Pondering The Archers: llamas

But, as Lynda then moves on to explaining casting (in great detail), Vicky starts to cry.

But it’s not that she now has to pretend to like a lama blanket (actually, I would quite like one of those) … it’s far more serious than that.

Vicky cries for her daughter

While at work today, Vicky was shown pictures of her work mate’s daughter.

The daughter is one of those who have done very worthy things, all around the world. Volunteered to help children abroad, and all that.

[Vicky] “My little girl’s never going to do that, is she any of it. Travelling on her own. Seeing the world.”

[Lynda] “Oh Vicky, she might travel. And even if she doesn’t think of the things she will do. She might be an actress, or love painting ....”

[Vicky] “No matter how much I care for her and love her, she’ll never be able to fly the nest like that.”

[Lynda] “No, not quite, but she can become very independent.”

[Vicky] “She’s not even born yet and so many doors are slamming shut.”

[Lynda] “But Vicky, she’s very lucky to have a mother like you, who will do her damndest to push a lot of them open again.”

[Vicky] “I can’t change how my little girl is …”

Well, Vicky will have been thinking it. So probably best she’s able to talk it through with a friend.

We left her and Lynda sobbing …

Jazzer moves in with Jim

Christine’s first night with Jazzer was not a happy one.

(for ‘with’ don’t read anything into it … ‘with’ as in in the same house with, rather than ‘with’ with …)

Seems Christine is a light sleeper, and was woken by Jazzer as he left early hours for work.

[Jazzer] “I’m sorry about that. It’s poor thanks for a favour.”

So, Jim steps in.

Jazzer doesn’t seem like he’s bothered about where he stays. I’ve still no idea why he can’t stay with his mum …

[Jazzer] “I get my ain key?”

[Jim] “Unless you intent to teleport yourself in …”

Jim’s rules are that there’s no smoking, even in the garden. No guests. And no loud music.

[Jim] “As long as we treat each other with respect and due consideration at all times, I’m sure we’ll get on well.”

Jazzer’s out to impress from the off.

Before he retires for the night, he asks to borrow a book on Greek Myths.

What a sook!

Comparing Ifty to Tom

Kirsty seems to becoming “an item” with Ifty.

She’s enjoying being with him. It’s seemingly easy.

In fact, the last time she connected this way with a bloke was Tom …

… really?

Tom, easy to be with?

Alice could get a job

If she gets her degree.

But at least she has the job offer on the table. A development engineer with an aircraft equipment supplier.

Sounds well paid.

Fallon’s feeling lonely

[Kirsty] “Where’s the party girl gone, Fallon?”

[Fallon] “I dunno, the whole world just seems to go round in pairs … these day I’d much rather be in a relationship that means something, then just settle for a quick thrill. At the moment, the only way that’s going to happen is if I buy myself a cat.”

All together now … Rhys!!!

Friday, 23 March 2012

It’s different with Pigs 22.03.12

The Archers Thursday 22nd March 2012

They shouldn’t have laughed at the llamas
Bartleby’s brass gets a polish
Usha isn’t gossiping
Damsons make Joe a happy chappy
Lilian bosses Brian
Tony wants to ask Lilian first
Alan and Usha have an old hot water system
Green burials are noisy
At last – someone mentions Shula and Alan
What about Karl?
Blondes can be clever sometimes
James will get Lilian for his birthday present
Pigs not cows

They shouldn’t have laughed at the llamas

Seems they’re doing a grand work of Alan and Usha’s lawn.

[Usha] “I still do a double take every time I come home and see lamas on the lawn”

[Alan] “They’re doing a fantastic job … best investment I’ve made in a long time!”

So they may have laughed at Lynda offering the llamas during the promise auction, but it’s all worked out right. Which I’m glad about. I thought the Ambridge folks were very cruel to Lynda (apart from Alan, of course).

Bartleby’s brass gets a polish

From Alan, helping Joe out with a random act of kindness for lent.

That’s nice for Bartleby.

Usha isn’t gossiping

When she told Alan about Vicky getting Eddie to work an extra four hours for free.

[Usha] “Not a bit of it. I think to like of it as more of reportage”

Damsons make Joe a happy chappy

He and Jim and co have been planting them in the hedge of the community orchard,

[Alan] “Joe sounded really chuffed seeing his old orchard all restored”

Lilian bosses Brian

Brian’s still worried about farmers abandoning The Mart because of the protestors.

[David] “You know how farmers talk. It’s probably bluster … old habits die hard … they won’t move and miss the chance of meeting up with farmers they’ve know for years”

David moves on elsewhere, but Lilian corners Brian in his place.

[Lilian] “Have you heard these rumours? As an investor, I’m very concerned … people are like sheep., it’ll only take a couple of farmers to go elsewhere and we’ll have a mass exodus!”

[Brian] “That’s arrant nonsense … and in my opinion you’ve being totally irresponsible, racing round like chicken licken saying the sky is going to fall down”

[Lilian] “Get it under control Brian, ASAP, before it gets out of hand!”

Oh Brian won’t like that. Being told by Lilian what to do? No wonder he’s increasingly desperate to find a solution to his Super Dairy woes.

Tony wants to ask Lilian first

All seems to be going very well at Home Farm.

The grass is “bulking out nicely”, according to Tony, which means the cows can get out towards the end of next week.

Tony also agrees with Tom and Pat that they should try and extend their interest free mortgage for another six months. And, he now agrees that Tom should try and get a loan to extend the poly tunnels. Seems it will pay itself back in three years (just like Brookfield’s new dairy system),

But, he wants to ask Lilian first. He doesn’t want to start spending without first paying back the loan she gave them.

So, he and Pat sit down with Lilian to tell her their plans.

[Lilian] “That sounds wonderful, but I can’t for the life why you’re telling me … Oh good grief, darlings. I’m in no hurry for the money … you can pay me once you’re properly back on your feet”

Recession proof, our Lilian is.

Alan and Usha have an old hot water system

So it would seem.

They can’t run the hot water in the kitchen without ruining Amy’s bath.

Green burials are noisy

Alan is getting ready for the first burial at the green burial site.

[Alan] “I’m told wicker coffins are noisy … they creak … wonder if I should warn the family?”

Sounds terrifying!

At last – someone mentions Shula and Alan

It’s Alan himself.

He mentions to Usha that Shula has offered her donkey, Benjamin, for Palm Sunday again. But this time, she’s even offered to look after him herself during the service.

[Usha] “I’m pleased for you”

So, the cold front is indeed warming.

What about Karl?

Something is building about Amy’s new boyfriend (or not, he might just be a mate).

Alan mentioned that Amy had mentioned Karl, but “didn’t say much else”. Alan reckons she’ll talk about him if he is important to her.

What’s afoot?

Blondes can be clever sometimes

[Tony] “So the ,lovely Lisa is not just a pretty face?”

[David] “She may look like a ditzy blond but she’s as sharp as a tack”

James will get Lilian for his birthday present

[Lilian] “Isn’t one’s time a better gift?”

Probably not for James.

Pigs not cows

Debbie has a cunning plan.

She’s going to swap large scale dairy for a large scale pig unit. Debbie reckons they’ll get similar benefits, but will be a more “mainstream” solution.

[Brian] “Why in earth would we shift our ground at this stage?”

And also why pigs, when other pig farmers seem to be struggling.

But – and this is where Debbie living in Hungry comes in useful (seems no one in Ambridge takes any heed of news reports in the TV, newspapers interest (etc) about that place they call Europe). She says that more European farmers are getting out of pigs because the new welfare regulations make them less profitable. So, there’s a nice gap for a large scale production.

[Debbie] “Just like the cow setup, it would be a large pig unit … but this time, there would be no need for outside suppliers”

[Brian] “We’d still have a very large animal production unit with pigs permanently indoors”

[Debbie] “It’s different with pigs, honestly, it’s all about perception. People are far more used to the idea of pigs indoors”

[Brian, warming to the idea] “At the moment I need all the get of jail cards I can get my hands on”

Well – I’m not sure Debbie is right this time.

Will Tom and Neil be supportive? Jazzer?

And with pigs being such intelligent animals (they play footy, don’t you know), won’t the protestors abhor this even more?