 The trio explored the world around them , experiencing a second childhood with no wives , jobs , or responsibilities . They passed the time by speculating about their fellow townspeople and testing inventions . Regular subplots in the first decade of the show included : Sid and Ivy bickering over the management of the café , Mr Wainwright and Mrs Partridge having a secret love affair that everyone knows about , Wally trying to get away from Nora 's watchful eye , Foggy 's exaggerated war stories , and Compo 's schemes to win the affections of Nora Batty . 
