Archers thread #152: The Dog Days of Summer in Ambridge! Rabid rants, tearoom dogfight, Bully Dog George gets it all on camera. Is Lone wolf Rob waiting in the woods? Discuss The Archers here!

[Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g]

Thank you, @PseudoBadger, for kicking off this long, long series of Archers threads.

All views on The Archers welcome here! New blood welcomed, and of course we are always delighted to welcome back former or occasional listeners/posters. We don't all agree on all points, although we do mostly try to be civil about it. Most of us are posting tongue in cheek a lot of the time, so don't worry about revealing that you'd love a son like George, 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/4636789-the-archers-spoilers-thread-7-cant-wait-for-702pm-join-us-here, 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.)

Starting this new thread a bit early, as we're near the end of the last thread and I'm out all day today. As last night's episode was a banger, I thought I'd better ensure discussion can continue seamlessly!

The original idea for a dog theme for this thread came from the death of poor Weaver. RIP. The Dog Days of summer are associated with storms and the silly season, so quite appropriate for The Archers at the moment! They may technically be over now, as it's all to do with the heliacal rising of the Dog Star, Sirius (no, me neither), but apparently the Anglo-Saxons considered they lasted into September (thank you, Wikipedia), so that will do for me.

So - what next for Helen, Henry and Jack? Surely even the Bridge Farm Archers will see that she needs professional help? After her outburst the other night they might finally grasp that Henry could do with some too. All very grim.

On the lighter side (perhaps), whither Pip and Stella?

Over to you!

@MiniHector - you said nothing wrong. Just carry on posting.

I feel sorry for Winifred Robinson. She is an excellent reporter and brilliant interviewer. She is treated like part of the furniture by the BBC when she is streets ahead of so many of her less-talented, younger colleagues. Katie Razzle without naming names.

@Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g very sorry for your loss. My mum is end of life and I am not sure how I will feel when the time comes.. This is a lovely escape and it's very much appreciated you steering the ship.

I am very sorry about your father's death, Gasp0de. I hope everything is as easy on you and your mother as it can be at a time like this: if it isn't a cheek, please pass on my sympathy to her as well.

Thank you so much, Asking. My mother's grasp of how people communicate on the internet is shaky at best, but I will attempt it!

Maybe tell her friends you have been communicating with for years now (like pen-friends?) send their deepest condolences to you both. I, of course, include myself in their number.

Very sorry to hear that, @TonightMatthewIamgoingtobecher. Escape to Ambridge has a nice ring to it.

Sorry about your dad @Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g. Fingers crossed Ambrige provides escapism. Sending love to you and your mum.

@BeatriceBatchelor , thanks. Your words mean a lot.
@EmmasBirthdayEarrings , Winifred Robinson is great. I don't mind Katie Razzall ( at Razzle) but don't understand why Marianna Trench Spring is feted.
@TonightMatthewIamgoingtobecher , my thoughts are with you at what is a difficult time.

Did I notice David saying that Toby had offered to supply wine without making a profit? Which I didn't think he had. (He'd offered to supply at trade price, not at cost.)

Is that a setup for a misunderstanding... or just the SW not knowing the difference?

@Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g @MiniHector

Thanks both for your kindness. All in all we are a lovely bunch here with the odd quarrel

Much like the rest of the world, then!

Where are all these ripe blackberries? Still wee and green in NE Scotland

Sorry to hear about your dad @Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g

Hopefully the threads can be a distraction for you

Blackberries are bountiful here in the middle of England. I've been picking for a few weeks. I made an apple and blackberry crumble last week. I tend to pick and freeze and use in porridge and overnight oats.

I'm sure they were later when I was a child. In my Ladybird book of what to look for in autumn it says blackberries.

I'm so sorry for your loss @Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g [flowers}

I'm sure they were later until quite recently. I think I've missed them altogether in London. Might have a wander about some time and see if there are any here, 400 miles to the north, where it's significantly colder than I'm used to.

[Soft adopted Sassenach alert]

Lots of blackberries round here but they’re a bit sour

Well that was a bit of a wasted episode - bit ridiculous really

Condolences to @Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g.

Lots of blackberries round Basingstoke. Often used to pick them around now for the next week or so back home in Dorset, round the time of the Dorchester Show.

What on earth was that episode about? I assumed right up until the end it was Tracey winding Jazzer up and she’d eventually crack and laugh about it… so bizarrely out of character for her surely?

Sorry for your loss @Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g . Prayers for you all.

I have been gadding about Europe (mainly on work so not entirely gadding) these past few weeks, but since my Mum has been obsessed with the ripeness of blackberries around London I kept an eye out for them. Can confirm that blackberries in both northern and central Italy are not yet ripe. Blackberries in Portugal were shrivelled - I wasn't sure whether the heatwave had made them go over-ripe before they were ripe (gardening not my strong suit). Blackberries in France were hard to find, but I was only in the inner city so not surprising.

All the gadding has meant that I need to catch up on TA before I can comment. I have valiantly made my way through most and just have the last 2 episodes to finish.

Blackberries still going strong in South London.

so bizarrely out of character for her surely?

I wouldn’t say so. It’s exactly as Susan remarked - Tracy doesn’t believe she deserves good things, including Jazzer. She puts on a front but she’s always on the alert for situations where she might have to defend herself.

Jazzer fancying Hannah in the past is something that’s thankfully slipped from my memory, but I can see why Tracy would be annoyed, firstly with his over-generous offer of accommodation, and then with the murky backstory. Jazzer really needs to learn to tread more carefully.

But I’m sure it will all be put right tomorrow!

That’s a lovely way to put it, I think.

I am so sorry for your loss, @Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g. May his memory be a blessing.