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...

  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...