Chapter 38

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 nasty, dad.  What happened?  

Mum drove into a tree. 

Oh no, not again.  This is the 5th time she's driven into a tree since Christmas.  And, it's only the middle of March. What did mum say?  

She said she didn't see the tree. 

I believe her, trees are difficult to see in the middle of the day.   

Well, at least she didn't say the tree was walking along the road. Any way, come on Dave, we've almost finished.  Just one or two more bangs and we're there, and, then it's tea time.  A nice strong cup of tea and a nice slice of cherry cake.

Questions

Where was Ken?   What was Ken repairing?  What did Ken ask Dave to pass him?  Please put "just in the nick of time" in a sentence.  Is Jean a good driver?  How many trees has Jean driven into since Christmas?  Are trees easy to see in the middle of the day? 

German Translation

Ich frage Mama, weißt du, wo Papa ist?  Er ist in der Scheune, Dave.  Er repariert mein Auto. Danke, Mama, ich gehe ihm helfen.   Hallo Papa, brauchst du Hilfe?  Oh, du kommst genau richtig, Dave. Kannst du mir bitte den großen Hammer reichen?  Ich versuche, diese Delle rauszuklopfen. Das sieht ziemlich übel aus, Dad.  Was ist denn passiert?  Mum ist gegen einen Baum gefahren. Oh nein, nicht schon wieder.  Das ist das 5. Mal, dass sie seit Weihnachten gegen einen Baum gefahren ist.  Und dabei ist es erst Mitte März. Was hat Mutti gesagt?  Sie hat gesagt, sie hat den Baum nicht gesehen. Ich glaube ihr, Bäume sind mitten am Tag schwer zu sehen.   Wenigstens hat sie nicht gesagt, dass der Baum die Straße entlanglief. Wie auch immer, komm schon Dave, wir sind fast fertig.  Nur noch ein oder zwei Knalle, dann ist es geschafft, und dann gibt es Tee. Eine schöne starke Tasse Tee und ein schönes Stück Kirschkuchen.

- - - - - -

Klangecke - Evergreens

Margret Jelen-Lornitzo -  Gedanken zum Thema Lesen - Zum Anhören hier klicken  - Barbara Mittere - The soft gentle tones of healing  . Click here to listen  Andrea Klar . A passion for weaving  Click here - Johanna Malfer - einen Chor leiten Klicken Sie hier

Chapter 37

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 someone who's  already 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 different things, Claire.

OK, so let's concentrate on something your mum would like, not on something she needs.

How about a new frying pan, Dave?

Definately not a good idea, Claire.  Last year, Dad gave mum a frying pan.  She nearly killed him with it.  

I can fully understand her, Dave.

Claire, What did you get your mum last year?

Let me think for a second or two, Dave.  I know, I can remember.  Last year, my dad and I gave mum a present between us.  It wasn't so expensive, but, it's the thought that counts.

Was she happy with it, Claire?

She was over the moon!   I couldn't belive it. 

If I tell you Dave, promise to keep it a secret. Mum's the word!

I promise, Claire.  Come on, spill the beans.

OK, You promise not tell?

I promise!

We gave mum a jar of marmalade.  And, it wasn't even expensive.  Dad bought it at the Church Christmas bazaar.

A great idea, Claire.  I'll get my mum a jar of marmalade as well.

And, Dave you don't even need to buy one. I have a jar in my cupboard. You csn take it with you when you go.

Thanks, Claire.

Questions -

Why can't Dave Decide what to give his mum for her birthday?

Would you give your wife a frying pan for her birthday?

How do you unerstand the word want?

Please put the  the word "need" in a sentences.

When would you use "spill the beans"?

Please put "mums the word"  in a sentence.

Who did Claire buy her mum's birthday present with?

Where  did Claire's dad buy the marmalade?

What flavour is marmalade?

Would you like a jar of marmalade for your birthday?

 

 

 

Chapter 36

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 Christmassy colours.  Orange for the oranges we eat, and green for the Christmas tree.

Original thnking, mum.  So, dad's going to look like a Christmas tree covered with oranges!

Don't be cheeky, Dave.  I'm sure dad's going to like it very much. 

Where is dad, mum?

He's gone to the village to meet your uncle Andy.  They've some business to discuss.  

That sounds very suspicious.  When will dad be home?

Any minute now, Dave.  I must pack up  this knitting and take it upstairs.  And, remember, Dave, Mum's the word. We don't want dad to find out.  It's our little secret.

Your secret's safe with me, mum.  And, by the way, mum,  what's for tea?

A nice cup of tea and a nice slice of cherry cake.

That's great, mum. Just what I fancy.

Questions

What is Jean knitting?  Is Jean knitting a birthday or Christmas present?  Is green and orange a good combination?  For whom is the pullover?  Why is Jean keeping her knitting a secret?  How do understand "mum's the word"?  Why has Farmer Ken gone to the village?  What's for tea?  What do you fancy for lunch, tomorrow?  Can you knit?  Is Jean's secret safe with Dave?

Chapter 35

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.  I've filled it ups with old jars. Getting rid of that old holdall and all those old jars would be a very great help.

And, Dave, is ther anything else you can think of that needs throwing away?

Actually dad, there is.  We could rid of that horrible old picture above the fireplace in the lounge.

We can't do that, Dave. That horrible old picture as you call it, is an original Turner.  It's worth a fortune.  

I know, dad.  I was only pulling your leg.

So, Ken and Dave, what are you talking to the tip?

We have a full trailer, mum. Those three rusty  bikes that have been in the barn for years, that old lawn mower that used to be gran's, that old fridge that's been broken for years, and that sack full of old wellington boots. 

That sounds more than enough.

It's enough for one load.  And, by the way, mum?  What's for lunch?

Another one of your favourite's, Dave. Toad in the Hole.

That's one my favourites as well.   So come on Dave, we've got lots to do before lunch.  The garden gate needs repairing and the yard needs sweeping.

So, see you at elevenses.

Bye mum.  Cheerio Jean.  By boys, see you at 11.

Questions  -   What did Farmer Ken say about Jean's eggs?  Where are Ken and Dave going after lunch?  How do you understand - to get rid of something?  What would you like to get rid of?  What does Jean want Ken and Dave to take to the tip?  What are Ken and Dave taking to the tip?  What is Jean cooking for lunch?  What is a holdall?  What have Dave and Ken got to do before lunch?  What time are elevenses? 

                                                             The Reichsbrücke in Vienna

Talk49 YouTube Channel  - Videos - Interviews, stories, Warmups,  The Farm at Lane's End, and more.  German and English + + Interviews, Geschichten, Warmups, The Farm at Lane's End, und mehr.  Deutsch und Englisch