The Wind in the Willows

1. The Further Adventures of Toad

Apr 27, 1984 · 20 min

After having overthrown the Weasels in the battle of Toad Hall, Toad hosts a celebration dinner for his friends. He reminisces about his time in prison, escape from jail, his exploits with the barge woman, etc. His friends are less than impressed with how he handled some of the situations, but Toad gets offended when they tell him so.

2. The Kidnapping of Toad

Jun 4, 1984 · 20 min

Invited to the weasels' den for a 'literary evening', Toad is taken prisoner and a ransom demanded. Badger has no intention of paying for his return, but Toad's incessant chatter drives the weasels to distraction, so they play a final trick on him before letting him go free.

3. The Ghost at Mole End

Jun 11, 1984 · 20 min

Mole hears sounds which he cannot account for. It leads him to fear that there might be a ghost in his house. Eventually, though, he discovers that the sounds are produced by a hedgehog which has fallen into a crevice immediately above his burrow. With the help of rat, he saves the animal.

4. The Great Steamer

Jun 18, 1984 · 20 min

The weasels buy the part of the Wild Wood upon which stands the entrance to Badger's home. They order Badger to vacate the property. When Badger takes the weasels to court, the judge decides in their favour, as the weasels' deed to the property appears to be valid. It is mole who saves the day when he discovers a Roman document signed by Julius Caesar which conveys the ownership of the area that is now the Wild Wood to the badgers and their descendants. With this document in hand, Badger is able to chase the weasels away only minutes before they take permanent possession of his burrow.

5. Buried Treasure

May 25, 1984 · 20 min

The Chief Weasel visits Badger and Mole, revealing he and the other weasels have bought the part of the Wild Wood upon which stands the entrance to Badger's home.

6. Mole's Cousin

Jun 1, 1984 · 20 min

Mole's cousin, a famous literary figure called Auberon Mole, comes to stay after being invited by Toad to a 'literary soiree.' Mole's friends deem his dwelling and appearance too humble for the famous guest, and 'try to give him a little bit of style'. Toad and Ratty redecorate Mole's house, and Badger sets out to teach Mole a smattering of Latin and Shakespearean drama. Eventually Mole decides to resist the attempts to have him present himself as someone he is not. Auberon and Mole have a lovely time, and the others are somewhat ashamed of their earlier actions.

7. The Grand Annual Show

Nov 9, 1984 · 20 min

Mole's jam, Rat's walnut cake, Badger's pickled walnuts, and Toad's 'homemade' elderflower wine all compete to be best in show. The weasels also have an abnormally large pumpkin. But two competitors aren't playing fair...

8. The Open Road Again

Nov 16, 1984 · 20 min

On a Toad inspired hiking trip attended by Mole and Ratty, the trio soon bump into an old friend - Alfred the horse who once pulled Toad's caravan. Tired of the ghastly 3 quarters of a mile journey thus far, Toad leads the way to the derelict caravan full of desire to hit "the open road again". In no time at all, Toad is off on another craze astride his new Dersey-Patterson bicycle.

9. Wayfarers All

Nov 23, 1984 · 20 min

Summer is over, animals are packing up for the winter. A mysterious stranger passes by with exciting tales of travel and far-off countries. Rat decides to leave the Riverbank for ever, and follow him across the sea.

10. The Weasels Trap

Nov 30, 1984 · 20 min

After Badger interrupts the Chief Weasel's attempts to rob Billy Rabbit in the Wild Wood, the angry Chief plots his revenge. When his henchman stumbles upon an old hunter's trap, he sees what seems to be the perfect opportunity. However, despite the Chief setting everything up, things go horribly wrong when the henchman tries to relocate the trap.

11. Burglary at Toad Hall

Dec 7, 1984 · 20 min

Toad opens Toad Hall to the public in order to (modestly) show of his many family heirlooms. But the weasels have a dastardly plan to sabotage his efforts. All Toads possessions begin to disappear, causing him terrible embarrassment. Fortunately, Badger is on hand to save the day.

12. The Piper at the Gates of Dawn

Dec 14, 1984 · 20 min

Another dramatisation of an episode from Kenneth Grahame’s book (chapter 7). Portly, Otter's young son, goes missing. He has picked the worst possible time – there are otter-hunters on the prowl. Ratty and Mole set out on a mission to find him, and in the process have a supernatural encounter with the god Pan- a statue under which Portly, who has also encountered him, is found sleeping.

13. The Yuletide Entertainment

Dec 24, 1984 · 20 min

The riverbank residents are organising a fun gathering where they show off their singing, dancing and instrument-playing talents: Otter on the piano; Rat playing accordion and singing Uptails All; Badger's slideshow journey across the world. The pièce de résistance (Toad singing excerpts from Gilbert and Sullivan) suffers a setback when he swallows his fake moustache just before coming on. Mole, who had not intended to appear in the show, is drafted in at the last minute to sing. The episode finishes with a lovely choir song: “Joy Shall be Yours in the Morning”. Sadly, Toad finally manages to cough up his moustache just as the guests are saying their goodnights.

1. Winter Sports

Dec 24, 1985 · 20 min

One night, Toad senses that it is growing colder and realises that it is snowing. He immediately develops a passion for the Winter Sports, and invites all his friends to join in. While Badger, Rat and Mole supervise the children's competitions, a thrilling downhill race is organised - the weasels on their bobsleigh vs. Toad on his skis. The weasels naturally decide to cheat, but the day still ends well, even for the unfortunate Toad.

2. Toad, Photographer

· 20 min

Toad decides to commission a photograph of himself to put on the wall at Toad Hall, and who better to take it than Toad himself?

3. The Rescue

· 20 min

A young shrew has gone missing in the snow. Rat, Mole and Toad set off to track him down, but will they be in time?

4. Bankruptcy

· 20 min

Toad’s new found passion for high-finance soon lands him in trouble, and Toad Hall itself is threatened.

5. The Storm

· 20 min

One wild and stormy day, everyone turns up at Badger’s to celebrate his birthday – but Rat is missing!

6. Patient: Toad

· 20 min

Toad is suffering from a bad cold, but when Rat and Mole arrive, they fear it could be something more serious.

7. The Labyrinth

· 20 min

On his way to visit Badger, Ratty stumbles down a hole in the Wild Wood. Injured, he wanders the labyrinth of tunnels while Toad, dressed as Sherlock Holmes, tries to track him down.

8. Harvest

· 20 min

Badger, Rat, Mole and Toad set off on a fruit-picking expedition, but before long, the Weasels are up to their usual tricks.

9. Auberon's Return

· 20 min

Mole’s cousin, Auberon, arrives at Mole End looking for some peace and quiet, but Mole’s friends have other ideas.

10. The Great Golfing Gamble

· 20 min

It doesn’t take Toad long to tire of the game of croquet, and he sets off to play a proper game – like golf!

11. Gadget Mad

· 20 min

Toad invites his friends around for a big surprise after tea. He has spent the past weeks installing an electrical generator to power his newfound craze.

12. Mayday

· 20 min

May Day celebrations are in full swing on the riverbank, and Toad, Ratty, Badger and Mole are enjoying all the fun of the fair. Toad fails miserably at "Test Your Strength"- he cannot even lift the mallet- whilst Badger breaks the bell.

13. Fancy Dress

· 20 min

Invitations are received to a fancy-dress party in Toad Hall, but when everyone arrives, there is no sign of Toad!

1. Paperchase

Dec 30, 1986 · 20 min

When the field mice, voles and shrews accidently break a stained glass window in Toad Hall, Rat attempts to find something else for them to do,so “The Riverbanker’s Paperchase Championship” is made.

2. Mercury of the Motorbicycle

Jan 8, 1987 · 20 min

Toad invests in a motorbicycle. The blame is immediately put on Toad when the calm of the countryside is disrupted, and Toad cant convince his motorbicycle has been stolen.

3. Mr. Toad's Telephone

Jan 15, 1987 · 20 min

The Weasels have sold Toad an electric telephone. With Mole’s help, Toad installs the telephone but learns from Mole that he cannot call Mole, Rat, or badger as they do not have telephones.

4. Toad, Astronomer

Jan 22, 1987 · 20 min

Toad’s latest craze is Astronomy. So he buys a large, expensive telescope. With great reluctance, his friends help get it up to the roof, and abandon him up there.

5. Caught in a Maze

Jan 29, 1987 · 20 min

Inspired by a recent visit to Hampton Court, Toad has the maze his father had built many years ago restored to its former glory, and opens it to his friends.

6. School Days

Feb 5, 1987 · 20 min

Badger discovers that the local school has been temporarily closed. While Badger, Rat and Mole make plans for alternative lessons, Toad decides that he can turn Toad Hall into Toad Hall Academy for the Children of gentlepersons.

7. Badger's Remedy

Feb 12, 1987 · 20 min

Mole has been stricken with food poisoning! In the basket of remaining mushrooms, Badger is shocked to see a deadly poisonous toadstool. There is an antidote, a fungus, but even though Badger sends out all Mole’s friends, the fungus cannot be found.

8. Masterchef

Feb 19, 1987 · 20 min

Tea at Ratty’s finds Toad reminiscing about his last visit to London - Toad had called on Mole’s cousin, where Toad discovered ‘Cooking’. Badger, Rat and Mole are invited to Toad Hall for the gastronomical experience of the decade.

9. Fire at Toad Hall

Feb 26, 1987 · 20 min

When Toad accidently sets fire to the Hall, Mole offers Toad a place to stay. Mole soon regrets this offer as car upon car load of furniture begins to arrive at Mole’s modest home.

10. Unlikely Allies

Mar 5, 1987 · 20 min

One grey November morning a Stranger Weasel appears with a persuasive power and turns the Henchmen and Weasels against the Chief. The Stranger takes command and the Weasels go on a rampage, as the Stranger plans to take over Toad Hall.

11. A Producer's Lot

Mar 12, 1987 · 20 min

The Riverbankers Annual Production is The Pirates of Penzance! This is Badger’s silver jubilee, but Toad is worried he does not have the biggest part. Half way through the performance, there is a scene that Badger does not remember rehearsing…

12. Champion of the Green Baize

Mar 19, 1987 · 20 min

“The Game No Gentlemen’s Residence Should Be Without” - a billiard table is installed in Toad Hall and Toad is challenged to a game with his beloved Rolls Royce at stake!

13. Winter Haunts

Mar 26, 1987 · 20 min

Unable to reach their homes in the snow, Mole, Rat and Badger spend a night with Toad, and soon they’re telling ghost stories. The appearance of the ghost of Toad Hall, however does not exactly terrify them. Moreover it looks strangely familiar.

1. Auld Lang Syne

Dec 31, 1987 · 20 min

2. Bricks and Mortar

Jan 6, 1988 · 20 min

3. The Lost River

· 20 min

4. The Tournament

· 20 min

5. Lord Toad

· 20 min

6. Hot Air

· 20 min

7. Fighting Fit

· 20 min

8. Hall For Sale

· 20 min

9. Toad's Harvest

· 20 min

10. Monster of the Wild Wood

· 20 min

May 8th, Saturday: Drive from Marrakech, via Almeria to Barcelona in time to watchthe Grand Prix at 13:00 Sunday.

11. Remember, Remember

· 20 min

12. Tunnels and Tremors

· 20 min

13. Happy New Year

· 20 min

1. The Chief's Return

Mar 22, 1990 · 20 min