Our modest little The Archers thread has its very own radio celebrity! Join us for the hottest chilli in town, and await the impending doom as all plans go into reverse in Ambridge.

[PseudoBadger]

It's all getting rather delicious. I feel sorry for Kenton the fool

Let's hope so blue!!!

I'm really feeling for Ruth and glad she got angry - though not angry enough in my book.

This kind of decision making has been happening in my life too - Oedipus Shmedipus as someone said.
Kill Jill.

I wanted to hear Pip explode!

I was just thinking about the "Archers have always been at Brookfield"

Thousands of farming families have had to give up and move on after many generations, and not only in Britain.

Kill Jill! Ruth takes off her overalls to reveal ... a yellow all-in-one zip-up trouser suit.

Bluestocking

What Ruth doesn't realise is that all Jill's cake tins have pop-out throwing stars in their bottoms ... Pip returns to find her mother and grandmother in a battle to the death.

Oh, please don't make this a MIL thing

It's all kicking off, Prudhoe! (anyone else Armstrong and Miller fans?)

Actually,I think Ruth was incredibly angry, cutteduppear- she usually blows her top, but she was scary icy this time.

And the rain came and poured and poured. .. The ditch needed clearing!.... SINKHOLE!

CUP - did you used to be RnRN? - If so can I just say I loved your AmEx updates.

Not surprised Ruth was a little peeved at realising D had already spoken to his mum. I thought it must be same day and Hayley had come straight from seeing Roy.

If they divorce the farm will have to be sold surely?

I'd have thought so. I know a couple who stayed together because the estate wouldn't have survived a divorce, and the weight of generations of expectations... Of course, it's a bit easier when you live somewhere that means one of you can go into a spare cottage on the farm. But in some ways, an early, alcohol-related death almost a blessing. It's all rather sad and depressing, really.

I think Ruth was massively angry, too - and I think I would be too, in that position. Clearly her own opinion and wishes count for absolutely nothing against being an Archer; but that is the way of many farming families. It can be oppressive.

I'm sure I must be odd then, but I have no issue with dh discussing things with his mum or dad before me. I'm confident enough that he isn't being convinced by them he is just framing it in his mind with people who know him best.

In this case davids mum noticed his mental decline while his wife happily ignored it.

But David was going to have to give up so much more than anyone else. And he's never been really on board, has he? It's always be Ruth's plan. And the Heather storyline is bonkers- she won't move, so there has to be this massive, ludicrous upheaval ..............

But she would have known when she married that she was tied to that farm until the end. (And she would never have suggested the move in the first place)

She saw a chance and took it but I don't think she should be surprised or blame Jill.

She should blame the freaky channelling cow

I wonder if I'm alone on this thread in always having quite liked Ruth. Not like like obviously but I just don't have a problem with her at all.

byos I kind of agree with you. DH and I have not been married as long as D&R but in my mind the reason we are in the position we are (living on, and running a farm, which in the fullness of time will belong to us) is due to DH's parents. Major decisions would always be discussed with them, and as the 'non Archer' in the family I have a say, but not a deciding one, if that makes sense. I would always expect Dh to discuss major things with his parents, as I do with mine.

nauticant - I like Ruth too. I think she's one of the better women on the Archers. A partner in the business, a 'good-enough' mum.

The Archers belong at Brookfield - which is what we've been saying since this unbelievable plot first surfaced. No surprise, only surprise is that Ruth is surprised. Not even any attempt to make the Heatherpet excuse a valid one - how often has anyone actually been to see her since she had her accident (and actually needed help)? Just a huge storm in a teacup to drive a wedge between Daveed and his siblings, Daveed and Rooth, Rooth and Jill etc etc. I don't for a single moment believe the bypass will go ahead either - no one can be bothered to follow it through in real time so it will no doubt be seen off before the end of summer and we'll all have to live with the dramatic fall out - potentially entertaining though it might be - knowing it is all entirely contrived (cue DH telling me it's all contrived because it's not real you know!)

I'm not sure Ruth knows about the freaky channelling cow. If she did, she might be able to get David sectioned, and then go along with all her Hadley Hough plans anyway.

Also - and this barely needs pointing out - that ending was pure Stella Gibbons. There have always been Starkadders at Cold Comfort Farm.

It's so cold and windy and rainy outside just now I can't imagine why anyone would want to work on The Land, but then I'm not An Archer.

Haha Catie I'm just steeling myself to go and check the cows... We are keeping ourselves going by daydreaming about warm summer days with shorts and shades at the moment, the bonus of working the land being that we get to spend more time outside ib the good weather too. we are also planning the next holiday

I am another who does not dislike Ruth. I've never understood why she is hated so much by listeners. She's had some good lines/stories, though the acting is sometimes a bit wooden. I've not read Cold Comfort Farm - I acquired a copy when you were all discussing it some months ago but haven't opened it yet. Has that time come now?

Ruth's anger was quite well done. it's that cold rage you feel when you are so angry you haven't the energy to shout. I've only felt it once or twice in my life - once at work when I was putting a bullying manager in her place, and once with DH (a matter we've now resolved, thank goodness).