Coronation Street Episode Review; Weds 30 Oct 8.30 pm

High up in the Welsh hills, the cable car has ground to a halt whilst Gemma's labour has just got started! As her waters brake, Chez rings 999 and gets the Welsh ambulance service on the phone. Gemma's soon fully dilated and ready to give birth there and then (lucky lad, my wife took 54 hours - true story!) it looks like Chesney might be about to deliver all the quads at once!

Watching this is triggering my vertigo so I guess Chez's head for heights has alleviated (80 foot up! catch the 'behind the scenes' footage on Corrie's twitter)

With that in mind, what did we think of the production, tonight? It does look real in some shots and after last weeks episodes, I wonder if they've now spent all of the production budgets?

It isn't long before Gemma gives birth to a little boy, the cable car springs back into action and an ambulance is waiting to collect them. We are then treated to a final action shot as the cable car comes to a stop - looked impressive, or a bit shakey?

Back on the street, Fiz's reluctance is appeased by Jade, as she convinces Fiz that she's little choice to depart (again). Jade does seem a bit keen to get Fiz out of the way, doesn't she? As news of the first birth reaches Rita, she lets Fiz know the news, and they head to the hospital. That was a quick trip to Wales, wasn't it?

Meanwhile, Gemma's second birth is proving troublesome, and the ambulance speeds to the hospital. My heart is racing here, as I suddenly remember my little girl being born (very long, and slightly troublesome). The panic on Chesney's face is certainly relatable! Sam Aston acts his little chops off there. Great work!

With Fiz out of the way, Jade treats Tyrone to a dartboard, although they did interrupt Evelyn listening to Kenneth Williams. I wonder what she was listening to. Was it camp classic 'Round the Horne' or the legendary 'Hancock's Half Hour'? I digress but I'm a bit of a fan myself.

At Speed Daal, Geoff plays dinner host to his family, and feeling celebratory, he decides to bring booze into the Pakistani / traditionally dry venue. Slightly offensive to Yasmeen's culture of course, but when did a little thing like that annoy Geoff?.

Calling another family meeting (remember the last one - hilarious!), Gail gets the gang together to discuss David's latest dilemma.  Always the orator, Gail treats them to a bizarre film analogy, telling them that all past mistakes must be ignored and that Audrey must forgive Nick so that the family can move forward as a unit. Will it work I wonder?

At the hospital, Gemma has a cesarean and safely gives birth to another boy and two girls, quickly naming them all after the welsh rescue team that managed the births.

Why didn't they name one of the baby girls after Sinead?

Miraculously,  Bernie has also (somehow?) managed to retrieve the engagement ring that Chesney dropped overboard.

With the ring in hand, Chesney proposes, and Gemma accepts! Chesney got his romance, after all.

Let us know your thoughts on this week's corrie, in the comments section!

You can follow me @rybazoxo over on twitter, your self-styled 'Cobbles Connoisseur'.

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Where in North Wales should Ken and Deirdre holiday?

When it was revealed that Ken Barlow's return storyline involved a holiday in North Wales, I have to say I was over the moon at the prospect of Coronation Street coming over to film in the region. With William and Kate having lived on Anglesey; Tom Jones coming to perform in the north for the very first time; and now Corrie having a story based in North Wales really puts us on the map! 

Plus I'm so glad Deirdre accepted my offer of a holiday in North Wales when I went to visit the street last month!

Of course, it was only recently that North Wales was involved in a Corrie storyline. Tyrone and Fiz fled from the clutches of Kirsty and the police to Anglesey. Although, it was fairly clear that they hadn't filmed on Anglesey, because the houses were brick (Anglesey houses are traditionally stone) and also if they had filmed on Anglesey, they would surely have filmed a scene possibly showing the Menai Strait bridges? I have an inkling they either filmed around Manchester somewhere or maybe in Flintshire where there are brick houses.

Let's hope this time they genuinely film in north Wales, because it really is an insult to anybody, not just us Welshies, that a certain show is said to be in a particular location, yet doesn't look like anything like there!

Now, I've come up with five places that I'd like the Corrie production team to consider visiting in North Wales with Ken and Deirdre:

1. Isle of Anglesey

The idyllic Isle of Anglesey and also where I've lived for the last two months or so after moving from the Conwy Valley! With its golden sandy beaches in places like Rhosneigr and Benllech; and attractions like the Menai Suspension Bridge and Britannia Bridge; South Stack lighthouse; the romantic isle of Llanddwyn where lovers walk; the village with the longest name (Llanfair PG); Beaumaris castle; the Church in the Sea; or the Cornish-like villages of Cemaes and Moelfre, it would be a perfect place for Ken and Deirdre to rekindle their love after Ken's absence. Plus, I could make a cameo as a caravan park owner or a tourist guide! 

2. Snowdonia

Now I know Ken had an accident back in the 1970s when he went climbing in the Lake District with Peter, so I don't know if he'd be up for climbing Wales' highest mountain Snowdon, or indeed Deirdre after years of smoking! But there's always the Snowdon train that climbs up the mountain from the slate village of Llanberis. There is also the Welsh Highland Railway that goes from Caernarfon to Porthmadog, and runs through the heart of Snowdonia. It's a trip I need to do actually because I've only done halfway! Then there is the historic town of Caernarfon with its majestic castle and its statue of David Lloyd George, the only Welsh British Prime Minister.

3. Portmeirion and the Llyn Peninsula

Where better for a romantic getaway than the Italian-like village nestled in Snowdonia, which is Portmeirion. Although, it will be unlikely if Corrie films here as this was also the setting of The Prisoner, and ITV cult series back in the 1960s. But with breathtaking views of Harlech and Barmouth and Cardigan Bay, it would provide brilliant scenes. Then there's the Llyn Peninsula with places and Criccieth and Aberdaron popular with tourists. William Roache was rumoured to have a holiday home in Abersoch, so who knows maybe that would be ideal for a holiday for the Barlows!

4. Llandudno and Conwy

The tourist capitals of North Wales. There are plenty of caravan parks in the area, and Ken and Deirdre can take a stroll round the Great Orme or even the Llandudno promenade. Then there's Conwy castle and the village itself which is still medieval in its form. And then there's the smallest house in Britain in the quay of Conwy. 

5. The Conwy Valley

My original home ground. The picturesque valley with its sloping hills and woodland, and the River Conwy at its heart. Ken and Deirdre can cross over the Llanrwst Bridge and go for afternoon tea in Tu Hwnt i'r Bont, which is a riverside cottage or visit Gwydir Castle. And then a little trip to Betws y Coed, the quaint little village that is also a haven for tourists. But maybe Ken and Deirdre prefer to get away from the tourists!

So those are my choices for a Corrie visit! There are others of course, like Llangollen or St Asaph.

If you're familiar with or come from North Wales, where would you like to see Ken and Deirdre holiday?

Apologies if this post reads like a brochure for North Wales! Couldn't help myself!

Also, if you missed it, here's a blog post I did a couple of years ago about Corrie's links with North Wales. 

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