I do hope this doesn't become a 'chore' for you monitoring and updating the blog! I do want to say I think it is really generous of you to offer your expertise to help out all us who have to rely on others to keep us up to date! Heartfelt thanks.
Thank you so much for this, Ruthy. Although l avidly read all comments on BBC blog l made very few comments. I may be more adventurous now as this site seems much more relaxed. It's great to see so many familiar names. Best wishes, everyone, for this new era.
3. Same here, Old Fogey. I read the comments on the BBC blog but have very rarely commented myself. Hope you don't mind me joining in - I've been reading the posts here over the last few days and love the friendly chat and community you're building up with the Archers as your common theme.
5. Good afternoon folks. Thanks Ruthy, and welcome, very welcome to the ' silent ones ' who have chosen to join us and speak up.
I agree with Old Woman about not using the reply option, although I have used it in the last few days. With sequential numbering we should find it easier to answer a particular post, by quoting the number of the post we are answering.
6. Good morning MrsP - you recent posts on BBC blog explains why there are early morning comments from you. Sorry about your insomnia. How are you feeling today? Agree that we should refrain from using the "REPLY". It will be easier now if we do self numbering.
7. I see the profile photos seems to have righted themselves, in which case I will try and re-instate my wool+needles and hope I don’t ruin things again. Ruthy I think you deserve a medal for all your hard work rescuing us and keeping this blog going. ๐ We are getting so many posts I think we shall need a new blog every week. I do hope that is not going to be too much for you.
8. Archerphile - no problem at all. Having this blog available to all is something I take very personally. Glad the pics are OK again. Comment on last night's TA - what is Justin up to??? He and Brian are hardened businessmen who built their businesses from the ground up, but Brian is not really in Justin's league. HG - I enjoyed reading your Lilian piece on the blog this morning.
9. I agree re Justin - what is he up to? I just get the feeling he's biding his time, having cosy chats with other BL board members, waiting for the right time to slide in and put what ever plan he's devising is into action.....
(10) Mrs P I have just written something to you about Smokey on Ruthy's previous blog but it appeared just above Archerphile's knitting one so I must have done something wrong.
Lovely photo Maryellen. I dare not try to do anything because I am scared I might lose everything. I don't even know how I managed to get (Google) so I will stick to the symbol given I think.
(12) I have read the blogs for a couple of years, but rarely commented. I have enjoyed reading the comments and thoughts of others, the poems,quizzes etc. It is lovely to see that this will continue for those who have moved to this blog. I'll miss the bloggers who decide not to join us.
Welcome here, Nemo! I am so glad you have made it to Ruthy's blog. I have always enjoyed your comments and would have missed them. Most of all I would have missed your name though ๐ My dog is called Nemo, too, so seeing your name (now even without the number) has always made me smile.
Hello Ruthy et al I think I have made it! Really scary so hope I am safe from hackers and haven’t done anything wrong along the way. Like Lan Jan this is daring enough without trying photos. When I have got my sea legs I will think about TA again.
20. Replied to a few, but they aren't appearing, so won't do that again, seeing the advice above, & also wrote here as no.4 but that's vanished too, so this is 'testing' only ( though would rather speak about Brian, Alistair et al) Sorry to be so boring & slow with icons, emojos, profiles etc...
19. To be Archers specific for a moment....I was reminded this morning of a prediction made by Sean O’Connor when he was leaving TA. Asked what he thought the next big story would be he predicted a battle for the inheritance of Home Farm, Brian wanting Ruairi to inherit rather than ‘Jennifer’s son’ Adam. He said the story could run for many years and get very bitter. It seems to me that we are seeing the start of this battle as Brian castigated Adam and is spending his free time with ‘his son’ Ruairi. Will this lead to an acrimonious divorce for Brian and Jennifer I wonder? I was hoping for some happy stories when our new Editor starts but it seems the groundwork is already being laid for more disharmony in Ambridge.
20 - Yes I agree Archerphile. I feel you may be correct. And remember my prediction of a few days ago ? The possibility of Brian and Shula both leaving T A
(22) - Love him or loathe him I think Brian would be a loss to the programme. Charles Collingwood is ,to me a fine actor. I don't care if St Shula goes walkabout though.
21. I'm now getting muddled as to what is being said where ( here, or remaining BBC blog), but please settle my mind, Mrs P - is Smokey Cat with you, or shortly to arrive, purring, or not ? Can't start new para., I think it just sends, so, ploughing on, the closing blog is full of great stuff, party spirit, party games, waving & smiling bravely at the departing train, but doubt I'll post there again, partly lack of time to participate in riddles etc, partly something else hard to pinpoint; too valedictory maybe ( that's not a criticism ) Is it clear & ok to do this / to show a new para. ? / Agree with Archerphile, 19, & LanJan, 20, it's getting very acrimonious at Home Farm - Brian is seething, poor Adam is doing his best, & unless Brian gets a grip, better it would be if he & Ruari went off into the sunset. / Laughed at Shula seeking 'new adventures' ! Since when has she ever shown the spirit of adventure ? I find her deeply conventional, always predictable. She can't even be clear with her mother, let alone Alistair, that the marriage has lost its spark for her, ( though, fair play, AT LAST, she said it wasn't his fault), she can't retrieve the love she once had, it's to do with her, not anything else. Sadly, it can be as brutally stark as this sometimes.
23. I am not understanding where Shula is coming from. After 20 years of marriage, she does owe Alistair an explanation. I would agree with whoever came up with the idea that she is leaving TA so SW developing a SL to move her out of Ambridge? But what will happen to the staples?
24 Archerphile (19) Brian did visit his solicitor a while back regarding the inheritance of Home Farm. Adam and Debbie would be far from chuffed to see all their hard work handed over to Ruairi. However, Home Farm Ltd is a partnership now so I presume it would be harder to cut them out of the picture.
The atmosphere there is somewhat icy at present - Jenny hardly has any need for either of her fridges.
24. Alistair should lock her in a loose-box and not let her out until she talks to him and listens to him. It seems each time he opens his mouth she cuts him off. Alistair and Kirsty could get together and share their experiences of being dumped by their loved ones for no apparent reasons. Mind you, Kirsty never gave Tom a chance to explain. She ripped up his explanation without reading. Al may have to resort to writing to Shula, but would she read it? Preferable to writing through their solicitors.
To CAROLYN - apologies for confusion. I really should have kept my mouth shut. No Carolyn, Smokey is not, and will not be with me. I am indisposed so would not be able to collect him for at least a couple of weeks. In the meantime, the fosterer has given a detailed description of him and his naughty and mischievous behaviour. He would be a delight for a family with older children, but I want a calm mature and loving lap cat. He leaps about, knocks things off tables in the middle of the night and steals food. Off the plate ! And he seems to be younger than they thought. He will be a delight for someone, but not me. And it serves me right for anticipating. An activity I usually manage not to indulge in. I agree about Charles Collingwood, an excellent actor, and his latest turn of nastiness does not bode well. I'm sure a S L could be developed whereby he does decide to take Ruari off travelling or something, flinging his hook in a petty childish manner to ' teach Jennifer a lesson '. And it would be a useful way of avoiding his humiliation within Ambridge.
Ruthy - what would happen to the stables. Incorporate it with Alistair practise and get Freddie Pargeter interested in horses and riding again.
27. Someone explained how to get pics from google gallery but some text was obscured by enlarged pictures. Please will someone post a repeat. I didn't know about google gallery.
At the top of the page it says there are 36 posts, but I can't get beyond my last post of what I calculated to be 29 or 30 So am posting this in hope of refreshing
33.I would like to hear Anisha's views of the situation now that Alistair has moved out. She must surely be worried about her financial investment in the business now? Alistair only went into partnership to keep Shula happy, so if he wants out, I suppose he will have to sell his share? Could Anisha afford it, and would she want it? This will be a very tangled web.
35. I think I will love this blog. It is already taking shape and becoming ordered without any fuss or acrimony, and has a lovely friendly feel. I like the self-numbering idea, and a new blog every week. Look how many comments there have been already. I didn't think it would ever become neccessary to migrate here, I thought people were just pessimistic back in January, how wrong I was. Thank goodness Ruthie had the nous to sort this out, I believe it will be better than the BBC blog as we are regulating ourselves. THANK YOU Ruthie.
36 - Well said Mistral The official blog has not closed as we were all prepared for it to do. It looks as though we may have another 24 hours of grace.
37 will try again as my last comment seems to have disappeared. Mistral 33 I wonder if Anisha will buy the stables? This way we loose Shula. Money never seems to be a problem in the Archers and her mother died recently so she may have left her money.
37. Re HH at (27) - ‘‘twas I who gave that information about images. Go to the Google search site, click on ‘Images’ on top l.h. Corner. Then enter the subject you want, followed by ‘clipart’ If you want icons, or cartoons of that subject. (I put ‘knitting clipart for my wool & needles). When you find some you like save them to your pictures file (according to your computer either right click and ‘save as’ - or on iPad, tap on image then tap and hold until invited to ‘save’) You can then select the image here by going to your profile - edit profile - go down to where you select a profile picture, select ‘from computer’ select ‘my pictures’ or similar and your picture file will appear. Select the one you want to use. You may have to try one or two as they are sometimes to large to fit in or too small and blurred. Hope this works!
38(? near enough) don't see that Alistair moving out will make a difference to his working life. The vet practice constitutes a part of the premises, but surely is separate from the domestic set up ?
39. Thanks Ruthy, love the sheep and her lamb. Every morning I look out my back window and watch the lambs frolicking about the field. MrsP. I will contact you later about a rescue centre in Malvern. Last night I was covered in wonderful icons, including a waving flag. Only problem was I couldn't read the comments. Have a lovely day everyone. I'm off to the allotment to catch up.
38. Many new ventures often have teething troubles and are eventually very successful.........so "All shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.” (Apologies to J of N. I'm sure she would have forgiven and understood!)
39 Sorry Smokey turns out to be unsuitable (but what a good thing you found out in time), Mrs P, here's hoping the Cat with your name twitching at the end of his/her whiskers appears with tail held high when your recovery /mobility have reached the right point.
40. Apologies. I've already messed up on the numbering! You have to be quick or someone else can get in before you've finished typing!!! No matter refer to my last post.........all will be (eventually) well. ๐
41. Mrs. P. So sorry to hear that you won't be having your Smokey cat after all, but you are right to hold out for just the right one for you, and I'm sure you will find your furry soulmate very soon. I think you live just across the Severn from me, here in the Forest (although I'm originally from your area too), so wondered if you have tried 5 Valley Cat Rescue. They found my lovely marmalade boy, Fergus, for me last year, and we haven't looked back since. Good luck with the search, it will happen soon, I'm sure.
(42) Mrs P, When our beautiful little cat Jess had to be put to sleep a lovely tabby who used to come to the bottom of our garden came into the house and briefly sat on Jess's favourite seat. We decided we would get another cat and Poppy (who didn't like other cats joined us) After a while she decided she liked the tabby at the bottom of the garden and invited him into the house. We didn't feed him because we knew where he lived but Poppy stepped aside and gave him her food. One day he was limping. His people were at work so we took him to the vet'. When I phoned his people they said he obviously preferred us so we could keep him. We told him the news and he immediately decided to stay. Poppy thinks she has done her job now and ignores him . He is happy about this as his favourite is Mr LJ As I type this they are together on the settee. What I am saying is that your cat is out there somewhere.
I have been thinking about Mrs P saying perhaps Brian and Shula actors are planning to retire. I hope they don’t know something we don’t about the future of TA. We had a lot of bosses retire where I worked and then a major “reorganisation “ was announced. Sorry to be gloomy on the last day of the old blog. Incidentally I had a strange message this morning about problems with my main email and worried that setting up the google one has interfered with it. Has anyone else had problems? Perhaps I am just being paranoid.
Seasider, I think I had a similar mail when I first set up a Gmail account. You probably used your 'real' mail to set up the Google one as I did? I just got somebody to send me a test mail on my real account and it was ok, so nothing ever came of it. I am not very computer literate but I think some email providers are just a bit irritated when you go elsewhere! Like when you use a different browser it immediately wants to be set up as your standard one - I just ignore it. No doubt there are plenty of people here who know more about it and can set your mind at rest.
45. Re the numbering - I don't think it matters too much if we have two posts with the same number as we usually reference the person who wrote the post we're commenting on. For example - 42. Lanjan - Your post and final remark reminded me of 'Somewhere a Cat is Waiting', a lovely book by Derek Tangye.
46. MrsP. Try googling Worcestershire Animal Rescue , Newland, Malvern. They rescue abandoned and ill treated cats and dogs. They are independent and not connected to CP or RSPCA. You can view the cats online. There is also a cat rescue group in Newent, Glos. my neighbour volunteers with them and cats sits pregnant cats and their kittens until they can be re homed. If you would like I can ask her for details. Ruaridh was born on the Island of Ireland, so technically he is Irish. Maybe Brian will take him back and buy some land so the boy can learn to farm, away from the pressures of family rivalry. Brian will also have to sort out his passport as I don't think he will entitled to a British one. My next door neighbour(born in Ireland) discovered this when she thought (married to an English man) she was entitled to a BP. She was classified as a subject and not a citizen? Maybe the S/Ws have forgotten Ruaridh's nationality. I wonder has he ever been out of the British Isles.
48 Hello Yorkshire Lass - so glad you managed it. It's easy once you manage to get through the red tape at the entrance. I have moved across from the other blog now, as I'm expecting it to disappear tonight, and I'm finding it a little sad with all the 'goodbyes' as people leave. Much more cheerful to have 'hellos' on here.
48. Stasis. Glad you found this new post. And welcome to new bloggers! Interesting theory on Ruari that Brian will push him to be the heir. Though Ruari only has 1 share? About the passport, would he have an EU passport? Though Adam is overwhelmed I think he would do OK in time.
50. Archerphile (19) I didn't know about Sean O'Connor's prediction for Home Farm but I was told about his long-term plans for Pip and Brookfield. However, several editors later, those plans are very likely to change, so all I'm saying is that I hope they do!
51 : Visitors gone now, and alone again, but a little more energy today. GD made leek and potato soup to bring for me. Cats. Searching far and wide for a cat started, because when I bought my cottage a local Cat Protection lady, who had come to feed my beautiful Simba, 19 when he died, told me in no uncertain terms that ' you can't have a cat there ! ' because the front of my cottage is straight on to a road. Five Valleys have also endorsed this view. However I have a side door, up a side path which leads away from the direction of the road to gardens and fields. For over two years I have lived without a cat, was told I could have an indoor cat, (but I am reluctant, think cats need to be free, though I do understand the health issues) and finally talked to other rescues who directed me to look for an urban ex stray, likely to be road savvy. Hence looking far and wide ! I trawl ' Catchat ' at least once a week. Found two lovely brothers in West Wales, and would be willing to travel to see/ collect them, but fosterer will not home outside of their area, though homers will.
Stasia, I do not think that the Malvern rescue that you mention is on catchat so am grateful for the link. Thank you. Will also try the Newent one if you are able to pass details.
Enough about me and cats.
Yes interesting re Ruari and passport. I seem to remember he was born in Ireland. Didn't Sioborn (?sp) go home to her mum ? So imagine it is possible that he does have an EU passport. Perhaps a UK one too given paternal parent. I think the Home Farm SL is shaping up to be a bombshell.
On another subject Stasia, I have recently signed up to Cheltenham College Music Department Concerts and have been to a couple. One Early Music. And performed in such a glorious building. I was told that the Chapel had been earmarked for Parliament to decamp to during the war, had it been necessary. I also go to sung evensong there on Wednesdays when I can make it. I have also bookmarked Tewksbury Abbey for the same in the future.
52 - LanJan - loved your tale of the cat at the end of the garden. Thank you for sharing it. Am thinking now of Mr LJ and cat, side by side.
And Suz - yes knew you were in the Forest, but did not realise that you hailed from here originally.
I think of you often since I went over to Coleford to see that house for my daughter. Seeing the wild boar opposite ' the Speech House ' was memorable ! Do you have problems with them getting onto your farm ?
53 MrsP (crone of Ambridge - ha ha, love that!). I was born at Dursley, and my parents came from Hampshire, so rather a wandering family and have lived all over the place when my children were growing up. I don't actually have a farm I'm afraid, although I would like that, and do come from farming stock, but walk the dogs in the forest every day, so quite close to nature - rather like the Ambridge inhabitants. I do see the boar quite often though - saw a mum with eight little "humbugs" the other day.
I'm also interested in how the dynamics in the Aldridge household are going to pan out - strange that Brian should suddenly have found a kinship with Ruari, and yes, he was born in Ireland, and as far as I can remember, he has relatives over there, but I don't think I remember hearing of him visiting them very much.
53. MrsP (47) Yes of course I understood, and thank you for your kind words. It has been an upsetting day - let's hope for a good episode tonight, or at least something pleasant to comment on!
I'm going to stick my neck out and say I can understand Brian's fury at Jennifer's voting against him. It is one thing to have disputes with your children when running an enterprise - the younger generation often has modern ideas that take an older person time to get used to, and Adam and Debbie have certainly presented Brian with some challenges in recent years - but when your wife suddenly turns on you after years of mutual support, it must be devastating. I say mutual support because although everyone remembers Jennifer's magnificence in taking on Ruairi, it is sometimes forgotton that Brian in fact took on two children with Jennifer, and has always treated them as his own. The farm is Brian's life's work (emphasised again by his last harsh words to Adam yesterday) and he has already taken an enormous step for the future in creating a family partnership. Now he is being ousted completely by his wife and 'her' children for a mistake, admittedly a very serious one, he made 40 years ago. And what a good life Jennifer has enjoyed in those 40 years - mostly on the grounds of Brian's successful management and business acumen. Yes I can understand Brian's reaction - et tu, Brute!
HG -55 I think...... yes I've been thinking much the same as you over the last couple of days. I can see why Jennifer has taken the stance she is following at the moment, but thought myself, well it was pretty close to the time when he took you and your two children on Jenny ! Forty years, and good ones for Jennifer, is a very long time, and yes, she has supported him throughout, but she has gained so very much in those forty years.
Ruthy...... Annie veggie has left a post on the last Matt blog asking for help to get on board with us here. She is able to read our posts, so she should be able to join, but she seems to be at a loss as to how to do so.
Can you send her a message when you next log on. Please
55. HG you argue Brian's case well, hadn't thought of it like that. J. has done well out of the marriage, but she's given a lot as well, receiving scant recognition. There's a big difference between marrying someone who already has a child, eyes open, and then many years later, expecting her to take on Ruairi, methinks. Looked at coolly, don't you think the family, including J. , made the right decision in the circumstances ? Of course, Brian ID angry and bitter - it must feel like a betrayal.
56 Whilst Jennifer has done well financially by Brian, she has also suffered during this time with his various dalliances as well as Rauri. I can understand that she now feels completely let down by him, by his dishonesty. Had he come clean right at the beginning, she might have felt differently. Lets not forget that by claiming on his insurance he is committing a crime and in so doing has implicated the others. It could still come out into the open.Like Carolyn, I think the right decision has been made. Tough times ahead though
56 - As usual Carolyn you have viewed the situation from another angle. I do admire you for always ( almost) being able to do that. Yes I think you have a point, there is a difference to knowing ' up front' what you are about to take on, to, many years later, taking on your husbands and the other woman's child. With, perhaps little option to do otherwise. But Jenny's eyes were open to what she was taking on with Ruari, and I think that sometimes we have to pay respect to reciprocal arrangements. And add humanity and some humility into the equation.
I think there is room for both arguments, and you, me and HG are all grown up enough to allow for such.
BTW - I have experience of a similar arrangement within my ( married) family. Forty years ago, a child was born from a dalliance. The dalliance was already a very wealthy man, and the husband was paid handsomely for giving his family name to the boy, and bringing up 'his son '. Of course it was all hush hush - sixties stuff. But a few short years ago, at the mother's funeral the son gave the eulogy at his mother's funeral. It was honest witty and very amusing and all in good taste. The biological father eventually made it to millionaire status and the son inherited the biological family business on an exotic island. And everyone is happy. My how money oils the wheels ! And that is said without any ' side' whatsoever.
You will know that some unfortunate exchanges took place on the BBC blog in the past few days. Forgive me if the topic of moderation/exclusion has been discussed previously here, but I wonder how decisons will be made, and who will make them, if it is necessary to remove posts - or, indeed the posters who make them?
To follow on from my 547 on "the other one", I have just finished reading "Wonder" by R J Palacio. It's over arching messsage is "if you ever have the choice of being right, or being kind, choose kind" If we are self-governing, let's all be kind.
58 - respond to gws. I have not been able to read much of the BBC blog due to the unfortunate recent exchanges. We are self governing here, I don’t have anymore information to any blogger than anyone else. As the administrator though I can delete anyone’s comment, and you can delete your own. We want to remain friendly and KIND on this blog.
I have just finally left the ‘other’ blog, heartbroken that the (presumably) final day was ruined by the vehemence if one particular blogger who often seemed very prone to stirring up trouble. Indeed, so much so, that I felt pushed to leave the blog for three months earlier this year to escape from their goading. I should like to say how much I agreed with Mrs P, HG and Carolyn’s posts in reply to that blogger and admired them for doing so. I’m afraid I feel a bit ashamed that I did not have the courage to do the same. I most sincerely hope and pray that no such exchanges have to take place on this lovely friendly blog. I think that all of us who have signed up so far are very sincere and friendly folk who will do everything to retain the happy start we have made. Here’s to a long and enjoyable relationship between us all. ๐ค
59. My picture is the nearest I could get to "Spicycushion!" It's actually an oriental cushion so will do till I get fed up with it. I was reading one of my Archers books last night and although it was published in 1994 ("written" by Collingwood, Greene and Niklaus) some of the characters histories are still relevant. I think Jennifer has done very well out of her marriage. She got an extremely wealthy husband, and most importantly, security for herself and her children. Brian paid for private education for both Debbie and Adam even though they were both legally Roger Travers-Macy' children as he adopted Adam on his marriage, and they both had their own horses/ponies as both were keen riders when teenagers. Once Adan had finished university he spent the next ten years travelling round the world. I remember he started off in Canada and moved on to Africa but in 1994 (published year) he still had not returned to Ambridge. He was about 30 years old when he came back so hasn't worked his entire life at Home Farm. I do think it's a bit presumptuous of him and Jennifer to 'oust' Brian. I am hoping that somehow the land/ house or something is not included in the 'partnership' so Ruairhi will have the upper hand. I do remember SOC saying he was setting up the inheritance as a long term storyline. Also my book says that Adam went through a difficult phase when he thought that John Tregorran was paying too much attention to Jennifer. It then goes on to say that the discovery of Jennifer's affair with JT drove Brian into Caroline's arms at one of the Hunt Balls. I had raised that on fb but was told by another poster that Jennifer and JT did not have 'an affair,' just a close friendship! I wish I could remember! Think I'll have an early night tonight even though I know I shall wake up at about 3am and have to read for an hour or so. I hope all those who are on painkillers, medications of all sorts, or who are unhappy, get some rest and peace tonight. Let's all look forward to the Spring and Summer! :)
60 -Archerphile, I am sorry that you felt the need to abandon the good ship Archers Blog due to today's unpleasant situation. You have been unfortunate in being the butt of that bloggers barbs on too many occasions, but you have not been alone. Three of us, on this final day, felt unable to hold our tongues on this the last day, but believe me I have bitten back what I would have liked to say to her on many occasions. I have already thanked HG for enabling me to have the nerve to speak up today, and I have successfully held my tongue since. Having had my say, I will not lose my dignity in saying more.
I note gws post above. How will we moderate ? I hope, by not lecturing, trying to understand where another may be coming from, and by not believing that our own point of view is the only valid one. And by not baiting another poster.
I have experienced immense warmth and kindness on the Archers blog over the last three years, and the nastiness has not been evident most of the time. On the whole it has been a very positive experience and I wish all those that come aboard this lifeboat the very best of virtual friendship.
61 What to say? It is such a relief to be here, and I'm more heartened than perhaps is rational by the tone of Ruthy's fine blog, especially by recent posts from HG, Mrs P., Spicy, Archerphile ( sorry if I've inadvertently left anyone out !) Oh, of course, by Ruthy's
61 - Thank you Archerphile and everyone who has helped me with their support to get through a difficult day. I know that 'speaking up' is likely to invite criticism, but never in my wildest dreams did I think that a plea to keep the blog pleasant would bring so much vitriol on us. I am particularly sorry that Mrs P and carolyn were so violently targeted. I agree with MrsP - we will keep our dignity and move on. In fact we have already done so - a lovely exchange of opinions on the Brian and Jennifer situation - a measure of agreement and/or differing viewpoints, all well expressed with respect for each other - the best of blogging. I am sure that we shall soon feel as at home here as we have felt in the past.
61 contd. Whoops !....by Ruthy 's post about self moderating. Yes, the Aldridge troubles aren't a black and white, siding with one or the other, matter, are they, which is a sign of a good script, wellimagined narrative, I think. So much easier to feel strongly for or against the whole Pip/Toby saga and argue one's case with confidence! Rambling now, but starting to feel the Alistair/Shula SL is nuanced (much as Shula happens to get on the nerves of some of us.) Mm...such SLs probably produce better discussions. 'Night, night, and thanks to all!
62 - well said HG, try not to take it to heart. Although I do not usually pay attention to arrows, up or down, I have just run through today's posts and looked at the arrow situation. As far as the vitriolic posts are concerned the down arrows speak volumes. I also saw that my post following on from yours has been removed, waiting for moderation. I have considered reporting the answer from the poster whose vitriol was experienced by myself and Carolyn by have decided to leave it as I believe it speaks for itself. And BTW my removed post had received 22 up arrows.
61 contd. Whoops !....by Ruthy 's post about self moderating. Yes, the Aldridge troubles aren't a black and white, siding with one or the other, matter, are they, which is a sign of a good script, wellimagined narrative, I think. So much easier to feel strongly for or against the whole Pip/Toby saga and argue one's case with confidence! Rambling now, but starting to feel the Alistair/Shula SL is nuanced (much as Shula happens to get on the nerves of some of us.) Mm...such SLs probably produce better discussions. 'Night, night, and thanks to all!
61 What to say? It is such a relief to be here, and I'm more heartened than perhaps is rational by the tone of Ruthy's fine blog, especially by recent posts from HG, Mrs P., Spicy, Archerphile ( sorry if I've inadvertently left anyone out !) Oh, of course, by Ruthy's
63 - to Carolyn- as I said to HG, try not to take it to heart Carolyn. The blog is about to close, two hours max, and I hope nothing more of an explosive nature will be said. It is regrettable that on the very last day such nastiness broke out, but let's close our eyes to it now and carry on here. Sad, but there it is.
65 (at least, keep forgetting!) MrsP - I've looked at the arrow situation as well - as you say, it speaks volumes. Unfortunately I didn't get to read your removed post, nor carolyn's. Your post could be reinstated because it is under consideration, carolyn's unfortunately not. Incidentally, 'that' blogger's post to me has been reinstated!
66. Have you heard that Sarnia has just completed a survey that popped up on the Archers blog? And anyone still awake must just go and read OWIAS latest brilliant poem.
67 - HG - I can't remember what I wrote now, but more or less said that I had held my tongue on too many occasions not to speak up now. I did say that your post had given me courage, and so ' dropped you in it' as it were.
I have watched the blog through to the end but by 1.08 it had not closed, so posted to say so. I was reluctant because Old Woman had posted her glorious poem again and I did not want to spoil the moment.
But I would have thought the computer would have activated the closure on th dot !
I have deliberately logged on several times but havnt received the survey either.
I think Arby/tworth may join this blog with another name and the pattern will repeat again. Her style is very recognisable. After my own run in, I decided ignoring was better than confronting , but this was also interpreted as 'hatred'. I admire those who have tried for a middle way.
ME. As you say 'that bloggers' style is very recognizable and not in a good way. Being inclusive just seems to encourage a 'second wind' so to speak. Trying to hold to account........well we've seen where that leads! Difficult to deal with what appears to be a 'troubled soul'....we can only wait and hope...............
I too have come to the same conclusion particularly when Carolyn said it was cyclical and Confirmed for me by one of her posts on the BBC blog.Dont want to spoil this blog so will be careful not to rise to the bait in the future.
Carolyn, thank you for confirming my suspicion that those two posters were one and the same. I had thought it might be the case but did not dare challenge her about it in the blog! I had been targeted by her many times in the past and have twice had to leave the BBC blogs for a few months to escape the interrogations and nastiness. I found her almost uncanny recall of everything I ever written very disturbing when she insisted on quoting back to me things I had written months or years before. Your confirmation explains a lot, so thank you. I very much fear you may be right about a re-appearance on here under another pseudonym but I am resolved not to rise to any future baiting - I shall just try my hardest to ignore.
71. maryellen (70) I have just taken a deep intake of breath as I had no idea those two posters were one and the same! Astounding! On the whole I got on with Arby but never with Tworth. In my removed post I said that I had reported only two posts in five years one which was condemning her (it was removed) and my own which was putting forward a theory of why I believe the BBC maybe engineering the demise of TA (That remained in situ.) Interesting that the email I got from the BBC said that if I copy and paste a comment which breaks the house rules then my whole post would be deleted. I did and mine was. However the offending comment remains! C'est la vie anyway. Today is a fresh start I hope. I suspect the new blog which will be posted sometime in the next day or so,and will not have the comment facility. I loved OWIAS's poem and think it should be read on Feedback and printed in capitals on the front page of the Radio Times! Foggy here in north Kent this morning, no Cubs tonight as it's school holidays so whatever shall I do today? :)
I actually slept last night thanks to a sleeping pill. Made a final comment after one am when Blog appeared to not close after all. At ten ish I've come to and find that the blog has finally closed about half an hour ago. Gary G - very funny wanderings from you during the night.
74 I'm gobsmacked (excuse me) that tworth and Arby were one and the same and how dim I was not to cotton on. I was the opposite of you Spicy - I remember a lot of bad with Arby but thought I got on well with tworth. When I first started blogging, rather than 'lurking' I had a little difference of opinion with maryellen (remember maryellen?) which tworth found amusing, so I said I was glad to give someone a laugh and we went on from there in friendly fashion, often answering each other. About 6 months ago when tworth seemed to be in a really bad place, I asked if she was all right and she said no, she wasn't but she'd get through it and thank you for asking and noticing. Then things got slowly better again until a couple of days ago. It makes me sad as I think she really needs professional help. Had to get that off my chest, but won't mention it again.
76 Archerphile, I didn't spot the same bloggers different identities - credit for that goes to Maryellen, posted earlier today ! Did note the easily discernible' pattern of behaviour in the removed comment.
Well well well ! So it was Arby, formerly RAF brat, then Tworth.
I too from time to time had my suspicions so was always very careful with her until yesterday. I had my run in with Arby and was careful since she grew up in the area where I live and had worked out easily where I lived now. She had good local knowledge.
Although suspicious, I discounted it as I found distinct differences in the style. So Maryellen, do please enlarge on the clues that alerted and confirmed that connection for you. I don't want to spoil this blog, but there is always the chance, as you say, that she might join at some point. I think we need to be prepared. Incidentally Arby left after a massive (mental ) online breakdown, far worse than yesterday's fury.
76 contd.. agree, there is an illness there. Very disturbing. Son and betrothed rolling up later, so most likely won't write again today, also have TA to catch up on.....see ya !
I followed the other blog until it finally closed, so now well and truly inside Ruthy's lifeboat. Phew! Two thoughts I should like to add to this discussion. The first is about anyone that may join and start to become a malign presence by making rude comments to other bloggers. On other blogs I have followed, but not necessarily contributed to, I have noticed that when that happens the other bloggers completely ignore the troublemaker and don't respond to their comments - they soon give up and leave. If anyone does rise to the bait (thereby adding fuel to the fire), their fellow bloggers advise them: 'Don't feed the troll'! Nothing will be more effective than being frozen out, so perhaps we could try that on our own blog, should it happen in the future.
My second observation is on Brian's present difficulties and frame of mind. Although several of us can understand his anger and bitterness at the moment, and so do I, to a degree, I can't feel a lot of pity for him, as, aside from his various marital misdemeanors over the years, he hasn't played fair with his family for some time now. Despite the fact that several years ago he said that he would take a back seat on the running of the farm as a kind of semi-retirement, handing over the day-to-day management of the farm to Adam, he has meddled and manipulated Adam in his management decisions - especially over his desire to nurture the land instead of flogging it into semi-sterility in order to make more money from it. He has often played off the family against one another under some hidden agenda which I feel he has lurking under most of his actions, in fact his idea of making everyone equal partners in the business has always seemed to me one of those underlying schemes, as he was confident that he could easily bring the various family members (and Ruth) around to his way of thinking. And, now, he has been thwarted by Ruth and Jennifer, and has decided to take his anger out on Jennifer by preferring his Ruari, his own son, to hers, and on punishing Adam, by leaving him to take on the paperwork as well as the management of the farm (work for two people) with no initial handover. No wonder Adam sounds even more gloomy than usual! I can't help feeling that Bryan has been "hoist by his own petard", as they say!
78 As I was gardening (just come in for a cuppa) I was thinking again about the Aldridges. I know that many of you think Jenny and her brood are wrong. My concern is about his claiming on the insurance knowing he allowed the contamination. I appreciate that this was 40 years ago, but Ruth following on from her discussion with Bert twigged there was something up. Given the amount in the press about false claims (particularly holiday insurance ) of late, I am not sure that he can be allowed to get away with this. Whilst there were some remarks about Bert not being around at the time, were these just pointers of what is to come or just false leads.If Brian had been such a good business man, he would have kept his wrong doing to himself, by telling Jenny and later the others he has implicated them all. I see quite a tangled web ahead, if it doesn't come out now, it could well do if he cuts some of his children out of his will by an eventual challenge .
79 - good morning Soz Yes I take your point re ' don't feed the troll '. I often ignored those posts, but then yesterday she remarked, several times, on this ' ignoring' as ' stepping over' ! This to me, and others. Some posters did not ignore, and some also praised and supported her for her views. Which I turn fed the flames.
I will not be surprised if she does attempt to join us at some point. If recognised, will someone be brave and alert the rest of us.
As for Brian, your analysis of his behaviour is very good, and I recognise all of the points you make.
I have just finished reading all the old BBC blogs for yesterday and this morning. We all have our differences, political, social, religious, cultural etc. What binds us is a 12 minute daily episode of the archers, and from that we express our opinions in many different forms. I have only ever once responded to a comment that I felt went beyond sharing an opinion in a calm and reasoned manner. Being preached at is something I,as a teenager learned to ignore, but on that occasion I couldn't hold back. Some individuals are very adept at wrapping up a condemnatory style in a long winded articulate style, and other in simple you are all wrong. The latter is obvious and former is not. Please let us express our differences in a, ' you have a right to an opinion, but not to abuse me when I express a different point of view'. Early on in my professional training I learned very quickly that challenging someone with fixed ideas, only acted as encouragement for more of the same. For example, maryellen and myself will never agree about Mr. T Fairbrother, but that OK because we can have a laugh together. Well at least I can. Anyhow, I'm not attracted to men even if they offer me lots of botanical gin. Last nights episode was boring, except for Jazzer.
80 (Sorry, I forgot to number my previous post - smacked hand!). Good morning Mrs P (79) There's nothing like being ignored for deflating unwanted guests - let's hope we don't have to use those tactics. Interesting that you can see my point re Brian's behaviour. I've had my suspicions about his ploys for some time, but thought I was imagining it. Sadly, it seems not. By the way, I'm Suz - not Soz, who might not enjoy having my thoughts attributed to them!
I'm waiting for news of my beloved big lurcher, Harry, who is to have a hind leg amputated this morning because of the growth of a huge bone tumour on his thigh bone. It's a grade one cancer and hasn't spread to the rest of his body, so perfectly healthy apart from the leg. It was a horrible decision to make because it makes his one remaining hind leg very vulnerable (he's a big chap), but it was that or P.T.S. so had to make it and hope that he will be able to cope with only three legs in future. The animals in T.A. don't seem to pose such dilemmas for their owners, do they. They either die in accidents (shot by Will for example) or of old age (Scruff). Yet, they would be very vulnerable to accidents on farms and running around in the countryside.
Suz, I love lurchers. Harry, being a big one, sounds lovely. I hope he manages. I've seen a few amputees, and they seem to cope/adapt very well. Good luck with him.
Suz: do hope you hear good news soon and that everything has gone well. One of our beautiful cats had to have a front leg amputated after a car accident but it was amazing how well he coped on three - even managing to jump up on fences. The only thing he couldn’t manage was washing his face, so he had to do that lying down! Good luck Harry. ๐
79. Apologies, Carolyn and thank you to Maryellen for lifting the veil from my eyes, as it were, re. a certain person. Now to the important thing - The Archers! I have noticed a mini-campaign starting up on a closed FB Archers group to persuade the p.t.b. to return the scripts to the more mundane, gossipy and humorous day-to- day stories of life in a rural English village and to include much less of the sensational, issue-led, drama we have had for the past couple of years. They are, I think, hoping to persuade the new Editor and his team to restore the balance in the programme between the purely entertaining light stories and the more demanding dramatic ones. What does everyone here think? Is that balance better these days or are we being fed too much sensational stuff? Personally I’m finding it is just about right recently but would welcome a little more humour and a bit less angst perhaps.
81. Pierre 68 - sorry I do not know why that is happening to you. Could be, do you log out of your account each time? And it has to be refreshed the next time you rejoin this blog? Sorry for the inconvenience.
81 can't resist, even though running late :) - Suz suggestion for 'up' - to all recent posts on a) Brian, so well argued, b) keeping this blog safe; we can't stop the sickness, but we should not feed it, and we need to protect ourselves and this site. Let's be very alert to warn ( as Mrs P says) and delete, as necessary.
81. I thought it was boring, too, stasia -- in fact it all went in one ear and out the other, I really don't know if anything important happened. Concentrating too much on the blog issue, I expect, but at least that has now finally ended and we can get down to making this a really good Archers place to be.
Ruthy, what foresight you had in opening this well in time. I just hope that it will not become too much of a burden for you. If it goes on like this we will certainly need a blog a week. I wonder if some of us could help if you need a break some time - rather like the clever bloggers who took it in turns to resurrect old unused ones. With guidance from you I'm sure we could get a rota going. But for now, you're our hero! Not forgetting all those who tried to keep the old blog open, spearheaded by the absolutely tireless Lan Jan.
84. This numbering business is hilarious when people are posting at the same time , or (like me) forgetting to do it! I still think it is a good idea though, as it gives us a fair indication of where things are when the blog gets long. Ruthy, is there not a possibility of automated numbering here?
84 Well, so long Blog, RIP. I tried to keep up with the orchestra but fell asleep on the timpani. Fortunately they floated and delivered me to this lifeboat. Anybody heard from GG? I'm rather concerned for his safety after his run-in with the Buttons. Perhaps he managed to tie them up with the bunting.
I wonder if Jazzer has considered a new career in counselling or relationship guidance? Not sure of the wisdom of some of his suggestions but his blunt, tough love approach is quite refreshing!
Is Jim's spare bedroom on the ground floor? I should think pushing or pulling a piano upstairs would be a recipe for disaster on the high Cs - or a broken (spinal) cord at the very least. If, in a few years' time Dan were to help bring it down again they could find themselves stuck with A flat major.
86. Forgot to number hence previous 'removal!' I asked earlier "Whatever shall I do today " as nothing absolutely necessary so I have spent two hours reading old blogs going back to 2013. What puzzles me is that 'Arby' still appears as that name whereas others who have changed their sign- on names are automatically changed on the old blogs; like Henwy Ian Archer now shows instead of 'Tolly.' So if I sign in on with say my 'business' email address will I count as two persons? I thought it had something to do with the server identification All beyond me I'm afraid. BTW I found a still open blog with no comments dating from October 2013 and was tempted to post a comment or two to see if the BBC server blew up! Naughty me!
Hi again Ruthy, Now I've found the sign out button. Do you recommend that I should log out each time? If so instructions on how to reload in later please.
Ruthy, hope you don’t mind my replying to Pierre with what I do : I do not log out. I have an iPad and saved this site to My Favourites, so that when I log onto Safari (the browser) an icon which is a a large A in an orange box is ready and waiting. I tap on the icon and it brings up this blog. None of my posts seems to have been removed but you do have to scroll a long way down to get to the most recent posts. Sometimes I leave this site open so I can get back to it easily, but then you may not see the latest posts. I did once log out, but then had to go all through the logging in performance again next time. When a new blog starts I save that to my favourites and delete the old one, so I do not get confused!
89. Pierre (87) I am on this site so often that I don't sign out each time. Even when I close this blog, when I reopen it, I am still signed in. I would recommend to not sign out. Does this clear up the problem?
90. Pierre (87) and Archerphile's reply. I don't sign out but just refresh the page when I pop back in. You get the latest posts that way but still have to scroll - it's a shame we can't reverse the order on this blog to get the latest comments first.
Mrs P (75?) and others - I can't be 100% sure that tworth is Arby but I'm 99% convinced. After Arby left, we had some posts from RBee; I commented on the name and RBee quickly disappeared. When I noticed the growing similarity of style between newcomer tworth and Arby I asked tworth outright if they were the same, which she flatly denied. John the Agnostic also said that from his knowledge of the previous blogger, they were not the same. I can see a logic in the denial - in that, if you have changed your blog persona along with your blog name,you are not now the persona you were before.
Except the persona didn't change, or only temporarily. Tworth accused me of persecuting her and repeated Arby's 'there's a lot of hate for me on these boards' theme. The similarity of style and behaviour seemed to me to be too great to be coincidence and later events have confirmed it for me. (They shared the fantastic memory too!). I think that's all I have to say, having made the point that the situation might recur.
91 ' not writing again today' oh, yeah ? Got a reprieve - J.and C. delayed by a couple of hours, so don't have to scurry around. Better employed catching up with last night, I suppose....don't watch much TV, but checked in with the delightful Durrells(Mr c. Doesn't agree there) and the nasty A. Christie Pure melodrama, rather well done.
92. HG - sorry no chance of self numbering or reversing the order. I looked at all the settings available and not possible. I will start a new post tomorrow as this one is already getting very long :) I am at work now, so will meet up with everyone and read your comments in about 10 hours.
Just back from lunch, too late for your question, but isn't it good when you manage something yourself? - so satisfying! If, very occasionally, I manage something on my own, my daughter always says 'Well done, Mummy', I'm proud of you' - at least she doesn't add 'and at your age, too'!!
In my case I get that sort of response from my 10 year old granddaughter, but on the whole my daughter doesn't seem to think I do too badly for my age!
96 Suz, I hope your Harry copes with the OP. and with movement later. A very worrying day. I know cats who do well after amputation, but you're talking about a big lad. Animals are wonderfully adaptable -that's the encouraging thing. All the best.
97 Patricia C 95 If you run your curser along the menu bar at the top of your browser it tells you what each icon is for. One will say 'refresh.' My browser is Mozilla Firefox and in the top left hand corner there is an circular arrow. Click it, it spins then stops with the latest information that has been posted. Sometimes it may be a cross, on Microsoft internet explorer it's a butterfly! Hope I have explained clearly and not too patronisingly. :)
98 Blimey, our Jazzer has no time for the empathy/listening skills, does he ?! Agreed, though, it is rather refreshing, ' cut yer losses, mate, take sniff around the talent !' Used not to care for him at all, but he's become lots more interesting - I date it from his attitude to Kirstie, after her mis carriage.
97 : so many posts to attend to / answer, Suz first. Sorry about calling you Soz. You are very clear as two different people in my mind. You live in Forest she lives in Purbeck, both Farming, or ex Farming. Two: dog will do well. Is this a common problem with Lurchers ? A number of three legged ones locally. But a worrying day for you, I understand. One of the best dogs I have ever known, with the exception of my beloved Harry was Charlie a three legged beagle, ex laboratory victim. ( no further comment) ! I knew him in Epping forest. Fantastic character.
---------------------------- Maryellen, I remember now, the questioning around yy b etc and Jthe A stating she was not the same, so I let my concerns wain, but not entirely. I often read those posts, and deliberately chose to ignore them, as Stasia clearly managed successfully to do. But then there would be a friendly intelligent post that I felt able to answer in like. But I always remained very wary. ( until yesterday ) for which I apologise. AND - I remain convinced that the memory was due to note taking. She grew up on an RAF station, Kemble / Hullavington/ Lyneham, and it's possible I even knew her as a child in the seventies. We were in Malmesbury, my husband commuting to London in the week. The local play group fraternity, me amongst them, was rife with the understanding of children from air and army. bases sans fathers for much of the time, and the resulting behavioural difficulties with those children.
I do not wish to extend this discussion but am concerned that if we suspect that we have been joined by this person again we need an agreed strategy as to how to behave. ' do not feed the troll' will I fear enrage her further, and in my experience someone is always prepared to do so.
Apologies, again for ' banging on '
----------------------- I do not log in or out. The site is bookmarked and appears as of frequent use.
103 Mrs P Now we are on Ruthys blog I feel I can ask how you are doing. I had mine done in Wales procedures somewhat different I think. I had an epidural. If you lived on your own as I do you werent allowed out till you could walk with sticks. I wasn't staying a day longer so was determined to use them. I appreciate that you had extra complications, but do hope you are gaining strength and managing get about a bit.
(104) -One or two points. I have been out today but just for interest I decided to check back to see if there were any unopened blogs. I didn't get too far and the one I did find was closed for comments even though there were none on.
Also re Arby /Tworth-When I was sure that they were one and the same I checked back because if one changes one's nom de plume ,all previous original posts with the original name are altered too. Tworth wasn't around in the early days so it might be easy to check up to see if the name appears. However I would suggest that if it is the same person-denied by her-that she may well have another email account. I felt sorry for her really . Strange how one minute like on Saturday she was setting riddle me Rees and the next she was being nasty She often had a pop at me because she thought I was being favoured because of my age There is a blog still there for yesterday's golf match. If they have closed our blog,why is that one not being closed. Someone mentioned Freedom of Information Act so I intend trying to find out how much the BBC has saved by closing us down.
104 : Thanks Cowgirl. Of course an epidural is the preferred option now. I was adamant about not having one however. I have in the past had two out of body experiences, not frightening in themselves, but prefer not to have them. I have also had a dreadful effect from a lumbar puncture when I was taken out of bed hours too soon, put in a car with a driver who did not speak English and had been driving in London for only twenty four hours and a nurse who had arrived from Ireland the previous week. I had to direct them to take me to Queens Square Neurological Hospital from St Thomas in a snow covered London. I was vomiting wildly throughout the journey. The wonderful compassionate doctor who greeted me was incandescent with rage. All ''tis when being investigated for a brain tumour. Needless to say I am protective of my self, for few other buggers will be in my experience. That sounds cynical and bitter. But I am not. These things happen. My surgeons bench marks is Stairs, and the knee bending at 90d ! I managed both, but a mistake in my usual daily medication was made sending my system into overdrive, ( not difficult, I have a fragile endocrine system combined with compromised adrenals, and Alopecia, so no body hair and therefore difficult temperature control ) all of which I self manage having lived with these conditions since very young. But........ I am walking well, and without sticks or trolley inside the house now, and with sticks, about a hundred yards outside. Not yet today as wet. But in the last forty eight hours the extreme tiredness has lessened. Neighbours have rallied and daughter in Bath collected me from hospital and has managed to get up a couple of times since with both G daughters coming too. London daughter came yesterday.
Sorry folks....... another long explanatory post from me. I live alone, have few people to talk to, only Radio 4 for company, and I am a COMMUNICATOR !
And she did ask !
And thank you Cow Girl. I hope your knee is working well now.
Delighted to hear you are making good progress and that you have some support. It took me ages to have the confidence to walk on the common , notoriously rough, without my sticks, I had a fear of falling and damaging the knee. I needent have worried, it has stood up to a good few falls.I can understand you caution on a wet surface though, Just take it steady.
107. GaryGilday. You were talking in your sleep. All the other insomniacs heard you muttering about the Button sisters. What a nightmare you must have been experiencing. Let's hope they weren't throwing cricket balls at you.
1. New post starting Sunday.
ReplyDeleteI do hope this doesn't become a 'chore' for you monitoring and updating the blog! I do want to say I think it is really generous of you to offer your expertise to help out all us who have to rely on others to keep us up to date! Heartfelt thanks.
DeleteThank you so much for this, Ruthy. Although l avidly read all comments on BBC blog l made very few comments. I may be more adventurous now as this site seems much more relaxed. It's great to see so many familiar names. Best wishes, everyone, for this new era.
ReplyDeleteOK
Delete3. Same here, Old Fogey. I read the comments on the BBC blog but have very rarely commented myself. Hope you don't mind me joining in - I've been reading the posts here over the last few days and love the friendly chat and community you're building up with the Archers as your common theme.
ReplyDelete4. Good morning (rather afternoon) and welcome.
ReplyDelete5. Good afternoon folks.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ruthy, and welcome, very welcome to the ' silent ones ' who have chosen to join us and speak up.
I agree with Old Woman about not using the reply option, although I have used it in the last few days.
With sequential numbering we should find it easier to answer a particular post, by quoting the number of the post we are answering.
6. Good morning MrsP - you recent posts on BBC blog explains why there are early morning comments from you. Sorry about your insomnia. How are you feeling today?
ReplyDeleteAgree that we should refrain from using the "REPLY". It will be easier now if we do self numbering.
7. I see the profile photos seems to have righted themselves, in which case I will try and re-instate my wool+needles and hope I don’t ruin things again.
ReplyDeleteRuthy I think you deserve a medal for all your hard work rescuing us and keeping this blog going. ๐ We are getting so many posts I think we shall need a new blog every week. I do hope that is not going to be too much for you.
8. Archerphile - no problem at all. Having this blog available to all is something I take very personally. Glad the pics are OK again.
ReplyDeleteComment on last night's TA - what is Justin up to??? He and Brian are hardened businessmen who built their businesses from the ground up, but Brian is not really in Justin's league.
HG - I enjoyed reading your Lilian piece on the blog this morning.
9. I agree re Justin - what is he up to? I just get the feeling he's biding his time, having cosy chats with other BL board members, waiting for the right time to slide in and put what ever plan he's devising is into action.....
ReplyDelete(10) Mrs P I have just written something to you about Smokey on Ruthy's previous blog but it appeared just above Archerphile's knitting one so I must have done something wrong.
ReplyDeleteLovely photo Maryellen.
ReplyDeleteI dare not try to do anything because I am scared I might lose everything.
I don't even know how I managed to get (Google) so I will stick to the symbol given I think.
(12) - Sorry that should have been (11)
ReplyDelete(12) I have read the blogs for a couple of years, but rarely commented. I have enjoyed reading the comments and thoughts of others, the poems,quizzes etc. It is lovely to see that this will continue for those who have moved to this blog. I'll miss the bloggers who decide not to join us.
ReplyDelete(14) oops, previous post should have been (13)
ReplyDelete(14) oops, previous post should have been (13)
ReplyDeleteTesting again....
DeleteWell, that took a while but I think (fingers crossed) I'm here!
ReplyDeleteWelcome here, Nemo! I am so glad you have made it to Ruthy's blog. I have always enjoyed your comments and would have missed them. Most of all I would have missed your name though ๐ My dog is called Nemo, too, so seeing your name (now even without the number) has always made me smile.
DeleteHello Ruthy et al
ReplyDeleteI think I have made it!
Really scary so hope I am safe from hackers and haven’t done anything wrong along the way. Like Lan Jan this is daring enough without trying photos. When I have got my sea legs I will think about TA again.
(18) We'll done, Nemo and Seasider - so glad you didn't get lost in transit!
ReplyDeleteYes. it took a while and I'm still not sure why my pic isn't there...
DeleteJust testing. Can read all your comments but not sure yet if I can comment. Never "spoke" on the BBC blog but hope to join in here.
ReplyDelete20. This is 20. My previous comment should have been 19. I'll get the hang of this eventually.
ReplyDelete20. Replied to a few, but they aren't appearing, so won't do that again, seeing the advice above, & also wrote here as no.4 but that's vanished too, so this is 'testing' only ( though would rather speak about Brian, Alistair et al) Sorry to be so boring & slow with icons, emojos, profiles etc...
ReplyDelete19. To be Archers specific for a moment....I was reminded this morning of a prediction made by Sean O’Connor when he was leaving TA. Asked what he thought the next big story would be he predicted a battle for the inheritance of Home Farm, Brian wanting Ruairi to inherit rather than ‘Jennifer’s son’ Adam. He said the story could run for many years and get very bitter. It seems to me that we are seeing the start of this battle as Brian castigated Adam and is spending his free time with ‘his son’ Ruairi. Will this lead to an acrimonious divorce for Brian and Jennifer I wonder? I was hoping for some happy stories when our new Editor starts but it seems the groundwork is already being laid for more disharmony in Ambridge.
ReplyDelete20 -
ReplyDeleteYes I agree Archerphile. I feel you may be correct.
And remember my prediction of a few days ago ?
The possibility of Brian and Shula both leaving T A
Ah, is this my pic? Me, hiding behind my fan?
ReplyDelete(22) - Love him or loathe him I think Brian would be a loss to the programme.
ReplyDeleteCharles Collingwood is ,to me a fine actor.
I don't care if St Shula goes walkabout though.
21. I'm now getting muddled as to what is being said where ( here, or remaining BBC blog), but please settle my mind, Mrs P - is Smokey Cat with you, or shortly to arrive, purring, or not ? Can't start new para., I think it just sends, so, ploughing on, the closing blog is full of great stuff, party spirit, party games, waving & smiling bravely at the departing train, but doubt I'll post there again, partly lack of time to participate in riddles etc, partly something else hard to pinpoint; too valedictory maybe ( that's not a criticism ) Is it clear & ok to do this / to show a new para. ? / Agree with Archerphile, 19, & LanJan, 20, it's getting very acrimonious at Home Farm - Brian is seething, poor Adam is doing his best, & unless Brian gets a grip, better it would be if he & Ruari went off into the sunset. / Laughed at Shula seeking 'new adventures' ! Since when has she ever shown the spirit of adventure ? I find her deeply conventional, always predictable. She can't even be clear with her mother, let alone Alistair, that the marriage has lost its spark for her, ( though, fair play, AT LAST, she said it wasn't his fault), she can't retrieve the love she once had, it's to do with her, not anything else. Sadly, it can be as brutally stark as this sometimes.
ReplyDelete23. I am not understanding where Shula is coming from. After 20 years of marriage, she does owe Alistair an explanation. I would agree with whoever came up with the idea that she is leaving TA so SW developing a SL to move her out of Ambridge? But what will happen to the staples?
ReplyDelete24 Archerphile (19)
ReplyDeleteBrian did visit his solicitor a while back regarding the inheritance of Home Farm. Adam and Debbie would be far from chuffed to see all their hard work handed over to Ruairi. However, Home Farm Ltd is a partnership now so I presume it would be harder to cut them out of the picture.
The atmosphere there is somewhat icy at present - Jenny hardly has any need for either of her fridges.
24. Alistair should lock her in a loose-box and not let her out until she talks to him and listens to him. It seems each time he opens his mouth she cuts him off. Alistair and Kirsty could get together and share their experiences of being dumped by their loved ones for no apparent reasons. Mind you, Kirsty never gave Tom a chance to explain. She ripped up his explanation without reading. Al may have to resort to writing to Shula, but would she read it? Preferable to writing through their solicitors.
ReplyDelete2 posts 24 at same time. That's because it takes me so long. Is this 26?
ReplyDeleteTo CAROLYN - apologies for confusion. I really should have kept my mouth shut. No Carolyn, Smokey is not, and will not be with me.
ReplyDeleteI am indisposed so would not be able to collect him for at least a couple of weeks. In the meantime, the fosterer has given a detailed description of him and his naughty and mischievous behaviour. He would be a delight for a family with older children, but I want a calm mature and loving lap cat. He leaps about, knocks things off tables in the middle of the night and steals food. Off the plate ! And he seems to be younger than they thought.
He will be a delight for someone, but not me.
And it serves me right for anticipating. An activity I usually manage not to indulge in.
I agree about Charles Collingwood, an excellent actor, and his latest turn of nastiness does not bode well.
I'm sure a S L could be developed whereby he does decide to take Ruari off travelling or something, flinging his hook in a petty childish manner to ' teach Jennifer a lesson '. And it would be a useful way of avoiding his humiliation within Ambridge.
Ruthy - what would happen to the stables.
Incorporate it with Alistair practise and get Freddie Pargeter interested in horses and riding again.
After all, anything is possible in Ambridge !
27. Someone explained how to get pics from google gallery but some text was obscured by enlarged pictures. Please will someone post a repeat. I didn't know about google gallery.
ReplyDelete28 - So that last one should have been 27 sorry !
ReplyDeleteAt the top of the page it says there are 36 posts, but I can't get beyond my last post of what I calculated to be 29 or 30
ReplyDeleteSo am posting this in hope of refreshing
Well that didn't work.... I'm talking to an empty space !
ReplyDelete31 Mrs P there are some replies to previous posts that didn't get numbered.
ReplyDeleteOh yes. Silly me.
ReplyDeleteThat was a great last post Old W
33.I would like to hear Anisha's views of the situation now that Alistair has moved out. She must surely be worried about her financial investment in the business now? Alistair only went into partnership to keep Shula happy, so if he wants out, I suppose he will have to sell his share? Could Anisha afford it, and would she want it? This will be a very tangled web.
ReplyDelete34. I really miss the arrows, such a quick way to agree with people.
ReplyDelete34b Yes, and can't do thumbs up icon (so techno unsavvy)
Delete35. I think I will love this blog. It is already taking shape and becoming ordered without any fuss or acrimony, and has a lovely friendly feel. I like the self-numbering idea, and a new blog every week. Look how many comments there have been already. I didn't think it would ever become neccessary to migrate here, I thought people were just pessimistic back in January, how wrong I was. Thank goodness Ruthie had the nous to sort this out, I believe it will be better than the BBC blog as we are regulating ourselves. THANK YOU Ruthie.
ReplyDelete:) We could use this as a 'thumbs up' arrow (no need for 'thumbs down' I hope).
DeleteTo Suz-l'll use that.
DeleteTo Suz-l'll use that.
Delete36 - Well said Mistral
ReplyDeleteThe official blog has not closed as we were all prepared for it to do.
It looks as though we may have another 24 hours of grace.
37 will try again as my last comment seems to have disappeared.
ReplyDeleteMistral 33
I wonder if Anisha will buy the stables? This way we loose Shula. Money never seems to be a problem in the Archers and her mother died recently so she may have left her money.
:) never thought of that, it would be perfect for Anisha :)
Delete37. Re HH at (27) - ‘‘twas I who gave that information about images. Go to the Google search site, click on ‘Images’ on top l.h. Corner. Then enter the subject you want, followed by ‘clipart’ If you want icons, or cartoons of that subject. (I put ‘knitting clipart for my wool & needles). When you find some you like save them to your pictures file (according to your computer either right click and ‘save as’ - or on iPad, tap on image then tap and hold until invited to ‘save’) You can then select the image here by going to your profile - edit profile - go down to where you select a profile picture, select ‘from computer’ select ‘my pictures’ or similar and your picture file will appear. Select the one you want to use. You may have to try one or two as they are sometimes to large to fit in or too small and blurred. Hope this works!
ReplyDeleteNow I see a little problem with the numbering system - Cow Girl and I both posting same time and both using 37!
ReplyDeleteArcherphile 37
ReplyDeleteI,m sure it wont happen too often and its better than without.
38(? near enough) don't see that Alistair moving out will make a difference to his working life. The vet practice constitutes a part of the premises, but surely is separate from the domestic set up ?
ReplyDelete39. Thanks Ruthy, love the sheep and her lamb. Every morning I look out my back window and watch the lambs frolicking about the field.
ReplyDeleteMrsP. I will contact you later about a rescue centre in Malvern.
Last night I was covered in wonderful icons, including a waving flag. Only problem was I couldn't read the comments.
Have a lovely day everyone. I'm off to the allotment to catch up.
38. Many new ventures often have teething troubles and are eventually very successful.........so
ReplyDelete"All shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.” (Apologies to J of N. I'm sure she would have forgiven and understood!)
38b a huge thumbs up, BB. J. of N was /is amazing
Delete38b a huge thumbs up, BB. J. of N was /is amazing
DeleteI just love that 'blessing' and on I try so hard to believe in!
Delete39 Sorry Smokey turns out to be unsuitable (but what a good thing you found out in time), Mrs P, here's hoping the Cat with your name twitching at the end of his/her whiskers appears with tail held high when your recovery /mobility have reached the right point.
ReplyDelete40. Apologies. I've already messed up on the numbering! You have to be quick or someone else can get in before you've finished typing!!! No matter refer to my last post.........all will be (eventually) well. ๐
ReplyDelete41. Mrs. P. So sorry to hear that you won't be having your Smokey cat after all, but you are right to hold out for just the right one for you, and I'm sure you will find your furry soulmate very soon. I think you live just across the Severn from me, here in the Forest (although I'm originally from your area too), so wondered if you have tried 5 Valley Cat Rescue. They found my lovely marmalade boy, Fergus, for me last year, and we haven't looked back since. Good luck with the search, it will happen soon, I'm sure.
ReplyDelete(42) Mrs P,
ReplyDeleteWhen our beautiful little cat Jess had to be put to sleep a lovely tabby who used to come to the bottom of our garden came into the house and briefly sat on Jess's favourite seat.
We decided we would get another cat and Poppy (who didn't like other cats joined us)
After a while she decided she liked the tabby at the bottom of the garden and invited him into the house.
We didn't feed him because we knew where he lived but Poppy stepped aside and gave him her food.
One day he was limping.
His people were at work so we took him to the vet'.
When I phoned his people they said he obviously preferred us so we could keep him.
We told him the news and he immediately decided to stay.
Poppy thinks she has done her job now and ignores him .
He is happy about this as his favourite is Mr LJ
As I type this they are together on the settee.
What I am saying is that your cat is out there somewhere.
I have been thinking about Mrs P saying perhaps Brian and Shula actors are planning to retire. I hope they don’t know something we don’t about the future of TA. We had a lot of bosses retire where I worked and then a major “reorganisation “ was announced. Sorry to be gloomy on the last day of the old blog.
ReplyDeleteIncidentally I had a strange message this morning about problems with my main email and worried that setting up the google one has interfered with it. Has anyone else had problems? Perhaps I am just being paranoid.
Seasider, I think I had a similar mail when I first set up a Gmail account. You probably used your 'real' mail to set up the Google one as I did? I just got somebody to send me a test mail on my real account and it was ok, so nothing ever came of it. I am not very computer literate but I think some email providers are just a bit irritated when you go elsewhere! Like when you use a different browser it immediately wants to be set up as your standard one - I just ignore it. No doubt there are plenty of people here who know more about it and can set your mind at rest.
ReplyDeleteSorry that post would have been (44)
ReplyDelete(45) HG Thanks for this. It is reassuring.
ReplyDelete45. Re the numbering - I don't think it matters too much if we have two posts with the same number as we usually reference the person who wrote the post we're commenting on. For example - 42. Lanjan - Your post and final remark reminded me of 'Somewhere a Cat is Waiting', a lovely book by Derek Tangye.
ReplyDelete46. MrsP. Try googling Worcestershire Animal Rescue , Newland, Malvern.
ReplyDeleteThey rescue abandoned and ill treated cats and dogs. They are independent and not connected to CP or RSPCA. You can view the cats online. There is also a cat rescue group in Newent, Glos. my neighbour volunteers with them and cats sits pregnant cats and their kittens until they can be re homed. If you would like I can ask her for details.
Ruaridh was born on the Island of Ireland, so technically he is Irish. Maybe Brian will take him back and buy some land so the boy can learn to farm, away from the pressures of family rivalry. Brian will also have to sort out his passport as I don't think he will entitled to a British one. My next door neighbour(born in Ireland) discovered this when she thought (married to an English man) she was entitled to a BP. She was classified as a subject and not a citizen?
Maybe the S/Ws have forgotten Ruaridh's nationality. I wonder has he ever been out of the British Isles.
Trying very hard to get into the lifeboat!
ReplyDelete47 previous comment 46. I appear to be here but have no idea how I managed it. Hallo everyone will see if I can recreate my presence again later.
ReplyDelete:)
DeleteWell done, Yorkshire Lass!
ReplyDeleteWell done, Yorkshire Lass!
ReplyDelete47 - thank you Stasia, I will answer later as elder daughter and elder G D have arrived and making me lunch and picking my daffy from garden.
ReplyDeleteSo many lovely messages re Smokey.
Also a v. Quick apology for v. Cross post on last blog.
I am sure however that HG will understand.
48 Hello Yorkshire Lass - so glad you managed it. It's easy once you manage to get through the red tape at the entrance. I have moved across from the other blog now, as I'm expecting it to disappear tonight, and I'm finding it a little sad with all the 'goodbyes' as people leave. Much more cheerful to have 'hellos' on here.
ReplyDelete48. Stasis. Glad you found this new post. And welcome to new bloggers!
ReplyDeleteInteresting theory on Ruari that Brian will push him to be the heir. Though Ruari only has 1 share? About the passport, would he have an EU passport? Though Adam is overwhelmed I think he would do OK in time.
50. Archerphile (19) I didn't know about Sean O'Connor's prediction for Home Farm but I was told about his long-term plans for Pip and Brookfield. However, several editors later, those plans are very likely to change, so all I'm saying is that I hope they do!
ReplyDelete51 : Visitors gone now, and alone again, but a little more energy today.
ReplyDeleteGD made leek and potato soup to bring for me.
Cats.
Searching far and wide for a cat started, because when I bought my cottage a local Cat Protection lady, who had come to feed my beautiful Simba, 19 when he died, told me in no uncertain terms that ' you can't have a cat there ! ' because the front of my cottage is straight on to a road. Five Valleys have also endorsed this view.
However I have a side door, up a side path which leads away from the direction of the road to gardens and fields.
For over two years I have lived without a cat, was told I could have an indoor cat,
(but I am reluctant, think cats need to be free, though I do understand the health issues) and finally talked to other rescues who directed me to look for an urban ex stray, likely to be road savvy.
Hence looking far and wide !
I trawl ' Catchat ' at least once a week.
Found two lovely brothers in West Wales, and would be willing to travel to see/ collect them, but fosterer will not home outside of their area, though homers will.
Stasia, I do not think that the Malvern rescue that you mention is on catchat so am grateful for the link. Thank you. Will also try the Newent one if you are able to pass details.
Enough about me and cats.
Yes interesting re Ruari and passport. I seem to remember he was born in Ireland.
Didn't Sioborn (?sp) go home to her mum ?
So imagine it is possible that he does have an EU passport. Perhaps a UK one too given paternal parent.
I think the Home Farm SL is shaping up to be a bombshell.
On another subject Stasia, I have recently signed up to Cheltenham College Music Department Concerts and have been to a couple.
One Early Music. And performed in such a glorious building.
I was told that the Chapel had been earmarked for Parliament to decamp to during the war, had it been necessary.
I also go to sung evensong there on Wednesdays when I can make it.
I have also bookmarked Tewksbury Abbey for the same in the future.
52 - LanJan - loved your tale of the cat at the end of the garden.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing it.
Am thinking now of Mr LJ and cat, side by side.
And Suz - yes knew you were in the Forest, but did not realise that you hailed from here originally.
I think of you often since I went over to Coleford to see that house for my daughter. Seeing the wild boar opposite ' the Speech House ' was memorable !
Do you have problems with them getting onto your farm ?
53 MrsP (crone of Ambridge - ha ha, love that!). I was born at Dursley, and my parents came from Hampshire, so rather a wandering family and have lived all over the place when my children were growing up. I don't actually have a farm I'm afraid, although I would like that, and do come from farming stock, but walk the dogs in the forest every day, so quite close to nature - rather like the Ambridge inhabitants. I do see the boar quite often though - saw a mum with eight little "humbugs" the other day.
ReplyDeleteI'm also interested in how the dynamics in the Aldridge household are going to pan out - strange that Brian should suddenly have found a kinship with Ruari, and yes, he was born in Ireland, and as far as I can remember, he has relatives over there, but I don't think I remember hearing of him visiting them very much.
53. MrsP (47) Yes of course I understood, and thank you for your kind words. It has been an upsetting day - let's hope for a good episode tonight, or at least something pleasant to comment on!
ReplyDelete53b yes, HG.
Delete53b yes, HG.
DeleteGot it, carolyn ! ;-)
Delete54 I think Ruairi has a grandma and aunt living in Ireland(he was born there, wasn't he?
ReplyDelete54 I think Ruairi has a grandma and aunt living in Ireland(he was born there, wasn't he?
ReplyDeleteI'm going to stick my neck out and say I can understand Brian's fury at Jennifer's voting against him. It is one thing to have disputes with your children when running an enterprise - the younger generation often has modern ideas that take an older person time to get used to, and Adam and Debbie have certainly presented Brian with some challenges in recent years - but when your wife suddenly turns on you after years of mutual support, it must be devastating. I say mutual support because although everyone remembers Jennifer's magnificence in taking on Ruairi, it is sometimes forgotton that Brian in fact took on two children with Jennifer, and has always treated them as his own. The farm is Brian's life's work (emphasised again by his last harsh words to Adam yesterday) and he has already taken an enormous step for the future in creating a family partnership. Now he is being ousted completely by his wife and 'her' children for a mistake, admittedly a very serious one, he made 40 years ago. And what a good life Jennifer has enjoyed in those 40 years - mostly on the grounds of Brian's successful management and business acumen.
ReplyDeleteYes I can understand Brian's reaction - et tu, Brute!
HG -55 I think...... yes I've been thinking much the same as you over the last couple of days.
ReplyDeleteI can see why Jennifer has taken the stance she is following at the moment, but thought myself, well it was pretty close to the time when he took you and your two children on Jenny !
Forty years, and good ones for Jennifer, is a very long time, and yes, she has supported him throughout, but she has gained so very much in those forty years.
Ruthy...... Annie veggie has left a post on the last Matt blog asking for help to get on board with us here.
She is able to read our posts, so she should be able to join, but she seems to be at a loss as to how to do so.
Can you send her a message when you next log on. Please
55. HG you argue Brian's case well, hadn't thought of it like that. J. has done well out of the marriage, but she's given a lot as well, receiving scant recognition. There's a big difference between marrying someone who already has a child, eyes open, and then many years later, expecting her to take on Ruairi, methinks. Looked at coolly, don't you think the family, including J. , made the right decision in the circumstances ? Of course, Brian ID angry and bitter - it must feel like a betrayal.
ReplyDelete56 Whilst Jennifer has done well financially by Brian, she has also suffered during this time with his various dalliances as well as Rauri. I can understand that she now feels completely let down by him, by his dishonesty. Had he come clean right at the beginning, she might have felt differently. Lets not forget that by claiming on his insurance he is committing a crime and in so doing has implicated the others. It could still come out into the open.Like Carolyn, I think the right decision has been made. Tough times ahead though
ReplyDelete56 - As usual Carolyn you have viewed the situation from another angle. I do admire you for always ( almost) being able to do that.
ReplyDeleteYes I think you have a point, there is a difference to knowing ' up front' what you are about to take on, to, many years later, taking on your husbands and the other woman's child. With, perhaps little option to do otherwise.
But Jenny's eyes were open to what she was taking on with Ruari, and I think that sometimes we have to pay respect to reciprocal arrangements. And add humanity and some humility into the equation.
I think there is room for both arguments, and you, me and HG are all grown up enough to allow for such.
BTW - I have experience of a similar arrangement within my ( married) family.
Forty years ago, a child was born from a dalliance. The dalliance was already a very wealthy man, and the husband was paid handsomely for giving his family name to the boy, and bringing up 'his son '.
Of course it was all hush hush - sixties stuff.
But a few short years ago, at the mother's funeral the son gave the eulogy at his mother's funeral.
It was honest witty and very amusing and all in good taste.
The biological father eventually made it to millionaire status and the son inherited
the biological family business on an exotic island.
And everyone is happy.
My how money oils the wheels !
And that is said without any ' side' whatsoever.
You will know that some unfortunate exchanges took place on the BBC blog in the past few days. Forgive me if the topic of moderation/exclusion has been discussed previously here, but I wonder how decisons will be made, and who will make them, if it is necessary to remove posts - or, indeed the posters who make them?
ReplyDeleteTo follow on from my 547 on "the other one", I have just finished reading "Wonder" by R J Palacio. It's over arching messsage is "if you ever have the choice of being right, or being kind, choose kind" If we are self-governing, let's all be kind.
58 - respond to gws. I have not been able to read much of the BBC blog due to the unfortunate recent exchanges. We are self governing here, I don’t have anymore information to any blogger than anyone else. As the administrator though I can delete anyone’s comment, and you can delete your own. We want to remain friendly and KIND on this blog.
ReplyDeleteWelcome new bloggers!
I have just finally left the ‘other’ blog, heartbroken that the (presumably) final day was ruined by the vehemence if one particular blogger who often seemed very prone to stirring up trouble. Indeed, so much so, that I felt pushed to leave the blog for three months earlier this year to escape from their goading. I should like to say how much I agreed with Mrs P, HG and Carolyn’s posts in reply to that blogger and admired them for doing so. I’m afraid I feel a bit ashamed that I did not have the courage to do the same. I most sincerely hope and pray that no such exchanges have to take place on this lovely friendly blog. I think that all of us who have signed up so far are very sincere and friendly folk who will do everything to retain the happy start we have made. Here’s to a long and enjoyable relationship between us all. ๐ค
ReplyDelete59. My picture is the nearest I could get to "Spicycushion!" It's actually an oriental cushion so will do till I get fed up with it. I was reading one of my Archers books last night and although it was published in 1994 ("written" by Collingwood, Greene and Niklaus) some of the characters histories are still relevant. I think Jennifer has done very well out of her marriage. She got an extremely wealthy husband, and most importantly, security for herself and her children. Brian paid for private education for both Debbie and Adam even though they were both legally Roger Travers-Macy' children as he adopted Adam on his marriage, and they both had their own horses/ponies as both were keen riders when teenagers.
ReplyDeleteOnce Adan had finished university he spent the next ten years travelling round the world. I remember he started off in Canada and moved on to Africa but in 1994 (published year) he still had not returned to Ambridge. He was about 30 years old when he came back so hasn't worked his entire life at Home Farm. I do think it's a bit presumptuous of him and Jennifer to 'oust' Brian. I am hoping that somehow the land/ house or something is not included in the 'partnership' so Ruairhi will have the upper hand. I do remember SOC saying he was setting up the inheritance as a long term storyline.
Also my book says that Adam went through a difficult phase when he thought that John Tregorran was paying too much attention to Jennifer. It then goes on to say that the discovery of Jennifer's affair with JT drove Brian into Caroline's arms at one of the Hunt Balls. I had raised that on fb but was told by another poster that Jennifer and JT did not have 'an affair,' just a close friendship! I wish I could remember!
Think I'll have an early night tonight even though I know I shall wake up at about 3am and have to read for an hour or so. I hope all those who are on painkillers, medications of all sorts, or who are unhappy, get some rest and peace tonight.
Let's all look forward to the Spring and Summer! :)
60 -Archerphile, I am sorry that you felt the need to abandon the good ship Archers Blog due to today's unpleasant situation.
ReplyDeleteYou have been unfortunate in being the butt of that bloggers barbs on too many occasions, but you have not been alone.
Three of us, on this final day, felt unable to hold our tongues on this the last day, but believe me I have bitten back what I would have liked to say to her on many occasions.
I have already thanked HG for enabling me to have the nerve to speak up today, and I have successfully held my tongue since.
Having had my say, I will not lose my dignity in saying more.
I note gws post above.
How will we moderate ?
I hope, by not lecturing, trying to understand where another may be coming from, and by not believing that our own point of view is the only valid one.
And by not baiting another poster.
I have experienced immense warmth and kindness on the Archers blog over the last three years, and the nastiness has not been evident most of the time.
On the whole it has been a very positive experience and I wish all those that come aboard this lifeboat the very best of virtual friendship.
Here, Here Mrs P!
ReplyDelete61 What to say? It is such a relief to be here, and I'm more heartened than perhaps is rational by the tone of Ruthy's fine blog, especially by recent posts from HG, Mrs P., Spicy, Archerphile ( sorry if I've inadvertently left anyone out !) Oh, of course, by Ruthy's
ReplyDelete61 - Thank you Archerphile and everyone who has helped me with their support to get through a difficult day. I know that 'speaking up' is likely to invite criticism, but never in my wildest dreams did I think that a plea to keep the blog pleasant would bring so much vitriol on us. I am particularly sorry that Mrs P and carolyn were so violently targeted.
ReplyDeleteI agree with MrsP - we will keep our dignity and move on.
In fact we have already done so - a lovely exchange of opinions on the Brian and Jennifer situation - a measure of agreement and/or differing viewpoints, all well expressed with respect for each other - the best of blogging. I am sure that we shall soon feel as at home here as we have felt in the past.
61 contd. Whoops !....by Ruthy 's post about self moderating. Yes, the Aldridge troubles aren't a black and white, siding with one or the other, matter, are they, which is a sign of a good script, wellimagined narrative, I think. So much easier to feel strongly for or against the whole Pip/Toby saga and argue one's case with confidence! Rambling now, but starting to feel the Alistair/Shula SL is nuanced (much as Shula happens to get on the nerves of some of us.) Mm...such SLs probably produce better discussions. 'Night, night, and thanks to all!
ReplyDelete62 - well said HG, try not to take it to heart.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I do not usually pay attention to arrows, up or down, I have just run through today's posts and looked at the arrow situation.
As far as the vitriolic posts are concerned the down arrows speak volumes.
I also saw that my post following on from yours has been removed, waiting for moderation. I have considered reporting the answer from the poster whose vitriol was experienced by myself and Carolyn by have decided to leave it as I believe it speaks for itself.
And BTW my removed post had received 22 up arrows.
61 contd. Whoops !....by Ruthy 's post about self moderating. Yes, the Aldridge troubles aren't a black and white, siding with one or the other, matter, are they, which is a sign of a good script, wellimagined narrative, I think. So much easier to feel strongly for or against the whole Pip/Toby saga and argue one's case with confidence! Rambling now, but starting to feel the Alistair/Shula SL is nuanced (much as Shula happens to get on the nerves of some of us.) Mm...such SLs probably produce better discussions. 'Night, night, and thanks to all!
ReplyDelete61 What to say? It is such a relief to be here, and I'm more heartened than perhaps is rational by the tone of Ruthy's fine blog, especially by recent posts from HG, Mrs P., Spicy, Archerphile ( sorry if I've inadvertently left anyone out !) Oh, of course, by Ruthy's
ReplyDelete63 - to Carolyn- as I said to HG, try not to take it to heart Carolyn.
ReplyDeleteThe blog is about to close, two hours max, and I hope nothing more of an explosive nature will be said.
It is regrettable that on the very last day such nastiness broke out, but let's close our eyes to it now and carry on here.
Sad, but there it is.
carolyn - do you know why your posts keep repeating themselves?? !!
ReplyDeleteYes! An unpractised finger, trained by a mouse, now fumbling on a phone. Sorry, hope to improve....64 reply, I think.
Delete65 (at least, keep forgetting!) MrsP - I've looked at the arrow situation as well - as you say, it speaks volumes.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately I didn't get to read your removed post, nor carolyn's.
Your post could be reinstated because it is under consideration, carolyn's unfortunately not.
Incidentally, 'that' blogger's post to me has been reinstated!
66. Have you heard that Sarnia has just completed a survey that popped up on the Archers blog?
ReplyDeleteAnd anyone still awake must just go and read OWIAS latest brilliant poem.
67 - HG - I can't remember what I wrote now, but more or less said that I had held my tongue on too many occasions not to speak up now. I did say that your post had given me courage, and so ' dropped you in it' as it were.
ReplyDeleteI have watched the blog through to the end but by 1.08 it had not closed, so posted to say so. I was reluctant because Old Woman had posted her glorious poem again and I did not want to spoil the moment.
But I would have thought the computer would have activated the closure on th dot !
I have deliberately logged on several times but havnt received the survey either.
68 Ruthy why does the blog keep forgetting me? I have to go back to find a post on the second block and refresh my profile
ReplyDelete06:35 and the BBC is still open for comments. Sieze the day.
ReplyDeleteI think Arby/tworth may join this blog with another name and the pattern will repeat again. Her style is very recognisable. After my own run in, I decided ignoring was better than confronting , but this was also interpreted as 'hatred'. I admire those who have tried for a middle way.
ReplyDeleteME. As you say 'that bloggers' style is very recognizable and not in a good way. Being inclusive just seems to encourage a 'second wind' so to speak. Trying to hold to account........well we've seen where that leads! Difficult to deal with what appears to be a 'troubled soul'....we can only wait and hope...............
DeleteI too have come to the same conclusion particularly when Carolyn said it was cyclical and Confirmed for me by one of her posts on the BBC blog.Dont want to spoil this blog so will be careful not to rise to the bait in the future.
DeleteCarolyn, thank you for confirming my suspicion that those two posters were one and the same. I had thought it might be the case but did not dare challenge her about it in the blog! I had been targeted by her many times in the past and have twice had to leave the BBC blogs for a few months to escape the interrogations and nastiness. I found her almost uncanny recall of everything I ever written very disturbing when she insisted on quoting back to me things I had written months or years before. Your confirmation explains a lot, so thank you. I very much fear you may be right about a re-appearance on here under another pseudonym but I am resolved not to rise to any future baiting - I shall just try my hardest to ignore.
Delete71. maryellen (70) I have just taken a deep intake of breath as I had no idea those two posters were one and the same! Astounding! On the whole I got on with Arby but never with Tworth. In my removed post I said that I had reported only two posts in five years one which was condemning her (it was removed) and my own which was putting forward a theory of why I believe the BBC maybe engineering the demise of TA (That remained in situ.)
ReplyDeleteInteresting that the email I got from the BBC said that if I copy and paste a comment which breaks the house rules then my whole post would be deleted. I did and mine was. However the offending comment remains! C'est la vie anyway.
Today is a fresh start I hope. I suspect the new blog which will be posted sometime in the next day or so,and will not have the comment facility.
I loved OWIAS's poem and think it should be read on Feedback and printed in capitals on the front page of the Radio Times!
Foggy here in north Kent this morning, no Cubs tonight as it's school holidays so whatever shall I do today? :)
72 Have just popped in to the Archer blog. RIP. ๐ฐ๐ฅ
ReplyDelete73 Well the've done it. I could still write a post, although the arrow section had closed down, but the post didn't get published.
ReplyDeleteThe BBC blog has closed.
ReplyDeleteMaryellen, yes, someone got to their desk and that was that.
DeleteI hope we hear from Toby soon.
I actually slept last night thanks to a sleeping pill.
ReplyDeleteMade a final comment after one am when Blog appeared to not close after all.
At ten ish I've come to and find that the blog has finally closed about half an hour ago.
Gary G - very funny wanderings from you during the night.
RIP
74 I'm gobsmacked (excuse me) that tworth and Arby were one and the same and how dim I was not to cotton on. I was the opposite of you Spicy - I remember a lot of bad with Arby but thought I got on well with tworth. When I first started blogging, rather than 'lurking' I had a little difference of opinion with maryellen (remember maryellen?) which tworth found amusing, so I said I was glad to give someone a laugh and we went on from there in friendly fashion, often answering each other. About 6 months ago when tworth seemed to be in a really bad place, I asked if she was all right and she said no, she wasn't but she'd get through it and thank you for asking and noticing. Then things got slowly better again until a couple of days ago. It makes me sad as I think she really needs professional help. Had to get that off my chest, but won't mention it again.
ReplyDelete76 Archerphile, I didn't spot the same bloggers different identities - credit for that goes to Maryellen, posted earlier today ! Did note the easily discernible' pattern of behaviour in the removed comment.
ReplyDeleteWell well well !
ReplyDeleteSo it was Arby, formerly RAF brat, then Tworth.
I too from time to time had my suspicions so was always very careful with her until yesterday.
I had my run in with Arby and was careful since she grew up in the area where I live and had worked out easily where I lived now. She had good local knowledge.
Although suspicious, I discounted it as I found distinct differences in the style.
So Maryellen, do please enlarge on the clues that alerted and confirmed that connection for you.
I don't want to spoil this blog, but there is always the chance, as you say, that she might join at some point. I think we need to be prepared.
Incidentally Arby left after a massive (mental ) online breakdown, far worse than yesterday's fury.
MrsP - Not to forget yyibruyy2 or something!
Delete78 HG. Yes.
Delete76 contd..
ReplyDeleteagree, there is an illness there. Very disturbing. Son and betrothed rolling up later, so most likely won't write again today, also have TA to catch up on.....see ya !
I followed the other blog until it finally closed, so now well and truly inside Ruthy's lifeboat. Phew! Two thoughts I should like to add to this discussion. The first is about anyone that may join and start to become a malign presence by making rude comments to other bloggers. On other blogs I have followed, but not necessarily contributed to, I have noticed that when that happens the other bloggers completely ignore the troublemaker and don't respond to their comments - they soon give up and leave. If anyone does rise to the bait (thereby adding fuel to the fire), their fellow bloggers advise them: 'Don't feed the troll'! Nothing will be more effective than being frozen out, so perhaps we could try that on our own blog, should it happen in the future.
ReplyDeleteMy second observation is on Brian's present difficulties and frame of mind. Although several of us can understand his anger and bitterness at the moment, and so do I, to a degree, I can't feel a lot of pity for him, as, aside from his various marital misdemeanors over the years, he hasn't played fair with his family for some time now. Despite the fact that several years ago he said that he would take a back seat on the running of the farm as a kind of semi-retirement, handing over the day-to-day management of the farm to Adam, he has meddled and manipulated Adam in his management decisions - especially over his desire to nurture the land instead of flogging it into semi-sterility in order to make more money from it. He has often played off the family against one another under some hidden agenda which I feel he has lurking under most of his actions, in fact his idea of making everyone equal partners in the business has always seemed to me one of those underlying schemes, as he was confident that he could easily bring the various family members (and Ruth) around to his way of thinking. And, now, he has been thwarted by Ruth and Jennifer, and has decided to take his anger out on Jennifer by preferring his Ruari, his own son, to hers, and on punishing Adam, by leaving him to take on the paperwork as well as the management of the farm (work for two people) with no initial handover. No wonder Adam sounds even more gloomy than usual! I can't help feeling that Bryan has been "hoist by his own petard", as they say!
78 As I was gardening (just come in for a cuppa) I was thinking again about the Aldridges. I know that many of you think Jenny and her brood are wrong. My concern is about his claiming on the insurance knowing he allowed the contamination. I appreciate that this was 40 years ago, but Ruth following on from her discussion with Bert twigged there was something up. Given the amount in the press about false claims (particularly holiday insurance ) of late, I am not sure that he can be allowed to get away with this. Whilst there were some remarks about Bert not being around at the time, were these just pointers of what is to come or just false leads.If Brian had been such a good business man, he would have kept his wrong doing to himself, by telling Jenny and later the others he has implicated them all. I see quite a tangled web ahead, if it doesn't come out now, it could well do if he cuts some of his children out of his will by an eventual challenge .
ReplyDelete79 - good morning Soz
ReplyDeleteYes I take your point re ' don't feed the troll '. I often ignored those posts, but then yesterday she remarked, several times, on this ' ignoring' as ' stepping over' !
This to me, and others.
Some posters did not ignore, and some also praised and supported her for her views. Which I turn fed the flames.
I will not be surprised if she does attempt to join us at some point.
If recognised, will someone be brave and alert the rest of us.
As for Brian, your analysis of his behaviour is very good, and I recognise all of the points you make.
I have just finished reading all the old BBC blogs for yesterday and this morning.
ReplyDeleteWe all have our differences, political, social, religious, cultural etc. What binds us is a 12 minute daily episode of the archers, and from that we express our opinions in many different forms. I have only ever once responded to a comment that I felt went beyond sharing an opinion in a calm and reasoned manner. Being preached at is something I,as a teenager learned to ignore, but on that occasion I couldn't hold back. Some individuals are very adept at wrapping up a condemnatory style in a long winded articulate style, and other in simple you are all wrong. The latter is obvious and former is not.
Please let us express our differences in a, ' you have a right to an opinion, but not to abuse me when I express a different point of view'. Early on in my professional training I learned very quickly that challenging someone with fixed ideas, only acted as encouragement for more of the same.
For example, maryellen and myself will never agree about Mr. T Fairbrother, but that OK because we can have a laugh together. Well at least I can. Anyhow, I'm not attracted to men even if they offer me lots of botanical gin.
Last nights episode was boring, except for Jazzer.
80 (Sorry, I forgot to number my previous post - smacked hand!). Good morning Mrs P (79) There's nothing like being ignored for deflating unwanted guests - let's hope we don't have to use those tactics. Interesting that you can see my point re Brian's behaviour. I've had my suspicions about his ploys for some time, but thought I was imagining it. Sadly, it seems not. By the way, I'm Suz - not Soz, who might not enjoy having my thoughts attributed to them!
ReplyDeleteI'm waiting for news of my beloved big lurcher, Harry, who is to have a hind leg amputated this morning because of the growth of a huge bone tumour on his thigh bone. It's a grade one cancer and hasn't spread to the rest of his body, so perfectly healthy apart from the leg. It was a horrible decision to make because it makes his one remaining hind leg very vulnerable (he's a big chap), but it was that or P.T.S. so had to make it and hope that he will be able to cope with only three legs in future. The animals in T.A. don't seem to pose such dilemmas for their owners, do they. They either die in accidents (shot by Will for example) or of old age (Scruff). Yet, they would be very vulnerable to accidents on farms and running around in the countryside.
Suz. I do hope all goes well.
DeleteThank you Stasia - I'm keeping my mind occupied by chatting on here at the moment :)
DeleteSuz, I love lurchers. Harry, being a big one, sounds lovely. I hope he manages. I've seen a few amputees, and they seem to cope/adapt very well. Good luck with him.
DeleteSuz: do hope you hear good news soon and that everything has gone well. One of our beautiful cats had to have a front leg amputated after a car accident but it was amazing how well he coped on three - even managing to jump up on fences. The only thing he couldn’t manage was washing his face, so he had to do that lying down! Good luck Harry. ๐
Delete79.
ReplyDeleteApologies, Carolyn and thank you to Maryellen for lifting the veil from my eyes, as it were, re. a certain person.
Now to the important thing - The Archers! I have noticed a mini-campaign starting up on a closed FB Archers group to persuade the p.t.b. to return the scripts to the more mundane, gossipy and humorous day-to- day stories of life in a rural English village and to include much less of the sensational, issue-led, drama we have had for the past couple of years. They are, I think, hoping to persuade the new Editor and his team to restore the balance in the programme between the purely entertaining light stories and the more demanding dramatic ones. What does everyone here think? Is that balance better these days or are we being fed too much sensational stuff? Personally I’m finding it is just about right recently but would welcome a little more humour and a bit less angst perhaps.
MrsP.
ReplyDeleteI was incorrect about Newent.
Here are the details,
New Start Cat Rescue
Huntley,
Glos Gl19 3EA
07598752992 or 07510134805.
You can google them.
Sorry, think my last post should have been 82!
ReplyDeleteThen mine should have been 83.
Delete81. Pierre 68 - sorry I do not know why that is happening to you. Could be, do you log out of your account each time? And it has to be refreshed the next time you rejoin this blog? Sorry for the inconvenience.
ReplyDeleteHi Ruthy, I do not log out. In fact I am having difficulty finding the log out button.
Delete81 can't resist, even though running late :) - Suz suggestion for 'up' - to all recent posts on a) Brian, so well argued, b) keeping this blog safe; we can't stop the sickness, but we should not feed it, and we need to protect ourselves and this site. Let's be very alert to warn ( as Mrs P says) and delete, as necessary.
ReplyDelete82 Archerphile, re TA, agree balance is the thing, they seem to have got it right these days (IMO).
ReplyDelete81. I thought it was boring, too, stasia -- in fact it all went in one ear and out the other, I really don't know if anything important happened. Concentrating too much on the blog issue, I expect, but at least that has now finally ended and we can get down to making this a really good Archers place to be.
ReplyDeleteRuthy, what foresight you had in opening this well in time. I just hope that it will not become too much of a burden for you. If it goes on like this we will certainly need a blog a week. I wonder if some of us could help if you need a break some time - rather like the clever bloggers who took it in turns to resurrect old unused ones. With guidance from you I'm sure we could get a rota going.
But for now, you're our hero!
Not forgetting all those who tried to keep the old blog open, spearheaded by the absolutely tireless Lan Jan.
83 Agree with you Carolyn (82) re the balance, but could so easily be allowed to swing back to sensation again.
ReplyDelete84. This numbering business is hilarious when people are posting at the same time , or (like me) forgetting to do it! I still think it is a good idea though, as it gives us a fair indication of where things are when the blog gets long.
ReplyDeleteRuthy, is there not a possibility of automated numbering here?
85. Re BBC blog,
ReplyDeleteGary G - bunting!
Owias - brilliant/moving.
Maryellen !! It gets very HOT in that cider shed. And that's all I'm saying....
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete84 Well, so long Blog, RIP.
ReplyDeleteI tried to keep up with the orchestra but fell asleep on the timpani. Fortunately they floated and delivered me to this lifeboat.
Anybody heard from GG? I'm rather concerned for his safety after his run-in with the Buttons. Perhaps he managed to tie them up with the bunting.
I wonder if Jazzer has considered a new career in counselling or relationship guidance? Not sure of the wisdom of some of his suggestions but his blunt, tough love approach is quite refreshing!
Is Jim's spare bedroom on the ground floor? I should think pushing or pulling a piano upstairs would be a recipe for disaster on the high Cs - or a broken (spinal) cord at the very least. If, in a few years' time Dan were to help bring it down again they could find themselves stuck with A flat major.
Brilliant, OW. ๐
DeleteOldwoman. Have slice of Jill's strawberry cheese, with a nice cup tea as a reward๐ฐ☕️
Delete86. Forgot to number hence previous 'removal!'
ReplyDeleteI asked earlier "Whatever shall I do today " as nothing absolutely necessary so I have spent two hours reading old blogs going back to 2013. What puzzles me is that 'Arby' still appears as that name whereas others who have changed their sign- on names are automatically changed on the old blogs; like Henwy Ian Archer now shows instead of 'Tolly.' So if I sign in on with say my 'business' email address will I count as two persons? I thought it had something to do with the server identification All beyond me I'm afraid.
BTW I found a still open blog with no comments dating from October 2013 and was tempted to post a comment or two to see if the BBC server blew up! Naughty me!
Hi again Ruthy,
ReplyDeleteNow I've found the sign out button. Do you recommend that I should log out each time? If so instructions on how to reload in later please.
87 Oh! Numbering!!! Pardon..
ReplyDeleteRuthy, hope you don’t mind my replying to Pierre with what I do :
DeleteI do not log out. I have an iPad and saved this site to My Favourites, so that when I log onto Safari (the browser) an icon which is a a large A in an orange box is ready and waiting. I tap on the icon and it brings up this blog. None of my posts seems to have been removed but you do have to scroll a long way down to get to the most recent posts. Sometimes I leave this site open so I can get back to it easily, but then you may not see the latest posts. I did once log out, but then had to go all through the logging in performance again next time. When a new blog starts I save that to my favourites and delete the old one, so I do not get confused!
87 'A flat major' OWiaS - brilliant!
ReplyDeleteI hope this blog stays friendly, as it was for the majority of the time on the old blogs.
89. Pierre (87) I am on this site so often that I don't sign out each time. Even when I close this blog, when I reopen it, I am still signed in. I would recommend to not sign out. Does this clear up the problem?
ReplyDeleteI have not been signing out and the problem has occurred twice. However all is O.K. at the moment so I shall persevere.
Delete89. OWIAS - you're really on a roll these last 24 hours - brilliant!
ReplyDelete90. Pierre (87) and Archerphile's reply. I don't sign out but just refresh the page when I pop back in. You get the latest posts that way but still have to scroll - it's a shame we can't reverse the order on this blog to get the latest comments first.
ReplyDeleteMrs P (75?) and others - I can't be 100% sure that tworth is Arby but I'm 99% convinced. After Arby left, we had some posts from RBee; I commented on the name and RBee quickly disappeared. When I noticed the growing similarity of style between newcomer tworth and Arby I asked tworth outright if they were the same, which she flatly denied. John the Agnostic also said that from his knowledge of the previous blogger, they were not the same. I can see a logic in the denial - in that, if you have changed your blog persona along with your blog name,you are not now the persona you were before.
ReplyDeleteExcept the persona didn't change, or only temporarily. Tworth accused me of persecuting her and repeated Arby's 'there's a lot of hate for me on these boards' theme. The similarity of style and behaviour seemed to me to be too great to be coincidence and later events have confirmed it for me. (They shared the fantastic memory too!). I think that's all I have to say, having made the point that the situation might recur.
HG - I've buried the hatchet on Lakey Hill!
Great, maryellen :-)
DeleteI first met that person as ‘RAF Brat’ when I first joined the blog and the modus operandi has always been the same.
Delete91. Thanks to HG and Archerphile. I think that is what I have ben doing. Onwards and upwards!
ReplyDelete91 ' not writing again today' oh, yeah ? Got a reprieve - J.and C. delayed by a couple of hours, so don't have to scurry around. Better employed catching up with last night, I suppose....don't watch much TV, but checked in with the delightful Durrells(Mr c. Doesn't agree there) and the nasty A. Christie
ReplyDeletePure melodrama, rather well done.
92. HG - sorry no chance of self numbering or reversing the order. I looked at all the settings available and not possible. I will start a new post tomorrow as this one is already getting very long :) I am at work now, so will meet up with everyone and read your comments in about 10 hours.
ReplyDelete93 I'm testing again, as my posts seem to disappear , although they appear to have been published.
ReplyDeleteThat happened to me , till I discovered it was because I hadn't signed in, although I could read the blog.Hope that helps
Delete94 Have gone out and come back in again and all seems to be okay :-)
ReplyDelete95
ReplyDeleteHG 90 - Another internet novice here - could you please tell me how to refresh the page.
96 trying again posts keep disappearing today....
ReplyDelete97 re. my 95. Have managed to find out how to refresh the page HG, but thanks anyway.
ReplyDeleteJust back from lunch, too late for your question, but isn't it good when you manage something yourself? - so satisfying! If, very occasionally, I manage something on my own, my daughter always says 'Well done, Mummy', I'm proud of you' - at least she doesn't add 'and at your age, too'!!
DeleteIn my case I get that sort of response from my 10 year old granddaughter, but on the whole my daughter doesn't seem to think I do too badly for my age!
Delete96 Suz, I hope your Harry copes with the OP. and with movement later. A very worrying day. I know cats who do well after amputation, but you're talking about a big lad. Animals are wonderfully adaptable -that's the encouraging thing. All the best.
ReplyDelete:) (up arrow), Thank you Carolyn
Delete97 Patricia C 95 If you run your curser along the menu bar at the top of your browser it tells you what each icon is for. One will say 'refresh.' My browser is Mozilla Firefox and in the top left hand corner there is an circular arrow. Click it, it spins then stops with the latest information that has been posted. Sometimes it may be a cross, on Microsoft internet explorer it's a butterfly! Hope I have explained clearly and not too patronisingly. :)
ReplyDeleteSorry I take such a long time composing! Glad it's sorted! :)
DeleteI eventually managed to do it, but thanks anyway Spicycushion.
Delete98 Blimey, our Jazzer has no time for the empathy/listening skills, does he ?! Agreed, though, it is rather refreshing, ' cut yer losses, mate, take sniff around the talent !' Used not to care for him at all, but he's become lots more interesting - I date it from his attitude to Kirstie, after her mis carriage.
ReplyDeleteI had the oddest dream last night......
ReplyDelete๐
DeleteWe know, we were with you :-)
Delete97 : so many posts to attend to / answer,
ReplyDeleteSuz first. Sorry about calling you Soz. You are very clear as two different people in my mind. You live in Forest she lives in Purbeck, both Farming, or ex Farming. Two: dog will do well. Is this a common problem with Lurchers ? A number of three legged ones locally. But a worrying day for you, I understand.
One of the best dogs I have ever known, with the exception of my beloved Harry was Charlie a three legged beagle, ex laboratory victim.
( no further comment) ! I knew him in Epping forest. Fantastic character.
----------------------------
Maryellen, I remember now, the questioning around yy b etc and Jthe A stating she was not the same, so I let my concerns wain, but not entirely. I often read those posts, and deliberately chose to ignore them, as Stasia clearly managed successfully to do. But then there would be a friendly intelligent post that I felt able to answer in like. But I always remained very wary. ( until yesterday ) for which I apologise.
AND - I remain convinced that the memory was due to note taking.
She grew up on an RAF station, Kemble / Hullavington/ Lyneham, and it's possible I even knew her as a child in the seventies. We were in Malmesbury, my husband commuting to London in the week. The local play group fraternity, me amongst them, was rife with the understanding of children from air and army. bases sans fathers for much of the time, and the resulting behavioural difficulties with those children.
I do not wish to extend this discussion but am concerned that if we suspect that we have been joined by this person again we need an agreed strategy as to how to behave.
' do not feed the troll' will I fear enrage her further, and in my experience someone is always prepared to do so.
Apologies, again for ' banging on '
-----------------------
I do not log in or out.
The site is bookmarked and appears as of frequent use.
100 ( ?)
ReplyDeleteGG - you are a refreshing addition to our ' crew'.
Thank you so much for choosing to join us, and so recently.
Have you got your ' Masters ' ?
If so we could address you as ' aye aye Captn '
101 - Stasia, thank you for the link / info to the Huntley rescue.
ReplyDeleteI have seen them on line previously. I will send an email.
102
ReplyDeleteThank you for the ‘refresh’ tip Spicey (97). I hadn’t thought of doing that, it works a treat and saves time too.
103
ReplyDeleteMrs P Now we are on Ruthys blog I feel I can ask how you are doing. I had mine done in Wales procedures somewhat different I think. I had an epidural. If you lived on your own as I do you werent allowed out till you could walk with sticks. I wasn't staying a day longer so was determined to use them. I appreciate that you had extra complications, but do hope you are gaining strength and managing get about a bit.
(104) -One or two points.
ReplyDeleteI have been out today but just for interest I decided to check back to see if there were any unopened blogs.
I didn't get too far and the one I did find was closed for comments even though there were none on.
Also re Arby /Tworth-When I was sure that they were one and the same I checked back because if one changes one's nom de plume ,all previous original posts with the original name are altered too.
Tworth wasn't around in the early days so it might be easy to check up to see if the name appears.
However I would suggest that if it is the same person-denied by her-that she may well have another email account.
I felt sorry for her really .
Strange how one minute like on Saturday she was setting riddle me Rees and the next she was being nasty
She often had a pop at me because she thought I was being favoured because of my age
There is a blog still there for yesterday's golf match.
If they have closed our blog,why is that one not being closed.
Someone mentioned Freedom of Information Act so I intend trying to find out how much the BBC has saved by closing us down.
104 :
ReplyDeleteThanks Cowgirl.
Of course an epidural is the preferred option now.
I was adamant about not having one however.
I have in the past had two out of body experiences, not frightening in themselves, but prefer not to have them. I have also had a dreadful effect from a lumbar puncture when I was taken out of bed hours too soon, put in a car with a driver who did not speak English and had been driving in London for only twenty four hours and a nurse who had arrived from Ireland the previous week. I had to direct them to take me to Queens Square Neurological Hospital from St Thomas in a snow covered London. I was vomiting wildly throughout the journey. The wonderful compassionate doctor who greeted me was incandescent with rage.
All ''tis when being investigated for a brain tumour.
Needless to say I am protective of my self, for few other buggers will be in my experience. That sounds cynical and bitter.
But I am not. These things happen.
My surgeons bench marks is Stairs, and the knee bending at 90d !
I managed both, but a mistake in my usual daily medication was made sending my system into overdrive, ( not difficult, I have a fragile endocrine system combined with compromised adrenals, and Alopecia, so no body hair and therefore difficult temperature control ) all of which I self manage having lived with these conditions since very young.
But........ I am walking well, and without sticks or trolley inside the house now, and with sticks, about a hundred yards outside. Not yet today as wet.
But in the last forty eight hours the extreme tiredness has lessened.
Neighbours have rallied and daughter in Bath collected me from hospital and has managed to get up a couple of times since with both G daughters coming too. London daughter came yesterday.
Sorry folks....... another long explanatory post from me.
I live alone, have few people to talk to, only Radio 4 for company, and I am a COMMUNICATOR !
And she did ask !
And thank you Cow Girl.
I hope your knee is working well now.
MrsP. You have lots of friends here.
DeleteDelighted to hear you are making good progress and that you have some support.
DeleteIt took me ages to have the confidence to walk on the common , notoriously rough, without my sticks, I had a fear of falling and damaging the knee. I needent have worried, it has stood up to a good few falls.I can understand you caution on a wet surface though, Just take it steady.
At the risk of raising past spectres what happened to Foso?!
ReplyDeleteThis is cosy on here hooray๐ค๐
(105) Spicycushion.(86)
ReplyDeleteI have done the same as you but I didn't even find an Arby anywhere.
I found a Jazzer who used to be Topsie and I remember Tolly was the one who called me a dictator
I think you should go ahead and see if you can get into the 2013 one please.
FOSO has always been FOSO ?
ReplyDeleteHe just wanted to stop blogging I think
107. GaryGilday. You were talking in your sleep. All the other insomniacs heard you muttering about the Button sisters. What a nightmare you must have been experiencing. Let's hope they weren't throwing cricket balls at you.
ReplyDelete