The Archers #96: Is that a rat I smell or the whiff of Snell? In Chaucer’s famous Tale of Two Torsos, Brian’s ‘still got it’ and Poldark is searching for scything opportunities in Susan’s kitchen.

[NotdeadyetBOING]

Welcome..... I'd concocted a longer title with all sorts of references to bitch stitching and pasta bakes, but was thwarted by the pesky character limit

2b). Not much. They have assumed “rich city types”.

Thank you kindly.

You’re welcome!

Can't really see what could go wrong with choosing cows in France.

Somebody suggested Rob‘s parents as the mystery buyers but didn’t Ursula‘s actress die a few months ago? She‘d be quite a difficult act to follow - she had strange Intonation as well as loose dentures. I’d quite like their characters to be back some time though that would mean Rob being back too and my nerves aren’t ready for that.

Listening to Tuesday‘s episode on podcast just now (I am abroad and been travelling all day) I felt quite sorry for Helen - and wondered what you‘d all be thinking. Baaad thoughts no doubt! Her children are young, other than her prison time they‘ve not been apart. Lots of women won’t go off abroad on holiday, and helen‘s got the added trauma of what happened to her and Henry fairly recently. Nor is she an experienced buyer of live stock. She had the relief and pleasure of thinking she’d be accompanied by Tony and now, due to her brother‘s carelessness and/or lack of planning, that’s all been changed. I think I‘d be pissed off and disappointed. And I am quite happy going abroad alone.

I'm not quite sure why Helen has to go to France for cows. Didn't she view some in England? A quick google finds that there is even a website called montbeliarde.co.uk.
Is it a plot to find a handsome Frenchman for Helen?

I think that Home Farm (just the house, not the farm) would go for OIEO £1m.

Tony has form with cattle though

There’s only one lot of heifers for sale on there. Apparently they are popular in Ireland too though.

When people comment critically about Helen’s independence or lack thereof, is it just because the editor made a comment once about her being independent and no one agreed?

I think she gets a hard time on here about her childcare arrangements. If your parents are happy to have you living and working on site and to help care for their grandchildren, why wouldn’t you? It seems like a positive situation for all three generations.

Witch - I get pissed off at Helen being portrayed as terribly independent when she dumps her kids with her parents at every opportunity. Their willingness to babysit at the drop of a hat enabled her affair with Rob.

I know she's had a terrible time of it post Rob but she seems to expect them to babysit. Listen to the way that Emma asks her parents or Clarrie to look after her kids. She doesn't expect it and she's always grateful.

Helen is an entitled brat. As is Tom. They're both horrid.

Is there a nasty winter bug in Ambridge called the Not Coping Disease?
Helen is daunted by France, Tom by planting a few trees, Will by Christmas decorating, Lizzie by anything-and-everything, ...

Is she portrayed as independent though?

Isn’t the difference that they all live and work together in the same place (pre and post Rob)? And Tony and Pat seem to like the arrangement too? And are largely retired. I think it’s just a different set up and what some families consider normal. My (retired) grandmother looked after me for large periods of time and whilst my parents were grateful and I’m sure they thanked her, it was a regular arrangement so not something that needed constant effusive thanks.

Emma has to sound grateful because otherwise she’d have less to be bitter and martyred about! And Clarrie is still working.

Er...did tonight’s episode really include a scene in the ladies loos?!

I was listening but missed that, MrsGrindah! Which bit?

I'm actually struggling to remember much about what happened and it's only been a few minutes.

Elizabeth refuses to put in any time and effort building a relationship with the new manager. Predictably, she then blames him for something she should have foreseen.

Lily decides to stay on until the new term. She and Phoebe go Christmas shopping.

The Ambridge lights are switched on.

Brian and Jennifer have accepted the mystery offer and are preparing to move out in the New Year.

Harrison was collecting props for the play from Jolene.

That's the outline but it's the details that count. What did I miss?

Yes, I think Phoebe and Lily were in the ladies when they were out shopping.

Very true to life. We all know that’s where the best conversations happen!

That’s pretty much it BitterNot an epic!

Agree that Elizabeth is well-entrenched in her usual blame game, and saying the new guy is "no Geraldine" !! I wonder, with all her not coping if she's heading for a nervous collapse.

I've just finished decorating a tree for our local Christmas tree festival. I've got some spare time in the next week, I volunteer to help Will make decorations for the Borchester Land tree, if he let's me know what the corporate colours of BL are!

(Although I have to wonder when Martin Gibson had this bright idea - we had to get our application in by the end of August to be allocated one of the 66 trees in our local festival! Was MG even the chair of BL back then??

I reckon Justin's bought Home Farm.
Lillian's Christmas present...

I can’t see the new manager staying if Elizabeth doesn’t start cooking better.

Whoops, cooing not cooking!

Oh ffs. COPING.

How long before Lily ditches the CL?

cheminotte, Bendicks. My Christmas present to myself, every year! My grandmother had a box when I was a little girl. I asked if I could have one and she said very firmly that it would be a waste because I wouldn't like it. I was deaf to all hints, however, took one anyway, and loved it!