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Life in Ambridge: Comments week of 15/June/2019
Life in Ambridge: Comments week of 15/June/2019
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.
Perfect! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant!!
ReplyDeleteCan any-one explain, how Peggy can afford to fund this generous idea?
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic cartoon to head this blog. I particularly like Adam and Ian (I assume) in their hot tub! 😂
ReplyDeleteWould love to know where it comes from.....is this Ruthy or Gary’s brilliant work?
"Peggy's Prize"? The whole idea is laughable. Absolute nonsense. I would be questioning her mental faculties if I were part of her family to be honest! Why doesn't she just go the whole hog and have her entire extended clan strip to the waist and fight each other bare-knuckled in a barn? Last one standing gets her money! They could sell tickets. Fallon could do the catering and Jolene could sing the national anthem at the start. I would go...
ReplyDelete🤣🤣🤣
DeleteA light bulb monent 💡
ReplyDeletePeggy has done equity release or similar, on The Lodge. This explains the siiver-haired male.
This is now funding her idea for continuity, but will leave no legacy for her family, but then they don't really need it.
Just another thought, totally AWOL as usual. 😂
To add to my comment, as to a legacy is not needed.
DeleteI have to add -Is such a legacy deserved + expected by other family members?
Fantastic cartoon, Gary, I can identify every character....( bet it's your own work...)
ReplyDeleteAm clearly completely out of step with everyone's thinking about Peggy's plan. Never mind the feasibility & all the rest, how great to have someone in Ambridge moving out of the narrow, parochial, family view into the Bigger Picture.
ReplyDelete( That said, agree with AP about the reasons for this SL)
.......but it isn’t really the bigger picture because the ones who will really benefit are whichever family are deemed to be the winners when the schemes are explained to the judges whoever they are.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn’t say that any of the participants are that altruistic .
I don't imagine Peggy was counting on altruism, simply the competitive imperative ! However, the result is what counts - whatever benefits the ecology the winning idea brings. A sort of countryside version of The Apprentice.
DeleteLove the cartoon.
ReplyDeleteFantastctic cartoon Gary.
ReplyDelete✔️ 👏🏻 GG 👏🏻 ✔️
DeleteCarolyn. Are you sure you were listening to the same episode as the rest of us?
ReplyDeleteThe competition is narrow, parochial and focused entirely on family. It involves only three farms, all family, parochial, it is set in Ambridge and that in my view makes it narrow.
She has certainly set Hilda Ogden among the pigeons.
I can now understand why she and Hilda relate so well with each other.
Will we have to experience the crew from Country File giving their expert experience on the ‘Big Picture’ of farming into the future?
Gary. I’m so pleased you left out the dreadful Toby, pit and squeaky baby.
ReplyDeleteI’d be scared rigid to enter Ambridge.
Thanks.
Didn’t really want to say PIP.
DeleteSurely Peggy's intention was that her project should be parochial.
ReplyDeleteHer opening lines were that she fell in love with Ambridge when she arrived, the village, her adopted family, and the surrounding countryside has sustained her for over seventy odd years, and she intends to pay respect to all those elements in her legacy.
Peggy Woolly.... a somewhere person !
Brilliant cartoon 😂😂
ReplyDeleteI can follow Peggy's thinking and appreciate her rationale up to the point when it turns into a competition among members of her family, which is ludicrous. I don’t know if there are any farming enterprises in the immediate vicinity of Ambridge which are not in the hands of the Archer clan, but there is one glaring omission in her list of those that are (or are-ish) and that’s Berrow Farm. The potential for family strife is ever-growing.
ReplyDeleteAmbridge which
Indeed ,Maryellen.
DeleteJustin and Lillian aren't married, so Lillian has no rights , Peggy is right in my view to exclude her.
ReplyDeleteGG you have set yourself a standard now, well done, keep it up !
I don’t think any of them have a ‘rights’ but Lilian and Justin may feel otherwise. My money is on Natasha Archer to come up with the best idea with Adam Macey and Alice Carter joint second.
DeleteNatasha has already put the pigs in the orchard and some more have arrived.
DeleteLove it GG!
ReplyDeleteThe one person who is likely to grumble most about this-(apart from most of us)- is Tony.
ReplyDeleteSo for that reason and that reason only I doubt if anyone at Bridge Farm will win so I will go with one of David’s lot because then Tony can really have a moan.
Mind you he and Lilian would moan if Adam,Kate or Alice got the money.
What about Ruarie and Ben having a joint venture?
What I want to know is who is going to be on this ‘Panel of Experts’, that is going to decide the winner and who will be responsible for appointing them?
ReplyDeleteWill any of the participants accept the panel’s judgment as being fair and legitimate?
How long do the various farms have to come up with their plans, is there a time limit?
So many little details missing at the moment!
I expect Peggy’s trust will produce a brochure with all the details of the competition which we will hear referred to from time to time - unless all or any of the involuntary competitors decline to take part
ReplyDeleteI was wondering that too Archerphile. And do the winners get to keep the money to do with as they wish? Or must it be spent on their project? Who, what, why, where, when????? At the moment it just seems like a badly thought out pile of steaming nonsensical whimsy...😲
ReplyDeleteI think your final sentence sums it up extremely well Gary.
DeleteAnd all to make TA look ‘right on’ with current thinking! Oh, and give June Spencer a starring rôle on her big birthday, of course.
DeleteSorry, I know that sounds very cynical but it’s exactly how I felt on Friday night!
I felt the same Archerphile, but don't agree that it's a cynical point of view.
DeleteReasonable to celebrate the only original cast member, her age, and her long running career.
As far as being ' right on', well it goes with the territory I guess.
Peggy has set up a charitable trust and cbarity begins at home, but why only Archer farms? I would like Grange Farm wjth Ed. to have a chance. This could save him + Emma, if they could put in a winning project and live where Ed would prefer.
ReplyDeleteAlso why just one reward of £0.5mil. Surely, several cash rewards could be awarded with varying amounts, to suitable projects depending on size, ambitions + enviromental/farming aspiritaions.
I think Peggy is wrong, putting all her eggs into just one basket. All this will do, is cause rivallry + ill-feeling within her family, in both the short + long-term.
DeleteAgree this should be a competition for all Ambridge farms not just the Archer clan. Lilian is excluded as she doesn’t even have a farm! I thought she was childish in kicking up such a fuss about not being invited. Fair enough to feel disgruntled but why vocalise your bad feeling so loudly? Miriam’s idea of several cash awards is very sound. I do wonder where all Peggy’s money comes from. She’s always dishing it out like a bowl of trifle!!
DeleteI'm right behind you Tony! But will you go down a legal route if Peggy carries on?
ReplyDeleteFamily at war! Bring it on...😈
Peggy has every right to do what she wants with her money - the simple solution here is for the three farms to decline to cooperate with the trust as it now stands but make concrete suggestions as to how else she could fulfil her aim. Home Farm has already withdrawn - if Adam means what he said about not submitting a proposal. I think it is an excellent move for the programme to look at what can be done to ‘save the planet’ at local level (I was impressed by the reference to raising awareness at primary school level) but it is in danger of being wrecked by tying it into this ridiculous competition storyline. However, if alternative ways of kickstarting initiatives are explored instead that could be very interesting indeed. Even better if Henry’s generation are involved.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest - I agree with you 100% maryellen! I was just idly hoping for a few decades worth of argy bargy between all of Peggy's children & grandchildren (even great-grandchildren!) - all caused by her slightly random decision to set up some sort of weird competition. Now wouldn't THAT be a stonking legacy? 😏😉😊
DeleteLove the cartoon GG!
DeleteI agree with you maryellen. Save the planet S/L very topical of course and involving children is a great idea.
Excellent idea, Maryellen.
ReplyDeleteHowever ,since the editor does’t usually listen to good ideas I have a suggestion in case he continues with this ridiculous storyline.
It is an idea for the enterprising Josh to take up.
An area of land would be set aside for the growing of comfrey to be made into comfrey feed.
The chicken factory will be bought out and the feed will be made there.
Large vats of water are all that are needed into which the leaves will be put and every six weeks the liquid would be syphoned out and put into returnable glass bottles.
(My sad looking tomato plants grown from seed when given a feed of comfrey have perked up and now-fingers crossed-look great.
My second idea is this.
ReplyDeleteAn area is set aside where the manure from Shula’s stables can be dumped.
With a little help from the comfrey(probably not really needed) ,in time this will become rich soil which can then be bagged up into very strong thick paper bags and sold as organic all purpose compost.
My tomato plants look good too after all the rain! Last year had lovely cherry tomatoes and was given the top to take the seeds out of them putting them on kitchen paper, then let them dry out and the next year plant the lot, paper and all. Sure enough they came up and hoping for the same delicious tastes this year! I planted seeds far too early and they went out too early looking a bit sad but have perked up now. Last year we were picking from July to October so hopefully that will repeat this time.🙏😊
ReplyDelete....the tip to take the seeds!!
ReplyDeleteSorry wrong blog for tomatoes!
DeleteGood idea to offer Jazzer the aquaponics job but will it dispel Adam's fears?
ReplyDeleteI wonder if Jazzer will be able to adapt to looking after fish instead of pigs? I imagine everything to do with aquaponics has to be kept very clean and hygienic and Jazzer is used to revelling in pig muck!
DeleteStill, I’m sure he would enjoy it more than bagging leeks at Bridge Farm for Tom and it will probably be better paid too. All he has to do is not muck up his interview!
Only in Ambridge would a village milkman with no managerial experience be head hunted for aquaponics manager, instead of the job being advertised for applicants with relevant professional skills and experience. I doubt Jazzer will be able to refrain from his usual brand of witticism at his interview.
DeleteBrilliant idea from you/Josh, LanJan! Could it be extended to used coffee grounds? I accidentally got some amazing results last summer after redistributing soil from the patch of ground where I have been chucking the left over contents of the cafetière for years (it’s the furthest I can throw from the kitchen doorstep!). The tea shop and The Bull would be major contributors.
ReplyDeleteMy only quibble is with the distribution. The chicken farm sounds as if it’s some way out of the village, so people would take their cars which is not good for the planet. Josh needs to find a method of distribution which avoids that.
Certainly coffee grounds can be used too.
ReplyDeleteI often go into coffee shops and ask if they have any and they are usually only to pleased to let me have it.
I don’t drink much coffee
Could Jazzer get a van and distribute the bottles round the various villages.?
He could also cart the organic compost to folk as well.
Unfortunately the manure will need heat treatment as it may be full of weeds otherwise, not what most people want in their compost, bagged as manure a different story.
ReplyDeleteLanJan - I was wondering about using supermarket/farmers’ markets/garden centre premises - places where folk would be taking cars anyway, and so avoiding single use journeys. I guess doorstep delivery is the answer both to the purchaser’s weight/distance problem and Ambridge’s unemployment problem!
ReplyDeleteThey could get unlimited amounts of prime bullsh*t from Russ...
ReplyDelete😆🤣😂
DeleteHa ! 🤣😆
DeleteGary✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️
ReplyDeleteCow girl.
I was only suggesting the manure should be bagged up when it is well rotted.
We have been getting well rotted manure for nearly 20 years from a local stables and we have never had any problem with weeds
By the time we collect it it looks like peat.
We can slice it out.
It is full of worms and smells lovely-really.
The person who owns the stables has to pay hundreds of pounds every few months to have it taken away by lorry.
He then takes it to a local allotment where I dare say he gets paid again.
Re Ambridge
We can fine tune delivery options later,Maryellen!
ReplyDeleteYes, LanJan, I guess Freddie Pargetter will still be in the job market when we need him. He has the van-driving gene in his favour!
My candidate for the aquaponics job, has to be Kirsty.
ReplyDeleteShe is not enjoying folding towels at Grey Gables, has managerial experience so is used to making decisions and taking control, on her own. Also the system is enviromentaly sustainable, as no pesticide/herbicide/fertiliser are needed.
It will be her sort her ethos and is local.
I just cannot see Jazzer talking to the fish, in the way he did with the pigs. He will find it boring.
Jazzer needs to go to Berrow Farm working with Hannah, and then who knows?
That's just reminded me that we haven't heard from Hannah for a while Miriam
DeleteYes, I am still waiting patiently for a Natasha/Hannah chat. It could be revealing.
DeleteThinking about Kirsty -it can't be long now until Philip moves in with her, alongside Roy + Phoebe (who will soon return from university) in Willow Farm. Somehow I think that this situation will not be as idealistic as planned esp. with Brian + Jennifer living next door.
ReplyDeletePlease will somebody explain this Peggy business to me.
ReplyDeleteI thought Peggy was going to donate the half a million pounds for a project to help save the planet.
So does Natasha plan to buy more than 10’000 trees or even more and plant them all over the village?
(My plum tree from Wisley didn’t cost £50)
How will Natasha make money out of it?
She is not wanting to do this for anyone but Natasha.
I wasn’t surprised that “trees”came into her line of thinking but I actually thought her idea would have been to plant an orchard in one of Bridge Farm’s remaining fields
.....and talking of Natasha
How much did the Cuban flag and Cuban chef Cost?
As for Tony......
You are quite right Tony.
Don’t give up the fight.
And presumably, the fruit from all these trees will be used to make Natasha’s famous fruit juices - so a win/win situation for her.
DeleteHalf a million for the trees and unlimited profits afterwards!! Clever, very clever.
I know I skipped a few episodes recently, so can anyone explain why Philip is moving in with Kirsty and Roy? I thought they were buying a nice big house together and he had his own home?
ReplyDeleteNatasha's party sounds like some sort of Poundland version of something you would see in Made in Chelsea...
His house was on the market ready for the new Beechwood house but his buyers need a quick sale so Kirsty suggested he moved in with her.
DeleteTa muchly!
DeleteAnd they’re off.....round one, Tom and Tony. 🥊
ReplyDeleteAnd Tony was straight out of his corner delivering a strong right hook! Tom would have almost literally nothing without the help from his parents.
DeleteSpot on GG!
DeleteSusan on good form 😂
So yesterday’s episode featured the two people wth the lowest self-esteem in Ambridge exhibiting negative behaviours - Kirsty, who has so often moaned that Life has offered her nothing better than folding towels, turning down the chance of getting the job of her dreams in favour of folding towels, with the feeble excuse that she would have to travel further - and then Tony, so out of his mind with fear of losing out to his cleverer and, Ashe sees it, more favouredrelatives, that he accuses his son of disloyalty for having an project in mind. (Tony has always got what he wanted with his own personal projects - vintage tractor, hobby herds for him and Pat.)
ReplyDeleteI thought Tom’s idea for turning Ambridge into an Orchard Village was lovely, truly imaginative doing it on a parish wide basis ( hope the Parish Council agrees!!) rather than confining it to an individual farm, and a fitting tribute to Peggy’s generosity and her deep love of Ambridge, every blossom time. I had assumed the trust was intended to kickstart projects and maintain them as needed, but like other farming projects they should become financially viable. Presumably, in this case, harvesting and using the fruit would involve financial or goodwill arrangements with the individual or body on whose land the tree grows, to
Tom and Natasha’s proposal is the type I had in mind when I suggested that the three farms could decline to compete but offer concrete alternatives as to how Peggy could fulfil her aim.
I agree Maryellen, that Natasha’s idea sounds appealing, however I doubt her motivation. She mentioned the 500k as if it was a prize for her to do with as she wished.
DeleteI could have shaken Kirsty last night, whinging about her job but not prepared to take an opportunity to change despite support from Philip. I think despite her professed green ideals she likes having money to spend, thinking of wedding and new House/garden plans.
Surely Tom and Natasha’s motivation is the same as for all the ‘competitors’ - to have the perfect prize money to spend on the sistainability project they submitted, to benefit both the environment and their farming business. I heard nothing to suggest otherwise. In fact, the trust (as people here have said, we done know all the details) may pay out the money over time, perhaps depending on results rather than a lump sum up front.
DeleteAgree about Kirsty. She cited the cost of the new house but they are not a young couple starting out and surely Philip is well paid and he is supporting her in seeking her perfect job. Being part time it would enable her to devote time to the house and garden which would more than pay her way. Hope she changes her mind about the interview.
DeleteAs I mentioned last night, I reckon Natasha would have a clause in the scheme giving her rights over all the fruit produced by the trees on common land (not those in private gardens, obviously) for her fruit juice activities. Harrison would have to arrest anyone found to be Scrumping! 😉
ReplyDeleteI doubt that is legally possible.
DeleteYes,Maryellen,an orchard village sounds delightful but where will these 10,000 trees be planted?
ReplyDeleteWe are talking Ambridge not Richmond Park.
We are not even sure that Peggy and the Panel would even approve the idea let alone the Council.
Apple trees are lovely but when there are lots of windfalls all over the cricket field ,what then?
I agree with you about Kirsty,Maryellen.
ReplyDeleteAnother character with a change of personality.
Why did Kirsty apply for a part time job if she really wasn’t sure that she wanted it?
I think that Hayley should be brought back.
There is little chance of her running into Roy.
He has gone walkabout with Neil,Justin,Eddie and Oliver .
I don’t think the flat will be turned into a little Havana.
ReplyDeleteIt needs to become a tardis.
KP Nuts, yes, why on earth wouldn’t Kirsty jump at the chance of this job, if she applied for it, and it is what she is most passionate about? I wasn’t convinced by the story of how she behaved in the run up to the wedding that wasn’t to Tom, and I’m not convinced now that she would be so focused on the new house that she hasn’t time to change jobs. Seems too materialistic for Kirsty. Either we are being fed another slice of angst in what could be a good news story for a change, or, perhaps Kirsty is going to change her mind about Philip. I thought it strange that she said last night to Philip “this moving in together could really work “ in a surprised tone of voice as if she’s still trying to convince herself.
ReplyDeleteSorry, and Maryellen, you mentioned it first.
DeleteI didn’t notice it’s a part time job. That may be the rub. Doubt she’d want to become financially dependent, especially if she is still a bit uncertain of their long term future.
I wonder if it’s because it’s only a part-time job which would mean quite a decrease in her income. Perhaps she doesn’t want to have to rely on Philip for money?
DeleteAs Miriam would say ‘‘just a thought” but Kirsty has always been indépendant and may not want to rely on somebody else to ‘keep’ her.
And what was Philip’s phone call about, sounded a bit suspicious to me .... not hearing from fellow construction worker Tim, I hope!
Or possibly Philip is going to change his mind about Kirsty?
DeleteSorry, Seasider - Snap! Both typing at the same time I guess!
DeleteIt must have been clear that the job was part time when Kirsty applied got it so it wasn’t a deterrent at that point. She possibly thought she would do what others do and find other part time work to make up - if that’s what she really wants. But has Kirsty ever known what she really wants? (R)
DeleteGreat minds, Archerphile 🤗. I also wondered about Philip’s mission to Manorfield Close.
DeleteFair points, Maryellen. Maybe like Shula, Kirsty needs to go off somewhere and “find” herself. There are a fair few lost souls wandering aimlessly around Ambridge at the moment. Shula, Freddie, Kirsty...
Kirsty loved and, at the last minute, lost Tom. I wonder if that knocked her self confidence so badly that on an unconscious level she is afraid of losing things that she wants and so sabotages herself rather than facing further hurt. In time perhaps Philip will restore her faith in herself.
ReplyDeleteMeant risk facing
DeleteVery good point Janice. She lost the baby as well, and at that time Tom proposed and she refused him, understandably after what happened with the wedding, but perhaps also because of what you say.
DeleteThe whole business of the baby’s conception was very strange, and another example (I think) of Kirsty not knowing what she really wanted. Out of the blue, it seemed, she deliberately had a one night stand with the man she had loved but now apparently didn’t (on account of his spectacular jilting of her), knowing it might result in pregnancy - which it did. After havering about keeping Tom’s baby she decided she wanted it (because time was running out for her) but not him (which she had been saying all along). She was beginning to thaw towards him at the end of the storyline but not enough for more than a civil hello in later years.
DeleteI agree her self esteem is so low she lacks confidence to change her circumstances ( but moans about them instead) so change has to come from outside - and she did make the first move on Philip in the hide!) However
,I think this is nothing new, or just post-Tom, it’s something that has got more pronounced with age as personality traits often do.
Perhaps Phillip is “ Mr Big” .
ReplyDeleteThe one who won’t like it if Ed steps out of line.
I don’t trust him.
Still think Peggy's concept is uplifting, whatever the fall out. Restricted to Ambridge & Archers, yes, but promoting good practice widely. It shows gratitude to the place she loves & a legacy to a small corner of the planet which may influence & inspire beyond the narrow confines of Borsetshire.
ReplyDeleteFail to see anything suspicious about Philip's behaviour, but don't understand Kirsty's reluctance to go for the part time wild life interview. Maybe above ideas about insecurity are spot on, no idea, but she certainly seems to be hiding something.
On the face of it, Tom/Natasha's idea sounds brilliant BUT the spend, spend, spend mentality is still flashing in neon lights, &, morever, do have sympathy for Tony, given his dismal history with a dominating dismissive mother, & the success he's had with organic farming which supports all his immediate family, to boot. Where would Tom & Helen be without Bridge Farm ?
Whilst in support of Peggy's worthwhile aim, she is still ensuring she holds the reins.
The idea of trying to help save the planet is a good one but not in the way that Peggy is attempting to do so.
ReplyDeleteThrow half a million pounds at some scheme that a few “experts” think is a good one.
Make sure that on the way you are going to upset some members of your family
I would suggest that most of us could do something worthwhile on far less money.
Had she wanted to show gratitude to the place she loves she could have asked the so called experts how she could do so without involving a competition which is bound to cause upset-indeed has already done so.
I agree and your thoughts are similar, in many ways, to mine, which I posted a few days ago.
DeleteI don't think that Peggy has thought enough about this project, the costs, her expectations + the implications, for the entire Archer Family - of which some are excluded.
Re Phillip ,apart from him having to take a ‘phone call which is always suspicious in Ambridge I have no reason to suspect that Phillip is Mr Big.
ReplyDeleteThat is precisely why I thought he might be.
Can think of plenty of phone calls that aren't suspicious in Ambridge. The man's a busy builder. Hope you're wrong about him being Mr Big, Lanjan !
DeleteJust come up with a couple of reasons why Kirsty didn't want to go for the interview : a) she's hitching up with someone who hunts so might think it's hypocritical to apply for a job like that b) she knows she would relish work like that, aim to be full time, but wants to start a family ? Conflict of responsibilities.
In either case, not reasons she'd care to go into with Philip just yet, which she clearly didn't. If she had a less self centered friend than Helen, she'd probably confide in them.
I daresay way off the mark, but it's quite good fun to have SLs that aren't too predictable these days, amusement for idle moments !
Well, there we are Natasha is out of the block before the gun goes off, and it is all half cock. Were will Tony and Helen’s cows graze? Will the residents agree to planting of trees in their gardens? I suspect many will already have fruit trees. Will Natasha have rights to common land and does such land exist in Ambridge. Is she going to knock on every door with her green idea and explain why she needs\wants half a million squids?
ReplyDeleteI live next to a fruit farm [they were recently featured on a short programme looking at farmers and exhibiting at small country shows.) and they have had to diversify into other schemes to make a living.
Who will prune and manage the trees and harvest the produce?
Boots will have to supply Ambridge with anti histamine tablets for the month of flowering.
Tom the twitterer is a very poor mouthpiece.
Other pharmacies might wish to supply !
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteMrs P. The mention of pharmacies has got me thinking- not a good idea!
DeleteI wonder who needs meds. + why, in Ambridge??
I wonder where the nearest surgery is and how they get their pills/potions?
This leads me on to - where is Dr. Richard Locke + his daughter?
I am beginning to feel that Kirsty is doubting her future with Philip. It is a "gut" feeling only.
ReplyDeleteShe is at a cross-roads in her life, both with her emotions + employment.
Kirsty needs to think long + hard, about what she really wants.
As for Philip - I still feel I don't know him, his background etc. so I don't wish to judge, just yet.
To say my catch-phrase - "Just my Thought" 🤣🤣🤣
DeleteThanks - Archerphile!!
Does the Village Shop have gluten-free, lactose-free products, and can Susan order them in, if required?
ReplyDeleteYou were spot on, Archerphile ! Congratulations. Kirsty's independent spirit. Find that very satisfying, it makes sense, those two might really make a go of their relationship.
ReplyDeleteThank you kindly Carolyn - it’s nice to get something right sometimes!
DeleteYes, Lilian, mummy does love you, now stop being so silly. She did say the right things to Tom, however, & the scene between him & Tony was heartening. An episode where partners, parent & child showed respect & affection, as opposed to the breakdown between Jim & Alistair.
ReplyDeleteFar from sure Natasha will want to pursue the fruit idea without the prospect of 500k dangling in front of her....we'll see.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteTha’s what Kirsty is telling herself (and Philip). It doesn’t explain the years of folding towels at Grey Gables while moaning about Life having nothing better to offer, until Philip came up with the job advert. Drop in income/inability.to pay way not a deterrent then, it seems. Questions: whatever does Grey Gables pay its towel folders that enables her to match Philip’s expenditure? Is he paying half the rent to Roy? Both rhetorical, obv.
DeletePhilip is paying rent to Roy and it wasn't he who came up with the job but offered encouragement, Kirsty applied some time ago and forgot about it but she was looking around to break away from GG, I don't think her salary there matches Philip's but it is a full-time job and she is worried about earning less money, again reassured by Philip.
DeleteKirsty applied for her ‘dream job’ - and forgot she had? As Freud said.....
Delete😊
DeleteEnjoyed tonight’s episode.
ReplyDeleteWhat will Natasha make of Tom backing down re Peggy’s challenge - not a happy bunny I suspect!
Lilian placated and Phil backing Kirsty to the hilt job wise. Would Kirsty have minded if her salary was higher than Phillip’s ... as he said we all contribute different things to a relationship and all are of value!
Sorry to ask a dumb question but who is Mr. Big?
ReplyDeleteCan't think of much worse than a huge tv in the bedroom.
Speaking of dumb questions, who is the bloke in the pink shirt in the cartoon? And is the cow a named cow or a generic cow? (Sorry, I’m cartoon dyslexic!)
ReplyDeleteI think that might be David, bashing Kenton, because he wanted his loan repaid..... but I might be completely wrong!
DeleteI thought it was the Grundy brothers but perhaps that's too ancient! 🙂
DeleteOh Just remembered - Is it Ian hitting Rob?
DeleteTesting
ReplyDeleteMr Big is obviously Oliver. Makes perfect sense the more you think about it. 😉
ReplyDeleteOf course, the silent, absent, too charming-to-be-the-bad-guy instigator.😉
DeleteAbsolutely, Gary and Seasider - the same thought occurred to me! We didn’t have much evidence,but what we have fits.
DeleteYes, big TV in the bedroom which is probably quite small but it'll be going to the big house next.
ReplyDeleteI was the one who mentioned Mr Big who I meant is the man who is behind the shady deals that Tim and Ed are involved in.
ReplyDeleteI explained earlier why I suggested he might be Phillip.
When there are ‘phone calls sometimes we hear both people speaking but at other times only the one person.
When we only one person that person often says something like”It is mum.I will contact her later”
However, often the person says “I need to answer this”.
If the ‘phone call isn’t important,why have it in the episode?
What on earth is Phillip doing buying a large television for the bedroom?
ReplyDeleteI imagine that Roy has the largest bedroom so Kirsty’s room isn’t likely to be that big so the TV will dominate the room.
Why do they need a TV anyway?
Presumably Kirsty didn’t.
She certainly didn't sound very enthusiastic did she ?
DeleteLanjan, I agree about 'phone calls with no follow up, a waste of episode time.
DeletePhilip said he bought the TV, so as not to inconvenience Roy, because he felt an intruder in his house in spite of paying his way. We don't know about Kirsty's viewing habits but Jazzer turned up once with some videos to cheer her up, we've not had them together since. Presumably Philip bought a large TV for the new house, Kirsty was upset because he hadn't asked her and it highlighted the difference in their incomes.
So Philip (and Kirsty) can watch tv in the evenings without intruding on Roy’s privacy by asking to watch his. As Basia says, it’s an advance purchase for Philip’s new house. Watching television together might be a bit of an euphemism.
DeleteAn indication of their lack of compatibility. As I suggested yesterday, I think the other and unspoken reason Kirsty is reluctant to take a cut in salary and be dependent on Philip is because she still harbours doubts - she indicated to Helen a while back that she was unsure about moving in with Philip. She then said she would but made it sound like she was settling for less.
DeletePerhaps it’s the euphemism not the TV set that Kirsty’s not so keen on. I’d say she was lucky to find Philip, given the lack of available men in the enclave.
DeleteI cannot understand why a single woman who presumably can’t afford to buy her own home and who would have expected a few years ago to have been living in comparative luxury had Tom not done the dirty on her, would contemplate taking a drop in salary however good the job seemed.
ReplyDeleteIf things do not work out between her and Phillip does she expect to share a house with Roy for the rest of her life?
Has Phillip proposed marriage?
Does she see this as the last chance she might get of settling down ?
Incidentally before Kirsty went off for her bat or shower or whatever ,Phillip did say when the ‘phone went.
“I need to answer this”
Why I wonder ?
What was so urgent that he couldn’t phone back!
Had it been something to do with his job he would surely have said
“Oh,it is Bob /Bill/ Sid .It’ll be about ......whatever”
Boring maybe, but why can't be as simple as it sounds ? If there was no Philip, surely she would have gone for it no question, it's right up her street potentially, &, if necessary ( not many outgoings, sharing the rent with Roy ), get another part time job, to make ends end. Emma did 3, until Peggy dumped her, & she has 3 children ! No, what was already an unequal partnership financially, will be even more glaring. She has been independent all her adult life & has her pride. I'm glad Philip turned it around.
ReplyDeleteI don't really think we're ever going to meet or even learn the name of Mr Big. They're a bunch of violent thugs, engaged in shifting illegal & dangerous chemicals, presumably run by some vile figure in the shadows.
I am very uncomfortable with the suggestion that ' Mr Big' might be Oliver.
ReplyDeleteOliver, Mr Kind and Comfortable.
Please don't turn him into an undesirable.
✔✔✔
DeleteI am very fond of Oliver and assumed Gary was joking. His only known connection is that he recommended Ed to Tim and Tim works or has done work for Grey Gables. I should think he would be mortified, after all the support he gave Ed to turn his life around, to learn that he had been in any way instrumental in leading Ed into criminal activities.
DeleteI would like to hear more from Oliver again but not under these circumstances.
I agree with you Seasider.
DeleteWhen and if Oliver finds out what has been going on with Tim and his protege Ed, he will be mortified.
And rightly so.
I was joking. As far as I’m concerned, Oliver is President of the Ambridge Mr Kind and Comfortable Club. Other members include Robert Snell, Neil Carter and Lewis Carmichael in absentia - also Leonard Berry (though personally I have some concerns about him).
DeleteThere again, why couldn’t Oliver cover his shift at the Bull tonight??😉
DeleteSeasider - indeed!
DeleteI am still not sure about Philip. He does sound genuine. Where is he parking his works van + tools? I ask this, as Kirsty had a go at Brian + Jenny with the parking of their cars, when they moved in next door.
ReplyDeleteAs to "Mr. Big" I expect that this will never be known, unless it turns out to be Tim, which would not surprise me.
I have not changed my mind, in that, I think Kirsty is a perfect candidate for Adam's Aquaponics.
DeleteI'm not sure what Philip actually does job wise. I thought he was an odd jobber like Tim, but if he is a builder why isn't he building his own?
ReplyDeleteIt's got to be a lot cheaper than buying a Justin Elliot bigger box on the hillside.
I think Mr Big is the artist extraordinaire Russ, he seemed to be cognisant about dodgy drugs. His sponging persona is a cover up and in my opinion he is one.big FAKE.
Russ is a "sponger" but a fake - I am not sure.
DeleteAlso with Philip he has been avaialable at short notice - repairing the hunt kennels, sorting out Lilian's en-suite.
I thought that if a "builder" was available at short notice, then their work could be questionable.
An odd-jobber makes more sense, but if that was so, how can he afford a new 4 bed. detached house at Beechwood,
Ambridge.
I am still puzzled about him and his past (he is divorced with a son - if I recall correctly).
Perhaps I thinking too hard, and he is just as he appears, genuine, sincere and loves Kirsty and just doesn't care what her work is. He just wants her to be happy + content, as his partner.
Perhaps if Philip employs his own work force, he could leave them, to do small jobs at short notice, which would help his business + profile.
DeletePerhaps Philip doesn't have the time to build his own home just now but is his plan for the future.
I thought he was self employed, with a small team, some building, possibly not from scratch, but extensions, installations, decorating etc.
DeleteIt appears that Dorothy has realised, what it means to be a partner to some-one, who is serving in HM forces. It is the not knowing how long they will be away, where they are and is it a peaceful or hostile situation.
ReplyDeleteI never thought that Dorothy was Dan's life-long partner as they seemed so different, but opposites do attract.
What a good scene that was between Alistair & Shula. The man is a diamond. He really was very gentle with S. in the circumstances ! She couldn't even see initially how similar her situation was to Dorothy's !They are both effectively Daniel's parents, yet A. had the broader, generous view of offering support to both.
ReplyDeleteShula's loss !
DeleteSomebody on here mentioned Dan and Dorothy a few days ago - we’ll, now we have the answer!
ReplyDeleteHow considerate and kind of Alistair to ring her too, to find out how she was too. And how un-empathetic of Shula not to see the similarities between the two breakups.
No doubt Shula felt this was about Dan - not about her. How unkind of Alistair to rub it in. He is obviously still smarting more than he pretends to be, and this was retaliation.
DeleteIf Shula felt this was about Dan she should be relieved that Dorothy made her decision now rather than later, Alistair wanted to hear both sides of the story and dismissed it as a twist of fate suggested by Shula.
DeleteAgree with you carolyn and MrsP - Shula's loss indeed.
ReplyDeleteThis is the second time since the breakup that Alistair has announced he is leaving his sheltered accommodation and getting somewhere to live independently. I’ll believe it when it happens.
ReplyDeleteDear TA Scriptwriters
ReplyDeleteAmbridge is currently in the grip of Terrible Pet Syndrome, causing suffering to selected residents and also to this listener. Please could you arrange for Webster and Hilda Ogden to be left alone together in a confined space. The likely result would be much appreciated by the aforementioned residents and
Yours truly
Maryellen
Somebody, a while back, asked why Philip is buying one of Justin’s expensive houses, when he could have built his own.
ReplyDeleteI think the answer ‘lies in the soil’! (If anyone remembers that comedy line) i.e. the cost of building land. It’s OK to say he could build his own house, but where? The price of land around Ambridge must be very high and probably unaffordable for him.
Oh yes AP I remember “ that” line very well 😂
DeleteI would like to ask Maryellen why she has ‘concerns’ about Leonard (5.28pm, yesterday)
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think could be wrong with - or about- him or his past?
All I hear is a very pleasant, friendly widower, who is perhaps a bit lonely and has formed a warm friendship with Jill.
I may be too trusting but I cannot, for the life of me, imagine what skeletons he could have in his cupboard, or what malevolent intentions he could have for Jill.
I have really taken to him and would have no qualms about Leonard and Jill marrying and moving into Glebe Cottage.
Time for the Brookfield lot to stand on their own feet and Jill to have a rest and enjoy her declining years with a kind and loving partner.
I will forward your enquiry to maryellen, Archerphile!
DeleteAgree AP 🤗
DeleteArcherphile - maryellen says she is positive Leonard Berry has no EastEnders-type skeletons in the cupboard or malevolent designs on Jill. She is more concerned about his aptitude for fibbing (she hasn’t forgotten him colluding with David to deceive Jill) and his sponging off Brookfield/Jill. How long did it take him to invite Jill back to his place after instantly making himself at home in Brookfield, she asks rhetorically. We know he was on Shula’s arts project team on false pretences, and she suspects the architectural knowledge displayed at Lower Loxley came out of the guidebook from a previous visit.
DeleteShe has no objection to him and Jill marrying or cohabiting, espresso if it takes them out of the enclave to his place (as everyone says, Jill needs her load lightened so a smaller place would be better). She does object to the. possibility of Carol being kicked out of Glebe Cottage, though to be fair, no one in Ambridge has suggested this (yet).
Espresso = especially
DeleteI rather liked espresso which could mean speedily.
DeleteI”ll tell my iPad that!
DeleteHello
ReplyDelete...and to you stasia. Are you having blog problems? 🤔
DeleteI am 100% in agreement with you.,Archerphile
ReplyDeleteI think that Leonard has been a breath of fresh air compared with the other newcomers to Ambridge
I am not sure that Lilian is going to be an asset at The Bull.
ReplyDeleteApart from the fact that her mind isn’t on the job in hand ,her dreadful cackle which has become even more pronounced may put off the customers
It would certainly put me off Lanjan ! I don’t think Kenton is too keen either!
DeleteSurely Lilian is an asset, as she has share in The Bull, until recently a silent partner. Can Kenton + Jolene afford to lose her. Also the regulars know Lilian, who can be curbed (which Matt managed).
DeleteLil is the archetypal jolly, loud, bra bursting barmaid.
ReplyDeleteBet Lynch + Peggy Butcher, spring to mind - but they both had profitable pubs.
DeleteLilian’s cackle reminds me of Sybil’s in “Fawlty Towers” without the err err right at the end!
DeleteMy apologies for inserting singular words with no meaning. I have been unable to access the blog for several days on the iPad no matter how I tried, had to resort to my phone which I am not particularly keen on using as everything is small. Am now using chrome and all is right in the world, but not in Ambridge. I did at one point think of giving up and then decided I’d miss the funny, clever chatter.
ReplyDeleteGlad you are sorted stasia. Many of us resorted to using Chrome for the blog.
DeleteStasia so glad you are staying - your input would have been missed. I also use chrome plus a gmail email account ( only used here) to enable me to post here. For some reason my nornal email address just doesn't work. I am so pleased I sorted it.
DeleteI assume this is because Google run Chrome, gmail and this blog site so everything worked together well.
DeleteWelcome back Stasia. I think we realised you must be having problems.
DeleteMonosyllabic posts not being your usual style.
Tony was completely reasonable tonight. Goodness, how I dislike Peggy.
ReplyDeleteWell I'm with Tony, as he explained he's been working towards this goal for the past 30 years but if Peggy wants a new gimmick project may the best one win.
ReplyDeleteAlso, now we know why Jazzer bought himself a tarantula and he managed to sort out two issues tonight.
As much as I like Jazzer, I just can't see him being able to manage the Aquaponics.
ReplyDeleteHe will be hands on, as this is what he does so well, but I can't see how he will cope with the system.
He has some sort of brain damage, due to ketamine he ingested which was stolen from Alistair. I wonder if he will be able to sort out problems with the pumps, filters, water clarity etc. which Adam had to ask Alice about.
To give my catchphrase - Just an idle thought. 😀
Quite agree with you Ex -Londoner.
ReplyDeleteTony was not being at all selfish as Peggy suggested.
I hope he doesn’t change his mind when Natasha twists his arm.
I bet he will.
PS - intrigued as to why you are an ex Londoner?
Born and bred there, but have lived in the Kent countryside for 35 years. Love both places.
DeleteBasia,I am pleased you are with Tony but it is subjective as to whether the best “man” or “manipulative daughter in law “ will win.
ReplyDeleteHopefully neither.
DeleteI hope everyone declines Peggy’s offer but weak Tony will change his mind when Natasha has words with him and butters him up.
ReplyDelete