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Before finding Elsinore, even looked for a New Zealand Port (alcohol) brand !

Hi, Rusty!
Well, at least all my answers were correct!
That is something.......even tho I fell short on the parsing.
I would never have understood "trotter"........my thoughts were on types of rock...such as sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous!!!
Yes, I can now see all the others!
Thank you so much for explaining.
So you didn't need my help solving "Elsinore" after all.......
(Ah well, never mind! at least I had got it right!)
I think Ros and I must have had a similar education......I "did " Shakespeare at school too!
I quite liked today's puzzle ...despite my few problems!

Hello, Pigale,
I was looking for port drinks, too!

Hello, Elle!
In the USA there are trotting races.
That's how that particular one was easier for me, BUT,....I have just the teeniest knowledge of Shakespeare, so there you and Rosalind would come to the fore.
The educated folk!
I eventually got to Elsinore but only when I twigged that I should not read it as "New Zealand" but "new Zealand".
I think it is a very good clue though.
Threw me for a good while, and I like a toughish crossword.
You are progressing well though, Elle!

Hi, Rusty!
I have good days and bad days!
It all depends on how in tune I am with the setter.
I enjoy Sunday's puzzles the best....I like the Everyman crossword!
Speaking of Sundays, younger daughter has been making plans for tomorrow!
They are coming here to visit......if it is fine , we are all going out for a walk with the dog!
That is, we are all walking, while BB either cycles or scoots!
"Scooting" is apparently all the rage!
The children no longer walk to school (as we did in our time) but take their scooters!
There are even "scooter parks" in the playground!
Elder daughter tells me she too has now gone down with the "bug".......
A good job they didn't come to stay for the weekend - else we may have been following likewise!
A lucky escape?

Good evening, Elle,
Yes, keep the bug spreaders away!
I did the Everyman years ago, when I purchased a Sunday paper.
But, I do not anymore.
I do not see any "scooting" up here?
It will be nice to see your family tomorrow.
Let us hope you have good weather!
I have no plans for tomorrow.
Unless these grandgirls of mine have any ideas!

Hi, Rusty!
No scooting?
That is surprising as it is very prevalent here!
In fact, I am convinced that babies these days must be born with a scooter in one hand and clutching an ipad in the other!
I don't get the Everyman from a newspaper but print it from the Guardian site.
Free access!
It is the highlight of my Sunday!
Yes, the girls may surprise you by suggesting a bacon roll!
It is a while since you have been to the Pine Cone?
My daughters have been asking about Christmas presents......I cannot believe we are already heading for Christmas.....
Every year, I promise myself that I will shop early...... it never happens!!!

Hello, Elle!
I was at Pine Cone this morning.
No bacon roll, though, just coffee.
iPads are all the rage here, but no scooters!
I used to print off crosswords from the Guardian, but stopped.
I liked doing Araucaria's puzzles.
Just do one puzzle a day now, except Sundays.
Pine Cone has loads of Christmas stuff in.
My Norn Iron friend has finished her Christmas shopping, except for food and wreaths. She starts about April and it is done halfway through summer. She loves Christmas and goes to umpteen Christmas dinners and nights out.

Hi, Rusty!
Your Norn Iron friend is to be admired for her planning!
I have good intentions - the problem is that they remain just that.......what I need is to put them into practice!
It is impossible to buy early for the young ones, as their ideas change with the latest "craze", but I could easily buy well ahead for the adults.
I shall do some "sounding out" as to what people would like.......and maybe younger daughter and I will do a massive Christmas shop before she goes back to work when her maternity leave ends.
We often do our Christmas shopping together, as our husbands are not keen on accompanying us to the shops!
I shall suggest it to her...and maybe between us we can start the ball rolling........
(Now where did that expression come from?)

Elle, I am aghast!
You do not know where "start the ball rolling" comes from?
Far to much "scooting" going on down there!
Apparently it comes from the game of croquet, would you believe?
The person who leads off, starts the ball rolling.
I have long since made life easier for myself regarding Christmas presents.
I do not buy any.
Every one gets money and often a card.
And nobody is allowed to get me anything.
I have all I need.
But I like to get a nice card. I got several last year.
Was nice!

Hi, Rusty!
I would never have thought of croquet as being the origin!
How did you know that?
Regarding presents and cards... I like giving both!
It is fun to see the delight on someone's face when they receive the (hopefully) ideal present!
And I know that sending Christmas cards can be a bone of contention for some people - who think that the cost incurred would do better going direct to charity.
But I think folk love receiving cards...both as a gesture of goodwill and a needful human contact.
I compromise by buying cards from a Charity organisation (usually for MacMillan nurses)and hand delivering where possible - although a lot of the people to whom I send cards are scattered around the UK and also Overseas , so yes, I do spend quite a bit on postage.
But I think the benefit to the receiver is worthwhile!
And I myself love getting cards!