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There are loads of different birds, elle, you can't know them all unless you are an international bird watcher! My favourite is "Tristram's grackle",which I believe is a kind of starling.
You like doing old-fashioned Christmas shopping, don't you? We all do amazon wish lists and select from them. I've got all mine already. The main shopping centre in Oxford is being redeveloped anyway, and we have no buses whatsoever from Friday after having had one an hour for years.
I'm sorry Ed is out of Strictly, he was such good fun and a great sport. Not sure I can be bothered to watch any more.

Hi, Rusty!
I should have known/guessed that "Chekhov" would have been a homophone!
I am half expecting that a "Moana" doll or toy / game of some nature will be what our granddaughter wants for Christmas!
I have yet to consult with her mum on the subject.
It is now on my "To do" list for tomorrow!
I think BB has grandiose ideas regarding Santa's Christmas fare......
I heard the words "mince pies" and "a hot drink because it would be cold......"
He is a very thoughtful four-year-old!
Tomorrow morning I am going to have my hair cut.
( I need to organise the same for the dog!)
I am glad the "Scurry" link worked!



Hi, Ros!
It isn't that I like trailing round the shops........it's just that I like to "see" what I am buying!
I don't watch "Strictly".
Who is the "Ed" to whom you are referring?
Have you been watching the Eggheads "repeats"?
How is that I have never yet previously seen a "repeat"?
And yet I always watch the programme!

Ed Balls! He is a hopeless dancer (well, not quite) but marvellous entertainment. I even voted for him!

You can return anything on amazon, free. Most people want books or something they know what they're getting already. I have 5 books for one daughter-in-law, some are secondhand because out of print. I've treated myself to a book on agriculture in SE Scotland in the 18th century (primitive)- not surprisingly it has to be printed just for me!

I agree about eggheads, I've always supposed the repeats were from a time when I didn't watch. I have once or twice thought I had heard the question before. Quite often I nod off, like this evening, so miss the end.

Hello, Elle!
Chekhov was quite a good clue, I thought.
I do not know the story of Moana but the young ones think it will be good.
BB will look after Santa, I am sure.
I like Ed Balls, too, but I do not watch Strictly, only the highlights on BBC News 24.
He seems a good sport!

Hi, Rusty!
Did you see that your mate Julia Donaldson was the author of one of those books on the "Dingbats" thread?
"lounge
sweeping brush"
"Room on the Broom"!
Maybe Miss O' Hara has read Julia's books in the past?
I know all my grandkids like them.

Hello, Elle!
No, I only know Julia wrote The Gruffalo.
I have no idea about dingbats.
They are new to me.
I shall stick to simple crosswords!
I do not think my young ones read much.
Being in touch with "friends" is more important to them.
They would be lost without mobile phones.
I have finished Tisha.
I think she adopted around 10 children.
But she split with the man she loved, for 10 years, and then they were married.
It was a good tale, but the racism in it was sickening!
Back to Mr M tomorrow, or today it is now!

Good morning, Rusty!
It is a beautiful day here - blue sky and sunshine, but frost everywhere and a temperature of -2C when I went out with the dog
An invigorating walk!
(I had to walk fast to keep warm!)
How about with you?
I am just warming up with a piping hot black coffee, and then I am off to get my hair cut.
Crosswords will have to wait until my return!
Catch up with you later......

Good morning, Elle!
Great day here, and...no frost!
I was out walking earlier.
My default walking speed is pretty quick, too.
No crosswords until later, for me!
Happy haircut!

Good afternoon, Rusty!
I have lost an inch from the bottom of my hair!
And the dog is booked in with her groomer for a bath and a trim next Friday morning!
So we shall be spick and span!
I am now about to push the hoover around ( albeit somewhat half heartedly!) as I didn't have time to do any chores earlier.
I may even dust first!
Then, with an easy conscience, I shall sit down and look at the crosswords!

Good afternoon, Elle!
Great day here!
I have just completed the crossword.
A wee bit tricky, or I was not on setter's wavelength.
There is a word in an answer which surprised me, as I would spell it differently.
I shall say no more until you have finished.
And look up Chambers and Bradford's to see what they say.
I am away for a dander.
I have to pick up La Bamba from work later.
Her car is getting MOT'd today, and the rest of the family can't manage to collect her, so old Granddad has been volunteered!