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!

[ADarkandStormyKnight]

I hope that word spreads that Alistair is available and gets lots of offers from other superbly-mounted single ladies.

[ppeatfruit]

Yes Lilian he does seem a bit of a wimp!

I haven't read any Jilly Copper but from what I've gleaned the 'horsey set' are all at it like knives!

[GnotherGnu]

I agree, if Alastair wants to go back to gambling it's no longer any of Shula's business.

I also found the Will/Eddie/Susan interaction very satisfying. Will is so bloody blinkered about it being OK for him to accept help from Clarrie and Emma but not anyone else, and it was good to hear a bit of realism being pointed out to him.

[echt]

Also sorry that Alistair regretted it. Please he flounced and slammed the door.

Will Lavinia be known as the hunt cunt?

[OuaisMaisBon]

Tally ho ho ho, echt

[ppeatfruit]

Of course Lilian He MIGHT live to regret it ! (not the Shula aspect) but she might stalk him , get upduffed or give him a dose of something!!

[MrsArthurShappey]

Will is so bloody blinkered about it being OK for him to accept help from Clarrie and Emma but not anyone else

Grundy women exist to serve their men, help from anyone else is charity. I loved the way he said 'friends???'

I'm not sure where this storyline is heading.

[TigerTeatimes]

A slice of reality for both Will and Shula. I think they both deserved a larger portion, but what was served was thoroughly enjoyed.

Please sir, can they have some more?

[LassWiADelicateAir]

was only sorry to hear that Alistair had regretted it

Me too. Much more satisfying if he had said it was brilliant and he would do it again as often as possible.

[OrchidInTheSun]

Listening again for the sheer joy of it

[MrsArthurShappey]

Oh, and how stupid is Freddie? Lying to the police is another step beyond really. He's deluded

[BikingBeatrix]

Oh that wiz pure dead brilliant, to quote Jazzer (not sure he’s ever said that but he should). I came in, spoke to DH, ate some lunch and settled down to listen again. Wonderful.

[cheminotte]

Great episode.

[TigerTeatimes]

SWs are laying it on a bit thick with Shula aren't they? Could she be any more exasperating?

Also mindlessly desecrating the churchyard in the name of weeding? Where will her path of destruction end?

[TigerTeatimes]

Also why is Adam advertising in local six forms? If someone had come to my consortium in London (a rather long time ago, sadly) offering paid work, outside in summer with accommodation provided they'd be beating teenagers off with a stick.

[NorthernLurker]

Shula was dreadful. The nerve of her!

[ADarkandStormyKnight]

Shula is unravelling.

Who the hell does she think she is to tell the vicar Alistair and Lavinia's business?

[TigerTeatimes]

It's exam timing stopping Adam from full blown college recruiting isn't - full on baby brain yesterday. Sorry.

[ppeatfruit]

Tigerteat At least Shula isn't spraying the weeds! I think that the SW's are going a bit mad with her character , although I suppose now she hates herself!

[ADarkandStormyKnight]

Is Shula hanging about the graveyard to attract Alan's attention?

[ppeatfruit]

No, she was trying to avoid him a couple of days ago wasn't she? She doesn't want the uncomfortable questions. Her dad and first husband are buried there so it's understandable

[Peartree17]

Well, I suppose she's only getting in before Susan Megamouth spreads the word anyway.

I am, of course, gleeful about Shula's discomfiture, but when I played the Susan comments over in my head ('in the circumstances') I realised just how unpleasant Susan and, indeed, gossip is. It's the power that the gossip feels they hold over the people concerned, isn't it? I really wish (while the script writers are having scenes where people are called out on their behaviour) that someone would do it to Susan. Maybe Jill could do it - and actually use the G word to Susan, in front of others, since Susan hates it so much.

None of this affects my joy at Alistair's shagging of Lascivia and Shula's anger, of course. It's still a big BWAH HAHAHA from me.

[ppeatfruit]

Pear I remember that Pat DID actually have a go at Susan for gossiping, (not in front of anyone though) yes it's funny how she has no self awareness. Very realistic.

[Peartree17]

Well, she attempted it - 'spreading rumours' is how she (Pat) phrased it. Which Susan denied. I think Jill had a go when Susan was gossiping about Elizabeth's roll in the hay with Roy. Water off a duck's back, obviously.

[SusanWalker]

Poor Ben. No one cares about his GCSEs. Not a mention.