Thread #106: Jim’s in a jam, Peggy’s made a pickle and Lexi is blooming - sounds like the entries are lining up for this year’s flower and produce show, but who will be on the organising committee?

[Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g]

Thank you, @PseudoBadger, for kicking off this long, long series of Archers threads and @DadDadDad for being our resident statistician and keeping the ball rolling when Pseudo stepped back a bit.

All views on The Archers welcome here! New blood welcomed. We don't all agree on all points and most of us are posting tongue in cheek a lot of the time, so don't worry about revealing that you'd like to be Susan's best friend or other unusual views.

Spoilers: not on this thread, please. We don't wait for the omnibus to discuss the weeknight episodes, but we do try our best to avoid cross-contamination from www.mumsnet.com/Talk/radio_addicts/3439443-keep-it-to-yourself-the-archers-spoilers-thread-4, where spoilers are positively welcomed!

For newer listeners, lurkers or those who just have no idea what we're talking about, DadDadDad has created this useful thread: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/radio_addicts/3557323-For-Archers-fans-a-guide-to-acronyms-on-the-long-running-discussion-threads-and-any-other-meta-thread-questions-you-may-have BOOP point for him! (See thread for explanation.)

Thanks to LillianGish for the title of this thread.

Holding episode tonight, I thought - not much progress on any current storyline. I was a touch surprised Natasha wasn't offended by the postnup idea but I suspect she's biding her time.

DDD, Cambridge or Dublin?

Accompanying a sixth former to an Open Day? My sympathies.

Interesting how everybody else thinks Phoebe, who is was 21 last Friday, should have her future mapped out. My son graduated from Oxford several years ago (not PPE, admittedly) and still hasn't a clue what he wants to do. He's very happy, and in gainful employment, but the future is far from certain. He did manage to have an internship lined up for the summer after he graduated but although he had a great time its main effect was to put him off working in that sector as a career.

I hope the SWs are going to reveal some sort of strategy for Phoebe, though. If they wanted her to pootle round Ambridge for the rest of her life they could have sent her to Felpersham, like everyone else.

Can't be Cambridge, that's Trinity Hall.

should have her future mapped out.

Oh no - definitely not! But the SWs should have given her something to do. Some academic/career oriented reward for the work she’s put in. Some tangible benefit from three years at Oxford.

Unless they think they’re portraying something brilliantly un-stereotypical? Thing is - that makes dull listening. I feel entitled to have expected some ongoing entertainment involving news from far flung places amongst new people and innovative ideas. Not Peggy’s Trust.

I don't think Phoebe should have her whole life mapped out - plenty of us don't have that. But I had found myself a job after graduation - I couldn't afford not to. Not having done anything at all about work indicates a certain level of privilege. Even Lily went to the call centre.

Perhaps someone should point out to Phoebe she could end up like Russ if she does nothing.

Cunningly cropped D3!

I was last at Trinity, Cambridge around Christmas last year and don’t recognise that gateway as the general, Porters’ Lodge entrance. No other idea.

Minamouth Rosie slow at walking Don't be daft, absolutely average IMO and E. Our first was still sitting a one year old, she wasn't even crawling! She went on to walk at 17 months and also speak clearly in sentences. Ermm not slow just later than average to walk. Thank goodness!! it made for a nice calm time for us .

Oh did anyone pick up on Justine Roberts being on The Disrupters 1.45. R4 this aft. ?

FM. of course NOT CRICKET !!!!

DDD did you check to see whether Phoebe's exam results had been published?

@Motoko no, I was merely responding to a pp who wondered how Mianed could afford the mortgage if interest rates increased. They can't though, as too many banks will go bust. But my point still stands, you can never taper a Ponzi scheme. I'm sure Mitch Feierstein is far more eloquent on this subject than I am. BTW, Planet Ponzi is a corking read.

I suspect not all of you have clicked on DDD's image and closely inspected the sign ...

My daughter started walking at 11 months and my son on his first birthday, but I know plenty of babies don't start for months after that. Doesn't seem to be an issue longer term.

DoctorTwo ah, I must have missed that!

I don't know whether everyone's trolling me but...

It wasn't Trinity College, Cambridge (or Dublin, London, Melbourne(?!)). By the way, EBear, Trinity Hall is a separate college next door to Trinity. I live close enough to Cambridge for a trip there to be not worth remarking on.

I was in a place beginning with O. Coming from Cambridge, it is oddly familiar and unfamiliar. Quads not courts, tutorials not supervisions, wearing gowns and a tie to sit exams... I even met a PPE student.

What makes you think a rise in interest rates (at least steady, regular rises) will be a problem for the banks? It makes a large part of their mortgage books more valuable - especially if they don't raise the rates they pay depositors. It's the kind of thing the regulator will have stress-tested (including more severe scenarios with increased unemployment and more loan defaults).

I could have recognised it without the heavy hint - very close to my families favourite bookshop.

I think just as many Oxbridge graduates (even in PPE) drift around a bit. I find it odder that Phoebe never mentioned which two she specialised in? Is she an Economist, a Politics bod or a Philosopher (if the latter then it's no surprise she is still feeling her way - any maybe she is secretly hoping she has done well enough to do a BPhil).

Sorry D3 - I thought it was a game! And was trying to make the tops of the letters fit all sorts of unlikely university towns ...

I found Phoebe and Peggy's conversation rather jarring. Phoebe was saying how her friends have plans for internships and postgraduate courses, etc, but that she herself has no idea what she wants to do next. Peggy totally ignored that and immediately started asking about Phoebe's 'boyfriend'. It seemed out of character for Peggy and I wonder if it was a plot device to continue to deliberately obscure what the future holds for Phoebe.

I agree with Quater's earlier comments that Phoebe's current storyline is totally unsatisfactory. SW's: could do better!

Peggy’s of a female generation that still sometimes naturally find relationships more compelling than careers where young women are concerned.

Should have added caveat that not all elderly women are similarly minded, etc.

How long does it take for Shula to tighten a girth?!

Abra1de yes good point but I've been trying to recall other conversations involving Peggy and I'm sure she's always been quite happy to discuss the business and professional undertakings of Lillian, Helen, Kate, etc?

I'm afraid I'm already bored with Peggy's project. I know environmental activism is a worthy and topical subject, but TA has plenty of it - and plenty of family conflict about money too!

With regards to Rosie not walking yet, that's entirely unremarkable at her age. But, thinking about it, there is very little disability diversity in Ambridge so if there is to be a storyline involving disability that would be a good thing. There seem to be many parents on MN with children with special needs (me for one, ds has ASD) but all the children in TA are able-bodied and neurotypical. That should change, not as a dramatic plot device but just to be representative.

Oh I forgot Bethany Tucker! But she's not in it anymore.

But TA is NOT representative is it? There are 2 unrelated working class families that we hear from constantly in it.

Also most of the elders have their marbles.

Oh I forgot Kirstie and Philip. And Harrison and Fallon. Any more?

No I can't think of any others ppeatfruit

So you mean the Carters and the Grundys? Susan would be most put out!