Roll up roll up! It's nearly Apple Day in Ambridge. Grab a slice of Borset apple cake and see who's got the longest peel in The Archers.

[PseudoBadger]

I'm so happy with the return to the little things. Enjoy the new thread!

And yes Alistair would definitely have invited Anisha along to the Bartleby call.

The whole laissez faire attitude to colic was totally unrealistic - in an ancient Grundy-owned pony it would have been an emergency, not a jag of Buscopan-type call

I'd love to know where Anisha is going to do all of her orthopaedic surgical procedures? Shula's kitchen?!?

Judy Bennett has played Shula forever, if I was her I'd have researched horse stuff myself and pulled up shoddy SWs.

I'm not convinced that Lilian is blackmailable over her r/ship with Justin. I can't imagine it bothers her enough, and this is Ambridge where quite a few of them are playing away - though thankfully not all at once. I'd expect Lil just to give her cackly laugh and say to Knob 'Oh, darling, you must be joking'.

No, Lillian isn't blackmailable on her own behalf, but she could be blackmailed on Justin's behalf if he doesn't want his wife to find out.

I can't imagine that getting Rob anywhere other than into hot water. How would it go - Rob hints to Lillian that he will spill the beans (assuming he even knows - he may have a particularly good nose for other people's secrets and vulnerabilities but how would he have picked up on it?) - Lillian indignantly tells Justin in a 'now will you believe what a shit he is' way.

You see, i don't believe a woman in Miranda's position wouldn't already have guessed. I can't believe it's the first time Justin has had a bit on the side. I hate that expression BTW. I agree with Errol - It will just give Lilian ammunition. I hope so anyway!

That's my point, really, Errol. There's considerable evidence that Rob can't handle the loss of control that he has suffered, let alone the way he was so publicly pilloried, and that is affecting his judgment. He is quite capable of thinking that it's clever to try to pressurise Lillian without assessing the dangers to him that that could involve.

Not sure Justin would be that fussed if his wife (Miranda?) found out anyway, when ever she's made an appearance they don't seem to give two shits about it each other!

Totally agree about Shula and her horses. I think the SWs try to portray her as an accomplished rider by making out is she always sat atop of uncontrollable, frothing at the mouth types that dance about when asked to stand still. Well if she schooled them properly they would halt and stand quietly when she tells them to It would be so nice to hear Shula actually talking like a horse woman. "Harness-gate" was a definite low!

Maybe Justin would be bothered about his cronies finding out. Or the taxman.

I agree that Lillian is not blackmailable and would tell Justin anyway

Last time Miranda put in an appearance she warned Justin about having another affair I'm sure she dismissed Lillian, as she considered her to be too old. I don't think she realised that Lillian actually owns the house.
I agree she can't be blackmailed, but Rob may well be stupid enough to try.

I'm more concerned that Justin will pressurise Lillian to provide a roof over the head of his manager.
How can his references trump the fact that he was given notice to leave his previous house because of his appalling behaviour?

Well Lillian should tell Justin to Fuck Off !
And if he's really insistent she should tell him to pack his bags as well.

For brevity - I agree with everything above, particularly the nonsense of Lilian ever considering letting to Rob.

But anyway - I'm sitting in the Barbican and a beautiful boy just wafted past. Spitting image of darling Freddie.

It's not so much the naming of the horses that's irritating as the 'Whoa Whoever.' Nobody says 'Whoa'. Or perhaps they do in other parts of the country but I've never heard it here. And the disconnect between the sound effects of the horses' hooves and what they're supposed to be doing.

'WHOA Victor, you mad, stampeding beast.'

So what do people actually say to their horses when they stop ? (given that some of us want to know if it's Victor or Spearmint or whoever)

Well, I tend to use my body position with my sensitive dressage cum eventer. And if I use a voice command to steady her, then I used a soothing voice. Weaker riders and stronger horses depend on using the reins.

Do you use 'giddy up'?

I know nothing about horse riding but have always thought Shula is struggling

Ooo - well done Lilian 👍.

Nice to hear Lillian telling Justin exactly why she doesn't want to rent to Rob. Hope she sticks to her guns...

Oh dear, nothing resolved. Yet.

Well I only heard the last 30 seconds and she sounded a bit pathetic!

Waiting for Lillian's backbone to turn to jelly.