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 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...

  The Farm at Lane's End is the ongoing story story  of a typical English farming family.  Farmer Ken, his wife Jean, and their son Dave. In chapter 25, Dave is thinking about Christmas. Vocabulary and phrases -  Down in the dumps - if you are down in the dumps, you are fedup or a little depressed.  I'm fed up with my job, I'm a little down in the dumps!  Off the cuff -  If you do something off the cuff, you do it spontaneously, or without thinking about it. And, now to our story - It's Saturday morning.  Farmer Ken, Jean and Dave are having elevenses. Dave is down in the dumps.  What's wrong Dave?  You don't look your usual self. I'm thinking about Christmas.  I don't know what to give Claire.  Have you got any suggestions? How about a cookery book?  Women love cookery books.  Fantastic recipies and lots of brilliant pictures to look at. A cookery book!  That's a great idea dad.  Have you any ideas mum? Tea...

  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, Farmer Ken gets his comeuppance. For the characters in this story, please click here Vocabulary and phrases Comeuppance - A Punishment or fate that someone deserves. He got his comeuppance in the end. To cut a long story short - When you cut a long story short, you come quickly to the point of the story. Apparantly -  Apparantly means as far as one knows.  To get the better of someone means to be better or smarter than them. Mobile Junk means rubbish on wheels. Chapter 24 - Farmer Ken, Jean and Dave are having dinner.  They've all had a very hard day.  Farmer Ken has something to say.  °  I bumped into  Andy in the village today, and he was very pleased to see me! °  That's interesting dad.  I'd have thought he'd have been very angry with you.  That old blue tractor you sold him was nothing ...

  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, we find out about cousin Jane's new job.    For the characters in this story, please click here Vocabulary and phrases Usherette - An usherette is a woman who shows you to your seat in a theatre or cinema.  An usher is a man who does the same. The first rung of the ladder - The first rung of a ladder is the start of your way to the top. To commit suicide - People who commit suicide kill themselves.   Chapter 23 Farmer Ken, Jean and Dave are having breakfast.   °  Jean, what are your plans for today? °  I've got a really busy day today.   After breakfast, I'm baking a cherry cake.  Then, I'm off to the village to the hairdresser's. Then, after lunch, I'm going to my sister Sally's for afternoon tea. °  Will you be seeing cousin Jane? °  Oh, didn't I tell you?  Cou...

  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, Andrew  is selling a tractor.     For the characters in this story, please click here   Key words and phrases Rolling in money means you are very, very rich. Rip off - When you rip someone off you cheat them financially.  You charge them too much for something. a Every trick in the box .  If someone knows every  trick in the box they are bad.  They know many different ways of doing something bad or criminal. Questions Why did Andy phone Farmer Ken? How much did Farmer want to charge Andy for the tractor? What was Andy's plan for the tractor? Why is Andy rolling in money? Why was  700 pounds for the tractor a rip off? Who was Dave going to phone to help get the tractor working? How was Jean going to help with the tractor? Why do you believe that Farmer Ken is an honest man? Would you buy a ...

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   Chapter 21 - Key words or phrases,- I hav.en't a clue , this means I have no idea. I haven't a clue what she's talking about. Worth a try means it would be a good idea to do it.  It might work. According to - this tells us what someone has written or said.  According to Andy, tourism would be good for the village.   A sly old fox is a clever or cunning old man. To count us in mens to include us.  That's a great idea!  Count us in. Questions - What is Andy's plan for Tootenhoe? What would Andy like Ken to do? Would the cycle track be near the river or near the house? Where would the cycle track start and finish? Who owns the tea shop at the start and finish of the cycle track?  Why is Andy a sly old fox? How will the cycle track help Andy? What does Jean want to sell...

The Farm at Lane's End is the story of English country life.  Farmer Ken, his wife Jean, and Dave their son.         For the characters in this story, please click here Key words or phrases - To ENROLL means to register or sign up for something. I have enrolled with the army.  I have enrolled in a French course.  I have signed up for a Spanish conversation course.   WHAT ABOUT . . . . .?  This a question phrase. It means what do you think of something or would you consider something?  What about going out tomorrow?  Would you consider going out tomorrow?   ACTUALLY is connected with the truth.  A fact.  I actually did see Mary last week. TO MAKE UP ONE´S MIND - To make up one's mind is to make a decision. To decide.  Please make up your mind!  Shall we go today or tomorrow?? Questions Which course have Claire and Dave signed up for? Where is the French course being held? Where are Dave and...

  For the characters in this story, please click here Key words or phrases By the way - Another topic that is related, but not directly involved with the subjet being discussed. Conductor - The leader of an orchestra, the person who directs the orchestra,  The person with the batton. Batton is the short stick that conductors use to guide the orchestra. Shepherd's Pie - This is a traditional English dish.  Mince meat with a generous topping of crispy mashed potatoes. To fancy something means to really want something.  I really fancy fish and chips for lunch!   Questions When is the concert? Where is the concert? What is the choir singing, or, what is the choir putting on? Is this Ken's favourite Schubert mass? What time does the concert start? Who is conducting the choir? Who is singing a solo? What have Ken and Jean decided to do before going to the concert? Where are Ken and Jean going after the concert?

For the characters in this story, please click here Key Words / Phrases Gale force winds - very, very strong winds Low lying ground / low lying areas   - very low gound at or very near sea level.  The wind is getting up - the wind is becoming stronger, the wind is getting stronger Questions Where did Dave hear the storm warning? Where was the storm coming from? Where were the cows? Does the bottom field often flood? Why does the bottom field often flood? Can cows swim? Was the washing still on the line? What did Farmer Ken and Dave do first? What was the weather like in Scotland? What is Jean going to do to help the poor Scottish people? Do you like English cherry cake?  

For the characters in this story, please click here Key Words Pastel colours - Pastel colours are soft shades of colours.  Pastel colours show moods such as optimismus,  joy, peace, and innocence. Incredible - Incredible means almost impossible to believe.  An incredible story, for example. A table cloth is a cloth that protects the surface of a table.  Friends in common are friends that other people you know know as well. Knives, forks, and spoons are words you should know as well. Questions What is Claire's proffesion? Are Claire's paintings oil or water colours? Where did Claire study art? Why do you like pastel colours? What did Claire cook for dinner? What was Dave's reaction when he saw Claire's table? What kind of music does Dave prefer? What kind of music does Claire love? What did Dave and Claire discuss over dinner? Is Edinburgh the capital city of Wales or Ireland? What time did Dave arrive home from Claire's?

The next chapter of The Farm at Lane's End will appear on the 5th of September.   Enjoy your summer and see you soon! Das nächste Kapitel von The Farm at Lane's End wird am 5. September erscheinen.   Genießen Sie den Sommer und bis bald! NAJ

  The Farm at Lane's End - Chapter 16 Key Words and Phrases Inseparable   - always together - impossible to seperate. Out of the blue  - this means something happened unexpectedly (not planned) To keep in touch  - to stay in contact. In this neck of the woods  - in this area.  What's happening in your neck of the woods. There is more than meets the eye  - there is more to this story or situation than is obvious. To take one's leave  means to politely leave. To drift apart  - to gradually seperate or lose contact. Questions When did the old friends drift apart? Where did collin go to university? What did Collin study at university? Where did Collin become a lawyer? Is Jean a very nosy woman? What did the old friends do together when they were young? Is Bill Guthrie the mayor of Tootenhoe? What is Bill Guthrie's legal problem? At what time did Collin leave?

Key words and phrases Pigsty  - a place where pigs are kept. To fancy something  - If you  fancy something  is something you want or something you want to do.   I fancy  going out this evening.   I fancy   a yoghurt for breakfast. At least  - This is the minumum. We haven't seen Sally for  at least  a year.  To stay healthy, one must drink  at least  2 litres of water a day. Something has come up  - This means something has happened and you can't come.  I'm sorry,  something's come up  and I must cancel our meeting. At my place  - this means at my house or where I live.  Let's meet at  my place  at seven. To bump into  someone means to meet someone by chance (unplanned).  I  bumped into  Chris this morning. To spill the beans  means to tell all.  Come on, tell us what happened.  Spill the beans . Questions When did Dave last see ...

  Key  Words Something has come up .  This means one must cancel. I'm sorry, something has come up, I must cancel our meeting this afternoon. Time on one's hands .  This means that one has time to do something.  I had time on my hands, so I went to a museum. Your Poison?    This means your prefered drink.  What's your poison?  I'll have a beer, please. Questions Are Paul and Dave going to the Queens for a drink? Who bought the first round? Who sent Dave her best regards? Did Dave and Paul play a round of darts? Who did they see in the pub? Who was Sally with? Does Lionel Foxely come from a very poor family? Why is Sally interested in Lionel Foxely? Why did Sally cancel her singling lesson with Dave? Will Dave be having another singing lesson? Now listen to the text -

Key Words How about you?  What would you like (to drink)? Elevenses - A short coffee break at around 11 a.m.  Usually with a biscuit. A stick in the mud is a very boring and dull person. Glued to the box.  This is about a person who spends all their time watching TV. For some strange reason is the same as saying I don't understand the reason. As poor as a church mouse talks about someone who is very, very poor.  (idiom) Questions Where are Ken, Jean, and Dave having elevenses? What will happen if Dave has too many chocolate biscuits? Who did Jean want to invite for Sunday lunch? What has Sydney become? What does Sydney spend most of his time doing? What was the worst thing for Sydney? What was Syd's job? How was Dave's singing lesson? What is Sally interested in? What has Farmer Ken ordered? Why did Farmer Ken order a helicopter? Is Farmer Ken as poor as a church mouse?

  Key Words Tasty  - delicious     A tasty piece of cake.  A delicious meal. Decide - to make a decision.  To say what you want. To go for  - (idiom) - A decision  To decide on something.  I'm going for a beer. A dead heat  - (idiom) Competition, race, comparison -  When two  players have the same chance.  The race was a dead heat between John and Simon. The sky's the limit- no limits - you can do what you want. Questions In which tearoom are Ken, Jean, and Dave? How many tearooms are in Tootenhoe? Is the Bluebird better than the Happy Snake? Are scones served with plumb jam? Is Dave enjoying his singing lessons? What is Sally teaching Dave next week? Is Dave a talented singer? How many people are on Jean's invitation list for grandma's birthday party? Who is England playing in the European cup? Which team is going to win? Is Jean sure about England's victory? Has Austria a good football team?

  Key Words  To cut a long story short - to bring a story to its point. A peppercorn rent is a very cheap or low rent. Of late means recently. There have been many price increases of late. To make ends meat means to get by on very little money. It is very hard for vicars to make ends meet on their pay. Every little counts means no matter how small the amount may be, it is still very important. I must be getting on means I must continue my work. I'll get going right away means I will start immediately. I'm ready for off means I am ready to depart. Questions Are Farmer Ken, Jean, and their son Dave having jam sandwiches for tea? Is Graham Edwards the mayor? Why does Graham Edwards want to rent a field? Did Farmer Ken and Graham Edwards agree on a very high rent? Is the school finding it hard to get by? What can Jean do to help the school? Who is coming to visit on Thursday afternoon? Where is Dave going on Thursday afternoon? Where will granny's birthday party be held if the ...