We are on Holiday

Chapter 41 of The Farm at Lane's End will be published on Friday the 25th of April.  We are taking a short Easter break. Enjoy your Easter.

Chapter 40

 

The Farm at Lane's End - Chapter 40

The Farm at Lane's End is the story of English country life.  Farmer Ken, his wife Jean, and their son Dave.  In chapter 40, Dave is telling his parents all about the party he went to the night before.

Vocabulary

The bee's knees - This is an idiom.  It means an outstanding person or thing. 

Second to none is another was of saying the best.

Don't be so cocky means don't be so over confident (arrogant).

Over the moon.  If you are over the moon you are overly (very/very) happy.

And now to our story.  The Farm at Lane's End, chapter 40

How was the party you went to last night, Dave?

I have to say, mum and dad, it was one of the best parties I've ever been to.  It was magic.  Mike and Alison did a great job. They were the perfect hosts.

Tell us more, Dave.  Spill the beans.

The food was brilliant.  Alsion made Beef Wellington. Yumie, yumie. It was the best I'd ever, ever had.  The cocktails Mike served were second to none, And the discussions we had were fantastic.

What was discussed, Dave?

Really high things, dad. Mainly philosophy, art, and books. Things you wouldn't understand, dad.

Don't be so cocky, Dave. You should never underestimate people. Life is full of surprises.  Be careful what you say. 

And, what was Claire wearing, Dave?

Claire, she was fantastic.  She was the bee's knees.  She wore a dress she had made herself.  Beautiful yellows and blues, and her bag was the one I bought her in Paris.  Claire was the most beautiful woman at the party. 

And, what did you give Alison and Mike?

We gave them a book about French gardens. 

And, did they like it?

They were over the moon!  They're  into all things French.  

And, would you be in for a nice cup of tea, Dave?

Yes please, mum. And, if you have it, a nice slice of cherry cake, too.

Questions

Why was Claire the bee's knees?   Please describe Claire's dress.  Was Claire's dress homemade?  What did Alsion serve for main course?  Was Dave happy with the cocktails?  Why did Ken tell Dave off?  Why is it bad to be cocky?  Was Claire's bag Italian?  What did Claire and Dave give Alison and Mike?  Why were Alison and Mike over the moon with Claire's and Dave's present?  Why are French gardens so beautiful?  Why are English gardens the best in world?

Chapter 39

 

Farmer Ken - Chapter 39

The Farm at Lane's End is the story of English country life.  Farmer Ken, his wife Jean, and their son Dave.  In chapter 39, Ken has a bone to pick with Dave.

Vocabulary

A bone to pick . .  I have something to complain about.

to thank our lucky stars . . means to have something to be grateful about.

otherwise - in different words.

It  slipped my mind means - means I completley forgot.

All's well that ends well - everything turned out just fine.

+ + + + +

And, now to our story, The Farm at Lane's End, chapter 39. 

Dave, I've got a bone to pick with you.

Oh no, what did I forget to do?

You promised to lock the chicken shed before you went to bed last night.  When I got up this morning, the chickens were running around the yard.  They'd been out all night.  And, we can thank our lucky stars, the fox wasn't out.   Otherwise, Dave, no roast chicken on Sunday.

Oh, I'm really sorry, Dad. Locking the chicken shed completely slipped my mind. I was listening to some music.  

Well, no problem, Dave. Nothing serious happened.  All's well that ends well. The fox stayed at home, the chickens had fun being free, and, we still have a chicken for our Sunday lunch.

By the way, Dave, what music were you listening to last night?

I was listening to Mahler's 5th symphony, mum. It's my favourite Mahler symphony.

I didn't know we had any Mahler in our CD collection.

You're right, dad. we haven't any Mahler.  I always listen to Mahler on Spotify. 

Spotify?  What's that, Dave.

It's online music, mum.  

Do they only have Mahler, Dave?

No, dad.  They have everything.  Even the jazz that you like, dad.

Sounds interesting, Dave.  

Would anyone like a cup of tea?

Yes, please, mum. 

And a nice slice of cherry cake, too?

Questions

Why did Ken have a bone to pick with Dave

Where were the chickens when Ken got up?

Put "all's well that ends well" into a sentence.

Why was Ken able to say - all well's that end`s well?

Why had locking the chicken shed completly slipped Dave's mind?

What was Dave doing the night before?

Was Dave listening to Beethoven's 8th symphony?

What is Dave's favourite Mahler symphony?

What is Spotify?

What have you got to thank your lucky stars for?