The Archers: Discussion #84. New Year and some of us are still listening even if we don't know why.

[DadDadDad]

New posters welcome - with your fresh views and burning questions.

Old posters welcome - with your jaded views and knowledgeable answers.

But new posters feel free to be jaded, and old posters feel free to ask questions!

How is the Pip storyline going to play out and do you care?

As usual, if you want to mention the advertised storylines for future episodes, there's a separate thread for that - no spoilers here, please.

Just imagine we're all sitting round a table at The Bull -->

I don't really recall much talk of Grace when Phil was alive Me neither.

and apparently ready to be nanny She is the Ambridge childcare fairy.

I don’t know where she gets the energy, I’m worn out after 2 days with my grandkids, and much younger than she is.

But he is vain and self regarding imposter . He's always been quite a typical egotistical male.

Agree with you therppeat. Be just looked up Jill, shes 87, most 87s I know are having a nap in the afternoon, and have usually got hip replacement. No way she’d be running after a toddler. I may be projecting here, but it’s a bit different to making meals and baking.
If she was my mum I’d be saying no.

Jill feeling jealous of Grace has been a thing for decades. I've been listening for nearly 40 years and seem to recall it coming up in the 80s.

Oh yes, @ppeatfruit, vain and self-regarding as well as charming. That’s why he’s such a good character. He’s real to life in being complex.

The air in Ambridge is particularly conducive to old age. Cases in point are the eternally nubile Lillian and her beau, Peggy, campaigner and compulsive flapjack baker Jill, Lynda-sniff-Snell still working at 70, Joe Grundy 97-yr old cider entrepreneur, Pat'n'Tone...

Aargh, as people predicted up thread, Helen is modelling herself as the perfect example of how to be an independent, successful, single mother [frustrated head banging against a wall emoji]

At least we know what the Pip-pup is called. Its Bay-Bee. Toe-Bee's Bay-Bee.

Why doesn’t Susan take over Kefir production herself? She’s always needling Mike about his lack of ambition. Now’s her chance!

NEIL not Mike!!

E Bron was on a R4 afternoon play a few weeks ago. Maybe she‘s just got lots of better offers.

Bloody hell I can't stand almost 9 months of this.

I was yelling SHUT UP at the radio as Pip went on & on in that self-indulgent way ....

It'll all end in tears.

I had to turn off

This is going to be worse than the Helrob takeover

I was trying to remember the name of the Rob actor. Tim something was it?

Tim Watson. had to search.

My MIL is 87 and goes dancing or swimming every day and has a busier social life than her son and I. No ops either. I think if she was asked to look after a hypothetical great GC she'd say no because she wouldn't have time in her schedule.

But does she make flapjacks and endless flasks of coffee?

A belated Happy New Year to all & thank you to D^3 for the new thread. Nothing for me to add.

Oh I loved Helen's speech last night, especially when she said if she could do it anyone can.
Reasons why Helen - despite what she may think - is not a 'normal' single mum:
She lives with her parents, who seem to think the world will stop turning if 'fragile' Helen is upset.
So, her normal day presumably consists of getting herself and the boys up, eating breakfast prepared by Pat, either she or Pat take Henry to school, walking over the farmyard to 'work' the hours she wants while Jack is cared for by Pat/Toby, school pick up either by Pat or herself, boys looked after by herself or P+T, dinner made by Pat, boys put to bed.
If you can do it, anyone can Helen! No nursery fees or pickup/drop off, no commute, barely any housework, no work pressures, a decent wage for floating around being wise and brave - she's an inspiration to us all.

Mum no time for that - when she's not swimming or dancing she's off doing coach tours with her toy boy/gentleman friend.

Well Jill'd be alright babysitting while tinytobe is little. (she could cook casseroles or knit in Pip's place while she\he sleeps).

The problems might arise if the babe is an early crawler\walker and continues rushing about!

You are presuming a lot, it's not as if we see what Helen actually does cathf

eating breakfast prepared by Pat

Is preparing breakfast really a thing? I know there is that Tolkienesque stereotype of the farmer's breakfast table groaning with bacon, eggs, mushrooms, breads and cakes, jams, etc. But surely the reality is switching on the kettle and pulling the shreddies out of the cupboard?