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Hi, Rusty!
I have now had both daughters on the phone!
We have been trying to coordinate plans for Christmas - and to decide what presents to get for all the children!
I think I am more confused than ever now!!
(But at least the sun is still shining!)
I talk a lot with my daughters......and see the younger one (and her family) at least once a week......
Yes, I remember Dad's Army!
Private Frazer was a dour Scottish gentleman who was an undertaker?
Now who played him? I forget........
I remember Arthur Lowe, and Ian Lavender and Clive Dunn, John le Mesurier.....
Have you sorted out payment for your car battery?
Our mechanic is also a friend, as is yours, and getting a bill out of him is nigh impossible....it comes eventually, but only after a lot of "nagging" from us!

Hello, Elle!
Yes, I see Christmas is coming to the top of your agenda!
I am sure your daughters and you will have it all worked out and running like a well-oiled clock!
John Laurie played Private Frazer.
He was a Shakespearean actor in his day.
When he died, his ashes were scattered at sea.
I do not get bills from my garage.
I just pay what he suggests is fair, though it is usually a couple of days later, after a bit of nagging from me!
But no paper bills or anything like that.
The mechanic told me to leave it until mid-week as they will be flat-out trying to catch up with the work, and keeping their customers happy.
I am off for a dander. It is fairly mild today.

Hi, Rusty!
We , too, have been out for a walk!
We were later than usual going out - and arrived home in the dark!
It feels very cold here....several degrees lower then forecast!
Everyone is talking of how cold it is!
John Laurie - yes! Well remembered!
Now , Christmas.......yes, we did get in a bit of a mix up over our plans!
( I did wonder why there would be so many of us to cook Christmas lunch for!)
We have all belatedly realised that the girls come alternate years - and spend the "in between" Christmas with their in-laws!
So our elder daughter and family - who will be staying with us for a few days - will be here for Christmas lunch this year.
But all will be here on Boxing Day!
Confusing...but we got there in the end!
Have you done your crossword?
The QC was easy today! but I haven't looked at the 15 x15 yet.
I need coffee first........

Hello, Elle,
It is dark here, too.
it seems mild to me, after all the frosty days I had.
So, is your oven going to cope with Christmas?
I have finished Times crossword.
It was nothing special today.
One new word for me, though.
Back to my book!

Good evening , Rusty!
I think I may still have a space problem with my oven.....even though there will be two adults and a young child less....
But I have decided the way round that is to cook the meat - turkey and beef - the previous day and just "heat it up" on the day.....
I am sure we shall manage!
All will be well!
On Boxing Day, when there really will be a lot of us, I think I shall serve up cold fare!
Speaking of food...I had better go and see how dinner is coming along.......
Then I too will be back to my book!

Hello, Elle!
I am going to buy a steak pie from the butcher.
That will do me at Christmas.
Your idea is sound too.
Mind you, it is four weeks away, still!
Yes, you will have a full house and Mr Jingle to feed.
I am sure you shall manage!
Tisha has met a fine young man and the locals are not happy because he is part Native American.

Hi, Rusty!
Christmas is four weeks away?!
Help! now I am panicking!
I still have most of my present buying to do!
This week is a no- no for any shopping, as I have every remaining day more-or-less booked up....but next week I shall have to consider a serious shopping spree!
Weren't we talking about "scurry-driving" recently?
It is ringing a dim bell?
I think Pigale knew something about it?
Funnily enough, there was a question about the subject on tonight's Eggheads!
I think it was how many horses were needed to pull a carriage around the track?
- or something similar?
Your book sounds a good read - I would find the racial discrimination distressing though.

Hello, Elle!
"scurry-driving"?
New to me, Elle.
We spoke about sulky or harness racing.
Pigale knew quite a bit, yes.
Only one horse per carriage/sulky.
I only buy cards at Christmas.
No presents.
You are quite correct, Elle, it is a very good book.
But, the Native Americans were treated very poorly by the white folks.
Tisha has just adopted two of them whose mother has died.
How was your crossword?

Hi, Rusty!
Ah, yes, you are quite right!
It was "sulky" racing about which we were talking.
But the question on Eggheads was definitely about "scurry-driving."
And the answer was two horses per carriage.
See if this link works......
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K727VFpJm3Q
Regarding presents, you give money though to your grandchildren for Christmas........ a good solution, but mine are too young as yet for that!
They still expect delivery from Santa!
You should have heard the discussion between Saturday's Santa and BB as to what Santa and his reindeer would be given to eat when they came a-calling on Christmas Eve!
I am but two-thirds through the crossword - I have abandoned it in favour of reading!
I had to look up "tanager" - I did not know that it was a bird!
and I cannot parse 17d:
The answer is "Chekhov" as he wrote "Uncle Vanya" but I cannot parse it?
(The remainder I'm afraid will remained unsolved!)

Hello, Elle!
The scurry driving is very exciting!
I liked that"
The setter is meaning send a "cheque off" for Chekhov.
Tanager was new to me too!
I find money easiest.
For instance, i have given Miss AOW money to take her little sister to the pictures at the weekend. Very simple.
They are going to see "Moana".
I thought the reindeer got carrots and Santa a glass of milk and a biscuit?