Archers thread #169: Denise rocks the boat in more than one way! Will Chris find a message in a cider bottle? 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 have liked to have Harrison's behbe, 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 https://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.)

Thanks to @LikeTalkingToLassie and @BrightYellowDaffodil for title inspiration. Is this the end for Denise and John? It does seem odd to introduce John now if he's going to disappear. He has a lovely voice.

Over to you!

Where do Tom and Natasha live? I thought the veg patch was indicative of how much time the twins must spend with Pat and Tony. Henry and Jack never had a veg patch and they actually lived at Bridge Farm for a time. Was Tom hinting Pat and Tony should look after the twins while he and N nipped over to Bulgaria for a holiday with Roy? Pat is clearly expected to organise their birthday party - catering and all.

Are mini vegetables a thing?

Loathsome, know it all Lily. I can't bear listening to her whiny, patronising voice.

Speaking of hypocrites how does Gnasher square all the one off use useless tat she's foisting on to the hen party with Bridge Farm's green credentials?

I mean obviously the answer is money. Vile woman.

My kids love mini cucumbers and I guess you get small tomatoes

I would have thought easy things to grow would have been a priority.

Re they turning 3 or 4? Regardless, I’m struggling to imagine this being anything other than a present that is just going to lead to extra work for the parents - or Tony

They certainly used to be popular in the 90's/nouvelle cuisine years.

Mini parsnips and carrots are still quite easy to get hold of (and I seem to remember that baby aubergines and cauliflowers were popular).

@Bruisername The twins are only turning 2!

I must say that for all her (considerable) faults, Gnasher does have a lovely voice/accent/lilt. As do so many Welsh. Musical intonation.

😂

Would 2 year olds be thrilled to get a vegetable plot for their birthday?

Mine would have been delighted - they used to "help" me loads at that age, but all they actually did was dig massive ankle-breaking holes everywhere. And water the same row of seeds over and over until everything had washed away.

@Tophelleborine made me smile, so cute

The 2-yr-olds I know would probably have more fun with the garden sprinkler or let loose with a hosepipe.

Jumping in the resulting muddy puddles.

Would enjoy Tony's mini wheelbarrow and chasing through the polytunnel, mind!

No doubt Seren & Nova are more sophisticated...🙄

Hilda the demon cat will probably christen it anyway.

There was a fad for them about 10 years ago. Mini-cauliflowers giving one serving. But probably still not small enough to be realistic on the mini farm

It just seems a hassle having to do everything at kids scale. And I can’t imagine they care - 2yo tend to take everything for granted. It’s what I call a Homer present

Could end up being a very dark SL

@BerylBillings "Wicked Leeks" - very good!!

I'd like to claim it as my own, but it's a real life platform!

Stray mention of Moreton in the Marsh in the Cotswolds.

Given how close it is, they seemed remarkably unaware of it. Unthinkable that someone in the Vale of Borchester should need to tell another resident that Moreton in the Marsh is in the Cotswolds.

Thank you all - I listened carefully to Denise and heard the “AliSTARE”.

People who are switching allegiance should learn it’s not the fucking someone else that hurts, it’s the lies and deceit, the way it kicks out from under you all your faith in being able to observe and understand the world around you. Your history has been re-written. You go through all the past events and see them with new eyes. Denise should have told John and Paul long ago.

Hate hearing Ed’n’Em working, especially as we’re ticking through to cliffhanger time. I’m twitching, waiting for the crash and the interrogatory wail.

Does tree surgery come under Farm Safety?

www.farmersguide.co.uk/business/farm-safety/farm-safety-week-launches-actions-and-attitudes-of-farmers-need-a-major-rethink/

A pedant writes: "Moreton-in-Marsh" FFS! There's no "the" in the name.

Yes, you’re right. In my defence, it’s 50 years since I lived in the area and 20 years since my remaining parent moved away. Interesting how removing the “the” turns it in my head from RP to a Worcestershire accent.

And don’t tell me it’s in Gloucestershire. I know the name from where I lived.

@MereDintofPandiculation And don’t tell me it’s in Gloucestershire. I know the name from where I lived.
😀No danger of that, as I had no idea which -shire it was in! I just remember that there's no "the" in the name because it is sort of weird!

I don't think I've ever been to Worcestershire, except passing through on the train from Birmingham airport to Cardiff. It really is one of the loveliest train journeys!