Archers thread #200: Trouble in Ambridge! (All 200 threads could have had this title.) 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 to be Brian's child or stepchild, 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.)

Over to you!

I used to say that about the school Xmas fair!

The only pasta we had as kids was Heinz spaghetti, I still love it now with fish fingers and mash or on toast.
When I was a kid Heinz used to do tinned coleslaw and a Russian salad, but everything was in tins then or Birds eye frozen food. I talking 60s.
It sad how Bert is so blind about Clive.
But some parents are and can't help thier unconditional love.

I am sure Lynda could tell us about pronouns and how to use them, though.

Thoughts on couples ordering the same dish in a restaurant? Susan balked at her and Neil both ordering the sea bass but I think it’s quite normal to order the same thing for several reasons- not least to avoid food envy. I knew a couple once who always ordered her first and second choices. Then, when the food turned up, she would choose which plate she preferred and he would have whatever remained. It seemed an odd system but they both were very happy with it.

I would have chosen the steak, like Bert, last night. I’m not crazy about fish and gammon is fine but often comes with a fried egg which I find revolting.

That bit made me laugh @JoelenesParrot , because I quite often do the same as Susan! DH and I do try each others food sometimes so that’s probably where it comes from.

I'm a bit behind, how long have Alice and Rex been dating? The moving in seems very quick.

I agree that Alice and Rex don't seem to have been together for long. I can only recall them speaking to each other about three times (= twice too many, IMHO). And they never say anything of interest. Still, I suppose that makes them well-matched.

It’s not all that long since he had too much to drink and got quite forceful over her stray comment about wishing she could have a wine or something (I don’t recall precisely so these may have been 2 separate incidents, but both happened). She left him in no doubt that it wasn’t his business and he needed to back off. It was tense.

Imho their moving in together is way, way, way too soon.

But Alice and Rex moving in will be good as Chris will be really upset about it and its only his business because of Martha.
Lottie will be upset at Chris being upset and Rex will be so apologetic and "Uriah Heep" humble that it will make good listening at last.

Ordering the same dish would almost certainly not happen with us.I can and will eat almost anything, so it takes me ages to pick, whereas my husband usually has one obvious choice and is perfectly happy with that. It's often a vegan or veggie burger which would be one of the last things I would pick because I find it a bit stodgy. I used to go for steak a lot until I swallowed a big bit of gristle which blocked my airway and he had to do the Heimlich manoeuvre on me in the middle of the restaurant. We haven't bothered with birthday presents since because he'll never be able to top that. I also now rarely have steak.

he had to do the Heimlich manoeuvre on me in the middle of the restaurant. We haven't bothered with birthday presents since because he'll never be able to top that

I find that very romantic - what a hero MrGasp is!

Heavens, @Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g! 😲

(Can’t help thinking what a splendid Archers episode that might make …)

Yes indeed. I'm lucky to have him.

Not sure it would make very good radio, though. More of a visual episode.

I'd like to see Tracey have a decent holiday. She seems at the end of her tether.

Seconded!

I went through childhood thinking I didn't like spaghetti bolognese as all we'd ever tried at home was the Heinz tinned version. Then when I was married I made it myself from scratch - a revelation.
My son makes a vegan version with cooked green lentils instead of mince, and chopped carrots. I like this even better!

I make it with brown lentils. It’s really jolly good (she said modestly). And I can’t think of much I want to eat less at the moment: I too am glued to salad 😂

What a glorious gentleman Mr Gasp was that day!

This week’s episodes just feel like “fillers”, so I’ll just linger for chat about the glory that was Vesta (it will be ready in 20 minutes…can you keep stirring it) ready meals.

Having cared for (recently) late DH, for three and a half years, I was at the end of my tether too. When the post-mortem paperwork is almost complete I'll be having a break too. It's utterly relentless. I'm just getting used to not having to rush home to do something.

So sorry to hear this @muddyford and hope that you will be able to have a break soon.

When i was about 14 my friend and I used to meet up and go for a walk in the fields (now motorway) and cook a Vesta meal. Happy days

Sympathy muddyford. I looked after my parents which I think is slightly easier emotionally than a partner but still non-stop. Nearly 9 years on I still find it a luxury to not always have to rush home.

Thank you for your lovely messages.

Sympathies, @muddyford.

Harrison can live on the boat