Pondering The Archers: meriel

“You bloody idiot”

Is what Jolene says to Kenton when he pulls himself, and Lance, back onto the boat.

It really wasn’t that dramatic. We first heard Mel shouting at Jolene to keep calm, then Mel shouting at Meriel to keep her eye on something, then Mel shouting at Jolene to handle something else (the main sheet?) … all so that she could about tack (turn the boar around, one assumes) to pick up Kenton and Lance.

Lance was then flown out to hospital, but Kenton reckoned he was fine:

[Kenton] “Just had a little swim, that’s all.”

[Mel] “You could have been killed. What were you thinking?!!”

Lance is a proper nutter

When they get back to land, the Police call round to see if Kenton and co. can tell them anything more about Lance. Seems he’s wanted back in Australia for trying to steal a yacht, assault, affray and such.

The Police are rather inept, as when Lance is discharged from hospital, he isn’t arrested and sent back to Australia. He manages to walk out, and turn up to say his goodbyes to Kenton and co.

Well, he really just wants to drive Kenton to a bank so that he can get “his” money.

So Kenton sends the womenfolk away to get beer and sandwiches from the kitchen while he keeps Lance talking.

Course, they’ve called the Police, who turn up to arrest and take Lance away … while he swears that he’ll get Kenton back.

Oooh … what a villain!

Jolene loves Kenton again

With the bad guy banged up in prison, Kenton and Jolene clear the air before they head home.

[Kenton] “I’m sorry about what went on, and for not being honest about it.”

[Jolene] “No, I don’t care how you were in the past, yesterday p[roved what sort of man you are … if it had been me, I’d have let Lance take his chances … what you did was so brave and honourable … (what happened in the past), I reckon that was a different man. Not my Kenton.”

Poor Meriel …

Mel and Kenton also clear the air.

Seems Mel let Kenton think it was him that made her have an abortion because she felt so guilty about cheating on him, and getting pregnant by Lance.

(eh?)

And, she then made sure she got pregnant with Kenton to “redeem” herself. She wanted to have a baby she didn’t have to lie about.

(what???)

That’s very unsound and strange reasoning.

And it means Meriel is just an apology.

Let’s hope she never finds out.

“Ambridge is calling”

So says Jolene.

And that’s that.

Was this ‘season’ of Ambridge Extra worth all the expense of flying those secret microphones over to Australia?

Yes and no.

It was good to hear more of Kenton’s non-Ambridge-past-life, but not sure we needed to meet Lance …

Man overboard!!!!: Tues 04.09.12

Ambridge Extra Tuesday 4th September 2012

The GPS is broken
Lance has a creepy scrapbook …
Jolene’s invited Lance to Ambridge
What a cunning plan!
Kenton wasn’t even the dad

The GPS is broken

[Lance] “Shame about the little accident with the kettle”

So they’re all depending on Kenton’s navigation skills.

This should be interesting.

Lance has a creepy scrapbook …

Mel rifles through Lance’s bag

And she has good reason.

What I thought had been Meriel walking in on Lance with Mel or Jolene (which didn’t make sense at the time) had been Meriel walking in on Lance looking at a picture. Of Mel. At a marathon. Well after they’d last been in contact.

[Mel] “She said Lance has got a picture of me … if that creep’s got stuff like that, I’d rather know about it … for all we know he might have a weapon in here.”

First they find paperwork showing that Lance hadn’t skippered a boat to new Zealand. He’d just been in the crew.

[Mel] “Bigging himself up. Like I said, he is a weirdo.”

[Kenton] “Delusional maybe.”

Then they find a scrapbook.

It has clippings from newspapers. Kenton, when he opened Jaxx. Mel’s adverts for her business.

[Mel] “This is seriously creeping me out.”

He also has pictures of Kenton at the fun run. Mel at a marathon. The Bull. And of Meriel.

Oh dear … seems Lance is serious stalker material.

Jolene’s invited Lance to Ambridge

Just as Kenton and Mel are discovering that Lance is a bit of a nutter, Jolene’s merrily flirting with him, and inviting him over to visit.

She really doesn’t want to be doing that, actually …

What a cunning plan!

When Kenton and Mel get back up top, Lance had now decided that they should all go back into business together.

He starts also talking about visiting Abridgers next week.

Yikes!

Meriel then mentions that she can see a ferry. One that shouldn’t be where they are.

Mel doesn’t manage to shush her in time. Lance reckons that ferry should be at least 50 miles away from where they should be. They’re off course.

[Mel] “We’re cutting the trip short. We’re going home.”

Aha!

Seems the GPS wasn’t broken (Kenton had just switched it off, and they’d be using one of Mel’s handhelds).

[Lance] “What about my money. Is that a fairy story too?”

[Kenton] “I haven’t got any money, and if I had, I certainly wouldn’t give it to you!”

[Mel] “It’s all in your head Lance, Kenton doesn’t owe you anything.”

Even Jolene was in on it. Her flirting had just been a rather spectacular acting session.

That lady deserves an Oscar!

Kenton wasn’t even the dad

Lance is fuming at being tricked. And he can’t understand why Jolene, and especially Mel, would defend Kenton.

[Lance] “He treated you like dirt, he neglected you, he bullied you.”

[Kenton] “I look back now, and I’m disgusted about how I behaved … the trouble was it took me so long to grow up … when things got tough I just ran away, but since then. I’ve tried, I’ve really tried to grow up.”

Mel accepts his apology, and also has an apology, and an admission, to make.

She also didn’t want the baby. But was happy for Kenton to take the blame for them having an abortion.

[Mel] “If it had been yours, maybe …”

Seems the baby was Lance’s. Mel and Kenton had a fight – Mel got drunk with Lance – they had sex – she was sick, so the pill didn’t work – hey presto, pregnant.

[Lance] “You killed my kid. What about this one, is she mine as well?”

Sounded like Lance grabbed Meriel. Then everyone started shouting, lots of bumps and bangs, then a loud splosh.

Lance had fallen in. He’s out cold. Kenton goes to jump in after him.

[Jolene] “You can’t. you can’t risk yourself for him!”

[Kenton] “I can’t let him drown.”

[Jolene] “Oh Kenton, you can …”

But Kenton jumps in anyway.

I never had Jolene down as being so callous … but then again, I wouldn’t like to mess with one of Jolene’s menfolk!

Friday, 31 August 2012

Kenton’s a bad, bad, man?!? : Tues 28.08.12

Ambridge Extra Tuesday 28th August 2012

All aboard!
Who was Lance getting intimate with?
Bad jokes and sailing banter
Who told Lance about Eccles?
Kenton’s a bad ‘un after all …

All aboard!

Mel, Kenton, Jolene, Meriel and Lance are off on their yachting trip.

[Kenton] “And thanks for coming, not just sailing, to New Zealand. I know it’s not been easy for you.”

Did I hear that right?

Kenton actually appreciating Jolene? Jolene also seemed happy to seem Kenton “in his element”.

Anyhoo – today, I learned that adults don’t wear life jackets in a yacht (they just clip themselves onto the boat if it gets bad).

And it would seem Kenton still isn’t keen on Lance being on the trip. He starts bossing him round the minute he gets on board:

[Lance] “Alright, no need to get all Captain Bligh on me!”

Who was Lance getting intimate with?

That Lance is an odd one.

He was winding Jolene up again about how Kenton and Mel work so beautifully together. Feels like he’s trying to make her jealous.

Then he tried to be more than just friendly with Mel when he and she were left alone together on a beach at which they’d landed. He started to tell her that it should have been he and she that had got together, rather than Mel with Kenton.

[Lance] “Caught me by surprise when you and Kenton got hitched.”

Mel (quite literally) ran away from him.

But later on, Meriel walked in on Lance doing (what sounded like) adult relations. Meriel though she saw her mum run out of the room in her “running gear”.

[Lance] “What do you think you’re playing at, bursting in on people! Can’t we have 5 minutes in peace. Can’t you keep your nose out of anyone's business ... get out, and shout the door!!!”

Well, for one: that was rather rude of Lance. No need to be nasty to a young girl.

And secondly – was that Mel?

Surely wasn’t Jolene?!?

But it had to be one of the two. Unless there’s a stowaway …

Bad jokes and sailing banter

[Jolene] “Ambridge seems long, way away.”

[Kenton] “11,000 miles, I’d say that's pretty far. You could almost say it’s on the other side of the world!”

*groan*

There was a lot of technical sailing speak - topping lift, grab handles and the like.

I have no ken, but it sounded impressive.

Who told Lance about Eccles?

Lance seemed to know all about him. Just Kenton after a few drinks, or has Lance been doing his own research?

Not that it really matters whether he knows of Eccles or not. It was just an odd thing for him to know about.

[Jolene] “Not sure he’ll be around for much longer.”

[Lance] “Well, that’s Kenton for you.”

[Jolene] “No, I meant Eccles.”

Odd.

Kenton’s a bad ‘un after all …

Jolene had gone from enjoying the trip, to seeing things …

[Jolene] “You, coming onto Kenton … you’re so obvious …”

[Mel] “There is no way I'd want to get back together with Kenton, it’s unthinkable … It took me years to forgive Kenton for what he did … you think that was about money? That was only the half of it. Would you want a relationship with a man who forced you to have an abortion!”

Oh!

And there was me thinking Kenton was just a tad selfish, a bit on the reckless side, but overall a harmless chap.

Seems not so.

Mind you, there’s always two sides to such a tale.

Sunday, 26 August 2012

Jamie’s not on Sid’s memorial headstone?: Thurs 23.08.12

Ambridge Extra Thursday 23rd August 2012

Lucy’s as unpleasant as Sid was
Lance can’t come sailing … then he can
Hello Sid

Lucy’s as unpleasant as Sid was

Jolene’s arrived at Lucy’s after a very long trip indeed.

[Jolene] “Don’t think I’ve ever spent so long on a coach.”

Lucy couldn’t care less. All she heard was that Jolene couldn’t afford to fly, which means The Bull can’t be doing very well. Which makes Lucy gloat.

She’s also put Jolene in the same room that she’s last shared with Sid (before he died, obviously). She’s also, very helpfully, left a photo of Sid in there.

[Lucy] “I thought you’d like to be reminded of him, before you see the memorial tomorrow.”

Lucy then went on to hint that it was Jolene’s fault Sid’s heart gave out. She was too young for him.

And she only offers tea when Jolene asked for coffee. Then made Jolene feel fat for asking for sugar.

What a witch!

On Kenton …

[Lucy] “He didn’t come over with Kathy did he, when dad died … I can’t help thinking, if it had been dad, I can’t imagine him not giving support when it was needed for his partner …”

She really is Sid’s daughter …

Lance can’t come sailing … then he can

Lance is back at Mel’s.

[Lance] “Just as well, someone’s got to teach this pom how to play cricket!”

Kenton then asks Meriel if she wants to go sailing for a week. Though Mel is at first angry he didn’t ask her first, she agrees. And, perfect to Kenton’s plan, Aidan can’t go as he’d be away from their business for too long.

Lance also invites himself.

Kenton says no, as it’s meant to be just a family trip.

When Jolene gets back from Lucy’s (incredibly quickly considering the distance – one moment there, next moment here!), Kenton’s again ignoring her. It took Lance to get her wine, cook her a lovely steak, and flirt with her …

Lance tells her that when they go sailing, Kenton and Mel will be too busy to talk to her. Seems Kenton and Mel are quite a team when it comes to sailing a boat.

So, sensing she’ll have even more of a rubbish time that she thought, Jolene invites Lance.

Kenton can’t really argue about that.

Which one do we reckon is going to be pushed overboard?

Hello Sid

Lucy takes Jolene to see Sid’s memorial.

[Lucy] “No offence, but I;m still not really sure why you want to, it’s not where his ashes are scattered … I come her a lot. It’s all I’ve got.”

(pick, pick)

Odd this is that when Jolene read out the headstone, it mentioned Lucy and her kids, and Jolene, but no Jamie.

That’s a drama waiting to happen …

Anyhoo, Jolene only gets to say a quick hello and goodbye.

[Jolene] “I miss you, rest in peace my darling.”

Lucy drags her off again as it’s raining.

[Lucy] “I think it’s quite remarkable how you’ve been able to move on so quickly, it must be quite a comfort … a guy like Kenton, he must be such a distraction … not for the long haul, but a laugh while it lasts”

(meow!)

Friday, 24 August 2012

A Lance from Kenton’s past: Tues 21.08.12

Ambridge Extra Tuesday 21st August 2012

Kenton ruined Jolene’s Rotorua brochure
Jolene has doubts about Kenton?
Kenton’s thoughtlessness continues
What about Sid?
I though Crowded House were Australian
Blow the Man Down is rude!
Lance sounds dodgy …
At least one person notices Jolene

Kenton ruined Jolene’s Rotorua brochure

Not intentionally, but was a bit thoughtless of him to lie on it. Jolene wanted to keep it as a souvenir.

Jolene has doubts about Kenton?

Jolene’s talk with Mel – how Kenton left her penniless with a baby – is seemingly making her have second thoughts about Kenton,.

[Jolene] “Well, you think you know someone …”

[Kenton] “It was all different back then. It was all very complicated.”

Kenton’s thoughtlessness continues

Kenton wants to go out on the boat trip for a whole week rather than a few days.

Despite Jolene not being keen.

It’ll cost an extra £800 or £900. Which they don’t really have.

He even asked if Jolene would pay it …

And it’d mean Meriel having to take a whole week of school.

It is all about Meriel. Kenton feels that he’s losing her to Aiden. All the activities they done so far:

[Kenton] “They’re all Aiden sort of things … and he’s good at them.”

[Jolene] “So you’re trying to freeze him out.”

[Kenton] “I just want to do some proper bonding with my daughter.”

Aye, and who cares what Kenton’s (rather new) lady friend wants to do on their holiday!

What about Sid?

Kenton’s extension to the boat trip is right when Jolene was to go to Napier to see Lucy, and visit Sid’ memorial.

[Kenton] “Well maybe you could reschedule … I could come with you, if you want?”

[Jolene] “Oh don’t bother. You’ve obviously plenty to do here!”

Honestly Kenton!

A bit of tact, and care for Jolene’s feelings, wouldn’t go amiss right now.

Though Jolene manages to change when she’ll go visit Lucy, Lucy’s none too amused at the change.

I though Crowded House were Australian

So was wondering why they were being played as a musical interlude.

On checking, seems they’re both Australian and New Zealand.

Well, there we have it.

Blow the Man Down is rude!

And there’s another thing I didn’t know.

Lance sounds dodgy …

Lance turns up at Mel’s house. Unannounced. And he’s never visited before.

Seems Lance was a business partner of Mel and Kenton’s back in Australia. They’d bought a yacht, which they used to takes folks on day trips and the like to the Great Barrier Reef.

[Meriel] “Why did you stop?”

[Kenton] “Erm …”

[Lance] “Well we had good times while it lasted …Who’d have though Kenton would be here to like the ghost of Christmas past!”

[Kenton] “That’s cause ‘I’ve got family here.”

Sounds like Kenton’s none too pleased to see Lance.

And neither he nor Mel believe Lance showing up just when Kenton happened to be there is a coincidence.

At least one person notices Jolene

Shame she’s on the other side of the world.

Between Meriel, Lance and the boat trip, Jolene is being ignored.

So while Kenton, Lance and Mel have a grand old time reliving old stories, Jolene calls home.

Fallon tells her all’s well. That Rhys has been great (she also agrees he's a “nice lad” … romance in the offing? Fallon surely has to put some distance between her and her night of passion with Jazzer!).

Jolene tells her they visited a Maori village and ate food cooked on rocks.

And they went to an Argentinian restaurant.

[Jolene] “You’ve never seen so much beef on a plate … even when Kenton kept making jokes about the Falklands …”

[Fallon, very sarcastically] “He’s a scream, isn’t he …”

Oops.

I don’t think Kenton will be staying at The Bull when they get home.

Saturday, 18 August 2012

We’re eavesdropping New Zealand: Thurs 16.08.12

Ambridge Extra Thursday 16th August 2012

The budget for the secret microphones must be HUGE
Ah. They’re an “outdoors” family
Who is Lance
Kenton goes climbing
Mel’s odd about Kenton

The budget for the secret microphones must be HUGE

South Africa, Penrith (!) and now New Zealand. The placing of the secret microphones must be taking up a fair chuck of our licence fees.

Ah well.

At least Kate isn’t involved this time.

Ah. They’re an “outdoors” family

Kenton and Jolene arrive at Mel (Kenton’s ex-wife), Aiden (Mel’s now husband) and Meriel’s (Kenton and Mel’s daughter).

They both sound knackered, but Meriel wants to go climbing.

Seems they run, and live in, an outdoor activity centre:

[Mel] “Developing the potential of young people through outdoor adventures.”

So there’s a heady choice of rock climbing, bouldering, abseiling and kayaking.

Jolene doesn’t sound at all keen … Meriel insists (sounding like quite a spoilt wee madam).

[Mel] “Why don’t I give Jolene the guided tour, and you can commune with the coal face.”

Who is Lance

Don’t know.

But he seems important to Mel and Kenton.

Kenton goes climbing

Bless him. Kenton’s trying very hard to be cool and confident for Meriel, but this really isn’t his thing anymore.

His toes are numb from the climbing shoes. And:

[Kenton] “Uh oh, the dreaded climbing harness, gets you in your tender parts as I recall, like some kind of medieval instrument of torture!”

Meriel’s only 11, but is very pushy and boastful. But then, so is Kenton. The two of them have a bit of a face off about who knows more about tying knots.

Anyhoo, Kenton gets climbing, laughed at by Meriel (cruel laughter, not nice laughter).

By the time Jolene and Mel hear his shout of fear, he’s dangling, unable to get himself down.

Aiden wants him to sort himself out, as seemingly a “novice climber” needs to save himself.

[Kenton] “He ain't a novice climber. He’s a rather overweight middle aged man who’s going to do himself an injury if you leave him swinging in the wind like that … just do it!”

On his way back down, Kenton bumps his nose.

[Jolene] “You’re an idiot.”

[Meriel] “So both look so funny, Jolene with her black eye and now you with your bashed up nose!”

Ah well.

Welcome to new Zealand!

Mel’s odd about Kenton

As Mel takes Jolene on their walk (sounded like more of a hike through “rugged terrain”, which Jolene had to ask to turn back from as it was too much for her):

[Mel] “You're really not an outdoors kinda person, so how come you’ve ended up with Kenton?”

[Jolene] “He runs a bar, so do I, his idea of outdoor fun these days is off-roading in a 4x4.”

Mel agrees it’s been a while since she remembers him being an active chap. And she mentions how he’s put on weight.

(meow!)

Mel’s then audibly shocked at how long Jolene and Kenton have been together. Considering they got together not very long after Sid died.

[Mel] “Sorry, that’s what Kenton always said about me, no discretion, rushing in where Angela's fear to tread.”

Aye, you sound like a right madam so fair. Just like Meriel.

Mel then tells Jolene about her and Kenton’s history:

[Mel] “To be fair, I did only marry Kenton so he wouldn’t get thrown out of the county, which let’s face it, is not the best recipe for a happy union …”

[Jolene] “You must have loved him a bit, to have a kid with him?”

[Mel] “Course I did. He can be so charming when he puts his mind to it.”

But, it all went wrong when Mel and Kenton’s business went wrong. Well, “nightmare” was the word Mel used. Which is the complete opposite of how her and Aiden’s business is doing. It’s booming. And Aiden:

[Mel] “sees it through to the end, he won’t jump ship.”

She then talks about how unreliable Kenton was. That he ran away. That he (by the way) also doesn't know how to set boundaries for Meriel. Whereas Aiden can do all this, and more.

Later on:

[Jolene] “It’s been worrying me, what you said earlier, about Aidan wouldn’t just ship, but Kenton … he told me you threw him out. Something to do with money?”

[Mel] “Our business was on the rocks, the bank was threatening to foreclose, so yes I threw him out. But I thought he’d stick around to help clear up the mess … told me he was popping down to Sydney for a couple of days … next thing I hear he’s in Ambridge.”

Which left Mel with the bailiffs knocking on the door, and a kid to bring up solo.

Or so Mel says …

Sounds like Mel hasn’t quite let go of the past as yet. She still sounds a bit miffed at Kenton.

Saturday, 30 June 2012

Jill tells David what to do: Mon 18.06.12

The Archers Monday 18 June 2012

Matt has a cunning ploy
Kenton wants to visit Meriel
Jill has a big BUT

Matt has a cunning ploy

Thought that might have been the case.

He asked Darrell to help lift the new kitchen units in at the site. And not to ask for a receipt …

[Matt] “Not that I have to explain myself to you, do I?”

[Darrell] “No, course not.”

When Darrell later on took in the delivery, he was a bit perturbed that the chap wanted cash. And that the van was just a white one – he was expecting the delivery to be from a proper company, with branded vans.

(as an aside, why it that dodgy geezers in Ambridge are also intensely patronising? The chap driving the white, unbranded van was yet another example)

When Darrell later asked Matt about the white van:

[Matt] “A mate who sometimes work for himself, it keep my costs down. … I don’t pay you to wonder Darrell, I pay you to do what I ask!”

Aye Darrell – your Matt’s man now!

Kenton wants to visit Meriel

[Kenton] “In a year or two she’ll be off with her mates, she won’t want to spend a whole day pandering to her dad.”

Kenton had mentioned he wanted to go to New Zealand a few months back, but Jolene deftly sidestepped it. Though she understood Kenton wanted to see his kid, and though Sid’s daughter and grandson are there, it’s really not been that long since Sid died, in New Zealand.

This time, Jolene tells Kenton to have a look at prices. Which is tantamount to putting another block on the trip … though Jolene does feel some guilt. For whatever reason, Jolene later told Matt (she and Matt are hardly the best of pals):

[Jolene] “Kenton’s so gutted, I can tell.”

Jill has a big BUT

The day after the bullocks were set running free at Brookfield’s Open Farm Sunday, Jill’s over to help with the clear up.

David answers the phone:

[Jill] “It’s not one of those silly people from yesterday who wanted to sue?”

No, it was the Police.

David tells Jill that the bullocks didn’t get because of vandalism:

[David] “It was sabotage.”

Seems the Police can’t do anything (again) as there’s no evidence (again), though they have taken Josh’s film camera in case he recorded anything important without knowing.

And George is just fine:

[Jill] “His little legs were still wobbling when they took him home … I can’t believe anyone would do something that cruel … knowing there were children here”

(‘will nobody think of the children’ … goodness me!!!)

[Ruth] “That’s why they did it.”

[Jill] “Ruth, that would have been tantamount to murder!”

Then Jill gets down to business with David. Whether he wanted to or not.

[Jill] “I’m very proud of you for coming forward …and I’m sure your father would have been very proud too.”

[David] “I hope he would.”

[Ruth] “Phil believed very strongly in civic duty”

[David] “And standing up for what you believe in.”

[Jill] “Those are all wonderful qualities David …”

[David] “Mum there’s obviously a but in here somewhere.”

[Jill] “I’d just like you to stop and think a moment … the circumstances have changed …”

[David] “No. Nothing has changed. These criminals hit Adam over the head and left him to die.”

[Jill] “I want you think about Ruth and the children and their safety.”

[David] “They will be a hell of a lot safer if these violent criminals are behind bars.”

[Jill] “If, if …”

David asserts that he and Ruth have talked it through, and that they both agree David needs to go to court. And “see it through to the end.”

[David] “Isn’t that right, Ruth?”

Uh oh.

Silence from Ruth when David said that …

Thursday, 31 May 2012

Adam’s been thinking 30.05.12

The Archers Wednesday 20th May 2012

Elona hopes Lynda gets her 60 sponges
The Queen is deemed a good ‘un
A new supermarket!
Jim and Christine still estranged
Adam’s in a reflective mood
Lilian sorts the wages
Kenton and Jolene New Zealand bound?
Two years since Sid
Peggy still gets (junk) mail at Grey Gables
Kenton’s new cocktails
Jolene’s an ardent ex-smoker

Elona hopes Lynda gets her 60 sponges

[Lilian] “Or she’ll be a few sponges short of a jubilee!”

The Queen is deemed a good ‘un

[Elona] “She’s a marvellous woman”

[Lilian] “Well, she’s lived the good life”

[Peggy] “And worked very hard, Lilian!”

During the war:

[Peggy] “I was only a lowly stores orderly; while she got to drive a jeep … I could have fancied to learn to drive in a convoy”

A new supermarket!

And no one seems to give a hoot. Odd.

It’s on the site of the old mart, so I suppose it was a done deal. Lynda (and her like) must be too busy with Jubilees, Britain in Bloom, and a Super Dairy on the way …

Jim and Christine still estranged

[Peggy] “Oh, have you heard, Jim and Christine have fallen out. Did you know he was an anarchist and a republican?”

But I though Jim was a Royalist. Wasn’t he quite excited and supportive about Camilla’s visit?

Adam’s in a reflective mood

Not working, at home recuperating, Adam’s got time the time to ponder.

He’s been reading his dairies from when he was travelling through Senegal. Some of it’s quite poetic. Some of it isn’t.

[Ian, reading the diary aloud] “Stubbed my big toe on a fence post, swore like a docker”

[Adam] “It’s like I’m reading about someone else”

[Ian] “All very different from an English Country Garden”

(Adam sighed at that)

When Adam later went out for hack with Lilian, he told her he’d phoned his mate Vince, with whom who’d been in Kenya. Vince is just about to go to Malawi to do some charity work, helping to fit fuel efficient cooking stoves.

[Adam] “It’s made me nostalgic … for my younger self. I sometimes wonder if I shouldn’t have stayed”

[Lilian] “But then you would have met Ian. And he’s worth a thousand fuel efficient cooking stoves”

[Adam] “He’s the one bright spot at the moment … what do I do that makes any impact at all … I’m a cog in a corporate machine .. it’s not why I wanted to be a farmer”

[Lilian] “Everyone needs food, and you produce it … don’t sell yourself short”

When Lilian later has a wine with Ian, she tells him Adam is brooding. And needs taking out of himself.

Lilian sorts the wages

Lilian checked with Elona to see how Matt paid Darrell. It was cash. Again.

Lilian then later phones Elona to tell her it’s all sorted. She claims she took the “thumb screws” to Matt, and Darrell will be on formal wages by the end of the week.

Wonder if Matt knows?

Kenton and Jolene New Zealand bound?
Meriel has emailed Kenton a new photo:

[Kenton] “Suddenly she doesn’t look like a tiddler anymore”

(Meriel’s 11)

Kenton wants Jolene to meet Meriel – Jolene wants Kenton to meet little Sidney.

But, Jolene can’t see how they can afford to go.

[Jolene] “Let’s park it for now”

Ha! Knowing Kenton, he’ll buy the tickets and have Jolene off to New Zealand in a matter of weeks.

Two years since Sid

On the mention of Sid’s grandson Sidney:

[Jolene] “It’s almost two years now. I can hardly believe it”

Peggy still gets (junk) mail at Grey Gables

Must be a very long age such Peggy stopped working there.

Kenton’s new cocktails

Include a Presidential Pick Me Up and:

[Kenton] “Can I interest you in our republican cocktail or you the man for our royal flush?”

Ian declines. Wine is just fine.

Jolene’s an ardent ex-smoker

[Jolene] “I wish people wouldn’t stub their fags out in the tubs. Filthy habit”

[Lilian] “Time was, darling”

[Jolene] “One day you’ll see the light an all”

I very much doubt that. How can Fagash Lil by Fagash Lil without the fags?

Saturday, 14 May 2011

The Archers Tuesday 10th May 2011: Ed put his foot down

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

Ed’s not having Will have his will be done
Meriel is 10
Bye bye blackbird
Single Wicket!!!!
Nic’s never bored working in The Bull
Ed’s a coward
Shula is in the ménage all afternoon
Puppy Show
Nic wears the trousers

Ed’s not having Will have his will be done

Ed’s a very unhappy chappy about George spending more time at Will and Nic’s.

As he tells Oliver:

[Ed] “It’s not good for him. He’s not spending enough time at home to get to know his baby sister properly”

Ed reckons he needs George at home, as he wants George and Keira to be a “proper” brother and sister. Oliver agrees that them spending time together is “essential”

[Ed] “Should I put my foot down?”

[Oliver] “You should do whatever’s right for your family”

So, off Ed trots, to sort it all out. For the family. Which doesn’t include what his brother may want. Who is family …

Meriel is 10

Wonder if we’ll ever met her or hear from her mum?

They both are surprise guests at Kenton and Jolene’s wedding? (if they ever do get married).

Bye bye blackbird

Well – bye bye hawks (and co.), to be absolutely correct.

Jessica from Lower Loxley’s Falconry needs Elizabeth to invest more in the Falconry to bring it up to scratch.

Elizabeth had been avoiding the Falconry, as she had a suspicion that it wasn’t paying for itself. As one of Nigel’s pet projects, she didn’t want to have to make a financial decision about it.

But there’s no avoiding it now that Jessica has spoken up.

Elizabeth goes through the books, and finds that yes – the Falconry is a money pit. Nigel has been shielding it.

So, despite Eleanor (Nigel’s favourite bird – a Harris Hawk), all the other birds and Jessica – Elizabeth has decided.

[Elizabeth] “the birds will have to go”

That’s a shame. I bet Jessica will wish she just made do, rather than asked for more money to refresh the falconry …

Single Wicket!!!!

Hurrah! Single Wicket time is back with us.

Shula’s putting up posters, and Nic reckons that Harry is “dying” to get signed up, so that he can defend his title.

(where oh where is Harry? He’s been quiet for so long, one does wonder if he and the currently also silent Jazzer have eloped).

Nic’s never bored working in The Bull

I quite like Nic, but one does have to wonder at her enjoying The Bull even when it’s deadly quiet.

I suppose anything is better than an evening in with Will. Especially when he wants to procreate.

Ed’s a coward

Ed putting his foot down, and sorting out matters on behalf of his family, is to go and be form with Nic, rather than Will.

What a wuss!

Of course, Nic is very understanding. She can see that Ed wants Keira and George to be close:

[Ed] “I think it’s best all round, don’t you?”

[Nic] “Actually. Yes. Yes, I do”

So after gaining Nic’s vote, Ed then asks Nic to tell Will.

She’s a tad reluctant, but agrees. Nic can be too nice for her own good sometimes.

We all know what can happen to the bearer of bad tidings.

Shula is in the menage all afternoon

That sounded like a wife-swapping session to me, but seemingly it’s something to do with horses.
Puppy Show

Oliver is organising the puppy show.

What puppy show?

I recall no puppy show from previous years.

Anyone else know what he’s on about?

Nic wears the trousers

On telling Will that Ed has said George had to spend more time at home:

[Will] “He said what? What right has he got to go marching into The Bull giving you orders …who does he think he is …”

[Nic] “Oh please don’t take it personally”

[Will] “Of course I’m going take it personally when it’s my life he’s interfering with”

[Nic] “He really didn’t come over as someone who wanted to interfere or stir things up”

[Will] "Don’t you know him by now … and why are you sticking up for him”

(at which Nic slightly loses her temper, and shouts at Will that she was only trying to pass on what Ed had said, and she agrees Ed should have done it himself)

[Nic] “I do think he had George’s interest at heart”

I agree that it’s important that George does have a home. I agree that he shouldn’t be passed around. And I agree that he needs stability.

But why does that have to all be with Ed and Emma? Surely he could have all of that by staying at Will and Nic’s?

Considering Emma is such a selfish wee madam, why not let George stay with his dad?

Anyhoo – Will does eventually agree that this is all in George’s best interest. But I think we can hardly expect it to end there.

I’ve said it before – where there’s a Will, there’s a way.

Wednesday, 21 July 2010

20th July 2010

The Archers: Jamie’s birthday … Jolene’s lost … Everyone needs Pat’s advice … Kathy and Kenton arguing

Joe’s up to new tricks
“Kenton and I will try and get on with a whole 2 hours”
Pat’s the solace for middle aged women
Jolene – no-where to go, and nothing to do

Joe’s up to new tricks

Joe’s been selling ‘garden fresh’ veg in the Village shop, which only seems to be available when he’s there.

Susan’s gonnae catch you!

“Kenton and I will try and get on with a whole 2 hours”

Well, they failed miserably.

Did they seriously think Jamie didn’t notice them arguing when they were off to the side at the bowling?

Poor chap. What an awful birthday.

And what a palaver over the New Zealand trip to see Kenton’s daughter Meriel!

Fist Kenton wants to go – Kathy doesn’t – now Kenton doesn’t want to go – but Kathy does.

Dear me.

I have been on Kathy’s side so far, but she’s proving to be impossible.

As much as I agree with her that Kenton is putting Jaxx before anything else, she can’t emotionally blackmail him. If he doesn’t see Meriel this year, what’s the big deal? He hasn’t seen her in years anyway.

And while Kenton is indeed overtly defensive, I can’t really blame him when all Kathy does is attack.

“I’m going to have to make some difficult choices”

Reckons Kenton.

I wouldn’t be betting on them being together for Christmas.

Pat’s the solace for middle aged women

First Kathy, then Jolene, then back to Kathy again.

Pat’s got broad shoulders indeed.

She’ll need them for her own family, soon enough.

Jolene – no-where to go, and nothing to do

“Whatever I do – wherever I go – I just miss him more and more”

It’s annoying clichéd advice, but oh so true – it’ll just take time.