Phil is carried away

Radio Times: Phil is carried away

Characters: Eddie, Joe, Lizzie, Lynda, Nigel, Phil, Shula

• The day of Phil’s balloon trip finally dawns and, as an extra surprise, Lizzie’s wangled a seat in the basket and will accompany he. He’s glad he’ll share the experience with a friendly face ….. although it seem Lynda’s on the trip too, Robert having won it but suffering from vertigo!
• Eddie tells Joe that his evening out last night, when he was only drinking to be polite (“very polite” said Joe), could be productive – getting a track of their’s upgraded and make money into the bargain.
• They have a terrific journey, Phil especially enjoys travelling over land he’s known all his life and seeing the village in whole new way. Lynda’s busy telephoning people as they’re drifting over, but even this doesn’t spoil Phil’s delight …. which increases no end as they go over Brookfield and spy where Ruth and the children have spelled out “Hello Grandad” with old feed sacks!
• Nigel and Shula are chasing them in a car and Nigel takes the opportunity to offer his shoulder and mourn for Alistair’s demise – he’d noticed an underlying calm with the two of them and thanks his luck that he and Lizzie are friends as well as married.
• The balloon lands at Grange Farm, which gives Joe one more thing to grumble about, but Phil’s got the whole trip caught on the video camera and is very pleased with his birthday present.

Summarised by: Chris Harrison