Hard Times come to Ambridge; will Pip or the Ambridge Fairy save the day? Discuss The Archers here.

[PseudoBadger]

Enjoy!

I've met a fair few Albanians in London, not sure about Borsetshire. Not as many as Poles but definitely more than from any other Balkan countries. According to official statistics (Wikipedia ), there are far fewer Albanians than Serbians or Ukrainians so maybe I just unknowingly live in the Albanian enclave! No excuse for me re. Elona!

I seem to recall a discussion here or possibly on the BBC messageboard about how odd it was that HWMNBN specifically said he'd met Elona in Albania. Why would he have gone there? Given the ages of the two girls, that would have been way back before Albania was a place a monoglot, cash-strapped Englishman would have gone on holiday or looking for work. Far more plausible that she had somehow made her way to the UK and they'd met here, but the SWs had decided otherwise.

Was he in the army?

Never mentioned, if so. Might have explained a lot, though.

But doesn't really care enough about the cows to have taken the IBR outbreak seriously

She doesn't really care about animals. She wasn't in the least bothered when Toby allowed several hens to be killed through sheer incompetent fecklessness.

Have been away on holiday and don't have time to read the full thread, but DH pointed something out a few weeks ago and I don't know if anyone else picked it up.

When Matt returned Lillian's figurines (china shepherdesses or whatever), when he left he said 'Yeah, see you Lillian.' in a very pointed way. DH is convinced he's put a spy cam in one of the figures so he can watch Lillian and Justin. I wasn't having any of it - seemed too way out, but I did LA, and there is something a bit off with the way Matt says it.

DH will be insufferable if he's right.

The spy-cam theory does seem a bit far-fetched. What would be Matt's motive? He's given money to Lillian, so it hardly seems as if he's hoping that J and L will have a conversation right in front of the figurines that he can exploit financially or emotionally.

I still stick with the theory that the comments Matt made (including saying "Bye, pusscat" after Lillian closed the door on him) show he still has some affection for Lillian, but recognises he can do nothing while Justin is in the picture.

I thought it was kind of far fetched that the dealer hadn't sold any of them in the meantime, they were all just sitting there in the shop ... unless I misunderstood that bit?

Fink I thought that too!

I agree fink. I bet he paid a lot less than he sold them for if they'd been gathering dust all that time

Oh, I love this! What a perfect way to sow discord in Bridge Farm.

I'm on a train and reception keeps cutting out - but I'm sure I heard a figure of 1m? That's a lot of principles ...

Yup. £1 million.

I was getting ready to shout at the radio when Justin also mentioned it would be consistent with the Local Plan.

What is the significance of the bit of woodland of unknown ownership? Is Justin leading them on to think that it is only the Bridge Farm acreage that he is going to build on, when he also has plans for the wood too (Phase II).

It will be interesting to see Tom's reaction, against his principles but all that money to fund his shiny new ideas.

Thanks R4

The bath for 2 is indeed TMI...

The bath for 2 is indeed to much information, also it would be likely to remain empty. (dh is 10 years younger than Lil and Jus. but he doesn't have baths , esp. not those high sided ones, due to arthritic limbs)

Lil might put the figurines in the bathroom and give Matt a thrill!

I doubt Lilian or Justin can be that arthritic if they are out riding so much.

Yes a bit of a credibility stretch there methinks, though a horse with a step up would probably be easier to manage than a big high slippery bath would be.

Souplate I made exactly the same comment re the spy cam in the shepherdesses at the time - though also thought it entirely far-fetched! I agree with your DH though, that's certainly what it seemed like.
Re. Justin and the Bridge Farm bribe, it seems that with their big bill for legal costs they'd hard pushed to turn it down. Selling a few acres for affordable housing doesn't seem so terrible - especially when there is such a dire need in the village. Presumably this is so they'll feel awkward opposing the pig unit and this will give a conflict of interest between Helen and Kirsty (though Kirsty is exactly the sort of person who'd benefit from some affordable housing in the village since she doesn't have any parents living there to provide her with accommodation). Or possibly between Tom and Helen who won't be able to agree. It's interesting that since he ditched Miranda Justin seems to be morphing back into hard-headed big businessman and moving away from being the amiable old country gent he was when he was wooing Lillian. I hope we are not going to go full circle and see a psychopath being brought in to manage the new pig unit.

I think we need to hear from Maurice on the mega pork proposal ...

I wonder if Charlie could be persuaded to manage the mega pigs.

I thought it had gone on the mortgage? Did I dream that?
The money will be used for the packhouse. Tom will give up pigs and become Kimchee Captain