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, 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...

Chapter 29 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 Sound of M...

  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...