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11-06-19
Life outside Ambridge
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Life in Ambridge
THIS POST IS CLOSED "longer off topic comments" - Episode 14 Life Outside Ambridge Have a seat and let's chat.
When I was in New York recently Ruthy asked if I would be willing to occasionally "help out" with the blog - guess this is one of those times! Have just got back from the wilderness and seen that it was getting rather full, so decided to investigate to see if I could add a new page - AND I COULD!!!
ReplyDeleteAll this is totally brand new to me so please forgive the atrocious picture..
Quite apt ! Well done and thank you!
DeleteWow !! Thank you so much, Gary 😊 Not the best welcome home after your wilderness retreat, wrestling with technology - you're a hero, & how thoughtful of Ruthy to arrange that with you.
DeletePS I actually love the dart board - bullseye...
DeleteErm, archery target...😋
DeleteFantastic Gary! You are our saviour and our hero!
DeleteIt is very comforting to know there is someone else who can take over our admin when needed. 😘
Well done GG. ☺ and thank you
ReplyDeleteLovely to hear Adam sounding happy about the baby tonight .
Hey..... well done that man.
ReplyDeleteYou may have saved our bacon there.
We have been getting rather concerned at Ruthys absence over the last day or so as you will have seen when you have time to read recent postings.
CowGirl was investigating how to try to open but you have done it for us.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH ....... Gary Gilday
So much on R4 today about June Spencer and The Archers. The BBC is certainly going to town for one of their own.
ReplyDeleteShe is clearly an amazing woman, but not alone.
The programmes this week about life as seen by the very old, featured among others a female academic still putting in two or three days a week in her department, and still enjoying research.
GG brilliant thank you. I am no computer buff, but was willing to have a go as for some it is a lifeline.
ReplyDeleteWell done Gary.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much.
I will drink a toast to you -whisky nightcap - sadly my Arran malt is finished so it has to be blended whisky until replenishments arrive.
What a lovely surprise (and relief too) GG - many many thanks 👏🏻 🤗
ReplyDeleteHow fortuitous that you met Ruthy not once but twice and so have been able to help in this way. Also that Ptby also met “our saviour” it feels good to know that she has met some of our grateful number face to face and therefore able to know first hand how much we appreciate the blogs she provided us with post BBC closure.
Looking forward now to hearing all about your break, your holiday cottage looked a dream online.
Did you see anything of the “Springwatch” team?
Thanks Gary. It’s got to be a really chatty blog so soon gets filled up. Good for us but more work for the blog maker!
ReplyDeleteCheers GG - really miss my archery since the shoulder op!
ReplyDeleteZoetrope 8:11PM. I wonder how long Adam's happiness about the baby will last.
ReplyDeleteCheers Gary!!
ReplyDeleteWill Jill marry Leonard or just move in with him in an attempt to be 'with it'?
In reply to a couple of questions about the challenges which are for Adam and Ian on the last blog. Someone in Adam's family suggested a 'bucket list' of things to do before the baby arrives. Quite tasteless in my opinion inferring that having a baby meant the death of all fun and adventure. If that's how they feel why all the fuss about having a child?
ReplyDeleteAnyway a bucket list was things that a person wanted to do before they die. Not challenges suggested by others.
But I thought it went a bit further than that Spiceycushion.
DeleteAs I remember it, Kate insisted that they make a list, but A and I never got around to it. So Kate took it upon herself to give them a list of challenges.
It is Kate's list that they are now following.
I must say I think it's all rather silly, but then I'm not a ' fun' person, so I would, wouldn't I !
Thank you MrsP. I missed the bit regarding the change of the list. Yes it would be Kate wouldn't it? Not that having a baby altered Kate's way of life at all!
DeleteI've got past the age of being a 'fun' person too!
Thanks for the explanation - I thought the silly season must have begun early this year and now I’m convinced!
DeleteEverybody made a suggestion and Kate put them in a 'sack' for Adam and Ian to choose at random, of course hers came up first, we're yet to discover the next mystery.
DeleteWould Jill be happy living in Leonard’s neat and tidy, but, by the sound of it, very small little house?
ReplyDeleteAfter having spent her life at Brookfield, with its big farmhouse kitchen, Aga, garden big enough for her chickens and bees and surrounded by countryside, I can’t imagine her living in a suburban street somehow.
If they are to get together permanently, perhaps it would be easier for Leonard to adapt to Glebe Cottage than it would for Jill to adapt to Leonards house (which must be full of his late wife’s possessions, taste and influence)
But perhaps I’m rushing ahead too fast - they may well be happy to continue living in their current homes, just meeting up for outings........sort of elderly friends with (or without) benefits!
Is it to be a way of lightening Patricia Greens appearances (regarding her eye problem) moves in with Leonard therefore not at Brookfield or indeed in Ambridge - cant really imagine it though!
DeleteI enjoyed last nights episode with Jill reminiscing about her early days with Doris and then her grandson teasing in a loving way in role reversal mode regarding her very late return home 😂
So did I Lady R.
DeleteThose reminisces allow younger, newer, listeners to know something of the Archers history too, I think. And there has been a number of instances recently of this kind.
I like it.
I do agree with Maryellen about the silly season.
Sláinta GaryG. You are our saviour. Hope you had a good holiday?
ReplyDeleteA rather benign episode. My brain switched off during the baby talk.
We have left dangling with unresolved stories. Jim’s hissy fit and sudden disappearance and Natasha’s wonderful open Sunday farm day. Brookfield successful and Home farm not so.
The lull before the ⛈ storm.
Surely this must be the case Stasia as like you I felt both situations were given “build up I”
DeletePS. Crisps sandwiches 🥪 are yummy. Ben salacious comments to his aged grandmother were a touch over the top.
ReplyDeleteCrisp sandwiches with mayonnaise were my daughter’s favourite thing in the whole world at one time - but it HAD to be Hellman's Mayonnaise!
DeleteI knew of chip butties but crisp sandwiches? And Mars Bar ones to follow?
DeleteLanjan, I don't like Leonard talking about his wife all the time.
Thank you Gary and I hope Ruthy's well.
Chip butties are wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI was never allowed them at home but I once went with a friend to a relative of her’s and was given them.
I like a Pringles butty too.
I am pleased that someone else thinks as I do Basia about Leonard going on about his wife.
My second husband was a widower.
I moved into his home.
People couldn’t understand how I could.
Mr LJ did not keep mentioning his first wife and I realised quite quickly that she and I did not have the same taste in decor and bit by bit every room in the house has been altered to suit both of us.
It is a lovely friendly home and I love it.
You hit the mark Gary....
DeleteHope Ruthy is coping with kitchen-fitting stress.
Mrs.P. so sorry about your friend, also Parsley.
Lan Jan, what happened to 'your' stray kittens in the end?
Is it to ensure Jill can feel free to talk about Phil and that as both partners are dead they
ReplyDeleteCan then feel comfortable with this.
Yes, probably.
DeletePersonally I don't think it at all strange.
After all when most couples ' get together ' they tend to talk about their previous relationships and I do not see why it would be different for older people.
I say most, but do realise that not everybody is comfortable with such behaviour. And perhaps LJ and her chap are two people who do not feel the need. Basia also perhaps belongs in this group.
We're all different.
I agree. After all Leonard did sit on a bench in St Stephen's churchyard and listen to Jill reminisce about Phil a few weeks back.
DeleteAs you say,Mrs P ,we are all different.
DeleteI am sure Jill would have hated it had Phil gone on about Grace because she obviously felt in some way inferior (mention made that she thought that Doris didn’t think she was as good as Grace)
However now that Leonards mother isn’t around to say what she thinks ,perhaps Jill feels OK about talking about Sylvia.
If I am compared with Mr LJs first wife it is never within my hearing (she would certainly have been a better cook and will have talked less) and one thing that makes me particularly pleased is that my lovely step daughter has always given me a present on Mothering Sunday .
I was asked what I would like my step grandchildren to call me and I said by my Christian name which is how it is.
Interesting discussion on Mustardland about Grace and Jill, and there are two people there who agree with me about the SWs re-writing history.
DeleteAs soon as Jill said that she thought Doris preferred Grace I thought "That's not right" and this was confirmed by these two posters. In fact in one of my Archers' books it says that neither Dan nor Doris particularly liked Grace Fairbrother. She was spoiled , headstrong and quite oblivious to other people's feelings. D & D tried to talk to Phil about what sort of girl she was but he wasn't having any of it!
MrsP & Spicycushion - I disagree, I think you are both 'fun' persons/people/women, at least here on this board and we all have our laughs together, to me this is fun.
ReplyDeleteStasia - I did laugh at the Nattoms!
Fun and laughter have no age limit, look at Jill with Leonard and Ben.
DeleteWe had a lot of rain down this neck of the wood on Monday.
ReplyDeleteResult-it has caused flooding and we now have no cold water!
Neither can we have a shower although I did get mine in before it stopped working
(No bath in this house!)
Re the cats across the road,Mistral.
It was about 11months ago and very very hot.
(The food that was left for them was full of maggots by the “Carer” of the woman who had gone into a Home-she was charging of course for this .)
I took food across to them and stood over them as they ate the food I put out for them.
A neighbour reported me -really- and I was warned off.
The RSPCA said they could see no problem with the way the cats were being looked after by the poor woman’s Carer.
Then the cats vanished .
I couldn’t find out where they were but another neighbour recently told me that they were adopted by the “Carer”!
😱 hope she has mended her ways then LJ & 11 months ago !
DeleteWhere has that time gone!
Funny coincidence, I was thinking about those kittens a day or so ago, and thought I must ask you LJ.
DeleteI think I fell to sleep through last nights episode. Did Jill or Ben exclaim something at the end. Think that woke me up. Will have to listen again to it later.
ReplyDeleteHey, Cowgirl/seasider .....just been to penny Claire with a friend this morning. Bramble cheesecake.....heaven, home made and very fattening.
GG I have to add an extra "Well Done" for stepping in. I, like so many others, are concerned about Ruthy. Are you or Ptby, able to contact her...just to find out that she is OK?
ReplyDeleteI think Leonard + Jill, would be happier in Glebe Cottage, esp. as it is in Ambridge, which Leonard seems to like. Carole T. needs to leave, as after all, she hasn't been around for quite a while, re-enter a mention of Anna.
PS Grand-nephew in OZ is back home again, but Dr's have no idea what is causing babes strange breathing problems. The cavarly ie Big Sis, is flying out tomorrow morning, arriving late Friday, their time.
So pleased to hear you are back to enjoying your food !
ReplyDeleteI shall have to wait till our next meet to enjoy a slice of cake.
I enjoyed last nights episode, well the dialogue between Jill and Leonard and Gill and Ben.
GG - as the "temporary controller" - I need to ask:-
ReplyDeletea) should posts be kept more on topic
b) should posts be kept more short + precise
c) should posts which are off topic - be kept to immediate family + home life.
I respect that this is none of my business - but I want this blog to continue - and so will do anything, to ensure it does.
Miriam, I firmly believe it's a case of we carry on exactly as we were!
DeleteSpace is not at a premium on each thread, so posts can be as long or as short as you wish. I do understand that some people loathe having to scroll down too much so I will endeavour to open new comment pages before it drives them cuckoo...
Thanks for that. I will certainly now continue with my usual meaningless "waffle"! I would have found it difficult to do otherwise as we all would. 😀
DeleteWell said Gary.
DeleteI am happy to scroll down.
Miriam, What are you implying?
We do not post comments that are meaningless waffle on this site.
The meaningless waffle comes from some of the scriptwriters pens.
With you there Lanjan.
DeleteMiriam.....thought mine were always words of wisdom. !! 😉
2 UP !
Delete46 posts in less than 24 hours Gary.
ReplyDeleteYour a star !
YES - 👏👏 🌟🌟🌟
DeleteI am so cold, wrapped up in winter woollies - to think that Mid-summers Day, (and the Summer Soltice) is only 2 weeks away, and the nights will then start to shorten.
ReplyDeleteAll my new summer clothes, have not been worn, and still have the "tags" on!
You will be able to keep those new summer clothes for next year then Miriam.
DeletePerhaps saving enough money to pay for your television licence.
I don't think I have bought a single new item of clothing since the summer before I sold my house in 2014.
They've been shown as stupid tonight: Lynda knowing that Jim didn't want a birthday but pushing it into his face (I know how he feels), Susan being taken in by a text and Lilian seething with curiosity but refusing to confront it head on.
ReplyDeleteI love Jazzer! He was so good with Lynda after her visit to Jim.
ReplyDeleteHasn't Jazzers character developed well over the years.
DeleteHe is such a different person now. Far more mature.
But he was always kind, and still is.
Jims anger, and possible embarrassment is going to be worth listening to I hope. Though I do hope they don't spin it out too long, as then it just becomes silly.
Totes agree Mrs P on both accounts.
DeleteOh dear! Poor Susan, she is not the chosen one after all!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wheeze, sending that email to all and sundry, I’m assuming it was Ruairi and Ben.
And well done Lilian for telling Susan to mind her own business when she was fishing to know what’s happening on Sunday. Pity that Ambridge folk don’t tell Susan that a bit more often.
Oh yes AP I felt like punching the air with glee when Lilian gave “it straight” to Susan 👊
DeleteJim's attitude and actions seem to me to be rude and ungrateful. OK so he didn't want a party but couldn't he have just toughed it out with a gritted teeth polite attitude? All the old friends who'd travelled to see him must feel so let down. For such an intelligent man he certainly let himself down IMHO. Maybe we'll get a good explanation from him which will change my mind.
ReplyDeleteIt might become a big story, something that Jim has hidden for fifty odd years or more.
DeleteSomeone mentioned how Jim panicked when he spotted a particular person at the party and thought it was someone in a wheelchair and that maybe Jim is involved in some way with his condition.I am tending to agree....
DeleteIt was me.
DeleteI am holding fire on Jim’s actions.
DeleteHe said he didn’t want a party (is he 80?) so Alastair and Shula are to blame to some extent for arranging it.
Surely Jim would have stayed in touch with those friends whom he wished to?
Why did he act in that way?
My suggestions are that he felt he was in some way responsible for the man being in a wheelchair- childhood prank went wrong perhaps like climbing on a roof and his friend falling off
or
Wheelchair man stole the love of Jim’s life!
My version, and first thought on hearing that response from Jim, was that the man in the wheelchair was the result of an affair that produced a disabled child that Jim has supported but had no contact with throughout said disabled persons life.
DeleteProbably says more about me than it says about the SW team.
🤔 could be!
DeleteWill next weeks trip go ahead now and if so maybe all will then be revealed...
How would Ruarie and Ben know Susan’s email address?
ReplyDeleteBecause they took Adam’s (and I think, Ian’s) phones and sent the email to everyone in those phones contact lists. Mind you, I don’t know why either of them would have Susan’s mobile number on their phones, but it was useful for the comedic effect, I suppose!
DeleteCould I just clarify......is this new blog that GG has wonderfully opened for us, for the Archers related comments or for both Archers and non-Archers chat? I am bit confused are there seem to be both types of comments here.
ReplyDeleteNot criticising, just a bit confused.
It's only been Archers comments today and the other blog is still open, so I take it's Archers only, though I've combined both since it's related.
DeleteI'm also holding out for Jim. When I stopped my birthdays the family had no problem but there was a certain no longer friend who carried on regardless, so I gritted my teeth for a few years, only to have them 'smashed in' when I said no again. So what that the people had travelled, Jim didn't invite them.
I commended last night on the nonArchers related blog Archerphile so it was still open then,,
ReplyDeleteStill open now! Hate surprise parties. My sympathies lie entirely with Jim.
DeleteI don’t like parties at all!
Delete✔️👏🏻 with you on this LJ
DeleteI am actually enjoying listening again after having just caught up on a couple of weeks worth of episodes. Crucially (I think) I skipped all the Ed/Emma/Tim doings. I have no interest in dark drama. Never watched a second of Broadchurch, Luther, Bodyguard et al. Never watched any of those bleak looking portrayals of abused alcoholics searching for answers in today's Britain. (I'm sure they are fantastically done - I just don't want to see them!) I don't mind when nothing really happens, when they are just teasing us with new storylines or have people talking about pigs and scones.
ReplyDeleteIt's great to have Fag Ash Lil and Lynda back and I even enjoyed the nonsense about the new nursery. Maybe I'm coming down with something...!?
If you are I've got it!
ReplyDeleteIts the Archers that many of us enjoyed before "soap style " crept in, lets we have more rather than the constant drama.
ReplyDelete✔️✔️
DeleteHere, here everyone - it’s the sort of Archers I love too. (Don’t bother to listen to the scenes with Tim and Ed, Gary - they were decidedly nasty and sinister)
DeleteSo many of us of similar mind it seems. SW are you listening 👂 or maybe even reading this blog!
DeleteCount me in too!
Delete👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
DeleteDitto.
DeleteI loved last night's Archers, with just regular characters, in more way than one, all together.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts re Jim - it is to do with the person in the wheelchair. It is not known why that person is wheelchair bound, be it due to a disability, the result of an accident or a progressive health issue.
Jim knows who he is...a character from his past, with whom he has a long-lost history, and doesn't want it to be revealed. His wishes should be accepted.
I also sometimes enjoy the mundane conversations. Meetings in the shop, the Bull and even Susan and Clarrie in the dairy. But a bit of drama is essential, otherwise what would we have to discuss regarding content.
ReplyDeleteI don’t always relate to some of the storylines, some are there because they are topical in ‘real life’.
For example, the forthcoming A/I baby 🍼 bores me, especially when so many minutes are wasted on discussing dangling 🦒 animals. We now have a surfeit of Surrogacy, mental health, drugs and violent villains in the shape of Tim. Then we are expected to swallow the ridiculous idea of the art genius that is Russ who is sponging in LL!!
The fact is The Archers isn’t real life, and if it was would we be interested?
Am I missing something, about the 🐷pigs? Pat and Susan were corralling piglets, and there I was thinking Tom had gotten rid of them all. Isn’t that the reason why Jazzer left, he was offered a job in the poly tunnels?
ReplyDeleteYou've got a point there Stasia.
DeleteA point that passed by me !
Here I was calling many stupid last night, so I'll join them. Yes, the weaners, has Tom gone against Natasha's will? Is this called gradual disposal?
DeleteThanks Stasia for pointing out the obvious. It was fun though.
You got a point there.
DeleteYes, and Pat said that the weaners were going to arrive and she needed help with them. So if they were "arriving" then they surely must be ones that had been bought. I think the scriptwriter must have forgot!
DeleteI understand what Stasia is saying.
ReplyDeleteIf TA was still portrayed, as it was originally introduced - the everyday lives of country folk - today it would be boring + meaningless, to so many.
However, some of the recent S/L's have been too far OTT.
I loved Jack's dementia, Helen + Rob with the coercive situation, and strangely Freddie, with his dealing, a young man, just tempted + went too far.
I am, however, hating the Jolene (as a diva), Ed/Tim, Jim's secret, the Adam + Ian bucket list, the Natasha + Tom marriage + relationship -S/L's.
These are interesting, but I am not relating to them.
I wonder how Mrs Dales Diary would go down these days if it were brought back?
DeleteMany of us say we like TA the way it used to be in the early days and it’s now often over dramatic and has too many unlikely stories.
But what would happen in Parkwood Hill, or Exton where Mrs D’s Diary was set?
Druggie raids on the surgery, teenagers demanding sex reassignment operations or poor old Jim (Dr Dale) struggling with NHS cutbacks, overwork and depression?
I don’t think we would regard it as comforting listening somehow!
My predictions:-
ReplyDeletea) Jazzer is back to look after the new pigs
b) Kirsty is the new manager for Adams aquaponics.
I bet, I am wrong!! 😂😂
Well I thought that was the best episode in a very very very long time.
ReplyDeleteDramatic and true to form ( well some of it) and the siblings quarrelling in the most amusing manner.
I have actually sat down and listened all the way through, and none of it washed over me.
I agree. I loved the inter-action between the three siblings !
DeleteTony said 'her new squeeze', I looked it up, not a suitable expression for a gentleman friend of a 100-year-old lady.
ReplyDeletePerhaps it'll be a double revelation of both Peggy's and Jim's secrets tomorrow.
No matter Jim's troubles, the way he spoke to his son was appalling - what a nasty way to behave. But I'm so glad Alistair had the gumption to deliver some home truths to the man. Jim is an insufferable, long-winded, smug, emotionally stunted arse...
ReplyDeleteOr an emotionally withdrawn man whose need to protect himself from the pain of his wife's death, and the need to provide support to his children but did not know how ?
DeleteDoes anyone else wonder if the mystery stranger has brought news to Peggy that she is actually three years older than she always believed and that by sleight (?) of hand the Archer team are combining June Spencer's Birthday with Peggy's, making her 100 tomorrow instead of 97.
ReplyDeleteWe don’t watch a lot now on the TV except for sport but then recently I trawled through the many Channels to see if there was anything we could watch.
We decided on an episode of Keeping Up Appearances (with the dreadful canned laughter) and as I listened to this evening’s episode of The Archers I thought how similar it was to that.
To me the conversations sounded unreal.
Lilian pussy footing around Peggy instead of asking her outright why she hadn’t been invited to her equivalent of a candlelight supper.
The silly way she tried to stay when Peggy was trying to get rid of her.
All so contrived.
Lilian and Jennifer thinking that Peggy must have a fancy man like Jill.
The ridiculous conversation between Jennifer and Tony
(You were always her favourite)
Kiki or whatever her name is being in tears because Jim doesn't want to have further piano lessons.
Alastair not handling the situation well between him and his father.
His father had been rude and upset folk but Alastair should have gone to his father and told him that it was his and Shula’s faults that the situation arose at the party that he should have taken notice when this father had said that he didn’t want one and that he was sorry.
Then perhaps Jim might have been more pleasant and told his son what was really bugging him.
Not once in tonight’s episode did I think
“Yes,I reckon that could have happened”
I agree with you, LanJan!
DeleteBut if everyone was always outspoken and came straight to the point, there would be no drama at all. I agree that all those incidents taken together may make it appear too much and too contrived, but taken one by one, such dialogues and such behaviour are not uncommon or unusual I would say.
DeleteJust read the other comments and I reckon I am possibly on my own here!
ReplyDeleteLike most things LJ, it depends on each persons experience.
DeleteAn altercation with my daughter a few years ago similar to Jim and A, left me speechless and I left very late in the evening, could not find a hotel with a vacant room and slept in my car on Wimbledon Common.
I've personally never had such a conversation as that with the siblings, but I've heard that sort of altercation between brothers and sisters more than once in my life.
To me the siblings conversation sounded very real though. I squabble with my sisters but not in a serious way. It is a carry on from when our parents were alive. Once instance was that we had a competition each year as to who could get Mum a birthday card with the soppiest words, real Mills and Boon stuff. Now we say "You always were....." but in a jokey, loving way.
DeleteI do realise that Peggy's children were not joking. Frankly it is ridiculous that Lilian should be so obsessed with the fact that she has not been invited to Friday's meeting but the contrast between her obsessive comments and Tony's world weary tone were good. The other idea that their first thought about their 95 year old mother's new male friend would be that he's a 'boyfriend' and not an estate agent, undertaker or solicitor is a bit unbelievable too. But it was all enjoyable hearing the consternation amongst the 'children' which was funny. (IMHO) 😁
I'm going to stand up for Jim again and I agree with MrsP that he lost his wife, not left her and if he didn't know how to care for his children that's how he is. He was genuinely moved on seeing Fiona who stayed in hiding for the surprise instead of coming straight to see him. No one seemed to know who the man in a wheelchair was, so why was he there? Is he Jim's late wife's love child?
ReplyDeleteWith regards to Jim - granted he may through no fault of his own been not too adept at parenting or showing his emotions, but surely that in no way excuses his truly spiteful comments to Alistair about his addiction and the end of his marriage.
ReplyDeleteI can think of no other person in Ambridge who I would least like to have a drink at the Bull with. I shudder at the thought of him delivering one of his righteous lectures to me whilst I was trying to enjoy a pint!
And could the chap in the wheelchair be Jim's love child...?
I agree with you, GG! I’m trying to be tolerant because I think Jim”s losing it (witness the childish prank with the bunting).
DeleteI agree GG. Jim's words were exactly that - spiteful. He was very quick to say them so they must have been bubbling away internally since Alistair moved in.
DeleteFor what it's worth my theory is that Jim's wife had an affair with whoever the mystery guest was and Alistair is not Jim's son, but as he loved his wife so much he accepted and brought up Alistair. (Can't remember whether I have posted this before so please excuse if it's a repeat!)
I think it's an excellent idea anyway that Alistair should get his own place. There are obviously some around, after all Rob found one quickly enough after Usha booted him out!
Alastair mentions Jim's lack of emotional attachment to both of his children when young. I wonder if perhaps Fiona as well as Alastair was not fathered by Jim. Maybe Jim could not have children so his wife did what women sometimes did in the days before modern medical intervention/help.
DeleteI used to quite like Jim but now I agree with you Gary. The way he spoke to Alistair was spiteful and showed a nasty side to him. I'm confused about the 'man in the wheelchair' as I never heard anything about that and the suggestions about him make interesting reading. My mind must have switched off at that point. Whatever the deep reasons for Jim's extreme reaction I still think he behaved appallingly and should apologize to everyone.
ReplyDelete........but I repeat.
ReplyDeleteNone of this would have happened had Shula and Alastair not disregarded Jim’s wishes to have a party.
He made it quite clear.
The main blame lies with them.
Jim is a typical academic, too involved in his Greek/roman whatever’s rather than understand anything about compassion when he was left looking after 2 children.
ReplyDeleteThis has never changed and never will. Alistair should have realised this years ago, he’s not daft, and not expect Jim to be grateful etc for their so called surprise gathering.
A leopard does not change its spots.....or whatever that saying is.
Last night was the only episode I've heard this week, but had the same thought as Spicy (8.06 today) following the party last Friday ! It was obviously someone materializing from the past that shocked him, something he has locked up inside for all of Alistair's life. Could argue it's been signposted : Fiona, I take it, is the younger sibling, takes after Dad with her academic bent, a single woman, as indeed Jim might have remained had he not fallen in love.
ReplyDeleteTo his own surprise perhaps, Jim was rather enjoying the party that had been sprung upon him, until.....quite agree, those 2 digs at Alistair were below the belt, & vindictive. I think he'll be ashamed & try to make amends when he returns to his usual self. He didn't even mean what he said, never having taunted A. before about the gambling, as far as I know, & very supportive of his son in his own way after Shula dumped him.
My reaction to Jim and Alistair was a bit different. When family members row old arguments are repeated. People use lines of attack which are not only based on internal feelings that have lain there for decades but also which they know will hurt. Certainly, Jim was spiteful and made uncalled for remarks. However, I did feel that Alistair should have realised that his father was hurting and could have tried to find out why he was so upset. I do hope in the end that an understanding will be reached.
ReplyDeleteJim: he said to Alistair that they were just words and not actions - yes both can hurt, I've had some hurtful words thrown at me unfairly but in anger and was prepared to overlook them though not forget but I don't forgive deliberate actions. So Jim is hurting because of someone's deed.
ReplyDeletePeggy: she is 97? June Spencer 100 today and we'll hear from them both.
Jenny, Lilian and Tony were outside the Dower House (Lilian gave Tony a snack) spying on their mother and her 'squeeze', then Jenny said: I'll take you back, meaning Tony? but Lilian was still in the car with them, for dramatic effect?
TA character's page on BBC website gives Peggy's date of birth as 13th November 1924 which makes her 94 at present.
ReplyDeleteI apologise, it was me that put Peggy at 97.
DeleteThank you for the correction.
That whole scene of Tony, Lilian and Jennifer spying on the mother last night was ridiculous. Would sensible, around 70ish, adult children really spy on their fit and able mother, just to see if she’s got a fancy man?
ReplyDeleteNo, they would ask her outright what is going on, who the visitor was and why she was in that car with an unknown (to them) man.
But then there wouldn’t have been so much of a mysterious story, would there?
Let us wait until we know rather facts until we pass judgement on Jim.
ReplyDeleteMany of us I would suggest (and I am definitely one ) have said things when we are angry and have regretted doing so later.
I will listen again to hear how much of an apology Alastair made to Jim.
Perhaps wheelchair man ,a “fiend “ of Jim’s had an affair with Jim’s wife .When Jim found out the Affair finished but when Alastair was born about 9months later Jim may still not know whether he is Alastair’s real father..
Wheelchair man never knew that Jim had known about the Affair and never having heard from Jim or his wife for such a long time thought it would be all right to visit Jim on his birthday.
Far fetched?
Yes but isn’t everything in Ambridge now?
The website doesn't say how old Jim is, but a grandfather who didn't want a party, not a teenager who says he doesn't but secretly hopes for one. Jim's wishes were disrespected, he walked out and Alistair accused him of making him feel ashamed like never in his life before and upsetting people around him. It is Jim who is upset. Fiona is an academic but not Alistair who doesn't take after Jim, that's all we know.
DeleteI read the synopsis and now know what happened yesterday. Lilian told Jenny and Tony to be at the Dower House, she rushed back from Peggy's and drove them back there to spy on her, so it makes sense that she drove them back to the DH and then Jennifer took Tony home, so he could have his well deserved dinner. Delightful.
It was noticeable at the beginning of the episode his different attitude to Jazzer and his present; very warm and appreciative. Then when Alistair got up Jim was dismissive of A's greetings and did not seem as pleased with Alistair's present, telling him it was too much.
DeleteThe trouble is about Jim taking umbrage was not about the party, but who was there!
I listened this morning and Jim was delighted and almost embarassed with the party initially!
" I didn't know I had that many friends in Ambridge," he said
He was pleased and polite to Shula, Jazzer and loved seeing Fiona, then started to take in all the people who were there. It was when he was looking round the room that he saw someone and immediately left! So despite saying he didn't want a party he was secretly pleased and flattered.
Since then he has not been 'himself,' being rude, and yes, spiteful to Alistair.
There are two theories going the rounds elsewhere it appears. One is that it was the guy in the wheelchair caused Jim's reaction. It is suggested that Jim caused this man to be in the wheelchair and the second, as I said in reply to GG's post earlier this morning, that someone there (maybe the man in the wheelchair) is Alistair's biological father who had an affair with the late Mrs Lloyd, either before or after his (Jim's) marriage.
How long will we have to wait to find out I wonder?
Congratulations & a very “Happy 100th” Birthday 🎂🎈🥂 to June Spencer today. Looking froward to tonight’s episode of TA.
ReplyDeletePicture online of June with a big cake at the studios earlier this week.....🤗 👏🏻
She is amazing for 💯 years. 😻
DeleteWell I have just listened again to last evening’s episode and I think that Alastair was just as rude as Jim was and he made no apology for doing something which his father specifically said he didn’t want.
ReplyDeleteAs for Peggy’s mystery visitor,I wondered if perhaps it might be Christine’s adopted son,Peter.
She obviously knew him.
Her Solicitor would have been too obvious.
The sibling conversations definitely made me think of Keeping up Appearances with Tony acting as the henpecked male and Lilian sounding like Hyacinth.
I quite enjoyed it even though I found it ludicrous really.
Lilian sounded as if she had stepped out of a Brian Rex comedy.
Idid wonder if the only reason for Peggy not telling Lilian about the meeting was that she wanted to give Lilian a surprise in some way since surprises are in fashion at the moment but she would have told Jennifer and Tony not to tell Lilian about it had that been the case .
No ,I have to say I can’t understand that one unless it is something to do with the disappearance of Justin who hasn’t been heard of for several months now.
I identified with the sibling chit chat, in a large family squabbles happen all the time, and carry on into adulthood and old age. Reminded me of my relationship with one of my sisters. Although staking out an elderly mother was a bit odd. Spying 🕵️♂️ is a more appropriate word.
ReplyDeleteI do hope Hilda Ogden didn’t subject Peggy’s ‘new squeeze ‘ to any of her hissing and scratching.
I wonder if Peggy is planning to move into The Laurels and the distinguished bloke is a lawyer sorting out her will and financial commitments.
Maybe the wheelchair user is someone who knows that Jim’s academic credentials aren’t what they claim to be. It wouldn’t surprise me as it takes.more than spouting a few lines of Latin to convince me that Jim is either clever or wise.
ReplyDeleteBut Alistair and Fiona would know he's a fraud even if no-one else does, surely?
Deletemaryellen. I like that idea - some-one who wrote his papers so Jim's qualifications are false.
DeleteAlastair and Fiona wouldn’t necessarily know about something that happened (or didn’t happen) when they were very young and presumably they both believe what the rest of the world believes about Jim’s academic career. Only hypothesising of course, but I would prefer Jim’s dark secret to be career-related rather than family relationship-related because we get so much of the latter.
DeleteGG - thank you for the lovely blogs you have posted! Sorry, just been so busy and no energy these days. I am OK! and will be back here soon! Ruthy
ReplyDeleteReally good to hear from you, Ruthy ! As you see, we've been well covered blogwise by the competent Mr GG.
DeleteCan imagine you feel drained, being very busy. Hope there's some more relaxed times for you in the near future.
Thank you Ruthy for putting our minds at rest! Hope you don't overdo it! Take care!
DeleteGreat to hear that you are OK Ruthy
DeleteSo lovely to hear from you Ruthy and to know that you are Ok, if somewhat tired and drained. I do hope the responsibility of running these blogs is not getting you down.
DeleteGG was able to carry things on for us, so please don’t worry, I am sûre that Gary would step in again if you need a break anytime ( hope that’s OK Gary!)
So glad you popped in to allay our anxieties. Keep well and return soon.😸
ReplyDeleteI am waiting eagerly to learn what Peggy is planning and why?
ReplyDeleteLovely to hear from you Ruthy. You have been so missed, and many regulars have been concerned.
ReplyDeleteRuthy - Take Care + remember, you have so many friends, here "Across The Pond" in the UK.
Miriam. 🤗🤗☺
Totally agree Ruthy 🌸
DeleteTake care Ruthy. Put your feet up and rest up. Hope the new kitchen is finished. Let Mr Ruthy use it and cater for you for a bit. 😉
ReplyDelete✅✅
DeleteHappy to hear from you Ruthy 😀👍
DeleteWow! Ruthy, you've come back at the right moment.
ReplyDeleteStop moaning Tony, it was Henry from Bridge Farm who prompted Peggy.
Wow! Devisive or what. Can't wait for the excrement to make contact with the hydro-powered oscillating air current distribution device! 😌
ReplyDeleteI thought the same but with different terminology
DeleteHave a well earned rest Ruthy.
ReplyDeleteJust look after yourself.
Not convinced that you have missed a great deal if you haven’t been listening.
Well for goodness sakes! All that build up to set in motion another storyline of months of arguments and aggravation. I am really disappointed. Why set up a competition when she could just divide the £500k between the three farms! I'm sure each of them would appreciate that!
ReplyDeleteLilian wants a slice too and Tony was right in the end, it's money all over again.
DeleteWell done SWs, Peggy/June Spencer, say I ! (apart from the rather mawkish bit about Henry's school project, though, fair play, it did trigger Peggy's idea.
ReplyDeleteHeartily relieved actually, as I thought it was going to be an awful scenario of the older person seeking to wield power through their will - only means available. Haven't we all knowledge of that from family &/or friends' families. Peggy has form on that score, changing her will, but, no, she's focused on the future, larger concerns - great !
I doubt Bridge Farm needs any financial help.
ReplyDeleteThey sold the land for the Beechwood development to Justin, for £1mill. and Queen Natasha is now taking over!
Pleased to see Ruthy back, if only popping in. Very relieved to see you but sorry to here of your tiredness.
ReplyDeleteHope kitchen finished soon, nice meals, and rest and your permanent return.
I am with you,Spicycushion.
ReplyDeleteI am disappointed too.
I foresee a dreadful waste of half a million pounds.
If Peggy has that amount of money to dispose of I wish she’d had a more worthwhile idea.
Imagine if Natasha gets hold of the money.
It will probably be used to pay off her credit card bills.
And as someone said elsewhere Where did she get that sort of money to give away? She sold The Bull, admittedly it is in one of my Archers books as having six 'letting rooms' as well as big enough accomodation for a family with three children! She bought with the proceeds Blossom Hill Cottage a two bedroomed thatched cottage, lived there for some years then sold it to Usha.
DeleteJack just left her enough money 'to live comfortably' and she has given away tens of thousands to her grandchildren as well as paying Christine's care home fees which must be about a thousand a week!
I wish her financial adviser would give me some advice. He must be a whizz!
I fear this could be playing into Natasha’s hands as she’s allowed such a free rein in the name of letting her know she’s welcome in the family. Hopefully the panel won’t think her ideas are so wonderful and will vote for someone else but I worry not, after her recent announcement that she’s here to stay, and her efforts to ingratiate herself with all of Ambridge.
DeleteDid Peggy get any money from the sale of Grey Gables or did that go to Hazel?
Peggy isn’t paying for Christine. When Christine moved into a flat at the Laurels and out of the care home area she announced she could afford it just about from her pension and some help from Peter. That was just after Christmas. The flat would be a tenancy, with some support on top.
Thank you Seasider I missed that about Christine somehow!
DeleteActually I am now wondering if it was true and not just a cover - I can’t remember if she said it to Peggy or someone else?!
DeleteShe did say it to Peggy.
DeleteWell, after looking forward to this episode all day, I was very disappointed too. The BBC obviously felt they needed to acknowledge the current calls for ‘something to be done’ about the future of our planet and used Peggy as a mouthpiece. I suspect this was also to mark June Spencer’s birthday, so she was given this big announcement to make.
ReplyDeleteBut is it wise to set up this competition? Why not distribute the cash between each farm so they can all do their bit for the planet - or at least their part of it!
All this offer will do
is stir up family resentment and arguments and could cause long lasting enmity between family members, including those like Lilian and Kate who are not really included.
Sorry Peggy, you may be old and wise most of the time but this idea was well meant but not thoroughly thought out.
I wouldn’t put it past Peggy to divide the money between all who rise to the challenge, but only after she has seen them all work hard to earn their reward.
DeleteThat would be an excellent solution Seasider. SW's take note.........as if!
Delete✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️Seasider.
DeleteI agree Archerphile. Peggy meant well but has not thought through all the ramifications and already Tony's feeling peeved over it. This ep certainly wasn't what I expected it to be.
ReplyDeleteAnother storyline to foment sibling rivalry. Sometimes I'm glad to be an only child!
ReplyDeleteNow THAT was TA
ReplyDelete👏👏👏 and all very nearly went well didn’t it Tony & Lilian 😕
Anyway well done June Spencer (& SW) a starring role on her 100th birthday and a forever legacy in the prog that means so much to her⭐️
Peggy is 93years old.
ReplyDeleteIf ever I make it to that age and decide to give £500,000 to go towards saving the planet ,I would want to do something immediately and not wait until some panel of “experts” decides what the best scheme is -charging an arm and a leg to do so.
When are Pat,Tony,Brian ,Jennifer,Ruth and David going to find the time to plan some new fangled scheme?
Why not involve Lilian who could perhaps plant a load of trees to help save the planet.
Of course what they could do is to enter two Show Gardens for the Chelsea Flower Show showing everybody how by planting certain plants etc the planet can be saved.
That will soon take care of the half million pounds.
Peggy really must be loaded.
Of all the hair brained ideas that the editors have come up with this surely must be one of the worst.
I agree with you (again!), LanJan! I know Ambridge is not the ‘real’ world so ‘real life’ considerations do not necessarily apply, but (if they do), I thought Peggy said the trust she had set up was a charity, and it beggars belief that the Charity Commission would recognise a charity in which charitable funds were distributed solely to the donor’s family, however worthy the ostensible aim. That’s apartfrom needing a constitution and board of trustees. (If I misheard her, forget I spoke - though I still agree with LanJan about the cluelessness of this plotline.)
ReplyDeleteWith you there Maryellen.
DeleteAgree with every word of Archerphile first para @ 10:33 last night.
And agree with all others that this action will ramp up further disagreements within the family.
Initially Peggy sounded like a sweet little 👵 old lady viewing her children’s domain and reminiscing about the past. But I’m not fooled, she is a controlling hard faced manipulative woman with lots of money which she is using to set her children at each other’s throats.
ReplyDeleteNatasha will now go into overdrive, with Tom in Tow.
Pip will come up with some new milking scheme and Adam/Alice will invent a scheme for picking maze or setting herbal lays.
Let’s hope this competition includes other farms in the area, and one of them wins the half million.
I have no idea what Lillian might do!
But she will certainly be cogitating whilst smoking a fag and drinking a gin and tonic.
So Peggy's secret was to do with money. Now we have to wait for the mystery of the wheelchair man to be revealed. In the meantime, there'll be the salsa party to look forward to and I'd like to know who'll take care of the new weaners.
ReplyDeleteThinking things through again this morning:
ReplyDeleteWhy didn’t Peggy acknowledge that Pat and Tony have been doing their bit to ‘save the planet’ for years, with their organic farm. She could have held them up as an example of good farming practice, often ridiculed by Brian in the past, and rewarded them instead of setting the family against each other. Likewise Adam and his herbal leys (also resisted by Brian)
Scanning various Archers sites this morning the general opinion seems to be that this story has been used a) so the BBC can shoe-horn in current concerns for the future of the planet
b) to celebrate June Spencer's Birthday by giving Peggy the big speech
c) to ensure family upset and arguments for years to come (good drama?)
Most posts seem to think the whole idea is divisive and ill thought-through; Peggy sounded as though she was delivering the Queen’s Speech; she has used her wealth to divide the family before (cutting Tony out of her will) and there will be conflict for years to come.
Over to you!
Totally agree Archerphile. I have looked up comments on fb and mustardland and the concensus is that the plot is rubbish and being used to forment confrontationl scenes.
DeleteAlso whilst wishing June Spencer a very happy birthday the script was not really convincing.
Halfway through her speech I kept expecting 'Land of Hope and Glory' or somesuch music to start in the background! Very unrealistic.
Many other commentators elsewhere agree that the 'Trust' won't be! Whoever 'wins' it will have to pay inheritance tax on the money unless Peggy lives another seven years which will make her (Peggy) 101 years old, actually nearly 102 and June Spencer still acting at 107 years old!
I DO wish the scriptwriters would do some research. If they want us to take on board and believe in the various 'issues' the BBC is promoting, at least they could present them accurately!!!!
✔️✔️✔️
DeleteAgree the speech that Peggy was given to deliver was very much 1950’s Archer style - pompous and full of data to be delivered to the public and certainly to ensure “Peggy” was the main star of the episode for June Spencer, but the finish very 2019, making sure plenty of conflict to come in the future.....
DeleteI did enjoy Peggy’s visit to Lakey Hill with Adam where she reflected on her past times there 🤗
I wonder if any of the scriptwriters have read "Wilding" by Isabella Tree (!). There are some interesting ideas there which could be explored in the Archers. Controversial, and disliked by Food manufacturers who rely on overproduction to maintain profits, but good for Nature. I think they did well in introducing herbal leys to the programme, and Wilding would be a step far too far for Brian, but someone like Kate if she had enough land around Spiritual Home could introduce it on a small scale.
ReplyDelete👍🙂🙂
Delete