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Life in Ambridge: Comments week of October 6, 2018
Life in Ambridge: Comments week of October 6, 2018
Life outside Ambridge
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Life in Ambridge
THIS POST IS CLOSED "longer off topic comments" - Episode 14 Life Outside Ambridge Have a seat and let's chat.
Ruthy you would surely have won a prize at the flower and produce show with this arrangement.Thank you
ReplyDeleteYet another lovely photo Ruthy.
ReplyDeleteHow I wish I still had that colour in my garden. It has been so cold here, the first frost this morning. Autumn has appeared.
I would so like Freddie to be re-located to a YOI nearer to Ambridge.
He is paying the price for his blatant mis-demeanor and rightly so - but an 8 hour round-trip for Llizzie, is not realistic.
I agree - yes Freddie is paying the price and extending the punishment to his very caring family. Would it be unreasonable to appeal and have Freddie relocated to a closer location? I thought he was placed there because there was no other closer? Or maybe he can be on a wait list to get nearer?
DeleteWhich part of UK do you live? I am so ignorant of the weather in various part of your world. Here is New Jersey, we are slowing moving into Autumn weather, thought it is warm and humid today. We probably will not have our first frost until later October to early November. I wonder is Ambridge will have it's first frost soon, though didn't Tom just plant last week?
DeleteRuthy. I live in a village in Cheshire, near to the City of Chester. I have very easy access to both Liverpool + Manchester by train.and easy journeys to both the airports. Cheshire Cheese lives in the same county, but much further east.
DeleteYesterday, I had a lovely sunny day with blue skies, but cold. Members of my family were only 25 miles south from me, at an event and they had pouring rain! British weather is so different even in close environs.
DeleteGorgeous, Ruthy - Jennifer eat your heart out - & thanks for starting us afresh for this week's angst(s) & Lynda preposterousness.
ReplyDeleteSpending time on this blog is a welcome break from current politics. I do hope so this week we get a break from the Tom and Hannah farce.
DeleteI have a thought. A S/L which was meant to be included,, just didn't happen. The script writers suddenly had to fill in some recording gaps, hence the awful Hannah/Tom "fiill in".
DeleteI am becoming a bit tired of Lynda's tactics and the whole intrigue of the Christmas show.
ReplyDeleteMe too. She's transparent appealing to everyone's vanity ! Yet, yet flattery does work....
DeleteMe too!
DeleteWhat a delightful photo I found when I logged on tonight Ruthy 🤗 many thanks as always!
ReplyDeleteI suspect Chris’s fall maybe to highlight the NHS regarding older people and falls and the time needed in hospital while living circumstances etc are put in place, plus the recovery process and the possibile implications of the injury re permanent readjustment to everyday life the older one is...
Of course Peggy could pay privately for care at home but would Christine allow her to? Also is The Lodge all on one floor? Plus Hilda would still be a danger - to both of them 🐈
No downstairs loo as Lilian pointed out.
DeleteGorgeous pinks. Thank you Ruthy.
ReplyDeleteYou mention your ignorance regarding our or perhaps European weather Ruthy.
We are a large island, but get much of our weather directly from you.
When NY gets snow, we invariably get it a few days later.
But we are also heavily affected by the Gulf Stream which streams up and out across the Atlantic. It is the change in the Gulf Stream caused by global warming that is changing our weather.
But then we also get weather conditions at other times from Africa particularly if there are certain winds. Sometimes, not often, we have sand coming straight from the Sahara.
My worst was when my car was completely covered in grey "volcanic dust" as a result from the Icelandic Volcano eruption, a few years ago, when all flights were cancelled..
DeleteWe could also feel it on our faces and in our hair, when outside!
DeleteWe had frost this morning for the 1st time this autumn
DeleteAmazing sunrise over the sea this morning. Cold wind off the North Sea. Freddie will be noticing the northeast chill.
DeleteThe problem Christine faces is the shortage of rehab places and her loss of finances to pay privately, about which only Peggy knows, and Christine insists she keeps private.
And a wonderful sunset over the Severn Vale and Welsh hills this evening.
DeletePlus a pink sky, so I have left my washing out.
Ambridge has a micro climate.
DeleteIt can be a heat wave in the rest of the U.K. but Ambridge will have rain .
For a comparably small island Ruthy we can have a wide range of temperatures and weather generally as Miriam pointed out.
I am still in my summer wear.
I sat outside this afternoon and did some hand sewing.
I hope that the geraniums will still be blooming until some time next month.
No doubt I will be caught out and one day I will wake up and find they have been affected by the frost.
Re Christine.
Elizabeth has a few bedrooms going spare at the moment -probably en suite.
There will be room in the Dower House.
I still think that she and Peggy will end up at Home Farm though
There has to be some connection between Peggy and saving Home Farm from being sold.
Nobody wants it anyway.
Ah, just remembered that Lilian knows - this is her chance to make amends for her feelings of culpability in Chris losing that money.
DeleteI think so too.
DeleteI tried to post soon after Ruthy had opened this new blog with the gorgeous flowers. But once again I am unable to use my iPad which was upgraded two days ago. It eventually worked on the old blog but not on this new one - so frustrating.
ReplyDeleteIs anyone else having this problem with iOS 12 or is it just me?
Agree that Lyndas secret Xmas production secrecy is becoming very wearing. After her conversation with Jon I can only assume it is going to be something very classical.
ReplyDeleteCould it be that she is planning to stage the Iliad, or I, Claudius or even Anthony and Cleopatra ? The mind boggles!
Sorry, that should have been Jim of course!
DeleteAny takers for a group fan trip to Ambridge this Christmas? Lynda might need to widen her net to fill seats.
DeleteJulius Caesar? Whatever it is she needs a female actor who has her feet on the ground, like Shula; was that how she put it?
DeleteThe Aeneid? Shula as Dido, Queen of Carthage? Shula as Circe, turning men into animals. Will the cast include pigs?
Lovely flowers Ruthy - thank you.
ReplyDeleteI'm the exception in enjoying Lynda's plans for her new production. To me she's a bit of light relief among the storylines at the moment: poor Freddie and Elizabeth, Auntie Christine's broken hip.
Thank you for everyone who gave me a lesson in your local weather. I am starting a list of where all my blogger friends live.
ReplyDeleteThere are summer days when it is sensible to take sunglasses & sun-hat & waterproof if going out for any length of time. This summer is first for many years I didn't have to be so prepared. I check online local weather forecast which gives hourly conditions. Sometimes I switch on tv just for local weather forecast. My area is subject to wind so weather can move quickly. Some days there are different weather conditions at back and front doors of my house. There was one day I wore a fleece in back garden and t-shirt & sun-hat out front, in the same half-hour. There's a reason British people talk about weather so much.
DeleteI'm in Oxford, but I grew up a stone's throw from Cheshire, as previously discussed with LanJan. Is Cheshire in the lead?
DeleteI am with you,,Anneveggie.
ReplyDeleteI am intrigued as to what the production will be.
I think she might be thinking of an Agatha Christie play with Jim as Poirot.
I don't see Shula as Miss Marples though.
Ruthy, here is an example of British weather which I tried to post yesterday but couldn’t get into this blog:
ReplyDeleteSaturday, Scotland, very north of Britain - really warm and sunny, friends going hiking in mountains
Saturday, Hampshire, very south of Britain where I live - dark, gloomy, chilly, pouring with rain.
Sunday, Scotland - heavy rain, wind blowing a gale, friends indoors all day trying to keep warm.
Sunday, Hampshire - blue skies, beautifully sunny and warm all day, Mr A out for 10 mile walk.
This give a good example of the vageries of our British weather and helps to explain why we live in such a ‘green and pleasant land’. It’s the variety!
Thank you Archerphile! And a 10 mile walk for Mr A - that is incredible. May I ask where did he walk?
DeleteHe has three local ‘cicuits’, a short, medium and long one. Yesterday was a long one. From where we live, via public footbpaths across country down to Winchester and back via several small villages including ones called East Stratton and Woodmancott.
DeleteAbout 5 years ago he walked the whole length of France from the Channel at Calais down to the Mediterranean at a resort called Palavas. Not all in one go, but taking several trips of two weeks at a time, walking between 15 and 20 kilometres a day. Not bad for someone who had a quadruple heart bypass s16 years ago. He says he couldn’t do it now though, doesn’t have the stamina any more.
Sorry - ‘circuits’
DeleteMy goodness he's a fit man!
DeleteLilian is aware that Christine invested some of her money in Matt's scam but I think that only Peggy knows that she parted with all of her savings, she only has her pension left.
ReplyDeleteAs for Lynda, when asking if she could join them Alistair made a noise as if to say no, but she totally ignored him and went on with her agenda, in the end he went to pay the bill.
Alistair and Jazzer: take it gently, two young men died after Cardiff Half Marathon yesterday.
ReplyDeleteArcherphile: The public footpaths is very intriguing to me because we don't have anything like that here. For the 10 mile circuit there must be stops along the way? I will google the towns you mentioned tonight so I can learn more about where and the terrain. I am very interested to learn more. Will have to plan on doing one of these. Sorry this isn't a TA topic.
ReplyDeleteRuthy, I have tried to reply on the new non-Archers blog, but my wretched iPad won’t let me . Since this upgrade, every time there is a new blog I seem to be shut out for a day or two, so will have to reply here, if others will excuse me.
DeleteOur public footpaths are often based on ancient pathways across country from villages to towns and some were used as drove routes so that farmers could drive their animals to market. Some were very long, from as far away as Wales to London with farmers driving their sheep or cattle to London Markets. Some of those have become long-distance footpaths today.
These days the smaller paths form a network throughout the countryside and have to be kept in good order by the farmers whose land they pass through or around. It is a huge benefit to be able to get out into the countryside and they are used by families out for a weekend walk as well as serious hikers going on long cross-country rambles.
France also has a very well administered network of such footpaths, very well signed and mapped and Mr A used several of these on his walk through France. They meant he had to do very little walking on roads.
As for the places I mentioned, Winchester is the county town of Hampshire (used to be the Capital of England back in ancient times and the home of King Alfred). There is a famous Cathedral here with the longest aisle in the UK . The villages mentioned are very small so you would need a good map, or Google Earth to find them. They are situated between Winchester and Basingstoke.
I thought public footpaths were the responsibility of County Councils, although certainly farmers mustn't obstruct footpaths.
DeleteA significant thing about a footpath that is designated a public footpath is that it is a right of way and, as Janice points out, must be kept accessible to the public.
DeleteGosh that Natasha is a bit of a know all.
ReplyDeleteShe sounds just like a lecturer.
Doesn't ring true.
Another thing that doesn't ring true is the fact that HH is willing for Tom to "dump her"
No way.
When Natasha turns him down he will come running back to her.
I certainly would not wish to meet her. Ever !
DeleteI wonder what they're playing at with this Hannah character. If we'd only heard her tonight, we'd see her to be modern, cool, streetwise, quite funny & friendly, but we know the HH aspect too, so can't actually trust her. Does she want Tom to be humiliated, so she can mock him or something ? Because it's pretty obvious oh-so-professional Natasha isn't the slightest bit interested in him romantically.
ReplyDeleteOf course, could be proved entirely wrong about both women ! Interesting to see how it all pans out.
Meantime, agree, Lanjan & Mrs P, N. is not a character to warm to....
Strikes me Natasha's main interest in Tom is to get him to sell her juice in his veg boxes.
ReplyDelete✔️✔️
DeleteYes
DeleteSeems perfectly acceptable to me forNatssha to promote her jives in return for all the free consultancy she's giving Tom. I can't see what' to object to where she's concerned or Hannah apart from her tendency to fly off the handle. I'd certainly trust her more than I'd trust Aldridge for example. Is the real problem people have with both young women the fact that they're not poor Kirsty?
Delete,
No, Hannah has the morals of an alley cat and I have no respect for that. No views on Natasha who seems to be a minor character at the moment.
Deletemaryellen I don't have a problem with Natasha
DeleteI hope that Tom is doing more research on the ratio of nut and fruit trees than just taking the advise of Natasha. The future economy of the farm is dependent on this.I don't think Tom thinks that he has a chance to have a romantic involvement with Natasha. I just don't know why Hannah is pushing him over to Natasha. Maybe Hannah now has her eyes on Johnny?
DeleteWell I don't like Natasha.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't say she was Nasty Natasha -yet-we don't know enough about her but I would call her Not nice Natasha because I can't think of anything nice to say about her.
She seems like a know all to me.
At the moment I prefer her to Hannah whom I can't abide.
Yes ,Maryellen I much prefer Kind Kirsty (can you imagine HH or NNN giving a friend a mobile phone with £30 on it ?)
However,I would be happy for Tom to end up with either of the former two because he is a 37 year old plonker of the first order behaving like a 16 year old .
Actually yes, LanJan, I can imagine Hannah giving a friend a mobile phone with £30 on it, and though I don't know Natasha well, I see no reason to suppose she wouldn't. She's giving Tom all that free consultancy with only the possibility that he will market her goods in return. I think Tom will end up with Pip.
ReplyDeleteI don't care for either of them. Natasha sounds like a schoolmistress which she is to Tom who is lapping up everything she says and repeating her name. Hannah seems too good to be true, building up Tom's confidence by telling him that he's fun to be with and good in bed. They are great mates hugging together when not having sex, no strings attached. I agree with your last sentence Lanjan. It's nothing to do with Kirsty and good luck to her with the hunting Phil.
ReplyDeleteHadn’t realised Tom was that old. He sounds like he about 25 in his attitudes. I’ve been listening for about 13yrs and somehow have everyone stuck at one age.
ReplyDeleteLan Jan, I have just checked the weather in Worcestershire yesterday and today, and have experienced it for myself in Gloucestershire. Warm sunny and dry in both.
ReplyDeleteSo that microclimate in Ambridge, yet again, is utterly different from the surrounding Forty odd miles.
Odd, isn't it ?
I'm with Justin on both counts. These Ambridge people don't live in the real world. I liked the way he summed up Eddie's and Joe's business initiative, Clarrie will be delighted with a portaloo in the yard, not to mention Oliver. Peggy at her age thinks she can look after Christine, that's very courageous of her. As for Home Farm, it would break Jenny's heart if somebody altered her family home, I guess she would advise the future owners on the colour schemes, the whole lot is worth a few laughs.
ReplyDeleteLillian, you need to watch it.
ReplyDeleteHe's ditched one, he could ditch another.
I don't think he has much of a hold on loyalty, family or otherwise.
Besides which aunty Chris needs your sympathy, ( and possibly practical financial help) right now more than Jennifer.
Quite a lot of talk about toilets in tonight’s episode! My worry about Justin’s clapped-out portaloo at the cider club is - who is going to empty and clean it ? Not another job for Clarrie I hope.
ReplyDeleteAs for the OT’s visit to Peggy’s cottage - surely it won’t be considered suitable for a recovering 80+ year old invalid to be cared for by a 90+ year old with no downstairs loo?
What a ridiculous idea, however willing Peggy is to take on the job.
Sort of "on topic"
ReplyDeleteOne of the members of the Reading Group I attend has brought me over time ,several books about "The Archers" which she has picked up cheaply in Charity Shops.
Yesterday she gave me a copy of a book written by Antony Parkin who was the agricultural story editor of the programme for 25 years called
"Humbridge
An everyday Story of Scriptwriting Folk."
I am off to the dentist shortly so I will take it with me either to read on the train and/or whilst waiting for my turn at the dentist.
The book looks brand new which isn't a particularly good sign.
How many flats are Justin and Co hoping to make from Home Farm?
ReplyDeletePerhaps a ground floor one can be for Peggy and Christine.
Lilian can cough up some of the money because she feels guilty about the way Matt conned Christine
If Lilian buys Auntie Chris's share ,the flat will revert to her if Auntie Chris dies before she does ,which is likely.
Jennifer and Brian can buy one of the other flats and move the posh kitchen which is there at the moment with them.
DeleteMaryellen has already said that B & J can take the flat which comes with the kitchen.
DeleteThe latest idea is to make it into a club house for the shoot, not a bad idea, with accommodation upstairs. Jenny can stay on as cook and entertain in 'her' kitchen.
I was thinking more of Christine rather than Jennifer and Brian.
DeleteShe and Peggy would have the downstairs flat.
Since everything will have to be altered anyway I thought that Jennifer and Brian could move upstairs with the kitchen
This means that Peggy can sell the Lodge to Emma and Ed.
As I mentioned before Emma can be a part time Carer for Christine whilst being a Cleaner for Peggy and Christine which means she can give up her Chicken Factory Work.
Lilian will come into this somehow because of the guilt she feels about Christine's stolen money.
Sorted.
I don't think Peggy will ever want to leave The Lodge, as it is her home, and she has so many memories of Jack there.
ReplyDeleteI am not sure what will happen to Christine, as she will need so much help + care, with carers. She will be assessed by Social Services as to her finances, but as she has none, she should qualify for free care. Where will she live though?
Didn't Lilian offered the money she received from Matt to Christine and she refused it? Maybe Lilian should re-offer that money now. This would be money that could go towards the nursing home.
ReplyDeleteIf Peggy has any sense-and I think she has-she will realise that she and Christine would be better on the ground floor of a black of flats if not in a bungalow .
ReplyDeleteYes I know one can get stair lifts should they become a necessity but The Lodge is an old property I think and will possibly have a steep staircase as in the case of my 96 year old neighbour.
She has a stair lift but anyone walking past it has difficulty and once at least the lift has broken down whilst my neighbour was on it.
Further to my previous comment.
DeleteMy lovely 96 neighbour not only has difficulty in moving but she is the Carer for her 84 year old sister who has schizophrenia.
Some old ladies like Peggy are very tough.
I just think they would be better living on one level.
Lanjan, if your neighbour can do it, then so can Peggy. I agree about no stairs.
DeleteIt was nice of Josh to offer Johnny some experience with the milking.
ReplyDeleteFreddie has accepted that he's not getting out before end of March. Matt worked in the garden when he was inside and offered help to those who couldn't read and write, youngsters are much more cruel, to them it's showing off. There was talk of Kenton or David accompanying Elizabeth, she's emotionally exhausted already and driving a long distance as well.
Rather a heartening episode - people actually getting on well ! Characters we don't hear talking to each other, as well. Shula & Helen struggling yet having fun at karate, a Bridge Farm conflab, Johnny very much part of it, Josh & Johnny, yes, agree, Basia nice of the former to offer some milking practice, but there's something in it for him, I suspect - a chance to be off doing his own thing whilst Johnny has a go ?
ReplyDeleteFreddie isn't coping & , surprise, surprise, is taking it out on mum....why is she wittering on about an appeal ? Surely nonsense.
Freddie may not be coping, but he did sound as though he was now in the land of reality and accepting that, however shocking it may be, he is paying the price for his reckless behaviour.
DeleteElizabeth is in a very bad state, understandably.
I do hope this does not lead to health problems and that she does manage to get through these next six months or so.
When you think of it the Ambridge lot have done a bit of time between them, Susan and brother Clive, Matt and now Freddie. Susan came out of it well, not sure about Clive or Matt and wonder how it will go with Freddie.
DeleteYes, I often think how unrealistic TA is in the way that so many residents of one village should spend time at her Majesty's............
Deletecarolyn I think you've hit the nail on the head about Josh's motive for offering Jonny milking experience.
DeleteOn the other hand, he might just be doing a favour for a mate. (and cousin)
DeleteI have actually re-started to listen 'live,' as it were, this week as i found the storylines more to my liking (except I didn't listen to the bedroom scene. a bit tacky by all accounts.)
ReplyDeleteFirstly though yet again a continuity mistake. When Peggy was still looking after Jack at The Lodge they did have a downstairs loo. He left the taps on after washing his hands one day and flooded the hall and its carpet.
Secondly Lynda said that her production (which she was going to script write) was about a woman who knew what she wanted and was determined to get it and a wealthy landowner. Although maybe that was just to flatter Justin and Lilian in order for them to agree to take part? I'm not sure if I were Lilian I'd be flattered by the comparison. It makes it sound as if Lilian set out to break up the marriage. Anyway I've been wracking my brain trying to think of a classic story which might fit Lynda's description. The only one I came up with was Vanity Fair and that's just been done on TV!
My goodness though weren't Tom and Helen smug with Helen saying that she did not feel guilty at all.
Glad that Freddie is accepting what he has done was wrong.... "I broke the Law." Somebody needs to give Elizabeth a good shake and bring her into the real world. Her stupid actions at the moment do not fit with her previous character of an efficient, successful business woman. And
I don't buy the idea that that's what would happen to a woman in her situation. She is capable and calm and would be much more efficient instead of behaving hysterically. Oh and by the way she would not have received a Visiting Order on the Tuesday following the Friday when Freddie was sent down and VOs are issued once a fortnight!
Clever to pick up that continuity error re-downstairs loo !
DeleteI didn't see Helen as being smug in that conversation - just honest.
Elizabeth : business is one thing, personal disasters quite another, & she does have a history of not handling those well (the Roy affair, flying off the handle with David over Nigel's death, & losing it the other day with both him & Kenton, when, gently, they were trying to get her to face reality)
I can see now why Elizabeth went on this visit alone, she thinks that David and Kenton are not backing her efforts and implied to Oliver that the family are not behind her.
DeleteGood points ! :)
DeleteBedroom scenes me not tacky "by all accounts", spicycushion, I think these must be the most understated sex scenes of the 21st century. But perhaps you don't read my posts - fair enough!
DeleteI don't think the continuity error is important. The Lodge has or hasn't a downstairs loo de Pending on dramatic necessity. Again - fair enough!
The downstairs toilet (or not) at the Lodge is a very pertinent point to the current SL as the lack of one would certainly make things difficult for Christine and surely detailed drawings are available of all Ambridge buildings in their records.
DeleteAgree absolutely Lady R.
DeleteDon't know why, but reading these last few post, has taken my mind back to Mrs Dales Diary.
Where they perhaps always correct in details I wonder ?
I have a sense that they were.
And I do think these details are important Maryellen.
Your prerogative, Mrs P! But I can't see why myself, it's the human drama that appeals to me, the fictional bricks and mortar don't matter.
DeleteYour prerogative, Mrs P! But I can't see why myself - it's the human drama that appeals to me rather than the bricks and mortar of its fictional setting.
DeleteExactly.Lady R - this storyline requires The Lodge to be not ideal for invalid care e.g. no downstairs facilities, thereby addressing a common situation. So it doesn't have a functioning downstairs loo at this point in time, in order for the human story to develop. I can't see the problem. We could get a lot of useful information about help with adaptations etc.
DeleteIn her distress, E. did speak to Shula in Helen's presence, as I understood it, so maybe H. will help a bit by explaining how prison affected her, becoming fearful, clamming up even with trusted visitors - all manner manner of emotions making it difficult to cope. That was the purpose of the earlier conversation with Tom, to show how Helen empathised, bad memories resurrected by Freddie's incarceration.
ReplyDeleteFreddie's approach is: lie low, don't stick your neck out and count the days till release.
DeleteYes, it's really getting him down, but no other option. A sort of informal education ? a) he's seeing & suffering a side of life completely unknown to him before b) it appears to have hit him as a lightning bolt, that what he's been doing for the last year was criminal, & has consequences.
DeleteI guess there's not much you can do David but at least you will have tried and hopefully Elizabeth won't go alone on her next visit.
ReplyDeleteKate took drugs and overdosed but she didn't supply.
Who is Fiona who gave Alistair the recipe book?
His sister I suppose.
DeleteI wondered, too. Heard her name before, but never heard of a sister. Aah, so Jim, the wistful parent, who regrets past detached attitude, will have his boy staying till Christmas at least . Rather nice how it's working out between those two
DeleteFormer wife?
DeleteJim mentioned Fiona and it was clear from context she was his daughter and Alistair's sister.
DeleteThe characters page (http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/5H7fR4sHmfJvmcnlqS5jsvp/jim-lloyd) informs us that she is the sister of Alistair.
DeleteDavid was in a spot, wasn't he, but he could hardly say no to his sister, as broken as she is.I wonder if he or Kenton could visit next time ? Might be better. Meantime, support her as best they can, even going through the farce with pointless lawyer calls.
ReplyDeleteHave just listened to this evenings episode.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth still clutching at straws.
She just does not realise that they are straws !
Just caught up with posts on previous thread and Hedgehog at Hollowtree's reply to one of my comments. You are, of course, totally right HaH! I had completely forgotten that The Lodge is Peggy's property as she was going to leave it to Helen. I remembered that most of Jack Woolley's estate went to Hazel and I remember the Will being read in one episode but mis-remembered all of the bequests.
ReplyDeleteI am enjoying listening again (at the moment!) Does anyone else think there is a lot more about rural life and farming during the past couple of weeks? Sill rather a lot of shouting and arguing though. :(
(Still not got the hang of Windows 10 but visit to Frankfurt in a couple of weeks will hopefully result in my son teaching me!)
At last the flood gates opened and Elizabeth was able to let her emotions out. Pity she had to harangue poor Josh first but at least she calmed down and apologised. And I th8nk he was very kind and understanding to her afterwards.
ReplyDeleteShe is still living with unrealistic hopes and I just hope her ‘interfering’ will not just make matters worse for Freddie.
I read elsewhere that it is Freddie himself who has to appeal against his sentence, not Elizabeth.
If his appeal was accepted and it was reviewed it could possibly reduce his sentence, or even lengthen it, if it was thought he had got off too lightly.
So Elizabeth should tread with great care and take notice of what the solicitors have been telling her.
Beggars can't be choosers, Christine should have taken the money when Lilian offered, still as Ruthy suggested, perhaps they'll come to some arrangement. Peggy is such a stalwart friend, saying that she might also benefit from the adaptation of the Lodge.
ReplyDeleteThe worm turned! Well done, Adam - much as I dislike confrontation drama, your trouncing of Aldridge made splendid listening! It's not only Freddie who needs to acknowledge the full extent of his crime and its effect on his family.
ReplyDeleteI was delighted to hear Adams very firm tone of voice.
DeleteDeeper and with authority.
I actually imagined Brian falling back with astonishment.
All about time too !
I was very surprised by Adams voice tonight - sounded much deeper and harsher. I suppose it is still the same actor?
ReplyDeleteIt was splendid hearing him be so angry with Brian (who had been very unprofessional in front of Eddie ) and it was high time Brian was treated to a few home truths.
Well done Adam! What a change from the usual laid-back drawl.
I agree with the above comments. It was about time for Brian to hear some home truths and how forcefully Adam did that!
ReplyDeleteGet in there Adam. 🥊
ReplyDeleteTake that Brian.
Adams does go into that deep low voice when he is confrontational. Good for him. Long time coming. .
DeleteAs I remember it was Nolly that encourage Freddie on selling mushroom, and that was the beginning of the dealing problem with Freddie. Does E know this. Freddie is still guilty but the family should know this other side of the story.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you Ruthy, If I remember rightly Nolly was getting into trouble in SA before coming over here, not quite the innocent girl that Brian and Jennifer like to portray.
DeleteAgree Ruthy, I was exclaiming the same to the wireless last night.
DeleteAimed of course at Brian.
I imagine that those details have not been given to Elizabeth.
Lost in the mists of time.
People will only know that it was Nolu who started Freddie on his drug dealing career (which she later begged him to stop) if she or Freddie tells them.
DeleteI will listen, as I normally do, to the Sunday Omnibus, which I do whilst cleaning the cooker + kitchen. It is a "Sad" Sunday morning routine. I find though, that I pick up on many minor points, which I missed earlier.
ReplyDeleteI also like the continuity of the "seamless" episodes.
I love this TA, double "whammy". Does anyone else do the same????
Yes, I do Miriam.
DeleteI do a triple listen most of the time as I listen twice daily and then the omnibus.
Like you, I pick up bits that I had previously not ' heard'.
Me too Miriam - for 45 years or more, a long Sunday bubble bath listening to the Omnibus. All the family knew not to call in or phone until 11.15 am. Since my op. my routine has be ruined as I can only take showers now but I’m determined to resurrect my old routine by hook or by crook - as soon as possible. As you say, it’s amazing how much you miss during the nightly episodes that you pick up on Sunday mornings. !
DeleteYou are what are called the real fans. I only listen once but give it my full attention and if I don't understand something I go to 'catch up' or ask a question.
DeleteWhat I find upsetting, and I am not sure if this applies to Peter, is that the now middle-aged generation, are relying on us, the older generation (now 60 - 70 +) to provide an inheritance for them.
ReplyDeleteI worked hard all my life, I scrimped + saved, bought homes and paid mortgages, along with running a car. At the same time, I paid into pension funds. I am now able to benefit from all this and I know that IF in the future, I need carers or need some sort of residential care, then this can be sorted.
I just feel that many, who are relying on an inheritance from elders, might just have a nasty shock!.
Peter needs to be told the truth, about Christine's finances. He can hopefully understand.
Miriam. You are absolutely spot on regarding inheritance, especially in the Archers. Despite his criminal background Freddie will inherit a stately pile, the Aldridges etc have a partnership scheme, Tom and Helen the farm, Emma and Chris their parents home? Lots of inheritances to go around.
ReplyDeleteI listened to the Omnibus this morning and it was lovely to hear that Keri Davis was the script writer last week. No wonder I enjoyed it so much, as he, well to me, knows the characters so well, and writes accordingly.
ReplyDeleteMy comment relates to Peggy saying to Christine, with regard to the possible input of rails etc, in that these might also help her, in the future.
Is this a "hint" as to Peggy in another S/L as she is now 93, The Lodge will already be adapted for her, and Jenny + Brian will then move in, leaving their rented property.
I still think though, that Lillian can very well change things, be it Home Farm and Christine's loss of monies Who knows what rabbit she can produce, out of the hat.
Yes agree, Miriam, but all the while Peggy keeps schtum about Christine losing ALL of her money, neither Lillian nor any one else will know the true situation.
DeleteSomething will surely happen soon, since this evening there was speculation as to how much Christine made on the sale of her home.
Bert did his best to engage with Elizabeth this evening.
ReplyDeleteBut the only words she is able to hear must include ' Freddie ' and ' appeal' in any sentence.
It was lovely to hear Bert this evening.
ReplyDeleteThink if he continues, he might just get through to Elizabeth.
Well done Peggy saying what she thought about Freddie too.
Lilian has reappeared recently and I think that when she goes to see Peggy the cost of The Laurels will be mentioned and Peggy will no doubt tell Lilian that she is footing the bill.
ReplyDeleteWhen Lilian questions why Peggy is stepping in and says that Christine must still have about £250,000 from the sale of the house ,Peggy will put Lilian straight about the amount of money Christine lost .
Then Lilian will step in and at least use the money Matt gave her which she was going to refuse.
When I was looking for a care home for my mother I was astonished at the cost, and if The Laurals is also a nursing home it will be more expensive. It will cost Peggy well over £1500. Per week and that might not include the physiotheraphy and other treatments required. If it is only for a month then the cost to Peggy might not be so large. However, what they haven't factored in is Christine's pension, which will be stopped whilst she is in care. There is a DWP requirement that when being the recipient of care an individual must let them know as it has implications for the state pension.
ReplyDeleteWhen I eventually found a place for my mother her pension was used to pay for her care, and she received £20 a month pocked money. I also had to repay the DWP for all the periods of time she spent in hospital.
It is not easy getting old and Christine and Peggy will have to be careful about how they adjust to coping with the potential for further falls.
My own experience with social services was a nightmare, but at least I had a professional background to aid me and the psychiatrist assessing my mother concurred with my diagnosis. Social services have assessed Christine but that was only in passing. They will be relieved that they won't be carrying the cost of her care. But how long will Peggy be able to fork out the money if they discover further complications with Christin's health.
My experience with my mother's care was over twenty years ago.
ReplyDeleteThe interaction with social services was not, for me, a nightmare.
When diagnosed at age 78 with PSNP, similar to Motor Neurone, it was made very clear that there was no treatment, and that death would follow within a few short years. She died four years later at 82.
I made an application for financial help towards her personal care at level one as advised, immediately. In a telephone call from the department shortly afterwards I was questioned about my mother's ability and was advised to apply for level two immediately which I did.
My mother was in sheltered housing for the next eighteen months and then transitioned into a very local care home.
My mother had been a council tenant since 1947. She had a small amount of savings and my fathers army pension and a company pension.
I found the Government department and the local council finance department worked together in managing her care costs effectively, with very little input from me necessary.
Christine will require care for a limited time, unless of course she develops further complications.
The SW are writing from a dramatic perspective, and the financial position of the family as well as the consequence of the shenanigans of Matt Crawford and Christine's risky financial gamble.
The reality of help with care costs from SS or the local authority or the Department of Work and Pensions would be too complicated for them to dramatise.
Am sure you're right in the last paragraph. Too much likelihood of getting it wrong, necessarily simplified for drama.
DeleteHaving now caught up with Fri. & Sun., haven't much to add to what's already being said. Dear old Bert, giving her some respite but unable to impress on a deranged Elizabeth that a key member of her staff is under too much pressure. Why does she keep ringing solicitors, when the response is always the same, 'no grounds for an appeal ?' If she's concerned for his safety, it's the prison authorities, social services, & if she can't see how to approach that, start with CAB.
ReplyDeleteI can see why Peggy's keeping quiet, to save Chris's pride, & maintain confidentiality, but find it hard to believe that Lilian hasn't any inkling about Chris's dire finances.
Ian's being supportive, & not banging on about the supposed surrogacy, are they letting Lexi vanish without trace !
I wonder if Adam's justified outburst has given Brian a wake up call...
Stasia,I was shocked to read that a Care Home could cost £1500.
ReplyDeleteA friend's husband is suffering from dementia and is in a Home temporarily (costing£950 per week) until the Home she wants him to go to has a vacancy (£850)
This is in a Borough which has apparently the highest Council tax in the Country.
Like Mrs P ,I don't think the scriptwriters will go too much into the cost.
Christine presumably doesn't now have a great deal of savings and would have to explain where the £300,000 + she got for her house had got to when they looked into her finances.
I know some people have "given "their homes to their children but one has to live a certain number of years after the sale or...............(I don't know what happens if not)
7 Years LanJan, otherwise you will have to pay tax. There are a number of problems with giving your home to your children at the extreme end you could be turned out with nowhere to live, it does happen ,often for a variety of reasons bankruptcy,divorce settlements etc, not necessarily greedy children , but that does happen, not something I would contemplate easily.
DeleteI have been contemplating it, on and off, for a number of years now.
DeleteAnd still no resolution !
So if in doubt.... do nought.
And nought continues........ ad infinitum ?
Lanjan. Care homes are cheaper and £800 to £900+ would be the range with social services topping up and state pension removed. If social services have to pay the lot they will usually do everything in their power not to pay. You are right it is all very complicated. Nursing homes are more expensive because they require professional nurses to deliver more complex care. My mother died 3 years ago in a care home and was only there for about six week, but the fight with SS to meet her needs was legally and emotionally draining. I, at least had support from a fellow psychiatrist, and even he was dismissed by SS. I could deliver a political treatise on how our elderly population are being treated, from government down, however I would end up even angrier.
DeleteChristine is very lucky, at the moment, because Peggy has the funds to cover her rehabilitation in what sounds like a very up market home.
Let's hope she has given power of attorney to someone other than her uncaring son.
More info on the subject:-
ReplyDeletehttps://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/care/paying-for-care/paying-for-a-care-home/
https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/care/paying-for-care/paying-for-homecare/
With little or no savings, the choice for a ‘client’ is in the hands of the local authority. Some are better than others. Homecare is very ‘hit or miss’ with a minimum visit of half an hour usually squashed into 15 minutes, with carers having to rush from one elderly person to another often miles away. Until as a society we give proper remuneration to our over worked and undervalued caring profession it will ever be thus.
✅✔️
DeleteIt was all farcical tonight, three cajoling women, Jennifer with no business sense refusing to sell to the highest bidder because he won't preserve her cherished home. Lilian thanking Justin for going along with her family's wishes and against the BL board. Jolene twisting Kenton's arm to spend an evening playing a board game. All the while Peggy paying for Christine's care under their noses.
ReplyDeleteGood summary ! JE is a liar. He admits to Lilian that he's recommending the BL board not to buy Home Farm, because their plan isn't financially viable, then smarms up to B. & J., saying with him ' family always comes first'.
DeleteKenton is like a spoilt kid - mummy Jolene has to coax him into doing the Decent Thing.
Justin's "good news" could be premature. He may have met his match in Gemma Belcher. Heartening to hear how well Scruff gin is doing - doesn't sound as if Jolene has any regrets about her investment, quite the contrary!
Delete...not to mention Martin Gibson who is no friend of the Aldridges. I expect he and Gemma can both handle s calculator as well as Justin....
DeleteA bit of contradiction from Justin who initially said Home Farm house wasn’t viable for the company and then he said that family comes first. Which applies in his reasoning?
DeleteBoard games are very popular these days. Maybe Kenton will be converted and see a business opportunity for The Bull, board game evenings.
ReplyDeleteIndeed they are CC. Our next door neighbour’s son, a qualified and experienced primary school teacher, gave up his job 2 years ago to invent, develop and market board games. He now has his own small company manufacturing and selling the games and seems to be pretty successful. Meanwhile, a local school has lost an excellent (and rare) male primary teacher!
ReplyDeleteDid anyone take note of Bert warning Elizabeth about the condition of the treetop walk the other night? Slippery boards etc. And Geraldine being too overloaded with work to have done anything about it?
ReplyDeleteIs this going to lead to some horrific accident to a child visiting LL over half -term with dire consequences for the future of LL and Elizabeth’s livelihood. She really must concentrate on her business more and stop the wild goose chase for a solicitor to get Freddie out of jail ......or Freddie might have no family business to come back to.
Archerphile: Glad to see you getting on - finally. PtbY and I talked about E and she needs a good wake up call to stop her endless calls to lawyers. Freddie will be in jail for at least 6 months if he remains in good behavior, he will be given the right to purchase more things at the canteen to make his life a little more bearable.
DeleteIt's impossible to miss the mounting Elizabeth situation, Archerphile, given the way the scriptwriters are laying it on with a trowel! I'm beginning to wonder if she will be the next fatality, now it doesn't seem it's going to be Christine.
DeleteI agree with you Archerphile that Elizabeth needs to pay attention to Bert's warning and take care of her business. She needs to accept that there aren't grounds for an appeal against Freddie's sentence and complain to Soc. Services or prison authorities if she still thinks Freddie is in danger. If she does complain then Freddie will continue to be furious with her as he'll be seen as a 'wimp' by the other inmates and picked on even more.
ReplyDeleteYes, yes - agree!
DeleteHarrison's desire to play a board game called Atlantis confirms my view of the character as nerdy and boring. I came to this conclusion early on when he started telling Fallon about all his saving plans and ISA's so that she wouldn't have to worry about contributing to a mortgage. He is a one dimensional personality and it really isn't his fault, so why would a more dynamic person like Fallon fall for so staid a character. He didn't even drink on his stag night and had to be forced to dress in silly clothes, at least his sobriety enabled him to arrest Freddie and stop his drug pushing. I blame the S/Ws.
ReplyDeleteOh, Stasia, so harsh on the worthy PC ! I'd say he is not that nerdy, nor she that dynamic - just two regular, amiable people who mesh well as a couple, both community spirited, with different interests & preoccupations, which each has learnt to not only tolerate but respect about the other
DeleteWhoops ! Split infinitive...
Delete✔️✔️- for your comment Carolyn. Could not give a cuss for your S I.
DeleteReplying to CC - board games are very popular these days. I was even thinking to get into it myself - I guess that would make me nerdy.
ReplyDeleteRuthy that is just one persons view, I like many others have always played and continue to play board games, much more stimulating than the endless rubbish that is apparently on tv these days.I am sure you will find it enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteWhy is Elizabeth said to be all alone at Lower Loxley, when Lewis is there?
ReplyDeleteHe's been mentioned before - who is Lewis ?
DeleteLewis has been around for years and years, but always a silent character I think. Others will know for sure.
DeleteGeneral factotum and suitor of Nigel's mother. They may even have married.
Again, others will correct if wrong on that point.
Thanks, Mrs P
DeleteI guess then, if he's silent, just s shuffling shadow, not great company for E. !
I think I remember Lewis having a voice when he got together with Mummy Pargetter! Agree E should stop clutching at straws, accept her son did wrong and has to pay and get on with running LL!
DeleteEv, I thought so too, but was not sure so erred on the side of caution.
DeleteSo if you remember and I thought possible, then yes Lewis did once have a voice.
Whether he did or not Carolyn, Lewis was never a shuffler, always an impeccable gentleman ans dapper with it in my imagination.
Lewis Carmichael, a retired architect, married Julia Pargetter, and was fully vocal at the time. The marriage was brief, because Julia died a few months later, but Lewis stayed on at Lower Loxley, and his architectural experience was useful: didn't he design the art gallery? He was about five years younger than Julia (cue teasing about her 'toy boy' from Julia's sister). He has never been reported as departing or dying, but his existence is treated as casually as the nth bedroom at various Ambridge residences.
DeleteIn general, surely it's time for David & Kenton to stop humouring Elizabeth. Can understand why they succumbed initially, but they're doing her no favours by acting as if there's some point in ringing lawyers who all come back with a negative response. They need to be gentle but firm ,& suggest she contact s.services, prison authorities &/or CAB, as a couple of us has suggested here.
ReplyDeleteFurther, they could offer to visit the boy next time, instead of her. I think he might respond better to the uncles than to mum at this point
Agree.
DeleteIf he would agree to them being given a visiting order. He might not want to see them for fear of being castigated, or for fear of the other inmates seeing he has more well-to-do relatives.
DeleteI think Freddie just wants to keep his head down and become as inconspicuous as possible. It’s the only way he’ll survive.
Kenton is always very sympathetic towards him(even when stern words would have been more appropriate) & I expect David would by, too, in those circumstances. Maybe they would have the nous not to wear designer gear.
DeleteI think Freddie should just keep his head down.
DeleteHe has immediately seen that this is in his best interests, and he is probably correct. He might well have to cope with more than one black eye or possibly worse. Or he might have to contend with more subtle abuse.
He has seen now that he has been very very foolish and that he is being punished for breaking the law.
Keeping his head down, coping with whatever is thrown at him, doing his time and getting through his sentence is quite likely to set him up for the rest of his life.
It might damage him, and if it does, the damage and the experience that caused that damage will become part of his character.
This may seem to be a hard way of looking at it, but many young people make dreadful mistakes, and many incorporate the experience and continue their lives and become responsible people precisely because they had made a mistake.
✓✓ wise long term view, indeed.
DeleteAgreed Mrs P. Couldn’t have put it any better.
DeleteI wish I had the Felpersham Fire Brigade on "speed dial" to alert them when Hannah + Tom are getting together. A good dousing of cold water, might bring them to their senses.
ReplyDeleteI am not a "prude" but I just do not like this connection. There has to be a reason for this, which I hope will be revealed soon.
I wish I could hear more from other characters, rather than their bedroom antics.
Funny thing is in these encounters he comes across as an utter dork, but she is quite appealing, good natured & easy going, but, given we've seen her in vicious mode, I can't trust her at all ! Can't help expecting her to show a devious hand at some point. She's manipulating the gullible Tom ? We'll see....
DeleteI am also thinking that Hannah is being very manipulative and is using Tom for some reason or another.
DeleteOh Mirium !
DeleteI just love your opening two sentences.
The fire brigade giving them a dousing is an image I shall treasure.
And I agree absolutely with your post.
Yes, agree 100% with the above.
Delete🎉🎉jazzer back again.
ReplyDeleteDid you manage to understand him Ruthy???😆
There's a short piece about the Hannah and Tom fiasco in next week's Radio Times, with which I can only agree. It starts 'In literature, they say, plot follows character whereas in soap opera character follows plot. That can be the only explanation for Hannah Riley ... having turned into such a vamp in her time away.' I'd rather listen to Bert droning on about his vegetables. This is the worst plot 'development' ever.
ReplyDelete