Friday, 21 February 2025

Chapter 34

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, Dave. That's a bit of a tall order. Why do you want to borrow so much money?

It's Claire, Dad.  She wants to go on holiday.  She wants to go to Las Vegas.  She wants to gambling.  

You mean, Claire wants to borrow ten thousand pounds so she can go gambling!  Why can't she use her own money?

Claire says it's better to lose your money than hers.

Well, Dave, you can tell Claire to think again.  There's no way I'm going to give you money to throw away. And, by the way, Gambling's a very stupid habbit.

But, Dad, Claire will be upset.  How am I going to tell her you won't lend us the money?

Just tell her there's no way I'm going to lend you the money. And, if she's upset, just tell her that that's the way the cookie crumbles.

Actually, Dad, I was only pulling your leg.  I really need the money for a new tractor.  The old one keeps breaking down.  It's become too expensive to keep.

Well, Dave, on the strength of that, I'll give you twenty thousand pounds.  Get the best that you can.

Thanks, Dad.  I knew you'd understand.  Shall I pour another whisky?

Dave, that's a very silly question!

Cheers Dave, Cheers Dad.

Questions

Dave was pulling his father's leg. How much did he want to borrow from his father?

Why did Dave want to borrow so much money?

What story did Dave tell his father about Claire? 

What is Las Vegas famous for?

How do you understand "I was only pulling your leg"?

Explain - Can I lend you some money.

Tell us when you would say - can I borrow ten Euros, please.

What is a tall order?

What do you do when you pull someone's leg?

Please explain "on the strength of that" I will give you the money,



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Saturday, 15 February 2025

Chapter 33


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 go to Whitby on Saturday. She says she's got too much to do. She's got too much on her plate. She'd rather stay at home and finish getting ready for her exhibition. When is Claire's exhition, Dave? It's next week, mum and dad. And, to be honest, Claire really has a lot going on at the moment. She's very, very busy. Can't you go round and help her, Dave? That's already crossed my mind, mum and dad. But, Claire says she can cope much better without me. What has Claire got to do, Dave? Well, it doesn`t sound much. She's got 3 pictures to finish, and 7 pictures to frame. And, to be honest, there's really nothing I can do to help. But, Dave, there is one thing you can do to help. You can give her one of my cherry cakes. I'll bake one tomorrow. A brilliant idea, mum. She'd really appreciate it. You're great, mum! And, mum, while we're on the subject, what's for sweet? Your favourite. Apple crumble and custard. And, of course, whipped cream as well. That's fantasti!c, mum. I'm feeling better already. And, to finish with, a glass of whisky. Not just one glass dad, 2 or 3 would be great. That's my boy. A chip off the old block. Cheers everyone, cheers! Questions - Why is Dave down in the dumps? - What does - I've too much on my plate mean? why would Claire rather stay at home? What jobs must Claire do? - Does Claire want Dave to help her? - When is Claire's exhibition? - What does Jean want to make for Claire? - How do you understand the following - I can't cope without you? Why is Dave a chip off the old block? - How do you understand - that's already crossed my mind? What is apple crumble? Would you rather have cheese cake or cherry cake?







Thursday, 6 February 2025

Chapter 32

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 -

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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 come in.

I'm not surprised, Ken.  You were far away. Lost in your thoughts.

I was thinking about my old uncle Ron.  He was such a warm hearted man.  Always doing good for others.  He was such a nice  person. 

Jean has a question

Didn't your uncle Ron and aunty Sheila help your mum at one of your birthday parties?

You've got a very good memory, Jean.

Was it your ninth or tenth birthday, Ken?

For the life of me, I can't remember, Jean.

I bet you can't remember the present  your uncle Ron and aunty Sheila gave you!

You're wrong, Jean.  I remember  it well.  They gave me a steam engine for my model railway.  And, further more, I still have it. The engine they gave me is in a box in the loft. And, another thing, Jean.  I can still remeber the present you gave me.

I don't believe you!  

You gave me a book about postage stamps.  Stamp collecting was one of my hobbies at the time. I used to be a very keen collector. Oh, and by the way, Jean, how did you know I collected stamps?

Your cousin Billy told me.  Billy and I used to sit next to each other at primary school.  I liked him very much.

You're right, Jean.  Billy was very nice, He was not only a very kind boy. he was a great friend as well. He was just like his dad.  A chip off the old block.   And  Jean,  You can do something that aunty Sheila could do, too. Your cherry cakes are fantastic, 

Thanks, Ken. That's nice of you.    Shall we have a   cup of tea?

That's a good idea, Jean. There's nothing nicer than a nice cup of tea.  I'll put on the kettle immediately.

Questions

Why didn't Ken hear Jean coming in?   Who was Ken thinking about?  How would you describe uncle Ron?  How do you understand "for the life of me"  What did uncle Ron and aunty Sheila give Ken for his birthday?  Why were uncle Ron and aunty Sheila at Ken's birthday party?  How did Jean know that Ken collected stamps?  How do you understand the meaning of "a chip off the old block?"  Why was Billy just like his father?  What has Jean in common with aunty Sheila?  How do you understand "a penny for your thoughts?"  



 


 





Saturday, 1 February 2025

Chapter 31

 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.

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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 side?

Farmer Ken thinks Dave's idea is good. -  A good idea, Dave.  Just like old times.  When you were little, we often used to go to the coast.  

Jean joins in -  I remember, we often used to go to Whitby. We really enjoyed it there.  The beach was wonderful.  It streched for miles and miles when the tide was out, and at high tide when the sea was in, the beach was completely covered. High tide and low tide.  I remeber them well.

Ken has something to say - And, when the tide was out, everyone did what they wanted.  Everything from taking long walks to riding their horses.

Jean has something else to say - You're right Ken.  And, when the tide was in, we always used to go to that nice little restaurant at the top of the hill for fish and chips.  I can still taste it when I close my eyes.  The best fish and chips in the world.

Dave has become very enthusiastic - Mum and Dad, we really must go to Whitby again. As dad said, just like old times. Won't it be fun.  And, I'm sure, Claire would love to come, too.

Ken has one more thing to say - And, by the way, we could take the train.  The steam train that runs between Pickering and Whitby. The N.Y.M.R   The North Yorkshire Moors Railway.

The Bartons are happy.  Jean puts on the kettle for a nice cup of tea.

Questions - Where are the Bartons going?   Why do the Bartons want to go to Whitby? Please explain "we used to go to Whitby when you were little".   Where did you use to go to school?  What did Jean say about the beach?    How do you understand low tide?  How do you understand high tide?  Where did the Bartons use to go for something to eat?  Which meal did they choose?  What did Ken suggest at the end of the story?  What is speacial about the N.Y.M.R?  How do you understand the phrase, and by the way



















The Bartons

  Im September kehrt „The Farm at Lane's End“ als „The Bartons“ zurück.  Die gleichen Charaktere, das gleiche englische Landleben und na...