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 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.

The Archers Tuesday 26th April 2011: David’s Depressed

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

• Peggy sounded just like Jill
• David takes the blame too far
• Peggy’s a groupie!
• Drying grass in the oven! Surely a bad sign?
• The Victorian fairy painter
• Pip, the poet laureate (cows only)
• Counsellor? Nope – call in the vet.

Peggy sounded just like Jill

Not that I’d mistaken her – just by sounding so grumpy and judgemental.

Peggy does have her moments, but she’s no naysayer like Jill.

[Jill] “When I was a publican I’d have chosen Easter for a holiday”

She did then go on to say that she hoped Kenton and Jolene had a good time (David was quick to point out that the timing was Kenton’s idea).


David takes the blame too far

Talking to Shula about the low milk yield, David reckons it’s all his fault.

[David] “What makes it worse was that it should have been avoidable … there’s no mystery about it Shula, it was bad management. Simple as that”

Seems Alistair begs to differ, but David doesn’t seem to be in a very rational mood right now.



Peggy’s a groupie!

Peggy went with Ted to the U3A meeting today. Ted was speaking about a painter chap called Richard Dadd (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Dadd) which non-one (myself included) seems to have heard of.

Anyway, Peggy was quite aglow about it, and thoroughly enjoyed hearing Ted speak. And to get out and about for once.

[Peggy] “So much of my time is taken up with Jack, and just the business of living”

Looks like Ted is actually quite a renaissance man.

He lectures and is an artist in his own right.

I think Peggy might be realising that Ted is quite a nice catch. She’s certainly now very interested in seeing some of his work.

How utterly nice and sweet (and I'm not being sarcastic, for once).

About time Peggy was able to have something (someone) for herself.

Plus no guilt. Jack and Ted’s wife seem to be an item anyhoo …



The Victorian fairy painter

Is seemingly who Richard Dadd is.


Drying grass in the oven! Surely a bad sign?

Ruth walks in to find David drying grass in the oven.

I thought he’d finally tipped, but it’s seemingly quite normal behaviour.

Something to do with recalculating the (floating plate?) meter. That’s something to do with how they feed their cows. I think. David is drying the grass so he can work out the dry matter to calibrate the meter. Seemingly.

David was very abrupt with Ruth. He was sarcastic when she realised what he was up to. Dismissive when she tried to give him a bit of TLC over his blistered thumb. And he outright lost his rag when Ruth dared to suggest that this recalibration malarkey should have been done a couple of weeks back.

[Ruth] “If we didn’t get the right figures, how can we get the feed right?”

[David] “Yes, I do know, and I don’t need you to lecture me about it”

[Ruth to Pip] “He’s sensitive. He’s down about everything, about the whole situation”

So, off Pip pops to have a go at Pop.

And how does she get him to stop working for a second?

She lures him with talk of Herefords …


Pip, the poet laureate (cows only)

[Pip] “There. See. How that’s for eye candy. A field full of happy, healthy cattle, all grazing peacefully. Bright eyed and glossy coated …All down to you dad. They’re so gorgeous,. And profitable”

David still isn’t impressed, she Pip starts on about her new ideas to sell more meat. Improve their website. Get on the phone to sell to more butchers.

In fact, she already knows of one who they don’t deal with, but who sells specialist breeds. David doesn’t understand how she knows about this new chap … as Pip points out, it’s just through talking to people other than those on his farm, or close family:

[David] “Are you saying that I should get out more?”

[Pip] “Well, it wouldn’t hurt”

(hurrah! Someone at last said it)


Counsellor? Nope – call in the vet.

Shula pops round to see Ruth. She reckons David looked “pretty dreadful” when she saw him before.

She’s worried that David is overacting to the setbacks they’re having at Brookfield lately. That’s all part of farming – so maybe something else is going on for David.

Shula’s wondering if it’s because he saw ‘it’ happen,

[Shula] “To see his brother in-law die like that. It must have left him terribly scarred”

Ruth also had an inkling that there was more to David’s mood than just low milk yields, but her plan had been to hope that it would just go away (!).

So, Shula and Ruth reckon David might have post-traumatic stress. Which sounds like a quite reasonable diagnosis.

[Ruth] “He’s just got nothing left Shula. No strength, no resources”

So their next step?

Get the very in to have a chat with David, as he’d never agree to a counsellor.

Brilliant.

(but yes – the local vet is Alistair – who David does respect, and will probably listen to. I’m just taking the Michael).

The Archers Tuesday 19th April 2011: Peggy agrees to tea with Ted

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

• Jamie’s hungover
• Joe’s keeping a low profile
• Ted’s a patient man
• Give Jolene a break
• Lynda cannae haud her wheesht
• Laughing at Vicky
• Lilian becomes Jolene’s dealer
• A repeat of the decapitated pigeon …
• It’s okay, Lynda has buns
• Fun for all the family
• Mention of Harry

Jamie’s hungover

[Fallon] “He could barely grunt earlier on in the morning”

Fair enough that a young chap gets a tad drunk once in a while. But, I find it odd that his hangovers are so bad (I didn’t get bad hangovers until my mid-twenties) – and he’s turning Fallon into a mum.

She now can’t settle until he gets in. No matter what time it is.

After going back to bed once he’d barely grunted at Fallon in the morning, Fallon and Jolene then had to wake him up to do his shift. Jolene’s not at all amused.

[Jolene] “You wanted the job, so get on with it!”

Just wait until she catches him stealing booze, or her precious rations of fags.

Little twerp.

There surely must be one of those teen boot camps somewhere near Ambridge. Which is only one step away from me saying ‘bring back National Service’ … ugh.



Joe’s keeping a low profile

After Gardeners’ Question Time blowing Joe’s entire business model (that his mistletoe would never grow), he’s gone into hiding from his ‘clients’.

[Lilian] “I can just see them now, chasing him through the village with flaming torches”

Ted’s a patient man

Ted must really see something special in Peggy. He’s put up with her blowing hot and cold – but it does finally pay off.

Mrs Peggy Woolley is able to take tea today.

Hurrah!

[Ted] “A bit of fine weather and free air improves all our spirits”

Would seem so. And how nice for both of them.

At tea, ted then invites Peggy to a talk his giving at his U3A meeting (University of the Third Age – for folks over 50 who want to meet to socialise and learn).

Sounds like Peggy was tempted.

Would that be their second or first date?



Give Jolene a break

Or even just a fag.

[Fallon] “Caught you red handed! Loitering with intent at the cigarette machine …”

First off – do pubs actually have cigarette machines anymore? I haven’t seen one in years.

And second – it wasn’t Jolene’s idea to quit. Just leave the woman be!


Lynda cannae haud her wheesht

Lynda asks Caroline if it’s true Roy is leaving Lower Loxley.

[Caroline] “Ah. I think Vicky was speaking out of turn there”

She confides in Lynda that it’s true, but that Lynda has to keep stum.

What Lynda agrees to. Along with offering her candidacy for Roy’s job.

After Lynda has left:

[Caroline] “Oh Lord!”

But later on – Peggy sees Lynda on the Lower Loxley computer – assumes she’s still working – but she’s on her lunch – so admits that she’s working on her CV.

[Lynda] “it’s all very hush hush”

For goodness sake woman! That’s not on, and also not the way to get the promotion (which doesn’t exist anyway).


Laughing at Vicky

Which is easy to do at the best of times, but her having to climb in through the kitchen window to ask her Gardeners’ Question Time question on Monday is particular gold.

[Lilian] “ … she ran back into the hall red as a lobster with hair like Ken Dodd’s”

[Jolene] “A good job she don’t do dignity, our Vicky”

Lilian becomes Jolene’s dealer

[Lilian] “If you got any closer to me and my ciggie Jolene there’d be rumours!”

Lilian’s outside The Bull having a fag – Jolene’s passively smoking it.

Jolene really isn’t having an easy time trying to quit smoking. Probably because it wasn’t her decision in the first place.

[Lilian] “I don’t why anyone bothers to try …”

Lilian gives Jolene one of her cigarettes (ready to snatch it from Jolene and pretend she’s smoking it), then gives her a nearly full packet to keep in her handbag,

[Lilian] “It’s just for emergencies, Jolene. If you’ve got some ciggies to hand, you won’t feel like you’re being deprived of a guilty pleasure, so you won’t feel the need to smoke as often”

[Jolene] “Yeah, I think that makes sense”

[Lilian] “Course it does, darling”

And if you’re a smoker/have quit smoking, that’ll also make perfect sense to you as well.

Though as a way to quit? Mais non.

Wonder how Jolene’s going to sneak any cigarettes in while she’s with Kenton in Monte Carlo? She’s just be miserable the whole time if she can’t …



A repeat of the decapitated pigeon …

Lynda’s telling Peggy that she’s found another smashed Peregrine egg.

Which Lynda is most upset about.

But, from the behaviour of the Peregrine parents, it would seem that they still have eggs to hatch.

(I still think human hands are at play. Eggs don’t just smash themselves, and to have two eggs topple out of the nest would be very bad parenting. “To lose one parent may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness.” Oscar Wilde)

[Peggy – not a fan of the Peregrines and their dietary habits] “I hope we won’t have a repeat of the decapitated pigeon episode”

[Lynda] “Ah, nature is as red in tooth and claw, as Tennyson would have it. We rural dwellers must accept that that’s how it is”

It’s okay, Lynda has buns

Peggy is a bit surprised that the is book club happening on Good Friday – but it’s okay, Lynda has buns. Easter ones, that is.



Fun for all the family

Seemingly Lynda’s Parish Council election leaflet is very full of information.

[Lynda to Peggy] “Shall I give you more, to give to family and friends?”

Peggy declines. How strange.



Mention of Harry

He hasn’t been heard or spoken about in a wee while – where’s Harry?

Fallon mentioned he would be helping out with games at The Bull for Easter, and today:

[Peggy to Lynda] “Are you emailing, or Twittering, or whatever Harry calls it?”

But where is he?

Has Jazzer buried him under the patio?

(which would be hard, as they live in a flat).

The Archers Friday 15th April 2011: Ted and Peggy?

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

• Lilian’s so smoking!
• Jennifer is indeed still in South Africa
• Cakes at twenty paces
• Questions, questions …
• Lilian’s new career as a bouncer
• Brenda’s back on the leaflets!
• “If it was up to Lynda Snell, we’d all be plunged into darkness at midnight”
• Clarrie stands up for George
• George & Keira like Will and Ed?
• Does Ed love Keira more?
• When was Peggy friendly with Ted?

Lilian’s so smoking!

And she has the occasional cigarette as well.

Wonder how long it will take for Jolene to have to nip round to Lilian’s for a cigarette late at night, after the shop has shut, when she’s desperate but has none in …



Jennifer is indeed still in South Africa

Peggy has confirmed it, so that one’s cleared up (what was Alice thinking?).

Ruairi is in Ireland, and having a lovely time as well.

[Vicky] “It’s nice for him to have a little holiday too”

[Peggy] “Nice for Brian!”

Cakes at twenty paces

Looks like there might be a showdown between Jill and Peggy over cakes.

Jill has been stressing that she has too many folks involved in the catering for Gardeners’’ Question Time – but Peggy has seemingly decided to make a “special” cake for the presenters.

Without telling Jill.

This could turn quite nasty.


Questions, questions …

Vicky is also excited about Gardeners’ Question Time, though she’s not sure if her question is ‘”appropriate”.

Unlike Jill, who won’t share what her question is, Peggy is more than happy to tell hers to Vicky to help her understand what might be a good enough one.

Peggy’s question is about her gladiolus.

[Peggy] “ .. . the corns I lifted in the Autumn are covered with little tiny corns. I want to know if I should brush them off before planting … could be potted up … how long to flower”

[Vicky] “That’s really good. So clever and interesting. Mine’s nothing like that …It’s about these mistletoe propagation Joe Grundy’s been selling. I wanna ask the panel if they think they can actually work!”

[Peggy] “I think that a very good question … but I’d keep it to myself if I were you”

Oh-ho! Joe’s ploy to be lambasted on national radio?

Just wait until Sabrina hears the truth.



Lilian’s new career as a bouncer

Lilian reckons she has a:

[Lilian] “very important part in the proceedings … only person in the village who doesn’t want to ask a question ..”

As Lilian really isn’t that bothered about Gardeners’ Question Time, she’s become the bouncer … well, doorkeeper, in Ambridge terms.

Matt persuaded her that it’d be a good way to impress voters during the Parish elections – so, as per, as Matt says to do, Lilian does.

But Peggy reckons she can’t have any cake! Presenters only.


Brenda’s back on the leaflets!

It’s been a while – so about time Brenda let her true talent out again.

As Brenda’s doing Lilian’s election leaflets, Lilian reckons they’ll look superb.

[Peggy] “But will it actually say anything?”

Meow!

And not sure if that was directed at Lilian (for being a bit blonde sometimes), or Brenda (for design over substance).



“If it was up to Lynda Snell, we’d all be plunged into darkness at midnight”

So reckons Lilian.

She also reckons it was her who got the streetlamps sorted, despite Lynda’s protestations.

(I’m with Lynda on that one. I’d love our village to be dark at night).



Clarrie stands up for George

As promised to Will, Clarrie pops round to see Ed to tackle the problem of George feeling very left out because of baby Girl Grundy Keira. – which Clarrie and Will reckon Ed and Emma aren’t dealing with very well.

[Ed] “You’ve got the wrong end of the stick. You don’t understand what Emma’s trying to do”

Ed reckons Emma is trying to involve George with Keira by asking him to help look after her. George sees it as him having to do stuff he doesn’t want to do because of the baby.

I can see his point – that’s its better George helps, than Emma having to send him to his room so she can concentrate on Keira. But he had a bit of a cheek also saying that it was better than him being ‘stuck’ in front of the telly. Wasn’t that exactly what Ed did with him just a few weeks ago?

Clarrie’s point about the Fun Run (Emma choosing to put George elsewhere while she took Keira, as George had been playing up and she couldn’t cope with the two of them:

[Clarrie] “Of course it were better for Emma, I don’t blame her. But from George’s point of view, he were being punished”

And Clarrie also tells Ed that George has said he wants to baby to go back, and for him to stay with Will.

Ed doesn’t entirely believe Clarrie at first – because it came via Will. He reckons Will is just jealous.

Which Clarrie uses to ram home her point that Ed and Emma have to do something better with George asap.


George & Keira like Will and Ed?

[Clarrie] “Is that what you want Keira and George to end up like? Like you and Will”

Seemingly, Clarrie has some regrets about how she brought up Will and Ed – if she’d done something different, maybe they wouldn’t hate each other as much.

[Ed] “You can’t blame yourself because he’s an idiot … it’s nothing to do with our childhood”

Does Ed love Keira more?

George doesn’t think so. Neither does Clarrie. But interesting that it was Ed who brought it up:

[Ed] “So you’re not hinting that I love Keira more because she’s biologically mine?”

I wouldn’t have though Ed would think like that, but one can’t help one’s feelings sometimes.

Clarrie makes a very good suggestion that it’s Ed who should be making more time for George, while Emma deals with the Keira.

[Clarrie] “You can make a fuss of George. Make it a good thing that he’s older”

[Ed] “He can help me out with the cows. It’d be much better than Will’s boring old birds … “

(Ed reckons it’s only Will who is the idiot?!?)



When was Peggy friendly with Ted?

I do remember Peggy being friendly with Ted when she first met him (back in the day when Jack has first gone into the home), but also then she was just as fast to step back from being friendly.

I thought she realised that friendship could lead to something more, so took herself away from Ted to avoid it happening. Even though Jack is muchly ‘fond’ of Ted’s wife (who is in the home with him).

But, seemingly Peggy and Ted have been chatting recently. However – she’s now back to being a bit cold with him.

She wasn’t very warm when he came over to say help, refused to go for a walk with him, Jack and his wife (she reckoned Jack would become confused with too many people), AND wouldn’t even have cake and coffee with Ted.

Ted’s worried that Peggy doesn’t like him – that’s he’s the problem.

But Elona is a canny lass, who can see potential in Peggy and Ted:

[Peggy] “Don’t give up trying Ted. Not yet”

Come on Peggy. You have a right to a life, you know.

14th May 2010

• Lycra and six packs
• Now you’ve got to shut up and listen to me
• “Whatever finesse means”
• “Put the pie veal into the pie”

Lycra and six packs

So Jazzer reckons Harry

“persuaded her to let him move in”

And he also feels hard done by that Fallon never asked him to move in.

Ach Jazzer. Get a grip, dinnae fash about Harry and play it calm wae Fallon.

Otherwise, you’re in danger of being a real pain, not far removed from the behaviour of a certain Miss Pip Archer …


Now you’ve got to shut up and listen to me

Atta a girl Lilian! If Matt won’t stop to think about you, make him

Still – considering Matt doesn’t believe even Peggy and Ted are just good friends, you’ve no chance of persuading him about yourself and Paul.


“Whatever finesse means”

Ah. Thanks for the clarification there Tom. There was me thinking you were a cultured, educated guy.

Mind you, the fact that you’re still moaning about Brenda having to do all her ironing and the cooking for the week on one of her days off speaks volumes.

If I were you, I’d keep an eye out for Brenda having to ‘work late’ on a regular basis – especially when all you can offer is a night at the bull. While I reckon a quiet night in at the local is the perfect Friday night – that’s probably because my village doesn’t even have a local – and I’m not a 20-something like Brenda.

Also watch out for not being sensitive around Helen. She’s only going to get worse, and worse, and worse, and worse ….


“Put the pie veal into the pie”

Seriously – shouldn’t Vicky go onto Dragons’ Den? She’d be marvellous.

Vicky has a great sense of when a customer is, or isn’t, going to buy.

And her product development is second to none.

Still. She can be very, very persuasive. Just ask Mike …

12th May 2010

• This Charming Man
• Don’t they have TV in prison?
• Now that’s a wonderful range of choices for an ex-con
• Lovely
• Does anyone give Kenton a break?

This Charming Man

My word – how Jennifer’s attitude to Paul has changed!

She’s gone from warning Lilian to not have anything to do with him, to being genuinely happy to see him, apologising for interrupting one of his and Lilian’s ‘moment’ and was blatantly trying to encourage Lilian’s attentions to him!

Amazing can happen when Brian gives the okay nod …

Anyhoo – Matt or Paul, Paul or Matt?

It doesn’t sound like life is going to be a heady swirl of wonders with Matt when he gets out. While I admit to not having seen The Sopranos, and have heard it’s quite superb, sitting in and watching it doesn’t sound like Lilian’s cup of gin. Especially when Paul’s shown her London, a nice hotel, and (perhaps) his …


Don’t they have TV in prison?

Or newspapers?

And didn’t the recession kick in well before Matt was banged up?

So – why on earth does he still think property will keep him in the manner he is accustomed to???


Now that’s a wonderful range of choices for an ex-con

So when Matt gets home next Tuesday, he can choose between doing nothing, pottering in the garden or playing golf.

I find it hard to see why that’s such a bad thing. Dodgy property deals, or having time to watch Midsomer Murders.

Hmmm.


Lovely

Glad to hear that Peggy has given into Ted’s charms.

That’s really quite nice, that is.


Does anyone give Kenton a break?

David’s ability to defecate on all thing’s Kenton is well known, but Elizabeth!?!

Poor Kenton. All he wanted to do was show photos of his daughter, and share his enthusiasm for the new look Jaxx.

30th April 2010

• I Want To Hold Your Hand
• It might be Matt that sounds the death knell

I Want To Hold Your Hand

Ah well – after all those years “trying to hold onto him”, Jack seems settled with his new lady friend.

At least Peggy has finally spoken to Ted again. If, as Ted said, at least Jack isn’t alone anymore – why should Peggy?

It might be Matt that sounds the death knell

Rather than Paul and Lilian’s efforts – it sounds like Matt is going to end up pushing Lilian away.

Silly boy. While I can understand that he wants to get back into his old life, does he have no clue about what he’s done to Lilian by racing down this path before?

Maybe he doesn’t care that much for her after all …

Anyway - did they or didn't they?

27th April 2010

• Stereotypes about builders
• Kenton tries it on with Kirsty
• Camp Grundy
• Wife Swap anyone?

Stereotypes about builders

Shame on you Kirsty. Of course they can help it!

And don’t builders now have to go on equality training?


Kenton tries it on with Kirsty

He’d better watch his step on that one. Cheesestraw will not be one to cross if she has yet more work to do (and lest we forget that her hormones are probably about to shoot through the dairy roof soon!)

Camp Grundy

Joe has a point about ‘back to basics’.

Folks do pay good money to be in the middle of a field, with no facilities. And they’d pay even more good money to have Joe’s barn within cider-goggles stumbling distance.

Wife Swap anyone?

What a wee shame that was on Peggy.

She’s been nervous about bumping into Ted again (after he invited her to lunch), but Jack gets in their first by refusing to be separated from Ted’s wife.

I know. It’s not funny. But maybe it’s time for Peggy to accept her Jack is no longer there?

13th April 2010

• When Harry met Sandy
• And then Jazzer gets bumped!
• What’s so racy about a senior citizens lunch?
• Pip is a right pain in the ...

When Harry met Sandy

Well trying to send Harry into a situation where he was attacked by a wee dog, and then its owner, completely backfired on Jazzer.

Not only is Harry now that customer’s favourite milkman, but he’s proved to Jazzer again that he’s a top bloke, adored by women and dogs alike.

Jazzer needs to wind his neck in before he sets himself up for a massive fall.

This is all also suggestive that it’ll be Fallon to fall for Harry’s charms. Oh dear.


And then Jazzer gets bumped!

Jazzer must be losing his touch.

Just imagine – a woman so immune to his charms that she gives him a dud number and information about herself.

Ouch! Not good times in Jazzer world.

Maybe he needs to crack out a song to woo the ladies back in his direction.


What’s so racy about a senior citizens lunch?

Was it just me, or was that a massive overreaction from Peggy?

What’s so wrong with her and Ted having a spot of lunch together? Nothing as far as I can tell.

Or, is Peggy feeling an attraction to Ted that she feels she shouldn’t?

Or is it simply a case of her still not wanting to enjoy herself while Jack’s quality of life can’t ever be the same as hers?

Self denial where there’s no need.


Pip is a right pain in the ...

Enough said.

24th Feb 2010

• Slow day in Ambridge
• “These are not just any sausages – they’re Tom Archer organic sausages”
•  Is The Archers really being run by a band of ‘feminist gods’?

Slow day in Ambridge

Course, it’s inevitable that everything would slip back a pace after Phil’s funeral.

But I did think this was a bit of a non-episode (some blokes eat sausages; another bloke is encouraged to eat his sandwich) .

However, it does look like Ted is going to feature quite significantly in Peggy’s life.


“These are not just any sausages – they’re Tom Archer organic sausages”

Also have to give a ‘shout-out’ to Alan for his M&S rendition:


Is The Archers really being run by a band of ‘feminist gods’?

Anyone read The Archers by William Smethurst?

If so – was it just me – or did he get a tad hysterical towards the end of his book when he was talking about Ambridge ‘under’ Vanessa Whitburn in the mid 90’s?

Seemingly, Mike and Brian were picked on by the writers because they were men – whereas the women came out of strife without a character blemish. One even became a ‘lively member of the WI’!

If that’s all feminism does do for women ...

8th Feb 2010

• Which one is the ancient lothario?
• Braving the elements for lent

Which one is the ancient lothario?

Brian shouldn’t be one to scoff at Pip going out with an ‘old age pensior’. Those in glass houses ...

And Ted has a voice!

Sounds like a nice chappy, so here’s hoping all goes well (if there is indeed to be a romance). Sounds like Peggy has a very lonely life indeed.

Braving the elements for lent

I really don’t envy Alan’s plans for lent. Even with the best kit – which he hasn’t got, if he’s going to insist on still using his rather old and smelly tent – he’ll be miserable.

Then again, if he manages to absorb heat during the day, he might be alright. I once went camping during March – got sun burnt during the day, which made up for the freezing conditions at night.

5th Feb 2010

• The Great Escape
• Annette needs her shoes on to write notes
• Jazzer limbers up 
• New gentleman friend for Peggy?

The Great Escape

Can’t say I’m disappointed that Annette has escaped BUT it ain’t over until the emotionally scarred teenager, or the Aussie lothario, sings ...

Poor Helen couldn’t quite believe that anyone would want to leave Ambridge. Funny that she turned to her mum rather than Brenda or Kirsty – both of them are also very well rehearsed in helping to nurse Helen’s fragile sanity.

Still – not sure that you could say that going to your Gran’s in Sheffield is quite the great escape one would expect of a young lassie.

And lest we forget that Leon still lurks somewhere in Borchester ...


Annette needs her shoes on to write notes

Well – that is what she said!


Jazzer limbers up

Good to see Jazzer getting back to himself – albeit through the attentions of yet more females.

“My heart is broken – but it is time I checked that the rest of me is working.”

Good lad. And starting up again may have an interesting impact on Fallon ...


New gentleman friend for Peggy?

Ideal – a lovely gent who’s experiencing the same circumstances with his wife.

I hope he helps Peggy to slow down a bit, and take out more time for herself.