Ambridge Extra Thursday 19th May 2011: Chas is no match for Lesley

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• Confused.com
• Just good friends?
• Alice’s ring broke?
• Kirsty and Rhys on a date, round 2
• Lost your words, Chas?

Confused.com

Nope. Still can’t get used to the warped timing of the parallel universe that is Ambridge Extra.

Kathy didn’t know that Jamie had a girlfriend, whereas in last night’s proper Archers she’s bumped into them.

Then later, Jamie’s moaning because he and Natalie had just bumped into Natalie.

Very confusing indeed


Just good friends?

Paulie (Alice and Chas’ flatmate) and his girlfriend Brooke are chatting about exactly just how friendly they reckon Chas and Alice actually are.

[Brooke] “Is the head board banging?”

Brooke later corners Chas to try and get the intel.

At first Chas is fairly honest:

[Chas] “Alice? She’s like a sister to me”

[Brooke] “I’ve seen the way she looks at you”

Then, pushed by Brooke, he starts revealing what he (and only he) sees as happening between him and Alice.

[Chas] “We do like each other, okay. It’s complicated … I think Alice wants to prove something, to have the perfect marriage”

Chas’ theory is that because Alice had to suffer Brian and Jennifer’s marriage problems (Brian’s wanderings), she married the boy next door because he was “safe and boring” and

[Chas] “she can play Wendy houses with him”

So Chas reckons Alice is just play pretending with Chris, and (I’m assuming) is actually slowly coming round to the fact that she really wants Chas.

Trouble is, Chas seems unhinged enough to wreak havoc before Alice wakes up to how much of an ar*e he really is.

[Brooke] “She might be hitched but it’s those two who act like they’re married”

Aye – but it’s a marriage where the wife does what she’s told without realising she is being told what to do, and where the husband is a bit of a nutter …


Alice’s ring broke?

Is that what Paulie said?

What on earth was she doing?


Kirsty and Rhys on a date, round 2

This time, Rhys is on Kristy’s turf. And it’s making him chilly.

[Rhys] “It’s normally the bloke who has to give his coat”

After seeing one young snipe, Rhys is delighted to think they’re about to head to The Bull. But is then disappointed that Kirsty is just moving them to the bird hide.

They see a Reed Warbler.

Rhys tries to use the cold as an excuse to get cuddly with Kirsty

[Rhys] “Isn’t that what Ray Mears would do … share body heat”

But play is interrupted by a Kingfisher. And a rather unenthusiastic Kirsty (also seemed Rhys wasn’t that interested either – just doing what he though was expected).

As they’re leaving, they both admit that they’re not exactly suited.

[Rhys] “We make a fine couple don’t we …these dates, they’ve been a disaster”

[Kirsty] “Yeah, yeah they have”

So mates it is.

But not before they exact revenge … Fallon best beware!


Lost your words, Chas?

Well, that was a pleasure to hear someone get the better of Chas.

Chas had gone round to poor Reggie’s to try and squeeze money out of him.

[Reggie] “The things is. There’s someone I want you to meet. Lesley, my brother.”

(Chas starts to snigger that Lesley is a bloke …)

[Lesley] “What? You think that’s funny? I don’t find you very funny. I hear you’ve been giving my little brother hassle over a loan. Maybe you’d like to discuss it with me”

(Chas starting muttering and stuttering. Lesley must be a big bloke …)

Lesley gets the measure of Chas quickly:

[Lesley] “… some trumped up little posh boy playing the hard man …”

And sends Chas off without any more.

Chas did make a wee bit of an effort to appear threatening to Reggie at the end, but hopefully Lesley will be there to gently persuade him to leave again next time …

The Archers Wednesday 18th May 2011: Lone Wolves

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• David and Ruth are leaving Brookfield!!!!
• Kenton’s one to talk (about bad timing with women)
• Does Jolene believe her own lies?
• “the baying of lone wolves”
• Oliver wanted Jolene to feel a new person
• Elizabeth is looking “wild”
• Some bloke and a marrow

David and Ruth are leaving Brookfield!!!!

Fine, it is for one evening, but it’s as shocking as if we’d heard they were selling up to buy a whore hoose.

[Ruth] “I think you better brace yourself … more good news …we can cut the supplementary feeding”

Which means they’re finally turning a decent profit.

With David in an increasingly chirpy mood, he then suggests that they get Pip to babysit Friday, so that they can go out for a meal.

Wonder what “really pushing the boat out” looks like when you’re David and Ruth.


Kenton’s one to talk (about bad timing with women)

Kenton reckons Jamie starting to see Natalie during his exams is ‘bad timing’.

Hmmm.

I don’t ever recall Kenton particularly timing his dalliances with the female gender particularly well.


Does Jolene believe her own lies?

I don’t make it a month since Jolene had her last cigarette.

She was sneaky a crafty puff right up to when they went to Monte Carlo – then has managed to stay clean.

So it won’t be a month for at least 3 or 4 more days (if not more).

Kenton doesn’t know that, of course. So he’s gone and got her a nice surprise.

Jolene also seems genuinely chuffed that she's managed to do a month.

But she hasn’t.

Cheeky.


“the baying of lone wolves”

Kenton’s surprise for Jolene is a “deluxe beauty treatment” at Grey Gables.

I had to check with fellow eavesdroppers on twitter when I thought that Kenton mentioned Jolene will be relaxing to soft music, and

[Kenton] “the baying of lone wolves”

My fellow Twitter eavesdroppers concurred that Kenton did say that.

And later, Kenton asked Jolene how she got on with the lone wolves. She said she had to “imagine them”.

Is this normal during a beauty treatment?

Are baying wolves a relaxing sound??

I have no ken.

If so, I wonder if my hounds could earn me a few bob if I took them into a local beautician to bay at their customers.

Surely the live thing would be better? Less stress than to imagine them …

(I know a hound isn’t a wolf, but all dogs are actually wolves at heart. Even the teeny handbag ones)


Oliver wanted Jolene to feel a new person

That Oliver is quite crafty, really.

Kenton asks his advice as a mate, and Oliver manages to turn it into a sale for Grey Gables.

Nice.

That poor man.

He’s so (so) bored.



Elizabeth is looking “wild”

According to Freddie.

So she’s going to get her hair cut.

Finito.


Some bloke and a marrow

(tonight’s eavesdropping episode was quite slow, by the way).

Chatting about the Single Wicket to David (who is going to get Josh to sign up), Kenton told some story about a bloke – who lived next to another cricket ground – had a cricket ball crash through his greenhouse – into his prize marrow – reckoned it was deliberate (as it would indeed have won prizes) – so took the cricket stumps in case they also tried to get his courgettes.

Not exactly the funniest tale Kenton has ever told.

Ho hum.

The Archers Tuesday 17th May 2011: Peggy makes a brooch

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• (… I’ll say this in a whisper, but seems Jamie is being normal again …)
• The pigeon fanciers annual do
• A “really rather nice” brooch
• Brooch of doom?
• The fight for the Falconry
• Nae luck – Jamie has to introduce Natalie to Kathy
• Peggy has always loved duck egg blue, and Elona was right

(… I’ll say this in a whisper, but seems Jamie is being normal again …)

Kathy’s taking Jamie to the first of his exams. He’s a bit moody (which is fair do), but he does say ‘thanks’ to Kathy for taking him.

Later on, he also compliments Kathy on making a “great fish pie”.

But most amazingly – he doesn’t go ape when Kathy suggests he might want to spot working at The Bull during his exams. He actually listens, and seems to agree (though his grunts can sometimes be hard to translate).

Could this be the new dawn? Probably is down to the new Natalie …


The pigeon fanciers annual do

Is at Lower Loxley.

Elizabeth won’t be there, so she’s prepping Roy that they are a “nice bunch”, but they can also be a “bit intense”.

Seemingly Nigel had to pull a couple of them apart after one accused the other of cheating.

Fancy!



A “really rather nice” brooch

Peggy’s absolutely chuffed to bits with the brooch she made at ted’s workshop.

She reckons it’s:

[Peggy] “really rather nice”

Bless her wee socks.

Jill, in her usual brusque manner, manages to make (what I imagine was meant to be) an encouraging comment sound like a put-down:

[Jill] “You actually finished something”

But no mind. Ted reckon’s it’s 5% talent and 95% application – so Peggy is bound to create further masterpieces.



Brooch of doom?

Lest we forget Nigel finding that old brooch of Julia Pargetter, which then become the last gift he ever gave to Elizabeth.

Wonder of Peggy’s brooch will wind up featuring in a similar way for one of her brood.

A far cleverer thought came from @eatcakebehappy over on Twitter … “.or the agent of doom...that shed might not be too hygienic.....”

Oo-er!


The fight for the Falconry

Roy’s barely found out where the peg is for his jacket is at, but he’s already (potentially) getting controversial).

He wasn’t convinced that Elizabeth had made the right call to shut the Falconry, so he’s been back through the books.

It would seem that when the Falconry is sold/promoted as part of a package, it gets far more folks.

(see – I said it would come down to marketing!).

Hayley’s also a fan of the Falconry for the guests:

[Hayley] “it is a really good focus activity”

for the school kiddies.

So, Roy’s just got to pick his moment.

Save the Birds! (and Jessica!!!)


Nae luck – Jamie has to introduce Natalie to Kathy

It could have been worse. Kathy just bumped into them when she was out shopping (no snogging or other stuff to really get Jamie embarrassed).

Natalie does again seem to be a nice lass. She chats with Kathy as if she’s just another human being (not an alien monster, as Jamie’s blokey mates tend to treat her, and any other parent they slope across)

She also calls her Mrs Perks. I must be getting old fashioned, as I really like it when young ‘uns do that.

AND Natalie’s gran also makes fish pie.

Later on:

[Kathy] “ I was so surprised … seeing you with someone … it would have been nice to know you had a girlfriend”

But she says it in a very no-confrontational way.

And Jamie doesn’t seem to mind.

Blimey! Looks like we’re on the final straight (but still whisper it, just in case).


Peggy has always loved duck egg blue, and Elona was right

Seemingly Peggy has always found it be a calming colour,

Elona has also seemed to have done a grand job of calming Peggy down in her thoughts about her friendship with Fred.

[Peggy] “I suppose Jack wouldn’t mind my friendship with him … I spend so much time worrying about Jack, trying to care for him, not that I resent it it’s as if one part of you gets totally neglect, I don’t think that can be good for me or Jack”

And what’s more – Jill can join in the fun! Jill also has a lot on her plate, so taking time out to be “creative”, and enjoy the company.

Ambridge Extra Tuesday 17th May 2011: Jamie’s bullied by a girl

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• Chris signs up
• Alice makes a homophobic remark
• Rhys gees up Jamie
• Natalie makes Jamie do her bidding
• Rhys takes Kirsty for a ride
• Chas has Alice completely under the cosh
• Please stop blasting music at me

Chris signs up

What an idiot.

Chris has signed up with Chas for the money, and then had to suffer Chas taking the Michael out of him not being able to keep Alice is the manner to which she is accustomed.



Alice makes a homophobic remark

[Alice to Chas] “If I’m a princess, then you’re a big queen”

Eh?

I’m not too sure what to make of that.

Alice really has had a major personality transplant for Ambridge Extra.


Rhys gees up Jamie

It’s Jamie’s exams tomorrow, and Rhys is giving him a bit of a pep talk.

It’s basically the ‘knuckle down, it’ll soon be over’ speech, but Jamie does seem to listen to Rhys.



Natalie makes Jamie do her bidding

What a wee shame on Jamie. He’s bullied by Steve and co into doing stuff he doesn’t necessarily want to do – and now Natalie is twisting him round her wee finger.

He’s just finished his shift at The Bull, and needs to get back home to study.

But Natalie calls, and begs Jamie to come over to hers.

She’s been studying all day, is fed and now feels sick at the thought of her exams.

Rather than tell her that he needs to get his work done, Jamie consents, and heads over.

Not much of a competition though – studying, or snogging.

Anyhoo, he does get his snogging. But he also gets Natalie’s take on what tomorrow’s exam might involve.

“Inform – explain – describe … complex phrases”

You feel Jamie sinking deeper and deeper into a mind frame of “’I know feuck all, and the exam is tomorrow’.

(which is a nightmare that I still get – though mine is always about maths).


Rhys takes Kirsty for a ride

She has to make it under her own steam, though.

They’re off on their bike ride to the pub.

Kirsty seems hopeful that her bike is too rubbish to let her go on the ride, but Rhys fixes it in a jiffy.

So off they set on, to Kirsty’s horror, a whopping two hour bike ride.

A lot of panting and nettles later, Kirsty sounded like she wanted to kiss the ground when they finally got to the pub.

She decides she definitely prefers bird watching to bike riding

[Kirsty] “No stings, No chaffing. You can normally still walk afterwards”

Rhys takes that as an invite to go bird watching, which he’s more than keen to do.

But Kirsty doesn’t seem too keen to spend more time with Rhys …

[Rhys] “You can show me the difference between a blue and a grey tit”

[Kirsty] “Well, if that’s what you’d like …”

Chas has Alice completely under the cosh

[Alice] “Our own home Chris, and we’ve got Chas to thank for that”

*sigh*

Why neither of these previously quite intelligent young folks can spot that Chas in an Ar*e, I don’t know.

Chris was starting to say that he reckons Chas makes him feel off, but Chas interrupted.

Chris had to leave shortly, so he and Alice to go out for a bit, but Chas manages to tag along.

Alice returns to the flat (after Chris got rid of Chas), to find Chas and Paulie doing pull ups on the door.

All fairly innocuous stuff – but put it all together, and most sane folks will decide that Chas is an ar*e.

But not Alice.

[Alice] “You’re amazing Chas. It’s so generous”

And now she’s cooking for him! Because he has studying to do! But she has studying to do! And Chris is paying interest for Chas’ ‘generosity’!!!

After cooking him his tea, Alice then has to spend yet more time with Chas.

[Chas] “Okay then,. I’ll go warm up the sofa”

Oh goodness me! Where’s our Alice?



Please stop blasting music at me

We had another musical interlude. Which (sounding like a grumpy old lady), I really don’t like.

Radio 1 is for music, Radio 4 is for talk.

Hmpf.

The Archers Monday 16th May 2011: Kate drops a clanger

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• Kate hasn’t even done anything yet
• Elizabeth is also back to herself
• Roy is also cheerful
• Eddie’s not going to let it lie
• Oliver prefers letters to emails
• Now the birds leave Freddie!
• That was particularly evil. Even for Kate.

Kate hasn’t even done anything yet

But Hayley is already in a mood with her.

[Hayley] “Kate just winds her up, that’s the trouble … wish she’d just let her be sometimes … what state Phoebe will be in when Kate goes off again, I don’t know”

Then Kate calls to say that she’s going to collect Phoebe from school, and take her out for tea. She and Phoebe seemingly have something to talk about.

[Hayley] “She just wades in and hijacks her again and again”

Oh Hayley – the worse is still to come.


Elizabeth is also back to herself

Looks like all of the Jill/Phil side of the Archer clan are all bouncing back at the same time.

After David feeling a spring in his step yesterday, both Lewis and Haley reckon Elizabeth is also a bit more like herself.




Roy is also cheerful

It’s joy abound in Ambridge at the moment.

Roy is also feeling chipper, as he’s getting up in the morning to something new.

He and Hayley are also looking to getting their new car (which comes with Roy’s new job). Especially as Hayley had to “really yell” at her current “old banger”.


Eddie’s not going to let it lie

[Eddie] “It doesn’t seem fair”

Eddie’s on about Will again. Though Will doesn’t know it as yet, Nic isn’t going to have a baby with him.

Eddie reckons it’s really rough on Will. He looks after Jake and Mia as if they were his own, and he has to cope with his son only being “on loan” to him.


Oliver prefers letters to emails

Despite having the puppy show to organise, Oliver seems to be at a complete loss with himself at the moment.

Seems to be wandering about Ambridge, randomly banging into other residents, who then (randomly) ask his advice.

Today it’s Kenton. He wants advice on what present to get Jolene for not smoking for a whole month (ah … more like a couple of weeks, unbeknownst to Kenton).

Anyhoo, Oliver was chuffed that some of his puppy show invitations were answered by emails, not sounded not so chuffed that Caroline seems to be thriving with her new increased workload at Grey Gables.

He’s taking her away for a short break, to remind her that there’s a world beyond Grey Gables, but looks like he might have to continue wandering Ambridge on his own for a bit longer …



Now the birds leave Freddie!

I didn’t spot this until Roy found Freddie in the Falconry (as Roy was going to have a word with the very despondent Jessica).

But, Freddie is surely going to fall to pieces when they take the birds away from him. His dad, the horse, some of the cattle … not his birds.

Everyone leaves Freddie.

Freddie was telling Roy about how he and Nigel used to work a lot with the birds.

[Freddie] “It seems like they’ve always been here”

Oh dear.

Freddie could even reassure Roy that Hector (the bird) wasn’t really angry:

[Freddie] “it’s just his normal expression”

That was particularly evil. Even for Kate.

Kate’s at Roy and Hayley’s, after having dropped Phoebe back:

[Kate] “She’s just loads more confident since she came to stay with us over Easter …”

(meow!)

[Kate] “Oh, by the way, Phoebe was telling me how she’s like to come over to South Africa to live me with for a while. I said it was a great idea. We’ll talk it through when I have more time. I’ll see myself out. Thanks for the coffee. Bye”

What! What what what!!! I know Kate is an evil witch sometimes, but that was pure, cold, evil.

What a female dog she is!

[Hayley] “Can you believe her, because I can’t”

[Roy] “I’m afraid I can, yeah”

[Hayley] “She’s actually encouraged Phoebe in this fantasy … she shoots her mouth off without a second thought … I mean how irresponsible is that. I don’t want her to go and live in South Africa, Roy”

[Roy] “Look, Hayley, this is Kate, remember. She’s full of talk. She flits from one thing to the next. It’s never going to happen”

I don’t know why Roy reckons he’s not surprised by Kate’s behaviour, yet can so grossly underestimate her.

Hayley reckons that, even if Kate goes off the idea, Phoebe will still be impossible about it.

[Hayley] “Honestly, if she hasn’t gone when she did,. I don’t think I could have controlled myself”

We’d all have been there with you Hayley!

The Archers Sunday 15th May 2011: David’s back!

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• David has a spring in his step
• Clarrie chips it out of Nic
• Ambridge won at cricket
• Eddie’s for the father’s rights

David has a spring in his step

Looks like David is back to form. He’s cheery, getting lots of work done and even lets Pip off with not checking the tyre pressure on her car.

[Ruth] “Pip even said she heard you humming in the shower at 5 this morning. You better watch it or I’ll think you’ve been abducted by aliens and replaced with a new model”

[David] “I do feel a bit more positive”

The milk yield is settling down, the grass is coming up fine for silage (Ruth reckons “it’s like money in the bank”) and there’s definite signs of summer.

Ruth did admit that she nearly suggested David go to talk to someone:

[David] “Ha! It’s alright, I’ll stick with the Ruth therapy. It seems to do the trick”

Ruth is also fine with David helping Elizabeth for a few days. She’s not so worried now Elizabeth has proper support with Roy as her manager, and she also agrees that David helping her out was the right thing to do.

[David] “It’s so good to be able to just draw breath and take in that view … we never have time to appreciate it really, do we …I do feel different. Like we’ve really turned a corner.”

[Ruth] “I’d almost given up on hearing you ever say that”

Clarrie chips it out of Nic

Carrie’s trying to ask Nic what’s wrong, but Nic is doing her best to avoid having to talk.

She even pulls up a plant instead of a weed to create a distraction. Steady on there!

After pulling apart Mia and Jake from fighting over a wind up dog that doesn’t wind up anymore, Clarrie manages to get Nic to put the kids to best and sit down over a nice cuppa.

[Clarrie] “If there’s something that’s worrying you, you know you can tell me, if it helps”

Nic feels like she’s talking behind Will’s back (well, she’s right he won’t be pleased when he finds out she’s spoken to Clarrie before him), but Clarrie persists.

[Nic] “It’s just Will … he keeps talking about having another baby … I don’t know Clarrie … I feel really bad about it … I know it means a lot to him, I wish I could say yes, but I really can’t”

Clarrie guesses right that Nic feels she’s already done the having kids duty. Nic feels that she’s starting to be able to have time for herself, that she already has a “lovely little family” and that she also loves working at The Bull. She likes the banter, and being part of the community.

Not sure about her claim that they can’t afford to have another baby, though. I thought Will was fairly well off (comparatively).

Anyhoo – she’s “terrified” of telling Will that she doesn’t want a baby, as it’ll cause a huge row.

Delaying it isn’t going to help, and now that Clarrie knows …



Ambridge won at cricket

Blimey!



Eddie’s for the father’s rights

[Eddie] “Does William have a say in it, or what … how hard it is for William not to have his son with him … I just think it’s very hard on the lad that’s all, well if he wants another kid … I just hope he gets to see plenty of George, that’s all”

Fair enough. It is tough on Will that Nic doesn’t want a baby, but what can he do about it.

Nothing (surely?).

I wonder if Eddie will take Will’s side if a custody battle starts up …

The Archers Friday 13th May 2011: Eddie’s in trouble

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• Ruth’s refreshing the shearers
• Exams are good for Shula
• At least the puppy show is on track
• “On the bypass, having me sarnies”
• “worse than the riddle of the sphinx”
• Sticky Wicket #2
• David’s better?

Ruth’s refreshing the shearers

Bless Ruth and her cans of lemonade.


Exams are good for Shula

Daniel’s studying hard. Which is great news for Shula.

[Shula] “At least it means exams don’t turn me into some kind of nagging harridan”

Well, that’s one instance we can all remember …



At least the puppy show is on track

Caroline is too busy to spend time with Oliver, so he’s often to be found riding by himself.

At least this time Shula joins him – and she’s agreed to do the catering for the puppy show.

[Ruth] “You know what they say. If you want something done, ask a busy woman”

(I still want to know what thus puppy show is all about)


“On the bypass, having me sarnies”

Clarrie calls Eddie in a bit of tizzy:

[Clarrie] “Don’t you Clarrie love me Eddie Grundy. Where the heck are you?”

[Eddie] “On the bypass, having me sarnies”

Wrong answer, Eddie.

You were meant to pick Clarrie up at lunchtime, so that she could get home to make Joe his dinner. She hasn’t got a very long lunchtime as she’s having to make up time at work for taking the time off for the dentist.

So fair do that she’s annoyed with Eddie for forgetting – she’s having to rush round after everyone else, and asked him for one thing!

She’s also still annoyed with him for falling asleep at her birthday dinner last night (Eddie was seemingly also “loud … embarrassing … tipsy”).

On top of that, she’s worried about Nic and Will …




“worse than the riddle of the sphinx”

Clarrie can’t quite put her finger on what she thinks is wrong between Nic and Will, but there’s something she’s picking up on that she’s not happy about.

Eddie gets a bit frustrated that she’s basing her concerns on ‘atmosphere’ (which is the sphinx reference).

[Clarrie] “Something just didn’t feel right between them.”

Eddie reckoned it was nothing more than an argument they must have had before they all arrived for Carrie’s birthday dinner, which had created the odd atmosphere:

[Eddie] “And it was there. Like a damp sock. Hanging at the back of things”

But that doesn’t satisfy Clarrie. She knows Nic wasn’t herself (“guarded … not like her bubbly self”).


Sticky Wicket #2

Shula is hassling David about the sticky wicket – Harry has already signed up, as has Tom and Alistair. Tony is the Umpire, and Jim’s doing the scoring.

And David is also happy to sign-up.

Oooh – exciting times!


David’s better?

The aeration machine has arrived at Lower Loxley, and Ruth is fine with David taking a couple of days away from Brookfield to help out.

Even more than that – she thinks Alistair’s chat with David has worked wonders.

David is more positive and has more energy.

But we, of course, know better than that. We eavesdropped on Alistair’s chat, and it was fairly useless (through no fault on Alistair trying).

Oh dear. The worse can happen if no-one knows everything isn’t okay.

The Archers Thursday 12th May 2011: Clarrie’s birthday

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• Who will give Jessica and her birds a home?
• Nic’s not herself
• At least Will appreciates Nic (sometimes)
• Joe is haunting the mobile library
• Clarrie doesn’t approve of book clubs
• Regional Wine status
• No Ed and Emma

Who will give Jessica and her birds a home?

So Elizabeth has made her final decisions about the Falconry:

[Elizabeth] “We’re just not going to be able to offer her and the birds a home after summer”

Roy is concerned about what will happen to Jessica (though they are checking other stately homes), and reckons there will now be a gap. Seemingly a Falconry is well liked by visitors – giving an air if aristocracy, and a link with heritage.

(so why doesn’t it make more money?)

Couldn’t they try and make the Falconry make money, rather than just ditch it?



Nic’s not herself

It would seem that all Will’s talk of he and Nic having a baby has put her right on edge.

She seems to be frightened of Will arriving with flowers (which were actually for Clarrie).

Then was again very nervous when he brought out the champagne.

She must have thought Will was about to announce he wanted a baby – but it was all fine. It was ‘just’ for Clarrie’s birthday.

Then, while Eddie has a nap in the corner, Clarrie talks of babies. That she reckoned George looked like Will when he was born. And the day she Clarrie fell for Will – not long after he was born, when she saw him with his finger in his mouth.

Nic can’t take it.

She literally runs away from the room.


At least Will appreciates Nic (sometimes)

It’s an odd relationship, that Nic and Will.

He’s such a boorish, ignorant man at times. But she’s very good at calming him down, making sure he can’t always force what he wants through.

Will often takes Nic for granted, but was very grateful to her for making a cake for Clarrie. He actually said thanks.



Joe is haunting the mobile library

Which is a tad premature (!), but he’s ever so keen to make sure he doesn’t make a fool of himself at the next Book Club.

That involves actually reading the book. Which it would seem he is doing.

Wonders will never cease.


Clarrie doesn’t approve of book clubs

Clarrie is a tad dismissive of Susan’s efforts to read the book, and join the Book Clun:

[Clarrie] “Ain't so much keeping up with the reading, it’s keeping up with the Aldridges”

And also reckons “once a book is read, it’s done with” – so what’s the point in talking about it.

Years of drudgery mean Clarrie sometimes (just sometimes) doesn’t get anything beyond the kitchen sink.


Regional Wine status

So while parts of Lower Loxley aren’t faring so well, at least the wine is fine.

It’s got Regional Wine status again – and English wine week is approaching.

Make money out of the wine, give it to the birds.


No Ed and Emma

Very odd that Ed and Emma weren’t at Clarrie’s birthday party.

Even more odd that non-one seemed to notice. Or care.

Ambridge Extra Thursday 12th May 2011: Rhys and Kirsty’s date

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

• Chris also abandons his common sense
• Rhys is “a bit weird, actually”
• Ed on Will
• Natalie will be good for Jamie
• I hadn’t heard of any one of the bands mentioned today

Chris also abandons his common sense

What’s wrong with the youngsters on Ambridge Extra?

Some of them seem to have had personality and sense transplants.

First Alice – behaving very ditzy and subservient to the odious Chas (a chap she’d normally chase down with her horse)

And now Chris.

His first instinct about Chas wanting to let him money was spot on.

[Chris] “But why would Chas want to lend me money?”

But he later calls Alice to tell Chas that he will take him up on his offer.

What?

Ed did also say that Chris should take the money (that he’d be “mad to say no”) but Ed is also the sharpest scythe in the barn. And there’s a world of difference between Oliver (helping Ed) to Chas (helping Chris).

I just don’t get why Chris would agree, and also don’t get why Alice and Chris are daft enough to get a loan when they have savings.

Business first. Big hoose later.



Rhys is “a bit weird, actually”

Kirsty and Rhys go on their first date (as demanded by Fallon). It made for rather uncomfortable eavesdropping.

[Rhys] “So, Kirsty, are we on a date?”

[Kirsty] “Fallon seems to think so”

[Rhys] “So, perhaps we better ask each other some date type questions”

So they chat about music.

He prefers rock, she folk.

He likes rugby, she football.

[Rhys] “Can’t see the point of football”

[Kirsty] “You’re talking to a lifelong Liverpool fan”

And Rhys doesn’t like mushrooms. Kirsty is a big fan of the restaurant’s mushrooms risotto.

There was hope when they both mentioned they liked cycling.

But alas.

Rhys turns out to be a real mountain biking enthusiastic (including the techie stuff), whereas Kirsty, despite agreeing to go on (what sounded like) a fairly challenging ride to The Case is Altered (pub) in Faircastle, is more of a ‘bike to the shops’ kinda girl.

[Kirsty] “Thing is, he’s a lot heartier than me … (my bike is a) big heavy thing that I got off eBay for £30 quid”

So, while they do have a second date, Kirsty isn’t entirely convinced. She reckons Rhys is a nice enough chap, but

[Kirsty] “He was a bit weird actually … we just didn’t seem to have that much in common”

Ed on Will

[Ed] “The real reason is he just wants his son to himself as much as he can … devious toe rag.”

I don’t disagree that George does need to have a stable home, but surely it’d be just as reasonable for his dad to have him, as much as his mum?



Natalie will be good for Jamie

Jamie and Natalie are having snog in the park.

So I take it that means that they do like each other.

Natalie seems to be quite a sensible young lady. She does want to see Jamie, but has a part time job and studying to do over the weekend. She’s also not embarrassed to mention her mum picks her up.

Talking about studying:

[Natalie] “Are you worried about them? Well you should be … maybe you should spend some time revising too. Then when you’re older, you can get a good job and buy me some nice things …”

It was good to hear Jamie having a laugh with someone other than his moronic friends. And if she can get him away from his mates and onto studying …

Unfortunately, Steve did happen to come across them.

Lucky enough that Natalie was just leaving.

Steve, as we have previously discussed, is a bit of a prat. Though he is Pip’s new boyfriend’s (Spencer) brother, he does often sound like he might be related to Chas.

The minute Steve is around, Jamie also starts acting like a prat. He makes out that Natalie’s mention of studying was code for something else (the mind boggles at what that could mean).

But do we see a slight change in Jamie?

He sounded very disinterested in the ‘wicked’ party that Steve was talking about.

Goodness me. Is Natalie who we’ve all been looking for?


I hadn’t heard of any one of the bands mentioned today

Maybe we’re hearing the names of lots of modern popular hit parade combos because of the youngsters listening.

But it makes me feel very, very old. And a bit uncool.

The Archers Wednesday 11th May 2011: Susan Carter is halfway through a book!

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

• Finally get rid of Ruairi?
• Lilian still cracking whips at builders
• Non-smokers are no fun
• Taking Jolene to NZ is a great idea!!!
• Drinks with the Snells and the Bellamys
• Matt’s cutting corners
• The tongs are missing!
• Is Susan like-minded?

Finally get rid of Ruairi?

After having to look after Ruairi by himself (only for a few days), Brian’s decided he’s worried about the level of education Ruairi is receiving at the local school.

Ruairi couldn’t finish and quiz, and told Brian that it would matter. Brian was horrified that his teachers don’t even expect the kids to finish their homework. They should be being pushed.

[Brian] “Children need to be given today the edge they’ll need for tomorrow”

Egged on by Bridget sending lists of public schools, Brian starts pondering sending Ruairi to a school which will do Ruairi a bit more justice.

Jennifer isn’t against the idea, but is also quite clear that she’s not prepared to lose her, or Ruairi’s, life to commuting. There isn’t anywhere decent close by.

Stating the obvious, Brian mentions boarders.

Now, I’m not saying Jennifer has been aching to get rid of the week chap (she’s obviously a very devoted mother to him), but her first though was not the thought of Ruairi no longer living at him.

Jennifer was impressed by one of the school’s extra-curricular activities. Brian was very chuffed to see that one had a gold course.

They reckon they would miss Ruairi, but also reckon he “clearly needs a more stimulating curriculum”

Nae luck Ruairi boy. Looks like it’s boarding school for you.

Wonder is Siobhan would have approved?


Lilian still cracking whips at builders

[Lilian] “If you don’t give them a regular rollicking, they’ll be there til doomsday”

Non-smokers are no fun

Offering Jolene a sneaky fag (behind the bike sheds … well, The Bull), Lilian is a bit taken aback that Jolene doesn’t want one.

[Lilian] “Go on, you know you want to”

[Jolene] “I’m serious Lilian. I want to be good”

[Lilian] “Spoilsport …”

Fair play to Jolene for sticking to it. Though I still think it was all a bit off of Kenton to push her to do it, rather than Jolene making her own mind up.

Where she sees Kenton as encouraging – I see nagging. He forced her into it, no way about it.

I wouldn’t go as far as Lilian in saying that Jolene was “mad” to quit, as it (obviously) is good for her health – but I do reckon she’s being told what to do, rather than deciding for herself.



Taking Jolene to NZ is a great idea!!!

Kenton’s talking (again) about going to New Zealand to see his daughter Meriel.

[Lilian] “He’s always making plans to go to New Zealand but he never manages to save enough to do it”

Jolene mentioned that he wants Jolene to go with him.

Well, that’s just a cracker of an idea, Kenton.

Jolene’s just settling into normality again – taking her back to New Zealand will be just the tonic.

(and I am being sarcastic. Jolene can’t have many positive associations with New Zealand after Sid’s death there).


Drinks with the Snells and the Bellamys

(for Bellamys – I know it’s technically Crawford and Bellamy)

Lynda turns up at the Dower House.

[Lynda] “I came to hold out the olive branch to Lilian”

Lynda mentions that Leonie and Jamie are seemingly off somewhere exotic. But she won’t tell Lilian and Matt where it is, as it’d surprise.

So, talking of their new family connection, Lynda invites Lilian and Matt round for drinks one evening.

Lilian makes a few non-committal noises, and Lynda leaves them to it (promising to call to arrange their evening soon).

[Matt] “Drinks with her and her geek of her husband … remind me to be busy counting paperclips that night”

Possibly not as amusing as Susan trying to class-up for Jennifer and Brian, but plenty of comedy value to come, I reckon.


Matt’s cutting corners

Work is moving apace on Matt and Lilian’s redevelopment of No.3 The Green.

But Lilian isn’t too happy with Matt’s habit of keeping costs down by not entirely redeveloping to a high spec.

I think he’s quite right that No. 3 The Green doesn’t need to be too high-end, and that it doesn’t matter if you plaster behind kitchen cabinets if you’re just selling.

But, it’s not exactly the reputation Amside/Lilian is aiming for.


The tongs are missing!

But not to worry. They were found again in time for the Village Shop customers to get their food without having to touch it.

Phew!


Is Susan like-minded?

The Book Club meeting next week is Cranford.

Jennifer’s quite excited about it.

[Jennifer] “It’s a pleasure to become reacquainted (with Cranford) …So stimulating to talk about books with like-minded people … had missed it”

(that says a lot about Brian’s company!).

The shock of the day is that Susan is already halfway through it, and is likely to also be coming along to Book Club.
It’s likely Susan is just trying to (again) be on Jennifer’s level, but Jennifer reckons:

[Jennifer] “More than she hates being left out of anything”

Meow!

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.

Ambridge Extra Tuesday 10th May 2011: Kirsty’s barbeque

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

• Fallon’s a bit scary
• Chas propositions Alice
• Why the blast of music?
• Jamie woos Natalie
• Jacqueline is another Chas victim
• The day after the barbeque
• Mr Big
• Ah – there’s the interest

Fallon’s a bit scary

I’m not too sure why Fallon is so determined to get Rhys and Kirsty together, but she’s going about it with all the tact of Nick Griffin!

[Kirsty] “Fallon said you might come”

[Rhys] “No might about it. Gave me the time off. Drove me here. If I let her, I reckon she’d have picked out my t-shirt”

I’m spotting problems between Kirsty and Rhys’ compatibility. She likes cider. He likes bitter. Rhys isn’t interested in organic food.

[Rhys] “I’ll eat anything. More e numbers the better”

After making sure they say hello, Fallon then makes sure they stay together. She goes to get them drinks. Then has to leave again as she “forgot” her drink. She then drags Spencer and Pip away (as they have the cheek to stop to chat to Rhys and Kirsty) to help get another table out. But there’s no table to be taken out.

Then, Fallon tells Spencer and Pip to divert anyone who interrupts Rhys and Kirsty.

What on earth is wrong with Fallon? Is she on some sort of commission?



Chas propositions Alice

Here it comes – Chas offers Alice the money that Chris needs to buy a van, to then take over the Farrier business.

[Alice] “Have you really got £15 or £16,000 you don’t need?”

[Chas] “Well, as it happens, the timing is very propitious”

(ar*e)

Chas spins a very shallow and obvious story about a relative he hardly knew leaving him the money (aye right then!). Who’d fall for that.

Well, Alice.

[Chas] “Here’s an opportunity to share my good opportunity with my friends … take as long as you want. The bank of Chas is open all hours”

And he reckons he’ll lend it interest free.

Again – aye right then!


Why the blast of music?

That was bizarre. A solid blast of music. I thought I’d hit the wrong button on the radio.

Goodness me – being ‘down with the kids’ is quite distracting!


Jamie woos Natalie

Out on a date with Natalie, Jamie seems to be doing quite well. Might have something to do with Steve and co. not being around.

He did get off to a shaky start:

[Natalie] “You never seem interested”

[Jamie] “Well it was Steve’s idea … he pushed me into it”

Yup. Every young lady likes to know that her date is there cause his pals made him.

But, either Natalie is a bit dim, or understands Jamie better than I do.

She just read that as him being a bit shy.

They bond over someone called Mark Prescott (who seemingly has a face like a potato and thinks Snoop Dogg is a cartoon character).

And as they leave, Natalie says she had a nice time, and gives Jamie a wee peck.

They arrange to meet again AND Jamie is savvy enough to want it to be just him and Natalie. No mates. No Steve. No harassment.

Maybe Kathy was right. Maybe a corner has been turned.

I still think the worm has to turn (Jamie has to tell Steve where to go), but it’s a start.


Jacqueline is another Chas victim

So Chas doesn’t just go for ‘lower class’ types.

Some lass called Jacqueline is also being harassed by him for payments – but she’s a student.

I suppose that Chas doesn’t distinguish between who he rips off is slightly something in his favour.


The day after the barbeque

(I still can’t get used to Ambridge Extra flipping back and forth in time!)

Fallon’s efforts seemed, at first, to have backfired.

As no-one could get near Kirsty to say hello (Fallon was chasing them all away), Rhys thinks Kirsty is “Jenny no mates”.

But – he does say that he is interested in Kirsty, and might pop to Jaxx for a drink when she’s working.

But, it’s not going to be that easy, or normal, for Rhys.

Fallon gets that gleam in her eye again, when Kirsty comes into The Bull, and starts being a sledgehammer again.

[Fallon] “Go on. Say to me what you said about Rhys”

[Kirsty – after some persuasion – and sounding very embarrassed] “I said you were really nice”

Fallon then badgers’ Rhys to do the same.

[Rhys] “I said you were a lovely girl”

[Fallon] “So … one of you’s got to make the first move. It’s no good telling me how you feel and doing nothing about it?”

Kirsty and Rhys are a bit stunned at what Fallon’s doing. Especially when she basically asks Kirsty out for Rhys (and vice versa), then pushes them onto a time and place.

I really don’t get it.

Either Fallon has flipped, or she really (really) needs to get out more.


Mr Big

Which is what Chas thinks he is – and who he also calls to sort out his financial dealings.

So it seems Chas is being bankrolled by someone called Victor, in London.

[Victor] “Let’s face it, if they were capable of running their lives, they wouldn’t need your specialist services, would they?”

Chas needs some time to pay his bit back, as the “pond life” are not behaving. He also asks if he can do a special deal. He has a personal transaction to arrange …


Ah – there’s the interest

Alice still isn’t sure about Chas’ offer.

[Alice] “It just seems like such a big favour”

So – to make it easier for Alice to decide, Chas now offers to charge interest. 2 and a half % over 3 years. As much as he reckons he’d make on an ISA,

Oh dear. Alice wants it to be more of a formal arrangement so that she feels like she’s not taking advantage – which has given Chas the perfect in-road to ripping them off.

This isn’t going to go well, but Chas is simply going to be no match for Chris. Or Brian. Or, the most scary of all, Jennifer.

The Archers Monday 9th May 2011: Roy’s first day at Lower Loxley

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

• Green Weddings and Garden Festivals
• Divine retribution for Clarrie poaching one of Joe’s humbugs
• Which corner is that, Kathy?
• Elizabeth needs Lynda, not David
• Clarrie also forgets about Emma and Ed
• Is Will getting anonymous sperm?

Green Weddings and Garden Festivals

Lots for Roy to learn at Lower Loxley, all of which he sounds very excited about.

Seemingly Green Weddings have the ethos of “Reduce, reuse, recycle”. They involve things like painting initials on pebbles for name places and throwing bird seed rather than confetti.

(sounds fairly ‘quirky’ but average. Just a marketing ploy?).

And the Garden festival is “loosely based on growing cooking and eating your own food”. It has speakers, a bee keeping display, plants and food stalls, the Lower Loxley allotments selling their surplus, champagne and strawberry tents … and a bouncy castle.

Brilliant.

But was it just me who thought it sounded like Elizabeth wasn’t really giving Roy much responsibility, or anything to do? Sounded like he was just overseeing.



Divine retribution for Clarrie poaching one of Joe’s humbugs

Is a trip to the dentist with a cracked tooth.

Where’s the divine retribution for Joe and Eddie? They surely rate higher.


Which corner is that, Kathy?

Jamie’s getting himself up in the morning, and actually volunteered to mow the lawn.

[Kathy] “I don’t want to count my chickens, but I think we’ve turned a corner”

I don’t wish to be too cynical, but I think Kathy is indeed assuming too much too soon.

First – she’s pandering to Jamie. He may have offered to mow the lawn, but she let him off because of his exams. It’s easy enough for him to appear to be good when he knows he won’t actually have to do anything.

And second – it’s Jamie’s mates. Until he tells Steve and co. to naff off, he doesn’t stand a chance of being a nice bloke.

BUT – I’d be a very happy chappy if this is a new dawn for Kathy and Jamie. No more shouting …



Elizabeth needs Lynda, not David

Elizabeth is calling on David to sort her pasture out.

Seemingly it needs aeration.

Surely Lynda should be her first port of call, after her personal session with Matthew Wilson from Gardeners’ Question Time?

Either way, wasn’t Roy starting at Lower Loxley meant to stop Elizabeth needing David?

Especially when he’s so stressed and busy at Brookfield.

Just wait until Ruth hears about this.


Clarrie also forgets about Emma and Ed

Will tells Clarrie about his plans for her, Joe and Eddie to go to Will and Nic’s for Clarrie’s birthday.

She’s delighted.

But oddly, also doesn’t spot that Ed and Emma aren’t invited.



Is Will getting anonymous sperm?

Will tells Clarrie that he’s seen Helen.

[Will] “She looks really happy, like glowing”

Then he asked Clarrie how Pat and Tony were doing.

[Will] “You know, with how Henry came about”

Odd.

Is Will planning to have his baby without the (rather unwilling) Nic?

How exactly would that work, then?

The Archers Sunday 8th May 2011: Grey Gable’s roof is leaking

(seriously – that was the highlight of this eavesdropping episode)

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

• George can’t put his jumper on
• My son this, my son that
• Catwallender’s aren’t happy
• Shearers and Silage
• Cricket might be the answer
• Will didn’t invite Ed and Emma

George can’t put his jumper on

He’s run out of holes, but Nic shows him that he should start at the bottom.

Foolproof.


My son this, my son that

As Ed’s collecting George from Will and Nic’s, Will couldn’t help himself.

[Will] “Didn’t you son … he takes after me”

Ed fights Will’s paternity with a trip to Lower Loxley.

And is also trying to persuade George that Keira has been grizzly recently because she misses George.

Anyone else feeling that George is being pulled hither and tither?




Catwallender’s aren’t happy

The leak at Grey Gables was in their room at Grey Gables.

They already hadn’t been able to get the room they wanted (as it was already booked by a regular client).

And now, not only is their room rather damp. But they’re now in a room that’s smaller, with a view of the car park.

Worse still, for Caroline, is that the Catwallanders seemingly have a very wide social circle, and are respected. They are, after all, a vicar and a doctor.

Wonder if a few more crises like this will send Caroline screaming into retirement?


Shearers and Silage

The shearers are due at Brookfield, and silage is due.

Yup. Definitely summer.


Cricket might be the answer

There’s talk of whether Jamie will join the cricket team this year.

He’s back at home. Laying the table. And cricket could be the final sign that Jamie’s on the mend.

Here’s hoping.


Will didn’t invite Ed and Emma

It’s Clarrie’s birthday, so Will decides that he and Nic should invite everyone round to theirs to celebrate.

And Nic agrees.

But no mention of Will only saying Clarrie, Eddie and Joe would be coming.

Hmmm.

Well, at least someone is doing something nice for Clarrie (Eddie … pull your finger out!).

The Archers Friday 6th May 2011: Parish Council election – winners and losers

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

• 14 years at Grey Gables
• Lilian is most definitely not amused
• George is stopping out again
• Roy underestimates Kate
• Ambridge on AV

14 years at Grey Gables

It’s Roy’s last day at Grey Gables, and his colleagues send him off in style.

He has a leaving do meal at Grey Gables, and is gifted a home cinema system.

So - off to work for Elizabeth Pargetter.

Rather Roy than me ...


Lilian is most definitely not amused

Lynda and Jill were elected to the Parish Council.

But Lilian lost by a mere 6 votes. To Richard Thwaite.

[Lynda] “Quite a humiliation for her”

Oh dear.

[Lilian] “I suppose the votes only get the council they deserve, and that doesn’t include me anymore … I lost my seat darlings”

Despite calling Ed and Emma ‘darlings’ (I suppose that is just a reflex of Lilian’s), she then berates them for not voting. Though they weren’t sure they’d have voted for her anyway (Lilian did later apologise).

Lilian is a bit OTT with her reaction. And seems to think that “dirty tricks” were involved.

[Lilian] “So you've stopped by to gloat, have you?”

[Lynda] “Me? Gloat? Good heavens no. I just stopped by to say how sorry I am.”

[Lilian] “Well I can do without sympathy, darling”

Lynda tries to explain that she would have preferred Lilian to Richard Thwaite, but Lillian’s not hearing it. She accuses Lynda of rubbishing her verge idea (which is all part of the game, I reckon), and that she stole Lillian’s broadband idea (but for it was hardly original fodder rural politicians).

Lilian then vows that she and Matt will still have a say in the local community. Rather ominously so.

Maybe it’s something to do with the fact that the only other person to not get elected was Hilary Noakes

[Ed] “Ambridge’s most hated woman”

Now that’s not suitable company for our Lilian!


George is stopping out again

And Ed isn’t happy about it, as he’s at Will’s again.

[Emma] “It is a big help. It means less work for me.”

(oh aye – it’s all about what’s best for Emma!)

[Ed] “Emma. You just don’t get it do you. Will’s not doing this to help you out, to make your life easy, he’s got a real agenda here … he knows your busy with Keira and he’s just trying to take advantage”

Ed says he’s upset because George’s place is at home with him and Emma, and his baby sister. But he must be thinking that Will is trying to make moves to have George permanently.

It’s certainly what I think Will is up to.


Roy underestimates Kate

You’d have thought Roy would know Kate by now.

But no.

Hayley’s worried that Phoebe is still obsessed about South Africa.

[Hayley] “It’s always like, when I go back … when, not if”

[Roy] “She had a holiday of a lifetime; she’s bound to be excited still … I wouldn’t worry too much. She just needs to get it out of her system. She’ll soon come back down to earth again. You’ll see.”

Come on Roy! Not if Kate’s been whispering outlandish promises to Phoebe again. Which she has. Which you’ll only probably find out about when they’re heading to the airport.



Ambridge on AV

[Lynda] “I suppose our little contest was rather trivial by comparison”

Goodness me no! Far, far more riveting.

The Archers Thursday 5th May 2011: Hello Spencer!

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

• Milk yield picks up, but David doesn’t
• Will plants a seed
• Ruth made brownies!
• Pip takes Spencer home
• Did David crack a smile?

Milk yield picks up, but David doesn’t

Ruth excitedly tells David that all looks better than well with the milk yield – but David is still not impressed.

What’s it going to take?


Will plants a seed

But not anywhere Nic …

In my opinion, Will seems to be on the one hand agreeing with wee George that Keira is a pain – while also saying that she’s not really all that bad.

George reckons Keira is smelly and stupid (for waking him up) - Will reckons Keira will be more fun when she’s older.

So – maybe the next suggestion will be that George would be far happier living with Will and Nic while Keira grows up a bit.

But Will’s plans most definitely don’t stop there:

[Will] “And you never know … one day soon, you might have another brother or sister”

Hmmm. Better ask Nic about that first.

At least he does ask Emma about taking George “again”, and she readily agrees.

Will’s plot thickens.


Ruth made brownies!

With nuts in them!!!

[Ruth] “Don’t worry. It’s your mum’s recipe. I followed it to the letter. She says it’s fool proof”

Pip takes Spencer home

To meet David and Ruth.

Who are both very nervous. Maybe Jude is just Pip’s type of man …

Spencer gets off to a good start.

Lots of ‘Mr Archer’ and ‘Mrs Archer’ – until he’s told different.

David knows Spencer’s dad.

Infact, David sounds a lot happier talking to Spencer. Spencer is genuinely impressed by Brookfield’s farming system. And David is impressed that Spencer intends to stay at home and work with his dad.

After Spence and Pip have left:

[Ruth] “He’s such a nice lad … so easy going and grounded, lovely manners, and lovely too”

[David] “Ruth, he could have had two heads, he is just so not Jude!”

Did David crack a smile?

I thought I heard that he did.

[Ruth] “So, life’s not all bad is it … the yields up again. Pip’s got herself a lovely new boyfriend”

Did David have a wee grin at that?

I thought Ruth was then about to suggest naughty, but it was a trip to the polling station (which, point of fact, was the only mention of today’s voting).

Ambridge Extra Thursday 5th May 2011: Fallon creates a good old fashioned farce

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

• Can we provide Reggie with a large dog?
• “I tuck that”
• Because the lady does love cigarettes
• Oh, how we laughed at Fallon and Rhys
• Chris is not amused with Alice
• Rhys is a funny chap!

Can we provide Reggie with a large dog?

Or a gun? A big man? Or a big group of men? Or, a big group of really irritated women?

Anything to help Reggie make that obnoxious Chas go away.

It’s bad enough that Chas took £150 from Reggie when it would leave Reggie with not enough money for food (Reggie did borrow the money in the first place, and could simply be pleading poverty, but I’d believe and support anyone over Chas).

But worse that Reggie also has to listen to the worst ‘hard man’ routine ever uttered.


“I tuck that”

Can anyone translate the following:

[Steve] “Oh Bev yeah, of course, I tuck that … I gave her some of the Stevie love”

Tuck that?

Is that just a daytime use of the F word???



Because the lady does love cigarettes

[Steve] “Natalie’s gagging for it, and Jamie needs to get out there”

So Jamie gets goaded into going over and offering Natalie a fag … (such romance!).

But it seems to work. Jamie’s meeting Natalie later on.


Oh, how we laughed at Fallon and Rhys!

Fallon asks Rhys to Kirsty’s barbeque.

He thought he was working.

You could hear him turn a bit green when Fallon told him that she’d changed the shifts so that they could go to Kirsty’s together.

I always though Fallon was a bit of a ‘babe’, but she’s obviously not Rhys’ type.

He panicked, and started waffling about how his mum lives in Spain, his mum’s sister (Aunty Jean) lives in Wales. He needs to go and see her as he now has his day off:

[Rhys] “gotta keep in with her if I ever want to inherit her collection of China dogs”

Pressed further by Fallon, Rhys then gently breaks it to her that he likes her and all that, but that she’s his boss. And has experience of the dangers of going out with the boss.

[Rhys] “When it goes wrong, they’re slicing a lemon and you’re wondering where it will go next … not that I’m saying you’re violent … what are the changes of their being two psycho females running pubs in Borchester!”

But all’s well that ends well. Fallon reassures him that she’s not interested in him (which led to a ‘oh … why ever not?’ type response from Rhys), and that they’re going as mates.

Think she should tell him about Kirsty?



Chris is not amused with Alice

After taking all of poor Reggie’s money, Chas hassles Alice to forgo studying so that he can take her out to dinner. On him. Using Reggie’s money (not that Alice is aware of that).

Chas even manages to get Alice into a nice frock.

As Alice and Chas return all giggly and flushed after their meal, they find they have a surprise guest.

Mr Alice Carter (or simply ‘Chris’ to his mates).

Alice has left her phone at home, so Chris was let in by Alice’s other flatmate.

Chris has something important to tell Alice, but she was too tiddly to listen. So Chris has another go in the morning.

[Chris] “I thought you were working last night… looking like that?”

Calming down a tad, Chris tells Alice that his boss is retiring – and is dropping very large hints that Chris could take over the business.

But, to do that, his boss is also hinting that the business needs a new van now. And that his previous apprentice is also interested.
So, Chris needs to buy a van. They have some money aside, but not quite enough.

After Chris has left to go back home, Alice tells Chas all. Who is very, very, interested.

Chas lends Chris the money? Chas tries to get heavy when Chris can repay? Chris shows Chas exactly what damage his ‘wee hammer’ can do???


Rhys is a funny chap!

Rhys seems like a nice, as well as quite an amusing, bloke.

He might actually be in the running to challenge Jazzer for his crown in classic one-liners.

[Rhys] “You know, we’re used to waiting for things in Wales …grand slam …evolution … sunshine”

The Archers Wednesday 4th May 2011: Kate promises Phoebe South Africa

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

• Will will get Nic to say ‘yes, I will’?
• Peggy prefers Ted to her grand-granddaughter
• Peggy prefers Phoebe over Kate
• Nic prefers Jill to Lilian
• Kate does it yet again

Will will get Nic to say ‘yes, I will’?

Will is such a suave, romantic young man.

He tries to woo his girlfriend into having a baby by taking half an hour out of work, and taking in the shopping.

Caw blimey! He sure knows how to make a woman go weak at the knees.

Nic agrees to at least to talk to Will about possibly (maybe, but no promises or indications of any real interest) having a baby. But then, has to rush out as she realises she’d forgotten to buy the milk.

Aye – likely story!

To be fair, Nic does later say yes to Will having George again.

[Will] “And this is my big chance … isn’t it … to build up a proper relationship again”

Ah well. Will may not get a new baby, but he might get George permanently.


Peggy prefers Ted to her grand-granddaughter

Peggy was making all the right noises as Phoebe was showing her (millions) of South Africa photos – but properly perked up when Ted arrived.

Ted’s takes her to his studio, where he wows her with his prowess with wire wool, and they both get rather excited over turquoise.

[Ted] “We can get more ambitious, add some other colours later”

Steady!

Is Peggy just interested in Ted for his craft?



Peggy prefers Phoebe over Kate

Which can be assumed from Peggy’s assumption that when Ted mentioned “such a sweet girl”, he meant Phoebe rather than Kate (he’d met them both at the same time).

Well, no surprise there than really.

This time round, it might be something to do with Peggy’s concern that Kate is encouraging Phoebe’s obsessions with South Africa.


Nic prefers Jill to Lilian

Or she at least prefers Jill’s idea for entering Ambridge into Britain in Bloom that Lilian’s idea of sponsored verges:

[Nic] “Much better than a few rich businesses sponsoring a bit of wasteland”

The battle lines are being drawn.


Kate does it yet again

Phoebe is going about her pal Mandisa again.

So Kate says that Phoebe can’t live next to Mandisa – but that she can come and live in South Africa for:

[Kate] “a while” …a few months … maybe longer, if that’s what you’d like”

[Phoebe] “But I can really do it? I can really come and live with you?”

[Kate] “Maybe. Yes. Though I’m not making any promises … just you let me think about it, okay?”

Oh dear.

And Kate only made a cursory mention of “talking to” Roy and Hayley.

Note that she didn’t say “ask”.

My money’s on Hayley.

The Archers Tuesday 3rd May 2011: The real election campaigning begins

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

• Young love is in the air
• Lilian’s key issue
• Jill’s key issue
• Was Oliver wandering around a bit tipsy?
• George got a space warrior
• Ed’s right to be suspicious of Will
• Slow broadband
• “We’ll let the voters decide”

Young love is in the air

[Lilian, on hearing about Spencer] “Good for Pip, I thought she had a bit of a spring in her step”

…

[Lynda on James and Leonie] “They did seem so happy together. So suited”

[Lilian, not convinced] “Hmmm …”

Lilian’s key issue

Jill finds Lilian seemingly looking at wildlife. Which is odd.

[Lilian] “ … the state of this verge … so untidy, a real eyesore … it’s a wilderness … don’t suppose it’s ever been properly managed”

[Emma] “Can’t say I’ve ever really noticed”

(does Emma actually have an interest in anything?)

All becomes clear. Lilian has a plan …

[Lilian] “Quite simple, but brilliant darlings”

Her idea is to get local businesses to support pieces of verge – pay for it to be tidied, reseeded and so on.

But, Lilian hadn’t thought it all through.

The business would expect something in return. Which would likely be an advert on each verge.

So – in the place of untidy verges – Ambridge would get mini adverts scattered around the village.

Hmmm. Not ensure that’s a vote winner, Lilian.



Jill’s key issue

Is to enter Ambridge into Britain in Bloom.

Even more cunning, is that she’s going to organise it with Lynda.

Which may actually lose her a few votes (Lynda isn’t exactly popular with every Ambridge resident), but will at least make sure it has a good chance of happening. What Lynda wants …

I reckon Jill’s onto a vote winner there.

Lilian better break out the bribes.


Was Oliver wandering around a bit tipsy?

Oliver had been out with an old mucker (Angus, who’s judging the hounds, apparently) for a long lunch.

He had a bit of a chat with Caroline about Roy’s leaving present (Caroline wants it to be special, even though she is a bit miffed. Leaving presents can be such a minefield).

[Caroline] “I hope he doesn’t come to regret his decision as much as I do”

Then, Oliver later wandered up to Ed, to waffle on about how he and Jim had just had a bit of a gentleman’s disagreement about politics. Ed wasn’t interested. He doesn’t really bother with voting.

The man sounded drunk to me.

Oliver becomes an alcoholic, which forces Caroline to finally retire to support him through it?



George got a space warrior

Which I’m supposing is a plastic toy figurine thingy. George was delighted, but I think Ed’s missing the point of spending more time with him. You can’t buy a child’s happiness …


Ed’s right to be suspicious of Will

Will’s offered to have George stay over with him and Nic again.

Ed sounded quite suspicious, but Emma was only too glad – she reckons she needs a break.

Slippery slope indeed. Where there’s a Will, there’s a way (for Ed and Emma to lose custody of George).


Slow broadband

Now that would be a good issue for Lilian to champion properly.

She reckons it is one of her campaigns – but it’s surely a better one than untidy verges.

Living in a rural area myself, I’m lucky enough to be near(ish) an exchange – but coverage is very patchy in my region.

I’d happily vote for someone (anyone) who could get that fixed. Especially considering rural businesses are increasingly dependent on the internet for selling (high petrol prices, local high streets deserted etc etc).


“We’ll let the voters decide”

When Jill and Lilian had been chatting through their (very different) campaigns ideas, it was all very civilised.

Not so the case when Lilian and Lynda have a chat.

For starters, Lynda reckons the verges are patches of wasteland. And:

[Lynda] “patches of wasteland are important natural spots … not weeds Lilian, wild flora”

[Lilian] “Next you’ll be telling me they’re miniature wild life parks!”

Which is more or less what Lynda was saying.

Lilian tries to turn it back onto Lynda – wasn’t Lynda’s guerrilla gardening in the same vein? – and Britain in Bloom is just:

[Lilian] “Flora clocks and potted geraniums!”

Lynda fights back. She reckoned she was at least:

[Lynda] “Not suburbanising them to gain some cheap publicity for local firms”

But, that was actually that. Lynda didn’t want to have a proper barney, which could lead to a “fall out with new family connections”.

(oh eeeek! James and Leonie’s wedding … the horror!)

[Lynda] “We’ll let the voters decide”

Ambridge Extra Tuesday 3rd May 2011: Chas is a wanker

(excuse my language above, but he really, really is)

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

• Guilt is starting to gnaw at Alice
• Steve is Jamie’s problem
• Fallon ‘call me cupid’ Rogers
• Kathy’s made Shepherd’s Pie again

Guilt is starting to gnaw at Alice

Alice arrives back at her Uni flat. Chas is there (yuck!)

[Chas, on Alice not wanting to put her bags in her room straight away] “That’s the spirit. indolence beats enterprise”

(what an ar*e)

Alice is not a happy bunny. She’s starting to realise that she has lied to the Police, and that could come back to bite her on the bum. She even felt nervous driving back to Uni,

[Chas] “Alice, they were hardly likely to have a road block up on the M3”

(ar*e)

Chas reckons the false alibi Alice gave him has made it all go away. Alice is worried that the Police will found out that she’s married to Chris, so would then think she was lying when she said Chas was her boyfriend.

Chas was right to say that a married woman having a boyfriend isn’t illegal, and I suppose he had a point that it doesn’t (in a weird way) make Alice’s “story” more credible.

But, then Chas went on to say that it “felt right” to pretend that Alice was his girlfriend.

Which I thought was a bit creepy.

Even more creepy was Alice apologising for her (quite reasonable, actually) sense of guilt.

[Alice] “I’m just being a girl”

Eh?

Who the f is this Alice?

Later on, Alice had a shock when she saw a Policeman talking to one of the counsellors at her Uni. She even had to turn and walk in another direction.

[Alice] “This is not me. It’s so not me”

(quite!)

And Chas’ response?

[Chas] “It’s hardly a federal case …… a couple of nice upstanding students on one side, and king of the chavs on the other … case closed”

(a*se!!!)


Steve is Jamie’s problem

I think it’s becoming obvious that Jamie’s bad behaviour isn’t just because Jamie is actually a thoroughly bad lad.

It has a lot to do with Steve.

Steve seems to spend a lot of time putting Jamie down, and telling him what to do. What is bullying.

Asking for his £30 back, while Jamie’s trying to do his shift at his shift at The Bull

[Steve] “Shame it didn’t get you into Polly’s panties”

But, it was Steve, leading Jamie’s other mates, who scared Polly off.

Steve then persuades Jamie to go out, when he needs (and wants) to study.

(to which Jamie muttered “yeah, safe”)

And it would seem it’s partly Steve’s influence that make Jamie treat Kathy like dirt.

[Jamie] “No, it’s like totally sound … she was so desperate for me to go back, I can do anything I want”

Fallon ‘call me cupid’ Rogers

Fallon reckons Rhys and Kirsty are made for each other

[Fallon] “they just need a helping hand”

So she badgers Kirsty to have a BBQ (which Kirsty thought was “too risky” with the weather), and manages to get her to agree. The trick is then to make sure she (Fallon) also got to invite some folks. Which will obviously include Rhys.

[Kirsty] “as long as they bring a bottle and a burger”

Little does she know …




Kathy’s made Shepherd’s Pie again

But at least Jamie lays the table.

So progress there, then. I suppose.

Kathy also then thought she had caught Jamie playing a game when he should have been studying. But he was studying by playing a game (something to do with French).

Definite progress.

So, if we can just get rid of Steve ... wonder if his brother Spencer will prove to be of use (beyond that of keeping Pip happy).

The Archers Monday 2nd May 2011: Fat or Fags?

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

• When a stroll to the silage fails to cheer
• Jolene hits the sweets
• Jamie out for nooky?
• Ambridge cricket team off to a bad start
• Summer ahoy!
• Ruth wants to go out
• Is there ever a desperate need for leggings?
• Kenton talks tough
• Boyfriend, round 2

When a stroll to the silage fails to cheer

Ruth is still trying to get David to see the brighter side of life.

So takes him to see the silage.

Which fails to raise a smile.


Jolene hits the sweets

Jolene has managed to not have a cigarette since before she and Kenton went to Monte Carlo.

Which is quite an achievement. Considering she’s gone cold turkey, not on her own choice.

Jolene is chomping her way through sweets, though.

Question is – would Kenton still fancy her if she’s winds up fat?



Jamie out for nooky?

Jolene’s now staying over Kenton’s some nights (well, over at Elizabeth’s).

And Jolene sounds very relieved that Jamie has moved out.

Did Jolene just want Jamie out so that she can have guilty free nooky?

[Kenton] “You know your problem, you just have an addictive personality … you’re very addictive …”

And off they go, up Lakey Hill …

(did Kenton then offer Jolene grass to eat? As in the green stuff that grows out of the ground? Might have misheard that)



Ambridge cricket team off to a bad start

First cricket match of the season, first loss for the Ambridge cricket team.

They reckon it’s because they were missing their star player, David.

Here’s hoping David cheers up soon. If only for the pride of the cricket team.



Summer ahoy!

[Ruth] “Sky lark … really feels like summer is on its way”

And Jolene spotted new leaves and Hawthorne blossom.

Hurrah!!



Ruth wants to go out

Stop the front page – Ruth Archer wants to go out for a film, or “that Italian place in Hollerton”

But David pours cold water on Ruth’s lofty ambitions.

[David] “We’re both tired already without adding a late night”

[Ruth] “You can’t keep this place up forever without taking a break!”

You know things are bad when Ruth is desperate enough to try and have a night out.



Is there ever a desperate need for leggings?

Seemingly so, if you’re Pip.

But alas – she returned to Brookfield with no leggings. Pip made up for that with a pair of quite intriguing earrings.

[Pip] “Hey dad, do you want to see some Borchester bling?”

Kenton talks tough

But only does so behind Jamie’s back. Rather than to his face. Which actually got a result (in getting Jamie to move back home):

[Kenton] “My guess is that it’s blown away whatever tiny lingering shred of respect he’d been holding onto”

And isn’t Kenton quite settled in at The Bull? He's serving behind the bar like he’s very much at home.

Only a matter of time?


Boyfriend, round 2

Pip mentions to David and Ruth that she has “a friend” coming to Brookfield on Thursday. But eventually admits:

[Pip] “like, someone I’ve been hanging out with … well, I suppose he’s sort of my new boyfriend really”

[David, with disdain] “Boyfriend!”

It’s alright David. I reckon Spencer’s a good ‘un.

The Archers Sunday 1st May 2011: Kathy bows down to Jamie

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

• Second mention of silage clamp!
• Ted has an impressive box
• Jamie has it made
• But has Jamie changed?
• Abby is a worry
• Jill Vs Lilian
• AV, Ambridge style
• Missing Mandisa
• Son or husband?

Second mention of silage clamp!

No idea why I get so excited about the silage clamp time of year, but I do.

Though a mention of Tony working on a tractor always sends shivers.




Ted has an impressive box

Ted took an enamel box, which he’d made. She was very impressed. Very impressed indeed.

Kathy and Pat have spotted that Peggy seems to be quite fond indeed of Ted proper, as well as Ted’s box.


Jamie has it made

Back at home with Kathy, Jamie came in late, but didn’t get shouted at … gets woken up gently by Kathy, in plenty of time for his shift at The Bull … Kathy then makes him sausages … and takes his dirty clothes away to wash them.

I hate to say it, but Jamie’s mates were right. Jamie has Kathy right where he wants her.


But has Jamie changed?

He has got Kathy pandering to him, but he also seems to be in better feckle.

Jamie sort of agreed with Kathy that he probably should have his exam schedule up somewhere in the house (which is better than just shouting).

And he told Kathy that he’d come home after his shift at The Bull to then start revising.

Cripes!


Abby is a worry

As Roy is mulling over, with Hayley, that this is his last week at Lower Loxley (after having started there as a waiter 14 years ago), this rather odd moment happened:

[Hayley] “Is Abbie alright over there? She’s not trying to eat those daisies again?”

Well! Abbie seems to be one to watch.


Jill Vs Lilian

Jill and Lilian are both standing for election (for the Parish Council).

Who would you choose? Conservatives (with a most robust capital C) or the Gin Party?

Hmmm.


AV, Ambridge style

Peggy’s chatting with Kathy about AV.

Peggy reckons she understand how it works, and isn’t sure it is a good thing.

[Peggy] “the old system seems to have done us well enough … better than some of these continental countries with all the bickering and horse trading that goes on”

(*snort* Peggy will be going on about the Colonies next!)

Kathy, on the other hand, reckons a change might be a good thing, and might make folks feel that their vote counts.

Phew! Heady times indeed.


Missing Mandisa

Here we go.

[Phoebe] “If l lived over there … we could be proper friends”

So we know Phoebe had a grand time in South Africa, but sounds like she was more fond of it than Roy and Hayley would like.

Phoebe is fixating on her new bessie mate Mandisa, who she met in South Africa, as the reason why she wants to be back in South Africa.

Phoebe can go. As long as she takes Kate with her …



Son or husband?

Is it just me, or has Kathy forgotten that Jamie is her son, not her husband?

In her speed to play nice with Jamie, Kathy sounds like she has a cheating husband to placate – along the lines of ‘as long as he comes home’ sort of nonsense.

[Kathy] “Safe subjects only … I don’t say too much that might rock the boat. So I play the doting mother. Cooking his meals, doing his washing, tidying up after him”

To be fair, Kathy does know what she sounds like, as she describes it to Pat, and she knows it’s not good for either her nor Jamie.

Must admit, I’m not fussed. As long as they don’t scream at each other.

normal service shall resume ...

... sorry for the silence. I will be back with you, with my Ambridge mutterings, hopefully by the end of this week. Only managed to listen up to this Monday's so far!