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Archers Comments week of March 2, 2019
Archers Comments week of March 2, 2019
Life outside Ambridge
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Life in Ambridge
THIS POST IS CLOSED "longer off topic comments' - Episode 8 Life Outside Ambridge Beach Chairs
Arrived Turks and Caicos. We almost missed our flight because of a much heavier snow storm early morning. We made it to the gate towards the end of broarding. Sitting at poolside now aaahhhh.
ReplyDeleteObviously, I am still on this blog. I have faith we can all respect everyone else’s points of view. As I have met PtbY - I know her comment didn’t mean to offen.
DeleteSo no sex for Helen. It is time for her to explain herself to Lee before they have another go at it.
Thank you Ruthy, yet another blog, and produced when you are on your holiday.
DeleteRuthy...... you are magnificent !
Enjoy your well deserved break Ruthy ☀️👏🤗
ReplyDeleteAh, the gentle River Am - before Brian polluted it!
ReplyDeleteThank you for another very apt picture Ruthy.
Have a wonderful time on your island in the sun - have you taken 8 records, a book and a luxury with you - as they do on Desert Island Discs? 😊
So pleased you made it Ruthy. Sit back and have a cocktail and relax.
ReplyDelete🏖🍸🌞
Buttercuply charming - and reminiscent of childhood swimming lessons. Lovely!.
ReplyDeleteRuthy, enjoy your time by the pool whilst we linger by the Am and make our wedding preparations in the country. Ha!
ReplyDeleteMaybe I am too curmudgeonly but if T and N must marry with only a week’s notice to friends and family, can they really expect folk to attend? Buy presents? Just go and marry elsewhere if you want to do it in a rush. Have a party afterwards when Pat has more time to choose her outfit. Seems a bit selfish to me.
Tom is a self centred bore.
DeleteWell, if announcing your engagement on the anniversary of your brother's horrific death isn't selfish then I don't know what is Seasider!
ReplyDelete🤭 absolutely!
DeleteHear hear!
DeleteRuthy. Enjoy a warm few days, with a cocktail or two+.🌝🍸🍸🏊
ReplyDeleteThings were becoming quite hot here so, your new blog came at the right time.
Thank you.
Cheers Ruthy! Lovely nostalgic picture, again..
ReplyDeleteI listened very carefully to the omnibus this morning to try and get a hold on Tim’s accent, about which there was speculation in the previous blog.
ReplyDeleteIn fact, I have played the original episode through again too and realised that he reminded me, very strongly, of Guy Martin
He is the chap who makes TV programmes about restoring old cars, tanks and aircraft and was once a motorbike race champion before having an horrendous crash.
He speaks very quickly, much faster than Tim, but I am sure there is the same background accent. Guy Martin comes from Grimsby in Lincolnshire and has lived there all his life. So I wonder, could Tim have a Lincolnshire accent?
Any Lincolnshire folk here who could comment?
No, the actor who plays Tim (Carl Prekopp) was born in Sheffield.
DeleteBut he might be putting on a Lincolnshire accent - after all he is an actor! 😉
DeleteWell as a Grimsby girl I don't recognize it!
DeleteThe second thing that struck me, was about Joe.
ReplyDeleteI think I remember, some time back, that Oliver said Joe could remain at Grange Farm for the rest of his life.
If so, the Grundys wouldn’t have to move out until Joe dies, which can’t be all that long now.
I think Oliver would consent to taking a lower rent for a while to make good his promise to Joe.
Good research, AP, & I hope the editorial team are as assiduous in relation to Oliver's promise !
DeleteMany of us remember Olivers promise to Joe.
DeleteI cannot imagine that the SW would forget this.
Which suggests to me that Eddie and Clarries concerns have been brought to the fore in order to create ' drama '.
I dont much care where Tim has come from. Many people move around in their lives and might find themselves far from home but happy or at least settled, and stay until some event prompts them to move on again.
Oliver also reassured Ed that there was no need for him to worry once he moves out.
DeleteWould anyone like to hazard a guess as to how Tom and Natasha have managed to circumvent the law of the land to get a 'cancellation' at the Registry Office?
ReplyDeleteDid they notify the Office of their intention to get married over a month ago but not tell anyone of the ceremony? In which case GG's point about announcing the wedding on the anniversary of your brother's death is more unbelievable.
Or did the editor and S/Ws just not bother to check and let the 'cancellation fairy.' facilitate this storyline?
Not realizing the significance of the 28 days I googled it. It would seem Tom and Natasha must have registered and not announce until the anniversary of John's death. This all just feels so wrong because Tom couldn't even wait for Natasha to announce. And Natasha for in a 10 year relationship and with Tom just a few months?
Deleteindeed. so many extremely irritating SLs at the moment.
DeleteAs well as the compulsory 28 days notice BOTH partners MUST have been living in the relevant district for at least 7 days - where does/did Natasha live? If both of these criteria are not met (unless in exceptional circumstances) then the Registrar cannot legally marry you!
ReplyDeleteSo either it WAS planned and Tom not only lied to his family AND deliberately chose his dead brother's anniversary to tell them, or it's all badly written nonsense. Hmmmmmm - let me think...😕😏
You can get a special licence if neither of you lives permanently in the area. This applied to us as we were both in the Navy but were married in Crewe where my parents lived. We could not at that time marry in the C of E as Mike had been divorced - the “innocent” partner and before I met him! We had a church blessing afterwards.
ReplyDeleteIn Scotland you can get married ANYWHERE you wish to - be it in a swimming pool, supermarket or the local pub. And a Humanist ceremony has the exact same legal recognition as a registry office or a church. Hurrah for Scotland!
DeleteHence Gretna Green.
DeleteI think the rules changed farly recently in the UK (excluding Scotland) because of 'sham' marriages. I googled and the government website says nothing about Special Licences for Registry Office weddings. However I didn't go through all the different criteria for not living in the area for 28 days I must admit. A Poster on Mustardland website said that special licences can only be obtained for limited reasons (terminal illness for example)
DeleteI worry for Joe. He seems to be giving up on life. He was adamant he wanted to live at Grange Farm until he died, but Nic's anniversary of her sad demise, seems to have really affected him.
ReplyDeleteI wonder what Oliver has been doing with his Tuscan Villa, esp. as B-day is fast looming.
PS Wonderful photo Ruthy. How I wish I was there - wherever it is. Enjoy your idyllic break away.
DeleteI was pleasantly surprised at Joe being reasonable for once.
DeleteInstead of his 'Poor old me' act, he acknowledged that he'd been extremely blessed to have those years back at Grange Farm. Nic's death seems to have made him realise that there are more important things than bricks and mortar.
Or perhaps he's spoken to Ed and remembered Oliver's assurances. He can milk the benefits now of being stoically accepting, knowing that Oliver will turn up and tell him he can stay, probably at £5 per month.
Reformed character or cynical manipulator? We shall see...
There were the same comments about Helen & Rob marriage on the Isle of Wight.
ReplyDeleteFrom a comment I picked up on in the Omnibus but missed in Fridays episode, is that Joe doesn't appear to pay anything towards the rent or his keep. This I can understand, when an elder relative is taken in, to live with their family.
ReplyDeleteI wonder what he has been doing with his pension - is he one of those, who feel obliged to leave a legacy to kith + kin, as many feel they need to?
Having accepted the programme’s major distortion of reality to accommodate another county in the middle of the British Isles (which must havenarrowed the Channel and the Irish Seaand affected the extent of territorial waters, fishing rights, altered the number of sitting MPs, and had untold knockon effects), I now feel I can to cope with any minor infringements of reality involving Registry Office regulations etc etc etc. In a fictional county, fictional things can happen.......
ReplyDeleteThat's the point - Ambridge + TA is fictional and sometimes is not totally 100% as accurate as it could be, but I don't care.
DeleteI love this interlude of pure escapism, in an envorement, so different from real life as I know it.
I don't feel worried for Joe.
ReplyDeleteJoe was for many years portrayed as a curmudgeonly old bugger, with fixed views and attitudes.
However the SWs have over recent years allowed Joe to come to terms with many changes, perhaps starting with the family exodus to the housing estate away from Ambridge.
Now Joe seems to me to be illustrating in a very realistic way a peaceful and reflective path towards the end of his life here on earth.
I agree. His.mind is on the important things now.
DeleteI have a soft spot for Joe, and I hope his wish comes true - to end his life at Grange Farm.
DeleteI don't feel sorry for Joe at all.
DeleteHe's lived the life of Riley being spoilt by Clarrie .
He has been a miserable old beggar trying to sponge off everyone.
I hope they find a sock full of banknotes hidden with his long johns when he dies.
It is time to give something back.
Totally agree LanJan. He was a useless farmer, leeching on his neighbours (I remember Dan Archer dipping Grange Farm sheep) and causing trouble re diseases because of his negligent ways. Neither he nor his resident son are 'lovable rogues.'
DeleteIdle wet Sunday musings : suppose Natasha never left her lover of 10 years, but reported back to him how besotted Tom was with her in those early days, & how gullible generally, & what a promising set up Bridge Farm was, & they plotted together to create a makeover & then a takeover ? It becomes vague then, but they've figured out some legal wrangle once the marriage has happened. The rest of the family ? N. will coax the parents into full retirement ( plenty of carrots, all toed up legally), keep Johnny on because he'ypung, keen & able, probably not worry about Helen, because she's so flakey, &, with her parents happily retired to Spain, will need all her time coping with 2 boisterous boys. Not quite sure how they'll manage Tom, perhaps send him to the States again.
ReplyDeletePlease feel free to ignore/mock/sigh, at all the above...
I think the ex is in fact her "hubbie". She is entering a bigamous marriage, with a massive scheme + scam in the planning.
DeleteWell my thoughts will be well put in the bin, but love to think outside of the normal.
😭😭😭
I take it that Kirsty hasn't been invited to the wedding.
ReplyDeleteGary Gilday 3.08 pm:
ReplyDeleteYou can get married anywhere in Scotland as long as it's fixed coordinates, so not anything moving according to my daughter who is getting married near Edinburgh in May. She told me a story about a friend who got chicken pox a few days before her wedding so was unable to attend the Register Office. The office phoned round to find a registrar who was known to be immune to chicken pox and available to marry her at home in her lounge.
They will be renaming the programme soon.
ReplyDeleteIt gets sillier and sillier.
How about"Listen with mother ?"
Are you sitting comfortably ?
Then I'll begin.
Oh wasn't it just dreadful: Susan pushing Tracy forward to put Roy off, he in turn with his hoover demo, because he can't face a wedding, especially another one of Tom's, Jolene suffering from social media intrusion, Lee chasing after elusive Helen...please no more rubbish.
ReplyDeleteI am confused
ReplyDeleteTom told his parents about the wedding last Monday.
I presume the wedding invitations hadn't been sent out before then.
Sixty guests are expected and presumably some will be coming from Wales.
The invitations would be sent out on Tuesday and hopefully received on the following day but some folk might only have received their invites after they returned home from work.
This brings us to Wednesday evening.
Some folk work and others will have to travel.
Will there have been the usual Gift List (dreadful practice) enclosed?
(We once got a list and everything on it would have cost more than we were prepared to spend)
Will they say they would prefer money?
(Equally dreadful )
They should have said that in view of the shortage of notice they required no presents.
They will only be getting a buffet at The Bull.
Who wrote the invitations?
Were Mr and Mrs Welsh Parents in on it and sent the invitations out?
Will her mum be miffed because she hasn't had time to buy a mother of the bride outfit ?
Where will the Welsh guests stay?
The obvious thing is for Tom and Natasha to go to the registry office alone ,get a couple from the street to act as witnesses and tell us all next Friday what they have done.
Another ridiculous storyline.
I am going away now to think on what Carolyn has suggested.
That idea has potential.
Now a days there are invite sites on the internet. I have a niece and nephew getting married this year and both sent emails, followed with cards, and text messages. The young ones aren’t that formal and giving the time constraints, I think anyone of those, + close family would have receive a phone call.
Delete✔✔
DeleteClare in the Community made up for it immediately after - I think that series is brilliant!
ReplyDeleteA great favourite of mine too Maryellen.
DeletePoor old Lee, I really think he deserves an explanation for Helen's Cinderella act.
ReplyDeleteThere again, how long has he been in the area? Surely he read the papers a year ago, something must ring a bell. Or he could try googling 'Helen Archer, Ambridge'. That would certainly fill in a few gaps in her history ...
Lee definitely could have googled Helen and gotten an extensive history. Another SL that doesn’t make any sense. Helen is being childish and cruel by avoiding Lee. If I were him run for the hills.
DeleteYep, a lucky escape, one is tempted to think. If she feels anything for the man - & she's given every indication that she does - she should have summoned the courage to seek him out, come clean, say sorry & let him decide if he really can take her on, as it were. It's cruel, rude, cowardly & all aspects of appalling to leave him in the dark & scuttle off with her oh so mellifluous voice, which belongs in reality to a cultivated, decent woman, who is in control, capable, courteous & kind. Everything which Helen is not. Her long discarded prison friend, Kaz, had more quality in her little finger.
DeleteRant over.
Rant on Carolyn Ruthy and OWIAS - between you, you have said as much as can be said about Helen, the woman who is yet to grow up and BE a woman.
DeleteHowever ....... if FOSO is looking in, we will all get it in the neck.
Not a compelling deterrent, Mrs P. ! Still, Ex Londoner, you are obviously right that Helen has PTSD, so maybe better to rant at the writers who make her &:her family so stupid that they don't see it, didn't expect it, over 2 years ago, ignorantly hoping that a protected family life would heal such a trauma. Is Ambridge such a backwater that they are unaware of the condition ? I suppose the new editor has to muddle through with what he finds, & it's a bit late to make this strand convincing.
DeleteHas Lee given any details of why his wife kicked him out, that I might have missed? So far I’ve only picked up that “sometimes it’s better to be apart for the childre’s sake”. I don’t know either if they are actually divorced?
DeleteTony Archer can be Tom’s best man.
ReplyDeleteI think it should be Johnnie
Delete(Or maybe one of the Anguses?)
Brilliant 🐂
DeleteMoo, moo, mooo ( they are cows, aren't they?)
Deletemaryelle (previous blog)
ReplyDelete'I think Jack is a time bomb waiting to explode.'
Sure you're not confusing him with Jack-Jack from The Incredibles ? ; )
Oh dear, I’ve never heard of The Incredibles, I’m afraid. Will google.
ReplyDeleteRe: Saint Joe - always found it odd that such dreadful selfish people start to "see the light" & belatedly begin to focus on the "important things" when they are at the end of their life. Doesn't redeem them in my eyes. Or presumably the eyes of their maker, if they believe in such things. Those sort of people infuriate me! Grrrr.
ReplyDeleteDon't think any of us have described him as St. Joe GG.
DeleteJust a miserable old git who just seems to be seeing the light a little.
And no, it doesn't redeem him.
It's just the way it is !
Don't think he was ever that bad, GG ! A bit of a chancer, Abit of a scoundrel, but mostly heart in right place, &he did give listeners some light relief...
DeleteMea culpa! Me coming across as too harsh again - once I've re-read what I hastily wrote I do realise that it seems as if I hate the old duffer. I don't really! He only deserves a wee grrr... And even that's growled tongue in cheek! 🐯👉😼
DeleteI do think Lee is being treated unfairly; to me he seems a really decent bloke. However, Helen is suffering from unacknowledged PTSD. For this to be treated properly with good professional input would make rather a heavy storyline, especially as we already have her first-cousin-once-removed in therapy. I'm pleased to have a bit of light relief in the shape of Susan's dinner party! (But having just had a heads-up that Chris and Alice are going to be invited, I'm expecting some sort of family melt-down....)
ReplyDeleteOh dear sweet Jolene! The internet is full of people being nasty you say? You poor thing! Whoever would have thought? Of course, a bit of "sass" posted in response will sort that nonsense out once and for all and we will never need hear of it again. Obvs.
ReplyDeleteGrrrr and harrumph...
She also said she had invited Kirsty and Roy. Philip will be left out if so and there might be fireworks between Brian and Kirsty in spite of their uneasy truce! This should be better than Abigail’s party! Alice was quite rightly a bit tetchy with Susan too when she insisted on staying around in spite of Alice needing to get on with her work. There’s nothing worse than folk who won’t take the hint! A recipe for disaster in spite of the coquilles St Jacques!
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to some kind of horrific combination of the Bette Davis' movie "The Anniversary" and the film "Festen". Please do Google if you are unaware of either - both a delight! (In completely different ways...)
DeleteBest bit of tonight’s episode - Susan thinking she could be a ‘Therapist in a Tabard!
ReplyDeleteThe rest was rubbish, unconvincing, unbelievable and frustrating.
I agree Archerphile - I loved that line from Susan. She can be so funny.
DeleteEv - I absolutely loved Abigail's Party. It was a classic.
Anneveggie,Abigail's Party is on Tour at the moment.
DeleteIt has good write ups.
I know somebody who is going when it gets to Edinburgh
I also thought it was the most quotable line we’ve had since I can’t remember when - well done Susan and scriptwriters.
DeleteThat was a great line from Susan, but don't forget the one earlier when she referred to Natasha as a "juice goddess, or something like that". Loved it.
DeleteThat's interesting to know Lanjan. I saw a revival production some years back in the West End and it was excellent.
DeleteThere again, perhaps she was concerned that we'd all forgotten the rather natty tabbards that some pr-savvy shop assistant realised the Village Shop so desperately needed.
DeleteNow, who was that? I can't quite recall...
With a bit of luck,Natasha will get stuck in traffic on Friday.
ReplyDeleteWith a bit of luck,Natasha will get stuck in traffic on Friday.
ReplyDeleteIndeed it was published twice.
ReplyDeleteI seriously hope Tom and Natasha will marry as planned, closing the unsatisfactory chapters of his life and allowing everyone to move forward - with the prospect of a bright future for Bridge Farm building on the Archer family’s previous success, and two or three little bowpersons to make their debut there in due course!
ReplyDeleteWould such pleasantries ever happen in TA.
DeleteBowpersons?
Archers! Good one maryellen...😊
DeleteJust adaptingTony Hancock to modern times.....
DeleteForever moaning and miserable do you mean?
DeleteTA is mostly funnyHa,Ha. But the only humerus characters are Susan and Tracy, IMHO.
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteI was adapting the title of Tony Hancock’s spoof The Bowmen, not referring to the role he habitually played. I think the character in The Archers who most resembles that character is Joe Grundy - soon to be was Joe Grundy if my guess is correct.
DeleteI remember that Hancock spoof on the Archers Maryellen. Am I mistaken in thinking Beryl Reid took one of the parts or perhaps that was another programme?
DeleteI got that wrong - it was The Bowmans, with Hancock playing a Walter Gabriel type, but sadly, no Beryl Reid.
DeleteI remember it very clearly.
DeleteSusan could recommend Elizabeth's therapist go on line where she will be able to chech out some very fetching TABARDS. She could wear one on the next therapy session, it just might enhance her credibility.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth needs to spend more time in the shop talking to Susan, at least she won't have to pay £100 for mms, nods of the head, and our time is up.
Time with Susan would incur just spending a pound on a packet of chocolate biscuits.
I think our “ therapist in a tabard “ would struggle with client confidentiality 🗣
ReplyDeleteSusan would be more fun than a nodding dog.
DeleteA discreet advert in the shop window, ' Do you need a good therapist to help you audit and rationalise your past? Spend 45minutes with a management trained post Mistress And she will talk all your troubles away.
No confidentiality agreement required.
TABARDS are rewarded at the end of the therapy.
No appointments needed, just buy a stamp or coffee to go.
✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️😂Stasia.
DeleteStasia, how could you?!?
DeleteTabards are awarded only to permanent staff of the Village Shop. You can't just go handing them out willy-nilly like free samples of kefir.
Susan. A Therapist in a Tabard - she will listen intently, as just wants to hear any gossip. I would much prefer Lynda or Oliver
ReplyDeleteShe is certainly a good listener. She’s also solution-focused. Quite happy to offer suggestions on how to resolve matters. Not quite so strong on helping you find your own. Good if you prefer a quick fix.
ReplyDeleteWhy waste time hunting for your own solutions when Mrs Carter's are always self-evidently perfect?
DeletePrecisely.🤗😉
DeleteYes, Hannah was in with a chance but she blew it by being too forward.
ReplyDeleteFunnily enough, because I can't abide Hannah's personality, felt rather sorry for her tonight. She thought she could be all casual & modern with Tom, but then fell for him( can't think what the attraction is !). Also, she showed far more self knowledge, interestingly, than most of the Archer women ( Shula, Pip, Helen, Kate & Elizabeth springing to mind)
DeleteMmmm. Felt much the same as you C.
DeleteI hope that Johnnie never finds out that Tom only asked him to be Best Man.
ReplyDeletebecause he had run out of ideas as to who to ask
How does Tom think the living situation is going to work out between his new wife and former friend with benefits?
What a plonker.
If it is too far for him to travel from where Natasha now lives why will it not be too far for Natasha to travel from Ambridge to her place of work or is it this side of her present home ie between there and Ambridge
They should have sorted living arrangements before booking the wedding date. What a chaotic pair! Even if married they could live apart for a short while even so. It is too much to squeeze into the lodgings apart from the connotations of Tom’s past conquest!
DeleteLet's hope we don't end up with a menage a trois.
DeleteOooh! Let's hope we do!
DeleteIt could end up as a quadruple a trois. Johnny would gain some experience, unless he runs for the cowshed.
DeleteWhy is Helen behaving so badly towards Lee?
ReplyDeleteIs wasn't his fault he played some music that reminded her of Rob.
Gosh Pat and Tony you haven't half got a pair of strange children.
I doubt she can face him, Lanjan. I suppose she was hoping for a calm & close moment to come out with her lurid past, but now feels she's blown it, too scared & ashamed to seek him out.
DeleteTom is a twit! Johnny is so much more emotionally mature than Tom will ever be. Do have to feel for Hannah, just a little bit?
ReplyDeleteWhy wasn’t Helen present when they put the Montebeliers out in the field? I would have thought that was a momentous event.
Perhaps she’s still out buying Tom a wedding present to avoid Lee. So sad that she doesn’t feel able to explain to him why she reacted badly. Still it keeps us in suspense - will she eventually bump into him or come to terms with the need to contact him to explain? Will she tell him the truth? Does he already know as people have suggested? What will the outcome be of this conversation, if it happens? The script writers do like to string things out.
DeleteI suppose though, it echoes Elizabeth when she had near misses with Ifty and Dr Locke. Not easy to dare to get involved again following a trauma.
This whole wedding story is ridiculous. What mature (in age only) couple would arrange their marriage in 2 weeks time with no firm plans for where to live afterwards? What considerate landlord would only consult his fellow tenants a few days beforehand if they would mind him brining his bride back to overcrowd the accommodation. What considerate son would expect his parents to be pleased he has arranged a ‘shot gun’ wedding with no time for them to prepare. What idiot would expect all his friends to be able to attend the wedding on a weekday at such short notice, let alone take on best man duties. (What does an almost 40 yr old man need a best man at a register office wedding for anyway?)
ReplyDeleteThe whole thing is a complete farce and has made me feel less certain that our new Editor knows what he is doing.
Agree 100% Archerphile
Deletei have a feeling that we may be going down hill with regard to editors.
1) Have a plot.
2) Losing the plot.
3) Lost the plot.
💔❓⁉️
DeleteI also felt a bit for Hannah tonight even though I've not liked her before. How awkward could it be for the bloke she's fallen for to be about to move in with his new bride. I hope the walls are very thick!
ReplyDeleteAlso agree that I hope Johnnie doesn't find out he wasn't first choice for best man. He was genuinely touched by being asked. Tom is so clueless.
I know! And can you just imagine the horror of your first weeks as a newly married couple, shacking up with Hannah Hangover and Johnny? ( Lovely tho' he is, couldn't see me approaching 40 & sharing a house with him!) It's all just madness isn't it? There surely MUST be a reason for all the haste that we haven't been told yet.
ReplyDeleteYou would think the “emotionally mature” Johnny would have twigged it would be tactful to move back to Bridge Farm.
Delete??? Only if Pat and Tony feel like moving in with Hannah and Johnny!
DeleteI think Peggy will come up with an accommodation offerto someone.
DeleteAgree. Peggy gets on with young people. Maybe Hannah could move in, at least she is young enough to avoid tripping over the dreaded Hilda Ogden. She and Hilda have a lot in common.
DeleteI, very tentatively, suppose Hannah’s sickness couldn’t be due to pregnancy - could it?
ReplyDeleteI’m prepared to be shot down in flames but.....feeling very tired, sick in the mornings?
Now that really could put a spanner in the works. Tom could find himself the father of two babies in the next few months , Hannah’s and Natasha’s!
And how would poor Kirsty feel then ?
No, stop it Archerphile, you are getting carried away. 🤭
✅ fits in with the scriptwriting. unfortunately that would be two babies too many. We have Adam's baby to look forward to, and we had the pleasure of Rosie only a few months back.
DeleteCheshire cheese, needs to get to Ambridge pronto to set up an advisory clinic.
😮😮😮 oh no, possible though
DeleteHannah talked of alcohol fumes, so to me it was a hangover, also, she's slept with other(s)?
ReplyDeleteI thought Natasha's relationship ended because she didn't want babies, or was it him?
She didn't want babies with previous BF, which made her realize she didn't love him any more.( He wanted to start a family with her)
DeleteThanks Carolyn, that makes sense.
DeleteBrenda didn’t want babies and Tom did. If he’s involved with another woman who doesn’t want a family (can’t remember) has he changed his mind?
ReplyDeleteI am glad Roy said no to attending/being best man because I can’t understand how Tom has the front to expect people to drop everything and come to his last minute wedding when he made such a mess last time. Perhaps they still have the outfits and presents from last time and can recycle them.
I've bought him a subscription for a year's supply of kefir.
ReplyDeleteStill thinking what to buy Natasha.
Should they ask Hannah to be bridesmaid do you think?
😂😂
DeleteA juicer, perhaps?
I'm with GG - there must be a yet undisclosed reason for the haste. Something similar happened with a friend of mine at university. He got married so that his girlfriend could go to America with him. Please Tom and Hannah, go abroad and leave us in peace!
ReplyDeleteI reckon Hannah may end up with Jazzer, as long as it's not on a rebound.
ReplyDeleteStasia 9:19 AM: Now there's a storyline with all the sleeping around in Ambridge, antibiotic resistant gonorrhoea.
ReplyDelete👍😬✔️
DeleteRidiculous ?
ReplyDelete''Twas ever thus !
Whatever happened to "The Archers-an everyday story of Countryfolk?
ReplyDeleteWhat should it be called now?
The Archers - Life in a Country Village.
DeleteLet's face it - most country villages are now having massive new building sites on their outskirts. Justin is also doing this in Ambridge. What were quiet country lanes, are now becoming major traffic routes.
LanJan - The BBC now refers to the programme as "Contemporary drama in a rural setting." I think that is a catch all description to allow any subject through!
DeleteEvery year since I was a teenager I have given up chocolate and sweets for Lent.
ReplyDeleteThen I added Alcohol .
It is stupid really because I wasn't doing anybody any good doing that apart from me possibly
In the last two years I have made donations to Charity relating to the number of posts I do each day on our site.
At least I think that was what Idid
(One of the bloggers on the previous site we used actually gave up blogging for Lent
I didn't want to do that)
Maryellen joined in too.
We made a bob or two.
Any ideas for this year?
Lent starts tomorrow.
Lent is a deprivation, sorry Lanjan I'm with Hannah, just give Eddie Grundy £30 pounds for the intensive care unit, and then have a drink and some chocolate to celebrate your generosity. 🍸🍘💉🏥
DeleteLanJan - as I recall, I sponsored your blogging for the whole of Lent, with a set amount per posting and twice the amount if it was in verse - regardless of whether I agreed with your comment or the verse scanned 🙂 I think you made £20 whichI I sent to Refuge with an explanatory note.
DeleteWell remembered Maryellen.
DeleteIt was the year before I paid up if I posted more than a certain number of comments.
I know ether last year or the year before or maybe both, the money was sent to a Refuse Charity set up by an Archers listener I think.
Maybe I have got that wrong.
I am not sure about Alan's idea really.
Surely a good Christian would help a neighbour out without expecting them to give money to Charity ?
Many folk give to their own favourite Charity and shouldn't be morally blackmailed to give to another deserving cause.
Stasia you are right as is Hannah .
Good Christians.
DeleteGood Christians help their fellow man ( all genders ! ) on a daily basis, as and when.
Several good Christians here in Stroud today.
Two stayed with the dog as I did a very quick shop for essentials.
Another, when passing on her way back to her car, stopped to admire Lady, and offered us a lift home, even though she lived up the top of another valley.
I aim to be a good Christian on a daily basis.
Surely it is not the prerogative of Christians to help their fellow men, I am not a Christian, but would like to think that I do not pass by on the otherside when someone is in need.
DeleteI am sticking my neck out, and posting many of my "wild + wacky" thoughts, which I know many don't like.
ReplyDeleteNatasha - as LJ has said - how will she manage her own business from Ambridge?
Hear goes:-
I think the wedding is being rushed into a bit too quickly, and it seems to be Natasha's decision, as it is her birthday.
She is playing Tom and thinks she's doing the same, with being the Bridge Farm expert.
Natasha thinks that she has convinced Pat + Tony, that she knows best as to the new Food Box enterprise + new website.
Natasha is out for all she can get, and thinks that by marrying Tom, she will have a major part of the control in Bridge Farm, which will, not only save her own failing juice business, but will also be loved + accepted by all.....but not by Helen + Johnny.
To conclude - I do not trust Natasha and The Wedding is part of a scam.
Nats Ex is not that, she is still involved with him, somehow.
DeleteMiriam, your last point: that crossed my mind as well. Are we just too suspicious after Rob? Incidentally I saw him make a brief appearance in Call the Midwife on Sunday - Timothy Watson of course. Posing as a prosecution lawyer!!
DeleteI watched Midwife - but missed Rob. It is still on HDD so will look again.
DeleteSadly every newcomer to Ambridge, is deemed a scoundrel, something to hide, with a past, and not as genuinly appears. How sad this is.
What if Lee is Rob's stooge, sent to spy on Helen?
Delete*That* track was deliberately put in the play list to spook her.
Ah Ha Seasider !
DeleteI recognised that man, but couldn't place him.
Thank you.
Is Oliver still working at The Bull or was that a temporary arrangement?
ReplyDeleteEd was right to question access to the new house. Also, where will he keep his tractor, at Grange Farm yard I suppose. It seems he and his parents don't communicate, he's forgotten that Oliver told him they'll be all right when he leaves and they haven't told him that Joe is not worried about leaving.
ReplyDeleteEmma, you've let us down.
DeleteEmma to Justin: Rant, rant, rant
Justin: Come and see the muddy patch that will be your new vaguely-affordable home
Emma: Oh, goody, goody! Aren't you a lovely man!
At least Ed didn't roll over to have his tummy tickled too.
Emma hasn't let me down OWIAS! She acted as she always acts - consumed by the desire to own a house. Nothing and no-one will stand in her way. Want, want, want! Depressing. It's as if she genuinely believes being in thousands upon thousands of pounds worth of debt will somehow make her happy. What a truly terrible quality of life she is creating for herself - she will be working all her crappy jobs 18 hours a day till she keels over eventually, having never truly enjoyed her dream home...
DeleteEd came across more streetwise &canny than I've ever him before - good ! And he woke Will up to family concerns that didn't centre round him. Actually, it was nice to hear the brothers just relating normally( not rowing, not treading on eggshells, not awkward in any way).
DeleteRather liked Justin tonight, as well. Kate is exceptionally thick skinned but after all her relatives, one after another, find her unlivable with, perhaps she might get the point ? Nah, ' course she won't.
So Material Homes is still operational ? In what currency does the masseuse get paid - kale soup ?
Kate will just think everyone is picking on her!
DeleteI was only the second member of my family ever to have the security of owning the roof over my head, Emma will be the first, won't she?
DeleteNeil and Susan own their own home. Neil built it himself, with the help of Mike Tucker, on land which was left to him in the Will of his one time employer Bill Insley. He already had pigs there and he and Susan lived in one of the Council houses on The Green. Susan suggested they build their own house so Neil would be nearer his work.
DeleteSo Emma's desire to own her own home is repeating her mother's all those years ago!
Niel and Susan are home owners, firstly 1 the green, until they built their own where they now live
DeleteMiriam
ReplyDeleteI would like to think you are right regarding Natasha?
In what way do you think the wedding is a scam?
Do you think she is married to Daffyd?
She obviously has an eye to the main chance.
I don't like Hannah but I would trust her more than Natasha.
What I find strange is that Tom met Natasha when he was doing hisNuffield project or whatever it was.
He never said that he had met someone who lived quite close by.
I assumed that Natasha still lived in Wales.
When did she move closer to Ambridge?
She is sharing a flat-with whom?
I would like her to stand Tom up on Friday and then vanish.
But then Tom would marry Hannah on the rebound
DeleteWould serve him right if N did stand him up after what he did to Kirsty!
DeleteMrs BeDoneByAsYouDid was least favourite character in least favourite children’s book.....
DeleteThé Water Babies?
DeleteCC - Oliver’s gig at the Bull was only during the busy Christmas season - I believe.
ReplyDeleteThanks, I wasn't sure
DeleteI don't think Emma has a realistic idea about the size of her future home. How many bedrooms does it have? Most of the affordable homes being built around here are two, and even if it has three they will be small. Ed and the Grundys have been used to lots of farm space to dump their trailers, vans, old machinery, and building rubbish.
ReplyDeleteThe neighbours won't take kindly to him leaving his "gear" near their homes.
I agree Stasia, but Emma is her mother's daughter and she will create, and keep, a tidy home and surroundings however limited the space may be.
DeleteYour point abut the Grundys ' man spreading' is another matter and Ed might find that he needs to rent a convenient yard somewhere.
I have a feeling that Emma will still find something to complain about and grumble over endlessly even when she has moved into her brand new home.
ReplyDeletePleased to hear that Lilian has finally seen the light with Kate and Justin's really fed up with her too. I hope she moves back to SA.
Anneveggie, totally agree with you about Emma's capacity for relentless, never-ending whingeing!
DeleteBut much as Kate annoys me, I hope she stays on and sofa surfs her way round every single dwelling in Ambridge. Just for the listening lols!
Me too GG. Kate is a catalyst that stirs things up in Ambridge, and we can never be quite sure what dreadful thing she will do next. Keeps all those 'everyday folk' on their toes!
DeleteJust listened to last night's episode. Justin to Emma: "You can watch the children while you're doing the cooking". I suppose we have to expect such assumptions about women's roles from someone like Justin! (International Women's Day on Friday.)
ReplyDeleteIt’s a fact of life though that women are the main carers of children and also generally do the cooking! Men are far more useful around the house nowadays having said that. Cooking, caring and making a home are great things to do and badly undervalued IMO. Much of it is mundane but makes the backbone of the family. If nothing else Emma does well in this area!
DeleteIt's a miracle that my husband and I can feed ourselves and have access to clean clothes - I still have to call a female neighbour every time to talk me through the ironing. Oh, if only there was a woman in the house! If only I could be more "useful" Ev! Whatever shall I do! Woe is me...😕😉😁
DeleteGoodness GG, we are two women living in a house and I certainly don't see any resemblance between us and the Ambridge domestic cleaning goodness that is Emma or Jenifer,Jill etc. I gave up ironing years ago and neither of us has ever baked a cake since leaving school.
DeleteI loathe house work and certainly wouldn't have Kate living in my house, much as I love her shanningons. Her ablilty to coexist with others is sadly lacking.
Emma can come round and clean our house any day.
The filthiest, most slovenly and least "house-proud" people I have ever shared a flat with have, without exception, been women! And I didn't mind in the least...😊
DeleteDifferent story once I got my own house though - I am one of those "DON'T TOUCH THE CUSHIONS!" type of monsters. And I don't mind in the least...😊
My mum was a 'treasure' three employers over a period of forty years, and always much appreciated for her housewifery skills.
DeleteShe also taught me, my husband and later in life my female partner, wallpapering and painting.
Both her daughters messy insufficient housewives, and this one still is.
But then ..... I have excellent woodworking skills, with grown men swooning over my exquisite dovetails, have 'done up' a number of properties without a man to back me up.
My daughter works her fingers to the bone in a highly paid business position while her house husband feeds her and does the washing, shopping, and cleaning.
There are always exceptions! Was generalising! Personally hate housework but do it as don’t like chaos! Am an ex -Wren and remember someone saying once we let things go then clean for Captain’s rounds! Quite true! Am no domestic goddess. G G - I don’t believe a word and bet your house is perfect!
DeleteI actually really, really enjoy housework Ev! I cannot stand mess, guddle* or dust so even if I do say it myself - my house is pretty much tickety boo on the neatness front!
Delete*guddle - word used by my mother to denote an untidy mess, particularly pertaining to a house.
I knew it, GG! I was offended once when at a lunch at the Captain’s house when I was at home looking after two stepdaughters, a baby, a dog and of course my husband someone asked “Do you work? “ to which I replied “Yes, very hard!” It seemed only paid work was of any value. I don’t know how Emma holds it together with her jobs but of course she has Clarrie and co as a backstop. The problem with service life was that you were always far away from family. The Pip situation astounds me as she seems to have had a baby and then carries on as if Rosie is just a minor blip!
DeleteI listened again at lunchtime and although I know what you mean Gary I really do like Emma because she is ,deep down -or even not so deep -really kind hearted.
ReplyDeleteShe is lovely with Joe.
I would have pushed him into the slurry heap years ago.
She has to live with Clarrie who would drive me round the bend .
Also the actress is so good.
When she changed tack when speaking to Justin it was excellent.
✓✓ very much agree. She made her mistakes, but without losing sparkiness she's become responsible & earlier untamed passions ( one might say!) have found more worthy focus nowadays. She's human, has been longing for this house so of course she's going to rhapsodize uncritically ! Ed is, fortunately, more objective. They make a great team, so really hope she doesn't 'stray' ( ref. earlier, old flame Will, new flatterer, Tim)
DeleteAnd I agree with you both.
DeleteI love Emma + Ed. I admire them for being able to obtain an affordable home, the deposit and their mortgage, to buy it. I do wonder if it will suit them, esp as Joe, Clarrie + Eddie will be moving from Grange Farm.
ReplyDeleteWhat about Eds Texcels, + his tractor - surely he will end up paying rent on land, and storage.
I think Ed + Emma will suddenly realise what they will be missing, and then do a massive U-turn.
If Oliver told Joe he could end his days at Grange Farm then the Grundys are going nowhere until then and Ed's business can operate from there, Oliver told him there'd be no problem about rent.
ReplyDeleteI seem to remember that converataion. Let's hope that Oliver doesn't renage on it.
DeleteThe Grundys, with all the 4 differing generations, will then benefit to suit them.
Is it a dream too far...
PS Where are Oliver + Jim, I miss them.
DeleteKenton,Elizabth doesn't deserve your help.
ReplyDeleteI suggest you let her and Lily do it themselves and see where it gets them.
Just be man enough not to say"I told you so " when everything goes pear shaped.
Elizabeth will do anything to have her little boy back at home, remember, she even broke his bail conditions.
DeleteLanjan, my gut reaction is the exact same as yours + Kenton, unusually, is really putting himself out to help, when he's needed at the Bull, so Jolene is also stretched. Still, a couple of therapy session ain't going to turn Elizabeth into a cool headed, sensible woman. Loss of income eventually means loss of home too, but, though a little calmer, her emotions are still in disarray, & it'll be quite a long time I think before she can face up to the fact that her son's actions have consequences. I hope Basia (7.23 below), you are right & that Freddie, for the first time in his life probably, sees sense !
DeleteApropos of nothing.
ReplyDeleteDoes Jill still keep bees?
I have no idea how much looking after they need but she doesn't seem to have mentioned them for ages.
Jill's busy with Leonard, she introduced Kirsty to the bees.
DeleteLee's getting more and more confused, as for Elizabeth obviously she'd react in this way but perhaps Freddie will see sense. Tony avoided the wedding question.
ReplyDeleteAaaaaand - enter a Power of Attorney storyline involving the entire family at war? Hope so!!
ReplyDeleteYes ! Not in right mind etc....as you say, GG, could be fun...
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DeleteI thought Emma was very sensitive when talking to Lee and saying it wasn’t her place to reveal anything about Helen which was exactly right. I’m not sure her mother would have been able to be so discreet! Helen needs to step up to the plate and talk to Lee about her past. She is being very selfish and leaving the poor man in limbo. It would have been kinder not to get involved in the first place!
ReplyDeleteYes, she's run out on him twice but she told Lee it was the music and asked him to turn it off, why has he not made the connection?
Delete