Lies and subterfuge in Ambridge - from a policeman? That's just not cricket! Discuss The Archers here.

[PseudoBadger]

Thank you R4 for the title.

Let's not forget there's also Tilly Button.
I have high hopes for them both,

I may be missing something here but why would anyone be interested in visiting an open day at the vets? You go for jabs and emergencies, not to ooooh over fresh paintwork. It's bizarre.

The whole makeover of the reception in the surgery is bizarre.

I've spent my entire life being a person who has a vet. I've dealt with country vets for farm animals and horses and city vets for cats. Not once has " do the have a swanky reception area " been a consideration.

It might be important if you are say Paris Hilton with her handbag dogs but any one else?

Wasn't the open day to introduce anisha as the new wonderful equine specialist?

AntiBoop - even so, if your horse is all fine and dandy, would you be going to the vets? It's not somewhere you choose to go.

I went to an open day at an equine centre, where they were showing off their therapy pool, the swish operating facilities and so on. There were a lot of other people there, too.

I don't think people would be bothered about the reception - though if everything else has been done up, you'd certainly wonder why they hadn't at least given the area a lick of point while they were at it, if it hadn't been done, and if it were really shabby, it wouldn't give a good impression. It doesn't have to be swanky, but it has to be sufficiently well kept that its condition is unobtrusive, rather than noticeable for the wrong reasons, and I would assume that with sick animals being carted through every day, regular decoration and deep cleaning would be necessary to some extent. They must get the odd over-excited kitten or puppy making a mess from time to time.

An open day would probably get a lot of icals out of nosiness, which will get people talking about it. I can see how it would spark interest, and thus maybe some new clients.

I must say, I'm on Alistair's side about being expected to fork out £8K for the kennels. There's a major difference between money to upgrade the business when it's ultimately an investment to benefit both of them, and money to upgrade kennels to allow loads of other perfectly well-heeled people to continue to enjoy their hobby. Even more so when Shula isn't even the Hunt Master yet, and the necessity arises because the current incumbents let things slide.

I must say, the whole business of Hunt Masters being expected to keep shelling out to keep the hunt going is an eye-opener to me. In every other area of life people generally expect to have to pay up whatever it takes to pursue their hobby, unless they're using facilities that are paid for by other means, e.g. communal football grounds, or else they fundraise. They don't expect an individual to shoulder the major expenses for them. Why is hunting different?

I didn't understand at all why Shula is paying for this.

I don't understand why we have got a proper builder in to do this. I would have thought that Eddie or HWMNBN would appreciate the work.

Am I overthinking Tom's comments about Johnny not keeping No1 nice and clean. The lack of hygiene is not connected to IBR, is it.

mega - communal football grounds ? It costs a small fortune to get a pitch round here.
R4 I thought Tom was just talking bollocks
I must preferred Pip as a silent character last night.

Timothy Watson's giving it 'the full Rob' whilst being interviewed by Inspector Morse on this afternoon's play! It's making me smile......which probably isn't the intention. Very entertaining.

What I can't understand is all the redecorating of the surgery reception, etc.

It will all have been done on insurance after the flood, surely?

Just been catching up. Have I mentioned how much I loathe Eddie.

Vango - yes, I heard that! And quite enjoyed the Morse radio play. Though I'm not sure DP appreciated my shouting 'That's Rob!' as soon as the actor's voice was heard ...

why would anyone be interested in visiting an open day at the vets?

My dogs have always found vet's waiting rooms extremely interesting, but they probably wouldn't enjoy a freshly decorated one nearly as much as a mature olfactory palimpsest. They're not so keen on the rest of the place.

why would anyone be interested in visiting an open day at the vets?

I have no idea.

I assume they are trying to appeal to horse owners rather than small pet owners. If all horse owners are like Miranda then they will want some swank. Anisha was wining and dining one woman wasn't she? So I guess the open day is totty and poach customers on the basis their facilities are state of the art now

I wouldn't out it past Toby to be the source of the infection on the farm. He's the type of lazy sh*T who wouldn't bother to disinfect his gumboots after visiting another farm.

Daffy, I was thinking that too. And raking my somewhat inadequate memory for a scene where Toby was visiting another farm. I can't think there's been one?

Saffy not Daffy. Spell check dislikes Saffy it seems.

Well I'm hoping that tonight we find out that the Bridge Farm cows now have IBR as well (would that cause the late abortion?) and that Pip has to come clean about having allowed the herds to mix.

Much speculation on mustardland about whether any of this could have caused Kirsty's miscarriage as well (hence us knowing that they're going to get results on Tuesday). I know pregnant women are supposed to keep away from sheep/lambs but not sure about cows? Is it a risk?

Should say I'm not hoping the cows are sick - poor things, and poor Bridge Farm. Just that Pip deserves a comeuppance.

But the Somerset cows might not be the source. It could be a third party closer to home infecting them both.

Oooh, setting Pip up for a hell of a fall...

Ruth and David have got a bloody cheek. I see Pip hasn't spoken up yet, why am I not surprised.
I hadn't thought about the IBR causing the miscarriage.