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Life in Ambridge: Comments New Year 2019
Life in Ambridge: Comments New Year 2019
Happy Anniversary to Archers Fan Blog. I started this blog on January 1, 2018 as the "life boat" to devoted Archers Fans and bloggers. A year later, and we've had 2 meetups and concurrently running posts. Most importantly it is the kindness and friendships that's been developed in this year that are the most dear to us.
Happy New Year!
Ruthy
Happy New Year from Scotland! X
ReplyDeleteHappy, happy new year to everyone and happy hogmanay to Gary in Scotland - and here’s to another successful year in the life of Ruthys Remarkable Blogs ! 🎉
ReplyDeleteThank you Ruthy, for keeping us going throughout this year, and hopefully into further years.
ReplyDeleteI wish all friends robust health and gentle happiness into and throughout 2019
My immediate response to Brian keeping stuff from the past was that it would be used for future court case. For good or ill.
Happy New Year everyone, and thank you for all your hard work on the blogs over the past year, Ruthy. So much better than the official blog that was whisked away from us. Wishing you all health, wealth and happiness for 2019.
ReplyDeleteAnother thoughtful photo Ruthy - what a treasure you are! I second Mrs P hope and that (thanks to you) we may all remain friends through your blog- and for some in person for many a year to come! 🍾👏🏻🤗 🍷
ReplyDeleteWarmest of wishes to you and your family for 2019, and of course to everyone here contributing or just looking in!
I echo that, & all sentiments expressed. Great picture, as ever, Ruthy !
ReplyDelete✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️
DeleteMe too.
I hope that this is going to be the year which will see a group of us waiting at Heathrow for a flight from the USA clutching our "Welcome to Britain, 'Ruthy " placards.
I'd like to add my very good wishes for a wonderful and happy New Year to everyone on this site and specially to Ruthy who has set it up for us to enjoy.
DeleteLast blog : Bootgums, you thought Helen ran from the Bull because she saw Lee with another woman ? I assumed she was escaping from Roy in his cups, bemoaning his disappointments in love. ( ever sensitive about her past, never mind that others are suffering too...)
ReplyDeleteNo no Carolyn, she saw Lee. And at first with hope in her surprising 'Oh'
DeleteBut then something changed.
That's my version of what I heard.
I thought Helen had rushed away because Lee wasn't there and she was disappointed .
ReplyDeleteI thought he arrived after she had left.
I don't think there is another woman or that she was escaping from Roy.
✔️ Agree
DeleteDidn't Ruairi and Ben see Lee (from their bush)? One of them commented that he was 'so ripped'. But had Helen already left by then? Bit daft leaving before midnight.
DeleteI ,too, thought she left before Lee arrived.
DeleteI thought she must have seen someone maybe connected to Home farm , ie undesirable new person, mr titchener senior perhaps.
I have only just managed to hear last night’s episode, and my understanding was that Helen went to the Bull hopeful that Lee would turn up. Listened to Roy moaning on about his lost love, thought Lee wasn’t going to bother coming, so left early all disappointed.
DeleteThen Lee, spotted by Ben and Ruairi in their bush, finally arrived after Helen had gone.
Typical drama device - if only one of them had given a definite invitation to meet at the Bull, instead of half hinting, all would have been OK. Doh! Now we’ll have to go through all the aftermath of misunderstandings, suggested recriminations and, hopefully, making up!
I listened to Part One of The Canterbury Tales on New Year’s Eve afternoon and, like Suz, I was enthralled by it. Like KPNuts, I enjoy stories especially ones with a proper beginning, middle and end. I thought all the narrators were good, although Kirsty had more material to work with so a better chance of winning. For myself, I’d have preferred to skip the backstage bits and listen to the performance straight, but I can see why the producer chose to do it that way.
ReplyDeleteSpicycushion - re the Aldridge gene (as Roy, not me described it - and he should know!), it refers to the ability to wheedle in pursuit of one’s own ends, which I certainly think Brian Aldridge and his son share. It’s allied to the selfish gene which Kate Aldridge-as-was has also inherited, though she is less wheedling. Let’s hope Aldridge Senior’s money which allows his wife to exercise her good taste in interior decor, compensates for his deficiencies as a human being.
Happy new year to everyone, hoping that those we haven't heard from in a while will join us again in 2019.
ReplyDeleteMrs P. Now that the festivities are nearly over I do hope that you will begin again with that search for your new companion. Here's to hoping you find him/her.
ReplyDeleteSuz, I hope Harry has fully recovered and is now looking after you.
Thanks for your good wishes, CowGirl. I so wish that Harry had regained that 'lurcher bounce' again, but, sadly not yet. I have the energy of a gnat at the moment, and a fully recovered Harry that could fend for himself would be very useful indeed. Everything ground to a halt over Christmas while I was feeling 'poorly', so not much chance for him to get some gentle exercise for his leg - we have both spent a lot of time lying around instead! Now that things will soon be back to normal, (and that includes me), I'm planning to investigate an animal hydrotherapy and massage centre near here, at an agricultural collage, to see if they can do anything to strengthen the weakened muscles in his leg, and also hoping that the insurance will cover it. I think it will, but you never can tell with insurance policies!
DeleteGood luck with the therapy Suz, and hope you improve soon too.
DeleteCG - I have sent a couple more messages about Teddie but don't hold out much hope.
I have another card up my sleeve though and need to get going on that.
Thank you for your good thoughts.
Happy new year bloggers and Archers.
ReplyDeleteI also thought that Helen went home disappointed that Lee wasn’t there, having listened to Roy’s drunken rant about love always going wrong.
We heard Ben/Ruari seeing Lee running into the pub shortly after, just before midnight.
Thanks for clearing that up Seasider. I couldn't make out the order of events. What you said makes sense; that Helen was distracted whilst she looked round the crowded pub, then escaped Roy, then Lee arriving just a little too late.
DeleteMustardland has a 'thread' entitled "A near miss for Helen." I would say it was a near miss for Lee. Beware Lee, Helen is once again in stalking mode!
Too true !
Delete😃🎉🎊🚴⛹🍾🍸🍀 2019.
ReplyDeleteI read the tag line and didn't think last nights episode would be worth listening to, but I did, and wish I hadn't.
No comment.
Happy new year to you all - Bonne année, bonne santé à toutes et tous ! TA catching up to do before a few days on the Cote Basque ..
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
ReplyDeleteGlad that Ben and Ruairi didn’t get into anything last night.
Poor Helen - she just can’t stand to get out of her own way. Therapy is in order for her and the two boys, at least Henry.
Quiet New Year day here in New Jersey. Will bake lemon 🍋 squares and chocolate chip cookies.
Yum, yum. Anthything with lemon is wonderful. Dark chocolate for me Ruthy. I have never of Jill making any lemon squares, only the usual LDC.
DeleteAmbridge needs village group therapy, psycho drama would be prescribed by me.
I’ve heard a session of flap jack throwing gets all sorts out of the system, but it doesn’t meet with government guidelines on reducing food waste, so perhaps a bit of cushion bashing would be better. Jill might recommend bread kneading instead. Could be offered as a therapeutic course for those who don’t fancy karate. Emma has a catering qualification so could run classes to help pay the mortgage.
DeleteLynda could run the psycho drama which would help her cope post retirement from directing the Christmas production. After all, she’s retired from it now, hasn’t she?
Delete😉😀✓✓✓
DeleteOh no she hasn't. 😱👺
DeleteI really hope that if we are to be increasingly subjected to the adventures of Ben & Ruairi in the coming months, then the scriptwriters come up with something a touch more thrilling than the "problem" of two 16 year olds trying to get hold of some alcohol. It's not as if it's Saudi Arabia is it? It's the UK! In 2018/19! Hopefully their next storyline won't involve the comedy theft of a dad's "jazz mags"...😴
ReplyDelete😂😆
DeleteLily, Lily, Lily...
ReplyDeleteIf it weren't so exasperating, so wasteful of a young life, it could have been a comedy sketch, his transparent ploys, her melting into acquiescence....SO, he's going to look after her, nurture, blah, blah, & she only has one thing to do, 'two', she corrects. This means a part time job, MORE than a few hours, during term time, following a demanding course, catching up on what she's missed, that's ALL. No time for chilling out with other students, back home to the middleaged parasite & his nurturing. Meanwhile, he isn't painting & still can't find the right galleries for his non existent potential master works....
DeleteDon't worry.
DeleteElizabeth will have a breakdown and Lily will realise she can't go to Manchester after all
There is no way they can continue with this silly story is there?
How on earth did that ridiculous man ever get a job as an ordinary teacher let alone a position of a Vice Princilal.?
Such appointments go to those who know how to 'talk the talk'. By the time it becomes obvious that they can't walk the walk it's too late. Happens all the time in my line of business.
DeleteThere will be other reasons why Lily doesn’t get back to Manchester. I do hope she can tell Russ once and for all that reason is him!
DeleteWe have no evidence that Russ couldn't walk the walk as Sarnia puts it. As far as we know he got his college job on grounds of competence. At leasthe woul have gone through an interview process which is more than most of the nepotic Archer clan.
DeleteRecent research seems to indicate that individuals who get to top positions in the work place do so by doing less actual work, but more toadying and talking. They can talk the talk, so sound impressive, but are unable to walk the walk. Many of these types are the reason why many of our major industries/institutions are failing.
DeleteI believe Russ is such a person. Perhaps Lily was the excuse for leaving the job, otherwise he might have had to face being disciplined for incompetence.
At the moment it is all conjecture.
And what about Rex who got the job of Neil’s pigman without being able to talk the talk or walk the walk, and despite his woeful history of business failure, solely because Neil thought he seemed a good chap.Though as we’ve heard nothing about him and thepigs for many moons, and he seems to be spending all his time taxi-driving, I conclude that Neil has realised his mistake and sacked him.
DeleteStrange conclusion. He's got 2 part time jobs, no SL emerging about a failure to juggle or perform either. Do we therefore conclude that Emma, who juggles 3 jobs, has been sacked from the Chicken factory, for nodding off on a shift for instance, just because that aspect of her life hasn't been mentioned for a long time ?
DeleteNo more strange than concluding Russ was no good at his job, on the same lack of evidence - though actually we do have some evidence of ‘the dog that didn’t bark’ type in Rex’s case - when Pip was trying to cheer Rex up by saying he wasn’t just a taxi driver, he’d also got his job as Josh’s runabout, significantly, she did not mention the job as Neil’s pigman, which was supposed to be his major career step. And actually, Emma has mentioned her chicken factory job very recently.
Deletecase.
I suppose it's possible that Russ's obvious character defects didn't affect his performance as vice-principal. I suppose. But I suspect he's the type of person who moves on before he's found out. Rather like Rob, who had quite a few jobs in North America.
DeleteI haven't seen the tagline for Thursday 's programme, but I really hope that Lily comes to her senses. She was so close when talking to Phoebe. Smarmy Russ needs to be told straight.
ReplyDeleteLily/Russ is getting to be a caricature of Helen/Rob. History repeats itself, first as tragedy and then as farce.
ReplyDeleteThere's no need whatsoever for Lily to return to Manchester before term begins, unless it would give her a chance to catch up – fat chance.
I too thought that Helen had left the pub after looking round and not seeing Lee there. She missed his arrival and was possibly disheartened by Roy's drunken diatribe on love.
ReplyDeleteLily needs to rethink her decision which that wheedling (?) Russ persuaded her to adopt. Just dump him and quick!!
I was just thinking how different the storylines would be if the characters in The Archers took our sensible advice.
ReplyDeleteCan’t complain The Archers is unrealistic on that score!
DeleteConsider the Lily as she tries to grow,
ReplyDeleteShe toils to cover her mother's woes,
Then she hears the smooth talking Russ
And she fails to hear his spin and thrust
Of lies and Isn't able to discern and mistrust.
Apologies to the bible.
👏🏻😀
DeleteSays it all, Stasia, & so adroitly ! ✓✓
DeleteMay I add my belated New Year greetings to all and echo the thanks to Ruthy for this blog. It is a great improvement on the "official" one we had taken away, with Ruthy's delightful heading pictures being so much more apt than the old, frequently irrelevant, "Quotes of the week".
ReplyDeleteHello everyone from Dubai (written about the flight etc on t’other blog). Only just got Wi-fi connected and managed to listen to the New Year’s Day episode
ReplyDeleteSo glad that Lily at last confided in Phoebe about her true feelings re Manchester, University and Russ. At last we are getting somewhere, I thought, she is going to decide to ditch the arty wonder and stay in Ambridge. Then she lets me down by caving in under the sick-making moral blackmail piled on by Russ.
Please, please, please Mr New Editor let this travesty end soon, let Lily wake up to the full extent of the artist’s totally selfish attitude and get her back to Lower Loxley where her destiny really lies.
That could be your New Year Resolution. Thank you.
I can’t believe that Lily can’t see that Russ is a parasite. Any man of his age who lives off an 18 year old girl just started at university is not worthy of the hero worship she is showing towards him. They say love is blind but really!
ReplyDeleteI would like to suggest that we do have evidence of Russ' failure in his job. His handling of Freddies drug dealing was totally irresponsible in my view. Had it been appropriately handled he may not have found himself in the position he is now.
ReplyDeleteGood point CowGirl - and, as I recall, he actually used that knowledge in order to blackmail Freddie into keeping quiet about his relationship with Lily.
DeleteBut, of course, the college management knew nothing about the drug dealing or Lily/Russ, thanks to his cover ups, so wouldn't have had cause to doubt his abilities/suitability as a teacher.
DeleteYes, he certainly revealed his ethical, professional standards were non existent, so he was not worthy of his post. However, he probably was good in the classroom, teaching his subject. There are a number of teachers in all institution who fall into that category - sometimes their actions are uncovered, sometimes not. In the Russ case, only a part was discovered - nothing of his deal with Freddie.
DeleteCow Girl - that does not mean Russ wasn’t good at administration, which must have been a major element of his job, or as a classroom.teacher. I think we can fairly assume that he had no previous record of misbehaviour towards studentsof fellow staff which would have affected his appointment.
DeleteI can’t agree with Archerphile that Lower Loxley is Lily’s ‘destiny’ any more than Brookfield is Ben’s. She should be able to spread her wings take advantage of what the wide world has to offer, as he intends to do, not be shackled to the ancestral pile/family firm. Poor Lily!
But it may come out in the end, if editor/SW decides to follow the narrative through satisfactorily, which they don't invariably do in TA, as we know !
DeleteBetter to be shackled to an ancestral pile than a a work-shy ancestral lover, maryellen.
DeleteI think that’s debatable, Suz! In any case, Lily would be unwise to invest too much of herself in Lower Loxley until she knows what Freddie intends to do about.his inheritance. He might decide to sell up.
DeleteListened to CT this morning while still in bed and I very much enjoyed it. Waiting for Part 2 to come on Saturday. Very much impressed that the BBC took the time to stage this.
ReplyDeleteHis , in my view total failure to deal with the drug problem constitutes serious misconduct and could result in instant dismissal. Such a failure renders him unsuitable for his position. regardless of his administration or teaching skills, as a deputy he is, together with the head responsible for the conduct of the school.
ReplyDeleteAs an employee of the Local Authority, ( which I presume he is ) he has to ensure the upholding of the law, whatever his personal feelings might be.
The original question from LanJan was How did he get the job? Obviously his admin and classroom skills (which we have no evidence don’t exist) and no contra-indications relating to relationships with students or mishandling of dituations involving drugs at time of interview. End of.
DeleteSorry Maryellen, but I absolutley hate that expression “end of”!
DeleteOften used when somebody thinks they are absolutley right about something and they don’t want to go on discussing it with you, because nobody else but themselves could possibly be right.
I find it very rude and dismissive of others. I have no opinion whatsoever about why Russ was appointed to his job or whether he was a good or bad teacher or administrator.
All I know about is what we have heard on the radio and his behaviour with Lily just before, and since, they went to Manchester.
And I do not like it one bit. And I would never, ever, end a discussion with “End of”.
And I know I shouldn’t start sentences, let alone paragraphs, with “And”. Apologies for being ungrammatical!
DeleteYour choice not to end a paragraph with End of, Archerphile. My choice to end a paragraph with it. I don’t agree with your interpretation of it - but there we go!
DeleteTotally agree Archerphile.
DeleteMaryellen....is your sole interest in this blog to come and be argumentative with everyone? Is no one allowed their own opinion?
I agree wholeheartedly with Archerphile regarding the expression ' end of ' .
DeleteI disagree about starting a sentence with ' and'.
It is I believe grammatically incorrect. However it packs just the right impact when required, and is often acceptable.
To me, as an End of user, it’s the equivalent of Q.E.D. An impersonal statement that a resolution has been reached.
DeleteProud to be Yorkshire - I’ll politely assume that your question is rhetorical.
Well you assumed wrong Maryellen.
DeleteIn that case, I have to say it’s a damned impertinent question, and smacks of censorship. Everyone is entitled to express their views on the blog. Mine don’t always agree with others, and theirs don’t agree with mine or with each other all the time. By expressing our differing views, we are not denying anyone else the right to differ. If views are based on erroneous or overlooked facts, anyone can point this out. People’s interpretations of what they hear are based on their own histories and personalities. I don’t hear Russ as all bad. Others do. So be it. As I said before, we are all entitled to state our interpretations of fictional characters and situation, however ‘contrary’ to popular opinion they are deemed to be. If you don’t like mine, I suggest you skip my posts.
DeleteWhat a lovely photo Ruthy. I love it.
ReplyDeleteI am a "hater" as to the Canterbury Tales, (thanks to my school), but I will listen to the TA production. Perhaps I can be reverted.
I still would love to know who has bought the "Home Farm" farmhouse.
Can anyone inform me, as I still need to do a TA "catch up".
I think Lily should stay at LL to help Elizabeth out. She can surely, refer her University course. She will then be around, when Freddie returns. He is 3 months in, so he could well be released in 5/6 weeks time. He will need to readjust, as will Elizabeth, with a lot of help + support. This will be easier, if Lily is still "in-situ" at LL.
It seems to be the Buttons who have bought Home Farm. Ruairi/Ben (sorry, can't always tell them apart) said 'Party at Molly's!' on New Year's Eve, and on New Year's Day Ruairi bluffed about not having been at the Home Farm party but only hearing it from a distance or by hearsay or something.
ReplyDeleteThere's a thought, Bootgums ! Only problem is that they said 'a party at Molly's' but they must have meant where she lives with her family ? Neither of them know who the new owners of H.Farm are.
DeleteI think that party was a ' rave' organised with / by somebody in the know and able to get keys to an empty house.
DeleteHowever it is all very odd !
Well done to whoever predicted the his’nher’s tattoos. My personal reaction was “yuk, how tacky!”
ReplyDeleteHelen is definitely on the hunt again, I would have thought that she might eschew men after Rob......
Oo, Hannah, you made your bitterness & jealousy blatantly obvious, didn't you, under cover of 'concern' as the tagline misleadingly had it ! Alas, the 'old' Tom hasn't disappeared or he wouldn't be justifying his actions to HH...
ReplyDeleteCongratulations for predicting the Christmas present, but can't remember who it was ??
Unfortunately, despite a wider vocabulary, Henry sounded too babyish again, for a boy just turned eight.
Perhaps the next party Helen & Lee unexpectedly, ho, ho, find themselves at, there'll be some mistletoe - gosh, now I'm picking up on their coyly arch tone with each other....
Well, Hannah’s so-called bitterness and jealousy wasn’t blatantly obvious to me, or even unblatantly obvious. I thought what she said about rushing things made good sense and her concern about Tom's new giddiness was well founded. Pat shares her apprehension though trying to focus on Tom’s new-found happiness - and it’s trues he was never as light-hearted with Brenda and Kirsty. Where will it all end.....?
DeleteHaving paid attention to her tone of voice & what she said, her disgruntlement was obvious to me, not a hint of genuine concern.
DeleteEnd of.
Watch it, Carolyn - the End of disapprovers will be bracketing us together!
DeleteI venture to suspect not...
DeleteLOL..!
DeleteI suspect neither of us would like it if they did.
DeleteHannah's advice is sensible. However, she insisted on a relationship with Tom which had no emotional ties at all. Tom must have taken her at her word because otherwise, his remarks about Natasha are insensitive.
DeleteHelen is alternately depicted as having given up on men and as having her tongue hanging out. Not impossible, but I'd like a bit more backstory as to her emotional state.
ReplyDeleteLove that description of Helen!! :))
DeleteOf course Lily would have seen through Russ by now .
ReplyDeleteShe can't be that stupid.
She must surely realise that someone who really loved her would have suggested that he could and should get some form of employment.
Can't she see through this "muse" business.?
Why for example could he not do some Supply Teaching?
Answer-I don't think he would be able to control younger pupils at a school where he has no clout.
It hasn't taken most of us long to see through the oleaginous Russ which makes me wonder whether he was one person who kept moving on a step at a time and -I have seen this happen in teaching-he has been given glowing testimonials in order to get rid of him.
I reckon he is the sort of person whose smile never reaches his eyes.
Dreadful man.
👍✔️
DeleteYep. Hear hear!
DeleteAbsolutely agree! :)
DeleteLanJan, I suspect that Russ will be on the exclusion register so he wont be able to teach, supply or otherwise. Although we haven't heard social services etc were involved.
DeleteIn spite of all the advice Lily dished out to her cousins and friends about their love-lives, she seems to have been completely inexperienced herself. No mention of a boyfriend pre Russ. She told Freddie she wasn't interested in boys her own age. To go from no relationships at all to an affair with a married man 20 years older than her, then move in together with hardly a pause, is drastic. She hasn't had a normal relationship with him either. There are real young women who put up with far worse "because he loves me".
DeleteAlas! Matching tattoos! Nobody of any sense or maturity would do that with someone they'd known for such a short time, would they? (Hence heaps of fortune-telling points to whoever predicted it.) When Tom meets fiancée no. 4, or 5, is he going to say it's in tribute to his mother and his completely unknown grandparents?
ReplyDeleteDon't care for tattoos, but 'hiraef' is a wonderful sentiment. Perhaps the couple will move to Wales, set up a joint business on the land, & it'll be Johnny & Helen who'll take on Home Farm ?
DeleteBTW, don't share the view a number of you hold about Tom & Natasha rushing things. He was smitten with her for some time, & we now know why she kept to strictly business for the first few months. She was being honourable about not starting anything until she had finally ended a 10 year relationship. This in itself was painful to her, despite the love having gone, on her side. She & Tom already knew a lot about each other before they started anything serious, so I wouldn't say they're being hasty, desperate, anything like that.
I found it very strange that Helen got cold feet on NYE when Roy was burbling on about 'being let down by lovers,' yet there she is again flirting with Lee. Personally I think someone should have been very firm with Henry and told him 'No means No'
ReplyDeleteWith reference to comments about broadcasts:
I have recently switched to Mustardland as I haven't put fb on this, my new computer, and there are quite a few people who I recognise, including one from BBC TA many years ago.
The latest suggestion was that Home Farm has been bought as a 'airb&b' (?) to be let out as a place for large parties and events and not as a permanent home. That would fit with the new owners wanting J&B out by NYE. So perhaps Adam will be regularly cleaning up!
I spent the first five minutes of the programme trying to work out who Ed was talking to! I wonder if 'Tim' is going to be appearing often? He could have been anyone of four or five regulars.
Have we heard of this Tim before ? He questioned Ed a lot. Something not quite right there, methinks.
DeleteThe Mustard land poster could well be on to something ,- makes sense of crates of bubbly arriving before furniture.
I like the Mustardland theory about Home Farm, it fits the facts perfectly, and if it is Mr Button who has diversified into this line of business, bootgums will be correct too and that will all tie up neatly!
DeleteI too think this theory a good'un. Makes sense of the party and is not new. It's happened more than once in recent times I believe.
DeleteAlso ' Tim' ?
Who, what, where from ?
I felt the same as Carolyn.
I'll throw my weight behind the Airb&b theory!
DeleteTim Oatey. A sudden contact with possible work for Ed. Was he via Oliver? It sounded as though he'd got a reference for Ed from Oliver. If the link was Oliver, I do hope my, and Carolyn's, hunch that he's a wrong 'un is incorrect.
Too many young(ish) men in that episode. The only one I could positively identify immediately was Ed. I thought Tim was Will at first, although he didn't sound right. I thought Rex was in the epi too. Tim and Ed have things in common; start of a new friendship?
DeleteI'd seen the name Tim in the cast list in Christmas double-issue Radio Times. It reminded me of the last village doctor whose wife was Ruari's mother. He married the vicar. I imagined a scenario in which he had acquired a shedload of money and bought Home Farm just to annoy Brian. It wasn't very likely.
John Finnemore's programme this evening was a repeat. There was an Archer's skit - interchangeable, boring men coming up with implausible business ideas while their sensible womenfolk could foresee all the pitfalls. The only TA character who didn't fit this was Panto Lady.
I'm afraid I thought Tim sounded like a dodgy geezer. Ed said he'd do anything as long as it paid, so I concluded that Tim reckoned he'd be up for some illegal activities. The scriptwriters have trouble allowing a Grundy to go straight. I hope I'm wrong.
ReplyDeleteI think it was just mediocre acting, bootgums - remind me who suggested to Ed?
DeleteWhen Ed said he would do anything as long as he was paid, I added, out loud...
Delete"Anything honest Ed ".
It's all adding up, isn't it ? Could develop into an interesting SL, except, gosh, wouldn't we all prefer life to go well for Ed, Emma & family at last ?!
DeleteI think it was David, or Oliver, who suggested Tim to Ed - would whoever it was have done that if Tim had anything dubious about him?
DeleteI’m pretty sure it was Oliver. I can understand Ed being concerned about the expense of having a mortgage but presumably they haven’t had to pay much in comparison to renting a property while living with Eddie and Clarrie so with both working they should have a bit by them. Good luck to them though as it is time the tide turned for them!
DeleteI'm with those who are suspicious of Tim. Ed and Emma may now be on cloud nine with a home of their own, but the financial realities are going to hit them. As well as the mortgage they'll have to find insurance, council tax, gas, water, electricity, Internet - expenses for which at present they have no or only partial responsibility. They'll also have to buy new furniture and equipment. I find it hard to see how they can realistically make this work (even the admirable Emma can't take on fourth and fifth jobs!) Consequently, it seems likely that their finances are going to feature in a story line. And my imagination takes me down the path of Ed being pulled into dubious ways of making extra money (and sadly I agree with bootgums that the scriptwriters always want to lead the Grundys away from the straight and narrow).
DeleteSadly I feel I might have to agree with Ex-Londoner, much as I hope Ed sticks to being honest.
DeleteIt would be ironic if it was Oliver who was the cause of Ed’s undoing.
DeleteUnlike others, I didn't feel that Tim sounded suspicious. I also really hope that Ed would not be foolish enough to get dragged into anything illegal. I'm not interested in a financial woes storyline about Ed and Emma and how tough they find it. Good luck to them both but they did choose to add to their family when just perhaps it wasn't the wisest financial choice for them.
ReplyDeleteI'm not enjoying the flirty Helen and Lee s/l as I think it's more realistic that Helen would be put off men at least for a good long while.
Like Anneveggie I wasn't particularly suspicious of Tim, just fed up with yet another sound alike. I wondered if the situation was developing with Ed getting regular a farming job. Wasn't Tim questioning Ed about his farming experience? I thought Oliver said that Tim ran a herd of about 50 cows? Perhaps I imagined that?
ReplyDeleteI assume Ed and Emma have some furniture of their own. Didn't they rent somewhere before moving back with their various parents? However being 'alone together' will be an extra strain when both are working without on-site baby sitters.
Why didn't Brian approach Usha about renting Blossom Hill Cottage? We haven't heard about anyone moving in since Anisha left.
Despite Hannah blowing hot and cold over Tom it did sound as if the 'green-eyed' monster was rearing its ugly head.
Spicycushion, I agree with you and Anneveggie about Tim, and I was rather pleased to hear a new character that didn't sound slightly dodgy - and one that had a local accent too. He sounded like a genuine farmer, and his conversation with Ed was exactly right for someone trying to sound out a possible employee in an informal and friendly way, while working alongside him to assess his capabilities. He drew out Ed's experience and ambitions over a packed lunch, and gave the hint that he could find more work for him without ever making it sound like a formal job interview - which would have made Ed uncomfortable. Maybe Oliver knows that Tim is looking for a permanent dairyman with good hands-on experience, and has arranged that they should meet up in this informal way.
DeleteHear Hear!
DeleteHear Hear x 2!
DeleteI do hope so (it’s either that or the house dream will fall at the final hurdle!)
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI remember Usha Franks saying (or it was reported that she said) she was seizing new tenants for Blossom Hill Cottage so it hasn’t been standing empty since its previous tenant left.
ReplyDeleteSorry, seeing not seizing new tenants.....
DeleteMaryellen, I remember that as well. Someone in the village bumping into her just after Anisha left. They did well to spot her as she is rarely heard of these days.
DeleteSpicy, I also thought Ed and Tim’s conversation was leading towards a new stage in Ed’s farming career. It might have been wishful thinking as there was a hint of the Darryl story about their conversation. I don’t think I could bear another crime and/ or house repossession tale.
I can see the holiday cottage idea for Home Farm adds up. We have rented places for years for a week or so and the prices hike up for Christmas and New Year. The agency we use in the New Forest has a noticeable increase in large properties available this year so perhaps that’s the trend. It still could be Hazel Woolley - that would really upset Peggy - or Martin Gibson. If they have an agent to deal with bookings they could keep it under wraps, oh I forgot, we have been told the name is Gill (unless it’s a pseudonym, or Hazel has got married...).
Interesting that you mention Darryl, Seasider, because he came into my mind too as I was listening to Ed and Tim’s conversation, though I think it was more to do with how Ed was sounding rather than how Tim was sounding. Darryl was someone I really felt for. It would be too awful if Ed followed the same route, though I think Emma is a ifferent kettle of fish to Darryl’s wife.
DeleteYes, Emma has known Ed since his young and wilder days and she keeps a close eye on what he is up to - she has plenty to say if he tries to spend their money unwisely.
DeleteHelen clearly has the need to give up her celibate lifestyle, and why shouldn't she make a play for Lee? He seems interested, there has got to be a reason for buying his food in the shop, and it can't be the 'Desire' to spend time with the fast becoming 'horrid Henee'.
ReplyDeleteDoes anybody in Ambridge ever grow up. Tattoos, paying someone else to abuse your body, then call it body art. An expression of love? It's the sort of thing drunken sailors did and then regretted.
At least T&N didn't have their names tattooed, so won't have to be embarrassed when the relationship ends, which I predict it will.
Tattoos have become very trendy below a certain age (probably below the age of those two?). I do see them settling down and running a place of their own - as I said before I can see the parallels with young Pat and Tony. It is nauseating listening to them but I found old Tom annoying as well - not the actor but the character. He’s had an impetuous puppy streak in him for some time.
DeleteTattoos are very hip and I think rather adorable. I don’t think it is immature but rather he is in the first stage of love and apt to be doing silly things. Good for Tom. At least for Tom the tattoo is within his heritage and not full regret if they breakup, but I hope they don’t.
DeleteSorry I didn’t mean to imply that getting a tattoo is a sign of immaturity. I was picking up on something Stasia said about sailors getting them and regretting it later ie that the culture around tattoos has changed in recent years.
DeleteI would like to see the relationship become long term and with their mutual interest in business projects it has the potential beyond the first flush of love. As long as Tom’s tendency to jump to her every request is his excitement and not her dominance.
Didn't respected veteran TV presenter David Dimbleby acquire a tattoo a few years back or was is it Jonathan, his younger brother? Both were of pensionable age at the time, although with their salaries they have no need of pensions. They would only fritter away their pensions on unsuitable pursuits.
DeleteGood to be reminded that Tom's mother is Welsh. ( was Welsh)
My older cousin, who has a collection of dragons, surprised me by saying that she was going to have a small tattoo of a dragon done for her 70th birthday, but in the end she didn't, she had her hair dyed a rather striking shade of blue instead!
DeleteAnneveggie - I am in agreement with you Tim didn’t sound suspicious to me. I don’t think Ed would succom to doing dubious business anyway. I like him too much. Perhaps if Emma gets on the good side of Jennifer they can borrow some furniture that is in storage in one of the barns 😀😀😀
ReplyDeleteAnd her mate Fallon will upcycle a few pieces.
DeleteGreat ideas today !
ReplyDeleteDon't think Ed would knowingly succumb to something illegal or criminal, but he could become innocently embroiled. Just heard Tim, & smelt trouble !
It was that remark about being ready to do anything as long as it pays. Ed didn't _mean_ anything whether legal or not, but it had the ring of dramatic foreboding about it, and if Tim is dodgy he will have interpreted it to mean Ed isn't too fussy.
DeleteExactly ! Also, the encounter, on Tim's side was too matey, rather than simply pleasant. Tooany questions, encouraging Ed to open out about his life & current situation, 'have my flask' ( friendly on the face of it, but a chance to chat & he would know that an outside worker like Ed would bring his own provisions.)
DeleteAgree - agree - agree
DeleteI mustn't have been listening properly yet again.
ReplyDeleteI thought Tim was the bloke who replaced Geraldine at LL.
I thought he sounded like every other young man who has recently been introduced.
Whilst I don't like "put on" accents like that of Christopher who periodically realises that he has to get an ooh ahh Zummerzet accent in ,at least we know that it is he who is speaking when he does that.
This Tim sounded like half a dozen others..
We have Kirsty with her Merseyside accent but we haven't had a real Scouser yet.
We haven't had a male Geordie either .
Why not an East midland accent ,me duck?
Come to think of it when did we have the last male West Midland accent?
At least Ruari will soon go back to school and presumably Ben will return to his room so that will get rid of two of the Soundalikes.
Re LL.
I don't see Freddie ever being in charge.
I think the best thing for him to do when he comes out of jail is to go to Africa and meet up again with Nolly.
I am not interested in any of.the present romances but the one I most dread is the Helen/Lee one.
I am hoping that Helen will not appear for a while after this latest 5week stint.
We are due a bit of Toby ,Pip ,Rex,Alice .........
I'm indifferent to how many regional accents are represented, only finding the confusion. between similar voices frustrating. There's too much listener focus on ' who's speaking here?', not enough on what they're talking about - that's why we miss information & lose the thread.
DeleteWhat's the point of Freddie joining Noluthando in SA, Lanjan ? She may well be off drugs for life, but I imagine she's still rebelling against dad & generally being stroppy. Who'd keep him ? A lad just out of prison, no qualifications, no skill. Of course he won't ever run LL. What an odd Will, assuming the son obliging fits the slot. I suppose he can sell when he inherits, mum & sister taking their cut, or he comes to an arrangement with Lily, who has a bent bor such work. Meantime, let's see the girl pursue her degree course, ditch the flat with its unused studio & useless artist, & embrace university life.
I must be in a minority, living in "cloud cuckoo land" but I truly believe that Freddie, when released, will understand the enormity of what he has done. He will take quite a long time to agjust +settle down, but will like "The Pheonix", rise up and learn all about LL, so will take it over on his 21st birthday.
DeleteOh dear my rosy coloured glasses need cleaning, yet again.
I agree, Miriam, that Freddie's prison spell will be life changing for him, & with sensible support ( not just chocolate cake & goose feather duvet), he may well make something of his life, but it seems so unlikely it will focused on LL. It is Lily who has been proactive in the business, never Freddie, even before he went off the rails. It was simply his home, but his sister was always interested.
DeleteWhen Matt came out of prison he had become a keen gardener which was definitely not an interest of his prior to this. Perhaps Freddie will acquire a new skill, find his niche as a carpenter, or something he can potter about with on the estate.
DeleteTo be honest,Carolyn I don't care where Freddie goes to as long as he goes.
DeleteI only suggested Africa because I think that was where he wanted to go before he was sent to jail.
I don't see why Lily has to go to University but If she took a year off ,got rid of Russ,got LL on a better footing she would know whether University is for her.
I too don't care whether we hear regional accents but it is only comparatively recently that we have had so many younger characters sounding so similar so we need some way to distinguish between two who sound similar without having to wait until one of them calls the other by name.
Many years ago I went into a pub in the midlands and heard the unmistakable voice of Jack Archer and it was indeed the actor who played him.
My own thoughts only 😀😀
DeleteAt least this is a wonderful place, where it is possible to be able to post these - so many "Thanks Ruthy" for letting this happen.
When Ed + Emma move into their new home, will Emma still have to continue working at the chicken factory, will Ed still be after extra work, despite his work at Home Farm for Adam?
ReplyDeleteAt least they will be paying a mortgage, not rent, so well done them both.
I noticed that Oliver said something about the Grange Farm rent, in that Eddie, Clarrie + Joe, will still be OK implying they will remain there, when Ed + Emma move out, and their rent input is no more.
If Oliver is prepared to take a reduced rent, why didn't he do it previously, to help Ed/Emma out.
Ed has to keep his sheep at Grange Farm, so will he have to pay a fee, for doing so, not sure.
I wonder how Ed + Emma will furnish their new home, as it can be very costly, with:- carpets, curtains, furniture (beds, sofa, tables, chairs), "white goods", TV plus satellite dish/tv ariel+ broadband, etc. There are so many unexpected extra expenses, not forgetting the soliciter and surveyor fees.
DeleteHopefully, Ed + Emma, have saved enough to cover their costs.
Back to a question I asked earlier.
ReplyDeleteWho is Tim please?
Is he the one who replaced Geraldine?
No, G.'s replacement is Glen. Tim is someone Oliver put Ed on to. Someone else may know more.
DeleteThanks,Carolyn.
DeleteTim apparently working at the Country Park. I think he is in the same line of business as Ed being a bit of a free lancer but having some livestock on a small scale. Unless he is the resident handyman for the Country Park? Not sure who would pay his wages though. I have no idea who owns the Country Park? Didn't Jack Woolley own it at one time?
DeleteWhen Tim first spoke I thought it was Will and I thought 'What on earth are the two brothers talking about and why?' Then I thought it was Roy but it still didn't make sense. The it clicked who he was. So I suppose he is speaking with a 'local accent'
I thought it was Roy for a moment, too ! ( Who would have imagined TA becoming such a listening challenge - is it our age, hard of hearing etc. or do many of them really sound so similar, especially at the beginning of a conversation ?)
DeleteSeasider, 5.36pm, yes, that would be a good outcome. It's important he becomes fired up by something.
ReplyDeleteOh dear , this is very frustrating! Because of the time zone difference I am now unable to listen to TA on the day it is broadcast and have to wait until the next day. Which means everyone has already commented on the issues raised and there is nothing left for me to add!
ReplyDeleteIn answer to one or two queries, ages back, it was me who suggested the secret Christmas presents were tattoos and I was delighted to be proved correct, for once.
I didn’t quite know what to make of Hannah’s reaction, jealousy or genuine concern - I’ll just have to wait and see what develops.
I was delighted Ed got on so well with his potential new employer who, to me, seemed to be showing genuine interest in Ed and could offer him a lot more work in future. We need some interesting new characters and I think this chap could be one of them.
So now I have to wait until tomorrow morning until I can sneak into my sons study to hear tonight’s episode. I wonder if the anniversary of Nigel’s death will provoke any interesting happenings at Lower Loxley. Somehow I can’t see Lily heading of back to Manchester just yet. Nighty night, all.
Well done Lily, you are a good daughter and sister, whatever I said before but that was how you were then.
ReplyDeleteShe's growing up.
DeleteExperience makes us all, one way or another.
.....&, In this case, Russ will become so petulant & cross, she can't fail to see through him, & this unbalanced, unreal relationship will bite the dust ......
Delete✔️ Yup !
DeleteWell I do hope Russ has a strop and disappears into the sunset (not much of that at this time of year but you know what I mean I hope!)
ReplyDeleteStick around Lily. I think even after Freddie has been released (end of March) Elizabeth will be so taken up with him she will be unable to administer LoLo. I believe someone (Kenton or Lily?) said that Glen was available for three months so unless he is offered a permanent poision then interviews will have to be done to replace Geraldine while Lily takes Elizabeth's place in the management structure.
I do like Tracey bui wish she wasn't portrayed as cheating with no conscience. Mind you Jim is not really playing fair either is he?
Archerphile please give us your thoughts, even if half a dayl ater. All views are posted here! :)
I find it ludicrous that Jim is going to such lengths to win a dinner for 2 at GG ! It's meant to be amusing, but, alas, these facial muscles didn't even twitch ( well, ok, a few smirks at the way Tracy carries on, in general)
DeleteI agree with comments about tonight’s episode. Jim desperate for the prize? Unlikely.
DeleteAgree with Lan Jan earlier (I think it was you, sorry if wrong, I can’t find the post again)that Lily needs to stay put for a good while and defer her university place. As well as being needed by her mother she’s realised she has missed her chance to settle into college with her peers and admitted weeks ago she found working at Lower Loxley more to her taste. She told Phoebe that living in the flat away from college had been a problem. If she does still want to do a degree she would be better off starting again with a new set of students and in the meantime sloughing off this relationship with Russ. I think she has realised that for a while deep down but hasn’t worked out how to end it. Perhaps she hasn’t wanted to admit to herself that she’s made a mistake with Russ, still less to the rest of the world.
TA teenagers don't seem to do gap-years, apart from Josh who pretended he was on one because he'd decided not to go to university. Just remembered that Alice had a gap year.
DeleteAgree with the comments about Lily finally realizing, but not admitting yet, that Russ is a loser. She knows her mum really needs her and I'm so pleased she's finally acted on that.
ReplyDeleteAlso agree that Jim would hardly be interested in winning a free meal! He's not that desperate.
More likely to be pride in Jim's case. Unless he's thinking of taking his piano teacher with him if he wins. Or Alistair. Alistair and the piano teacher?
DeleteWho is Tracy? Please remind me.
ReplyDeleteTracy Horrobin, Susan's sister. Clive, one of their brothers, is a real bad 'un. He set fire to Christine & George's home with them inside it. That was the culmination of his criminal career. At least one other brother has been in prison. I think Tracy is youngest of 6. Tracy lives with her father, a brother and her 2 children in a council-house. When she moved in she banished her brother to the attic and moved her dad downstairs so that she and the kids could have a bedroom each. Tom is a neighbour. Tracy is "full-on". She pursued Roy for a while until he convinced her he was boring. She took against Kirsty, probably seeing her as a rival. If Lexi becomes pregnant with Adam's child I want to hear Tracy's reaction. I enjoy Tracy and Susan's two-handers.
DeleteTracy doesn't make many appearances. Previous one may have been when she asked Freddie for some pills because she was going to a party.
DeleteLily - I am so proud of you! Russ be gone.
ReplyDeleteArcherphile - in reply to your 7 pm post. How do you listen to TA? I use Apple Podcast, or Stitcher or the BBC website. On all of these, the episode is available just after it is aired. Hope this helps.
ReplyDeleteRuthy, here in Dubai I can listen to any BBC radio station on iPlayer (Radio) exactly as I do at home. The only problem is that we are four hours ahead of the UK, so if I tune in to listen at my usual time of around 10pm it is still only 6pm in England and TA hasn’t been broadcast yet! It would mean staying up late to listen ‘live’, as it were. Also the Wi-fi in my sons house is not great, only available in one room, intermittently, but better than nothing.
DeleteLily ❤️ 👏🏻 ❤️ 👏🏻 I’m with you I couldn’t have left Elizabeth either at this stage. She needs a good medical to determine what effect all the current stress has had on her heart (literally) and mind!
ReplyDelete👍✅
DeleteRead comments after my post, I had forgotten it was Nigel’s Anniversary today - although it was mentioned only recently but not actually in words in this episode...
ReplyDeleteThank you HH - now I remember about Roy and Tracy. She may have said he drives a boring car.
ReplyDeleteShows how times have changed - a university place wasn’t something to be toyed with when I was university-going age! Kenton’s help in supplying a temporary manager hasn’t turned out for the best - much better to have gone ahead with the proper recruitment process as planned and now have someone better at the job than Glen in post, leaving Elizabeth able to stand on her feet. Her Lily- dependence doesn’t bode well for her or Lily, who it seems will be swapping Russ for her mother as a career deterrent.
ReplyDeleteIt is really sad that Lily has had a bad start at university when she has always been so bright, but it was doomed when she took Russ in tow. I hope Elizabeth won’t become permanently dependent but as people have said that Lily can take a gap year and get away if she wants to later. Of course Pip couldn’t do it either.
DeleteTo be fair to Elizabeth, she has had a shock with Freddie going to prison for one thing and somehow it will have reawakened the grief over Nigel. Lily is really all she has left and at the moment she needs that prop. Freddie, hopefully older and wiser will come back in the next few months and time will heal. Then Lily will be able to choose what she wants to do next. It was obvious that with Russ round her neck and living further away from university than intended she was not going to fit in to university life. Maybe she can later when she has more freedom.
DeleteEv. ✔✔✔
DeleteTracy is back, hurrah. I really enjoyed the banter between her and Susan. The references to voting and democracy were great, and I laughed out loud when Susan said 'it's the will of the people'. Very politically current.
ReplyDeleteLily is now the backbone of LL and the running of the business, but she needs to get her mother to realise that she should be checked out mentally and physically, otherwise she could become chained to functioning as a carer plus business administrator.
The D O M Russ was in a hurry to leave, I wonder will go without Lily? Perhaps not, as she has the purse to pay for all his requirements. Surely, He can't hang around Ambridge, too many people know him, and the ex wife may Come looking for him to sort out finances, housing etc. Other than his teaching and having a wife, we don't that much about him.
Saint Lily, I do think Elizabeth's tearful parting was an attempt to rescue her daughter from a miserable future with the DOM.
If so then I forgive her emotional manipulation. Although I think she is ill.
Still Lanjan is right something has to happen in order to save Lily from the 'oleaginous' Russ. Lily is only 19yrs and emotional vulnerable, despite her wonderful business skills.
Elizabeth's mental & physical ills are intimately connected, inevitably & need to be addressed urgently, for her own sake, never mind Lily's just yet. The fact that E. is so enfeebled makes her incapable of taking action herself, coupled with being in denial that there is anything seriously wrong with her. So, it is up to Lily, with family support, to get her to the GP somehow, as a first step. In way, this crisis is a blessing for Lily, because it is going to lead to a rupture with the ghastly Russ !
ReplyDeleteHer degree course is in abeyance for a while, has to be. It may be that she leaves & reapplies for a different course later. Or not.
So pleased that Lily has decided to stay at LL. Hopefully this will be the end of limpet (slimy , clingy and no backbone!) Russ! Also she has not really found the course to her taste and seems to derive far more satisfaction and enjoyment from running LL. I do think that at times we put too much emphasis on university qualifications and undervalue practical skills. it would surely be better for us to encourage youngsters and others to go for more focussed qualifications and/ or practical experience coupled with the possibility of re-entering education at any time of life! We also need far more and far better training schemes, especially in scientific and technical areas, imo. That might also lessen student debt and generally benefit society as a whole! It's an interesting story-line anyway , but could also reflect trends which are beginning to happen! The scriptwriters ahead of the game?
DeleteI don't agree the scriptwriters are ahead of the game. (Are they ever!) However, I certainly agree with your emphasis on the practical and focussed qualifications. Surely this is the parallel and equal flow of a society working towards the future. Not sure the SW's are up to it. They could start by employing a simple tactic of employing actors who are obviously good but have distinctly different voices. It's not exactly rocket science. Perhaps they never listen to the radio themselves! 😟
Delete👍👍
DeleteJust heard the climax of Lily stopping the car and running (?) back to Elizabeth and Lower Loxley.
ReplyDeleteI cheered loudly and my grandsons wondered what on earth Grandma was listening to !!
Now I want to hear Russ’s réaction. Would he just drive off (in Lily’s car) back to Manchester on his own; try to wrestle Lily back into the car and virtually kidnap her; or accept the inevitable with good grace and accept that she needs to stay at home to help her mother and the business.
What an intriguing story for the start of the new year. So much more interesting than who wins dinner at Grey Gables.
There is a fourth scenario, Archerphile - Russ stays on at Lower Loxley too, in order to help Elizabeth. That means Lily won’t be swapping needy lover for needy mum, but have two needles to cater for. I’m worried about Lily - I think she’s abit needy herself and I’m not sure she’s doing as good a job as she could at Lower Loxley. I do agree that if she’s decided on a career in the hospitality/leisure industry, she needs to get a qualification soonest. Apart from its obvious limitations, it may not be an option much longer. Perhaps she could seek some advice from Lexi?
DeleteDr. Rob Locke needs to reappear, as a friend to Lizzie, just to have coffee, or similar. He is someone Elizabeth knows well and trusts. Perhaps he can help her through this difficult time she is experiecing..
ReplyDeleteSorry, should read Dr. Richard Locke. What a slip up.
DeleteI think that might be the last we hear from Russ.
ReplyDeleteI am so fickle.
At one point not too long ago I couldn't be doing with Lily.
Wasn't she the one who was offering advice on relationships a while ago?
Little Miss Know All
Of course that might have been Phoebe but I do know that when they were studying for A level ,Lily was not particularly kind to her less academic brother.
Now she has matured into a sensible young woman -on one hand -and I feel sure she will soon realise that she needs to get rid of Russ.
Now of course I rather like the way she has come to the aid of her mother when Elizabeth's siblings have been useless.
Elizabeth"s siblings are probably not aware of her ongoing problems. She has not really talked to them, she is hiding her feelings and concerns. They do not really know her true situation. Perhaps Lily will tell "all".
DeleteElizabeth's siblings also have their own problems - Shula + Alistair with their divorce + business's, David + Ruth continuing to maintain Brookfield, Kenton + Jolene running "The Bull" as their livelihood.
Elizabeth needs to say "Help" and all her siblings, her Mum and other family, will be there to help her. She needs to make just that first 'phone call.
But will she - or will Lily??
Elizabeth's siblings know that their nephew is in jail and that his mother at this time of year is always vulnerable because it was when her husband was killed therefore in my opinion Shula,David and Kenton could and should have done more to help their sister.
DeleteNone of them has the problems she has had.
Am with Miriam on this one - E. has fobbed them off, pushed them away. I don't blame her, she's confused & in denial. They haven't got her problems, for sure, but they do have busy lives, & if she acts like she's coping, says nothing(at the Brookfield Christmas dinner, most recently, for instance), then how are they to know ?
DeleteAnyway, Lily told them to look out for mum, minutes before she was scheduled to head back to Manchester, so I reckon they'll rally round now.
I have one comment to make.
ReplyDeleteAt least we did not hear any slurping !
I wonder which tattoos they’ll choose.
Delete✓✓ 😉 No, it was just 'nice' as Helen inventively expressed it....
Delete'uninventively'
DeleteWell said Tom..
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely ! The SWs have sharpened up recently, a few people actually speaking their mind. I hope Tom is equally frank with Adam.
DeleteWe have had a new script writer this week. The agricultural adviser has also changed I notice.
DeleteI would love to find out about Olwen. Is she still sleeping in her car in this cold weather? I so enjoyed her brief TA appearance, and would love her to reappear. Not sure though - as Pat is no longer doing her charity work.
ReplyDeleteWell done Eddie. A slap up meal at Grey Gables will be what Clarrie well deserves.
Yes, silly as it all is, it was great that, for once, a Grundy scores. It was well deserved, too, I listened to the first part & Eddie delivered the Miller's Tale with relish, & pantomimic naughtiness - utterly appropriate.
DeleteI admired Lexi’s dignity and restraint in the face of Tom’s personal attack on her.(Can’t say Old Tom would never have behaved like that because I strongly suspect he would!) Thanks to Lexi’s restraint, Adam doesn’t know aboutTom’s rudeness so nothing will be said.
DeleteIn total agreement with you maryellen. Don't think I would have been as civil towards Tom as Lexi was...
Delete