The dog days of summer are approaching Ambridge. Freddy’s being hounded and Brian is in the dog house - can Jenny take the ruff with the smooth?

[PseudoBadger]

Thanks to all for the dog ideas, and special mention to Ppeatfruit.

Discuss the Archers here!

Isn't the original Kate now Tracey Horribin?

Not sure. Old Kate was Kellie Bright.

What is the big deal about Ruth's 50th? What a huge fuss.

I don't think Jenny's mind is going to be on the party after all that.

After tonight's episode DD confusedly said to me, 'Is the Archers real life or a story?' I wasn't sure what to answer.

To misquote Dumbledore, just because it’s a story that doesn’t mean it can’t be real life.

I'm wondering how this will pan out, as the cost of paying for the clean-up could bankrupt the Aldridges. They're too valuable as plot fodder to disappear entirely, possibly live in a caravan on the village green.

I wonder if some SW fairy will have the pollution traced elsewhere. Clutching at straws here, but then the SWs have in the past, too.

Fink my answer would have been: “It’s real life of course (well that’s what I allow myself to believe) now shut up, I’m listening” Have had many similar conversations with my two over the years.

According to The Times today.....Rob will be back....of course he will.
Hiss booo

Ugh I can't bear Kirsty.

I did enjoy Brine's "Get off my laaaand!" moment.

There was never any doubt the Rob will be back.

I'll save them the bother and write the scripts if that helps (stalking, eerie charm, mind control, custody battles, Helen surprised etc etc)

The bit in the Times was good - the Editor talked about having heard of an Ex who just used to lift up the windscreen wipers on his wife's car to intimidate her.

Hopefully Rob can somehow be blamed for all the problems with the chemicals dumped on Brian's land before Rob was born ... The Aldridges are home and dry, Rob goes down, life returns to normal.

Probably not though.

Must say I'm finding the contamination story just too depressing. Not just a financial disaster but environmental damage.

We've already got

• Brexit
• untimely death and bereavement
• Will's 'custody' issues
• the tragedy that is Chris Barford's life
• Alistair and Shula
• Olwyn

… and to cap it all, still no sign of the bunting.

I also can't actually bear the contamination storyline any more.

It may be callous but, I think it's a real shame Shula wasn't struck down with the galloping trots. A bum heavy dose of norovirus instead of this man flu. A real dignity wiper whilst Alistair putters about bring the hero.

Dear god, Smugs has a cold. A cold! And she's carrying on like bloody Camille.

If she had flu she would not be interested in grilled chicken and steamed veg. Or much else.

I liked the fact that when I re-heard the Single Wicket in the omnibus you could hear the start of Shula's cold, which I had totally missed first time round. I love these little touches to TA.

What is Home Farm going to sell? My guess is either that copse that Brine promised JD he would restore to bucolic glory or Millennium Wood.

I think the copse has gone to BL already

The bit where Spiritual Home is?

The SW have really painted themselves into a logistical corner with the Home Farm partnership. I am SO bored of valuable airtime being taken up with convoluted explanations of why Debbie/Kate/Alice can’t attend the meetings.

It's got to be Spiritual Home. I noticed Brian on the omnibus telling Alice she looked worn out, or words to that effect, and assumed it was code for "pregnant". When did she have her drunken work party sleepover? Too long ago for a secret abortion?

Debbie, Kate and Alice were all squeezed in with Ben in his cereal cupboard which can magically expand in size like all Ambridge properties.

I am SO bored of valuable airtime being taken up with convoluted explanations of why Debbie/Kate/Alice can’t attend the meetings. I couldn’t agree more. It’s got to be Spiritual Home - I think the SW will be happy to have found a way to get rid of it. Does anyone really want to go and sleep ina yurt in the Midlands (waits for someone to post a link)?

But surely they just give Kate a different field? They’ll still have plenty of land - and she’ll be a dreadful nuisance if she doesn’t have the yurts to play with.

Unless she gets a job in the US ...

Notice Brian suggests Kate go abroad for ideas and inspiration for her business, funds the trip, then makes out it was some kind of frivolous junket.