A Bird in the Hand

what happens

Gareth and Janice are worried over Le Chateau's high expenses. Janice complains about the prices of Mrs Courtney, the herb supplier. Gareth dismisses Mrs Courtney with his usual shower of abuse. They also decide to open the restaurant for Christmas, which requires purchasing numerous turkeys for Christmas dinners. A frantic search for the best turkeys available leaves Gareth and Janice lost in the middle of Wilts, where they get caught off the road in a rain storm. They hope for rescue when they see someone walking through the fields, but their hopes are lowered when it turns out to be Mrs Courtney, whose boyfriend owns the turkey farm, still furious at her treatment by Gareth. Eventually they agree to buy the turkeys at a price even more excessive than what they've been paying her for herbs. The purchase proves to be wasted when their main Christmas party cancels and is replaced by a group of vegetarians.

who made it

directed

John Birkin

written

Peter Tilbury

guest cast

Billed for this episode only — the turn people remember an episode for.

• Vivian Pickles as Mrs. Courtenay