SOC has soaked Ambridge to the core across a never ending weekend. Discuss The Archers post-watershed here.

[PseudoBadger]

Deluged damp squid or not? And has Peggy been assisted off the mortal coil by Rob yet?
And when will JD and Brian remember Debbie?

Yeah Zero I do reckon he's just going to do a runner. I'm just not sure when but it will solve all his problems in one go.

Obviously I'm not amazing at predicting the storylines , after all HWMNBN didn't perish in a fire, nor did PC Plot or LL. I'm not a pyromaniac honest! But threads elsewhere on the net have hinted at a similar outcome to mine for Knob so it's not just me thinking it.

I should imagine that soc has decided he doesn't have enough baddies so wants hazel to be more regular. The shoot gives her a reason to come back

Remind me - is Hazel in a relationship? There's obviously someone she wants to impress; is it business or pleasure.

Interesting Gypsy ...

A few years back there was some convoluted plotline about Hazel - I forget now whether she was going to get married or was already married, but marriage featured in it somehow. Her intended was in California and had children from an earlier union. At the time she claimed to be in the film business as a producer, I think. It all went belly up but I can't remember how or why now. Anybody else got better recall?

Just listening to today's episode. Shula sounded as though she was physically manhandling poor Benjamin the Donkey in and out of the trailer, the way she was huffing and heaving.
The shop is definitely relocating to Bridge Farm, isn't it? Why would Soosan have a problem with that?

Ah yes, I remember that too, Gasp. As usual, Hazel was after money (and I think she got some too)

Wikipedia says:

In 2005 Peggy tried to persuade her husband to agree to his affairs being governed by power of attorney. At the same time, Jack Woolley's adopted daughter Hazel (various actresses, on this occasion Annette Badland) came over from the United States, after some years of absence. Using the cover of an Internet business and an imaginary step family, she failed in an attempt to con Jack and Peggy and gain control of the Grey Gables hotel and leisure complex.

There will be more in Lowfield but don't have time to track it all down now.

Patrick has a lovely touch on the organ.

Thanks, Bore! That rings a bell. V. odd story indeed.

Bluestocking, it's only relocating to Bridge Farm while the flood subsides. However, as Hazel is here I'd put money on her selling the shop premises before long anyway, so it probably will turn out to be a permanent move. I suppose at present, though, Pat is worried Susan will think BF is launching a takeover bid by filling the shelves with cheese and sausages.

Thanks both.

I imagine Susan's nose would be put out of joint because she imagines herself as top dog at the village shop because of her (former /current?) post office rôle. Once it moves to BF she'll just be another volunteer. Or am I missing something?

I was beyond thrilled to hear Maurice's name. Just hope he's not auditioning to be the new Freda.

Do you think Bert has been carrying a torch for Maurice, Zero?

Totally. Surely it's obvious?

Lowfield has come up trumps! Hazel arrives here and over the next few weeks puts the squeeze on Jack. It ends with her wanting half a million £ and the title to Grey Gables and it looks like she'll get her way.
However

Lilian has been doing some more research on Hazel's business. Peggy and Lilian confront her with what they've found out. When Lilian called Carl's office, his WIFE answered the phone. She [Hazel] was never married and she never had any step children. It was all an excuse to get money out of Jack. The game is up. She can forget all about their arrangement. Peggy pays her off out of her own money and Hazel agrees to go.

PS I have always luffed Maurice so hope we will be hearing his lugubrious tones again soon

Mert? Baurice? I'd ship that. They could double date with Jizzer.

An hour BOW - a whole hour on Lowfield. (Kept falling asleep too.) And I was so anxious that Hazel would fox Jack and get hold of GG.

It's too late for me to give up TA for Lent isn't it?

It's too late for us all Zero

shooting somewhat less muddy?

It is if you're a gun - you get taken up to some field in a landrover and plonked down by your position and at the end of the drive, you're picked up and taken away again.

If you're a beater, you may well be trudging through a kale field which will be all mud underfoot. One of my main memories of beating as a child is cold, muddy fields. And less muddy winter woods with brambles that might flick back and catch you.

Obviously Hazel wouldn't do something as lowly as beating.

I LOVE Ambridge Synthetics!

This is my fave

Did Peggy not tell Jick about Hazel's deception? Otherwise why would he not have changed his will? It also explains why Hazel sounds so triumphant now - outwitted by Piggoi once, but not on this occasion.

I can't remember exactly what happened, but I think Jack was already a bit wandered, as my mother would say, and in any case he had a total blind spot about Hazel - could see no wrong in her. Peggy wouldn't have wanted to hurt him by pointing out the full extent of Hazel's duplicity and hypocrisy. Hazel thinks she has won because Jack left her so much, but actually that was a conscious decision on Peggy's part not to interfere with Jack's plans.

Ambridge Synthetics is brilliant! (voice of Arthur from Cabin Pressure). I love the idea of Adam as permanently surrounded by the Big Five.

So Tony's recovered enough to be a miserable old sod, BOOP point for that

Helen seems full of ideas and enthusiasm for the 'new' shop. Her mind is a revolving door and I'm not sure that can be blamed entirely on Rob.

It'll be a nice own goal for Rob if they do ditch AO and instead re-institute The Packhouse as a combined village shop, farm shop and deli, which could leave Helen not only more involved but also tied back in closely with her family.

Loved the Synthetics and the Nancy (please can someone always link when there's a new one, she's great).