The Farm at Lane's End

The Farm at Lane's End is the story of English country life.  Farmer Ken, his wife Jean, and their son Dave.  In chapter 38, Dave is helping his dad.  They are repairing Jeans car. Vocabulary repair -  When you repair something you mend something.   After repairing the clck it worked again. to pass something - if you pass something, you give something.  Please pass me the sugar. Please give me the sugar, in the nick of time - at the last moment, just in time. dent - a dent is a slight hollow. -  eine Delle ist eine leichte Vertiefung.  And, now to our story, The Farm at Lane's End, Chapter 38 I say mum, do you know where dad is?   He's in the barn, Dave.  He's repairing my car.  Thanks mum, I'll go and help him.    Hello dad, do you need any help?   Oh, you're  just in the nick of time, Dave. Could you pass me the big hammer, please?  I'm trying to knock this dent out.  It looks pretty na...

The Farm at Lane's End is the story of English country life.  Farmer Ken, his wife Jean, and their son Dave.  In chapter 37, Dave and Claire are trying to decide what Dave should buy for his mother for her birthtday. Vocabulary need - You need something you really must have. Want - You want something you would like to have, but, it isn't so important. The thought that counts - This means the thinking  of someone is worth more than the present,  Over the moon, Someone who is over the moon is very, very happy about something. Words you might like to check - mum's the word - Marmalade is an English word for orange flavoured jam + + + + + + ++ +  And, now to our story, The Farm at Lane's End, chapter 37 I say, Claire, what can I give my mum for her birthday?  what can one give someon e who's   a lready got everything they need? That's a very good question, Dave.  I wish I knew. There must be something your mum needs. Needing and wanting are two d...

The Farm at Lane's End is the story of English country life.  Farmer Ken, his wife Jean, and their son Dave.  In chapter 36, Jean is knitting a pullover. Vocabulary knitting - to knit - to make a garment from wool with 2 knitting needles. mum's the word   is an idiom. It means keep silent, or keep it a secret. cheeky - showing a lack of respect in an amusing way. suspicious - showing a careful distrust. fancy - if you fancy something means you have a wish or desire for something. + + + + + + + I say, mum, what are you doing? I'm knitting a pullover for your father.  For his birthday? No, Dave, it's going to be his Christmas present. But, mum, it's only March.  I know, Dave. Pullovers take a long time to knit.  Especially secret ones.  I understand.  I say, mum.  I do like the colours.  Dad's really going to look great wearing an orange and green pullover.  Why did you choose orange and green?  Orange and green are Christmass...

The Farm at Lane's End is the ongoing story of  everyday country life in England. Farmer Ken, his wife Jean, and their son, Dave.  In chapter 35, Farmer Ken and Dave are going to the tip. Vocabulary The tip - or rubbish tip - The place where people take their rubbish.  The things they want to get rid of. I think we should get rid of the old rusty bike.   To get rid of something means to throw it away. Holdall - a holdall is a large bag for travelling. Usually used for long weekends. Words you might like to check -  jam jar - fireplace - holdall - I was only pulling your leg.  + + + + + + Chapter 35 -The Bartons are having breakfast.  Farmer Ken has something to say. I say, Jean, these eggs are the best soft boiled eggs in the world. You're a very talented cook. And, by the way, Jean, Dave and I are going to the tip after lunch.  Is there anything you want to get rid of? Actually, there is one thing you could take.  My old holdall ....

The Farm at Lane's End is the ongoing story of  everyday country life in England. Farmer Ken, his wife Jean, and their son, Dave.  In chapter 34, Dave needs some money. Vocabulary To lend - You lend something to someone.  Can you lend me your car, please?   To borrow - You borrow something from someone.  Can I borrow your car, please? A tall order - A tall order is an unreasonable request.  Wanting me to help him on Christmas day was a very tall order. That's the way the cookie crumbles is something one must accept. I'm sad, my gold fish has died, but, that's the way the cookie crumbles. To pull someone's leg means to play a trick on them. On the strength of something means you believe them because of  what they said. Words you might like  to check -  To gamble - By the way - upset -  Chapter 34 Farmer Ken and Dave are enjoying a well earned whisky. I say, Dad, could you lend me ten thousand quid, please? Ten thousand pounds,...

The Farm at Lane's End is the ongoing story of a typical English farming family. The Bartons. Farmer Ken, his wife Jean, and their son Dave. In chapter 33, Dave is down in the dumbs. Vocabulary Down in the dumps - If you are down in the dumps, you are a little unhappy or even a little depressed. I've got too much on my plate means I have very much to do. Crossed one's mind . If something has already crossed one's mind - means that one has already thought about it. She would rather do this than that - means she would prefer this and not that. Prefer = rather. To cope means to manage. I can cope without you! On the subject of something means something related or connected to that we are presently talking about. And now Chapter 33 I say, Dave, you're very quiet this evening. Is everything all right. Oh, I'm Ok, mum. Just a little down in the dumps, that's all. Oh, what's wrong, Dave? Claire's decided it's not such a good idea to...

The Farm at Lane's End -  Chapter 32 The Farm at Lane's End is the ongoing story of a typical English farming family. The Bartons.  Farmer Ken, his wife Jean, and their son Dave.  In chapter 32, Ken and Jean are talking about uncle Ron.  Vocabulary  A penny for your thoughts - A penny for your thoughts means please tell me what you are thinking. Warm hearted means kind and loving.  He was such a warm hearted man. For the life of me - For the life of me is a phrase that means however hard I try.  However hard I try, I can't remember his name. For the life of me, I can't remember his name. A chip off the old block means being the same - usually in character - as one's father. This phrase  normally speaks about boys.  Girls are "just like their mothers".  Words you might like to check - loft - keen - + + + + + + And now to our story - The Farm at Lane's End, chapter 32 A penny for your thoughts, Ken! Oh, hello Jean, I didn't hear you co...

  The Farm at Lane's End -  Chapter 31 The Farm at Lane's End is the ongoing story of a typical English farming family.  Farmer Ken, his wife Jean, and their son Dave.  In chapter 31, Ken, Jean, and Dave are talking about a trip to the coast. Vocabulary Used to - Used to is a phrase that tells of something one did, but no more.  I used to go to school in London.  We used to go to Whitby every summer. High tide   is when the sea is at its highest. Low tide is when the sea is at its lowest. To join in - To join in with something means to take part in something.  I joined in with the game. Words you might like to check -  Day out, excursion, day trip, trip, outing. /  Sea side, coast. + + + + ++  And, now to our story.   The Farm at Lane's End. Chapter 31.  The Bartons are planning an excursion to the sea side. Dave starts - Mum and dad, we haven't been to the coast for a very long time.  How about a trip to the sea...

  The Farm at Lane's End -  Chapter 30 The Farm at Lane's End is the ongoing story of a typical English farming family.  Farmer Ken, his wife Jean, and their son Dave.  In chapter 30, Jean is getting ready to go out. Vocabulary   - To wrap up means to put on very warm clothes. Brass monkey weather is a coloquial expression that means extremely cold weather. Treacherous means conditions that hide hidden dangers. It's bound to be means something that is certain. Words you might need to check - mittens, scarf, wooly hat, underfoot.  And, now to our story.  The Farm at Lane's End.  Chapter 30 Jean  is getting ready to go out.   She's going to the chemist's in the village. Ken is giving her some advice . You'll need to wrap up, Jean.  It's very, very cold outside.  You'll definately need your thick wooly hat to keep your ears covered  and your mittens to keep your hands warm. Just then,   Dave comes in.  He's bee...

  The Farm at Lane's End is the ongoing story of a typical English farming family.  Farmer Ken, his wife Jean, and their son Dave.  In Chapter 29, The Bartons are thinking about where to go on Saturday. Vocabulary To start the ball rolling  means to start something. The flicks  is an alternative word for cinema - cinema/pictures/flicks/the movies To recite  -  When someone recites a poem or other piece of writing, they  say it aloud after having learned it by heart. The Vicarage  - The vicarage is the house where the vicar and his family live. And, now our story. The Farm at Lane's End - Chapter 29 Ken starts the ball rolling .   I say Jean and Dave.  I fancy going out on Saturday. Any suggestions?  Jean thinks for a minute .  We could go to the cinema. I haven't seen a good film for years. In fact, the last  time we went to the flicks we saw The Sound of Music.  And, that was many years ago. I really enjoyed the...

The Farm at Lane's End  is the story of English country life.  Farmer Ken, his wife Jean, and their son Dave.    For the characters in this story, please click here   Vocabulary To comeby - to come by something means to obtain or get something. To inherit - to inherit means to get something from someone after their death. Claire, Dave's girlfriend, has invited the Bartons for Sunday lunch.  Everyone's having a wonderful time. Jean Barton likes Claire's crockery very much.  "I say, Claire, how did you come by this beautiful crockery?"    "I inherited it from my gran.  The design on the plates is wonderful. I really love yellow spots on blue backgrounds. This dinner service reminds me of sunny days and happiness."   Farmer Ken is more interested in Claire's cooking.  "A very delicious lemon cake, Clair. Where did you get the recipe?"    "It was my gran's.  She got from a French farmer's wife in France....

The Bartons are spending Christmas and new year in America, They will be back with more stories in the middle of January.  So, until then, a very happy Christmas to you.

The Farm at Lane's End  is the story of English country life.  Farmer Ken, his wife Jean, and their son Dave.   In this chapter, the Bartons are going away for Christmas.     For the characters in this story, please click here   Vocabulary and phrases after all - most importantly to cope - to cope means to manage.  I can cope with very much hard work. cut out - I have my work cut out  - I have something difficult to do. cut out - I'm cut out for the job - I'm clever, talented,  Questions Why are Dave and Farmer Ken happy? Why is Dave extra happy? Which song is Jean singing in the kitchen? How many eggs does Dave want for breakfast? Where are the Bartons going for Christmas? Are the Bartons flying third class with Aeroflot? What is Andy cut out for? What is Jean cut out for? what is Dave cut out for? How long are the Bartons staying in New Hampshire? What does Sarah think about farm life? How are the Bartons getting to the airport? W...

The Farm at Lane's End is the story of English country life.  Farmer Ken, his wife Jean, and their son Dave.   In this chapter, Jean has had a surprise.     For the characters in this story, please click here   Vocabulary and Phrases To carp - If you carp a lot, you never stop complaning. To ring a bell, if something rings a bell with you, it vaguely reminds you of something. Well I never is a phrase that expresses surprise. For the life of me is another way of saying "Oh, my god" Perish the thought means this is a terrible idea. Plain jane - A plain jane is a boring unexciting girl.  + + + + It's 7 o'clock in the morning.  Outside it is still very cold and dark.  A typical December morning. Farmer Ken and Dave have just come in from milking the cows. The delicious smell of sizzling bacon is coming from the kitchen.  Jean, too, has been busy. Over breakfast Jean is telling Farmer Ken and Dave about the surprise meeting she had in th...