helen agrees that they should sack Clarrie.
[Helen] “It would be a really strong statement that we’ve dealt with it”
[Tony] “I don’t care, I’m not turning Clarrie into a scapegoat .. it’s not the way I want to ruin this farm … Clarrie came back in good faith”
Ronnie wants a barge
Ronnie didn’t say no to Chris’ Plan B (of buying his core business, but only leasing the premises for the first while).
He listened. But, he was planning on buying a barge. So likely does want all the money upfront.
So he’s away to ponder it.
Darrell Paulhill – who he?
He’s the chap that’s also interested in buying Ronnie’s Farrier business.
Alice mentioned him to Lilian – and his name rings a bell for her.
Will Lilian be able to pull a fast one for Chris and Alice? If only to spot Alice having to change other people’s sheets …
