Crossword Help Forum
Forum Rules

Hello, Elle!
Good to hear your daughter and family are safe home.
I read there is a motorway closed because of ice.
Forget where, though?
Surely they should have the gritters out?
The homophone clue is,
"Before melody is heard"(3) e?e
I have "ere" for before.
Think it is meant to sound like"air"?
Not to me, though.
Your opinion, please?
I suspect my laptop has had its chips.
I have had it around 6/7 years.
So...what to do!

Hi, Rusty!
I read in the News that the M5 in Somerset is closed due to ice - this is probably what you heard?
My daughter gets the M11, then I think the A14?
Oh dear....I don't think you are going to like my opinion on your homophone!
I think "ere" sounds exactly like "air"!
I can see no problem with it?
So how would you pronounce it?
Can you write it down phonetically?
I think if you have had your laptop for that length of time, you have done very well!
And I don't think machines are made to repair these days...they come as "disposable"!
Give in gracefully......and buy a new one!
Maybe one of the girls would go with you? - I took my younger daughter with me, when I went to buy a new desk top!

Hello, Elle!
i pronounce "ere" like "err", and "air" like "(h)air"or "(c)are".
They sound different to me.
Do you think 6/7 years is a good innings for a laptop?
It is the first one I have had.
I have no problem buying a new one.
Miss La Bamba is off all week.
I would like one of the whizz kid young ones to have a go at fixing it, first.
Windows is trying to "repair" the start up, but failing.
A blooming scutter of a thing!

Hi, Rusty!
Mmm, I guess it make sense to have one of the young ones check over your laptop before spending money buying a new one - but, in my experience , not much equipment is these days built to last.
(Not like my previous tumbler drier which lasted 43 years!)
I probably wouldn't PAY some one to "look at" the laptop though!
I do not have much faith......!
Now, I have a feeling I have queried the use of this word before - but cannot remember the outcome......."scutter"?
To me it mean scurrying, running hastily?
P.S. I would pronounce both "ere" and "air as in (h)air.

Hello, Elle,
No, I will purchase a new one.
Not getting it fixed.
It is trying to "repair" itself to no avail.
Not sure what to replace it with though.
A Scots "scutter" is a pesky nuisance, or rigmarole.
I thought your pronunciation would be so.
I think it is cold this night.

Good morning Rusty!
An extremely cold -1C , frosty and locally foggy morning!
But we are promised sunshine later.
The dog was very pleased to be back in her routine of early morning walk!
Hard frosty ground equates clean dog!
I'm drinking piping hot coffee to warm me up, as I write this.
No particular plans for today........I have a few household chores to do......
How about you?

Good morning, Elle!
A bit chilly here too.
Beautiful blue sky, though!
No plans here....so far.
I was out getting my paper and lightbulbs earlier.
Maybe getting a visit from Miss O, later.
She is the family computer expert!

Hi, Rusty!
The promised sunshine and blue sky have arrived - a glorious (bitterly cold) day!
I have been very industrious....two loads of washing dealt with, and the beds remade for the next lot of visitors.
And I have finished (bar one clue) the Times 15 x15!
I won't say too much in case you haven't started yours yet - I know you often save it till tea-time.
I liked 20a; learnt two new words from the answers to 17d and 22a; couldn't parse 24d, although the answer is obvious;
And I couldn't do 18d at all. I won't put the crossers in , in case I spoil it for you at this stage.
Also, there are both a Cockney clue and a homophone - just to make your day!
I hope Miss O arrives to hopefully "fix" your laptop!
Otherwise, perhaps she can recommend a good replacement model?

Hello, Elle!
No, not looked at the crossword.
Been studying laptops/chromebooks on Currys site!
Yes, put 18d in.
I am sure Malone or someone, may wander by and help you!
It will be later in the day before I get near it!
A Cockneyism? Ah well, I shall have to give it a good go!
Miss O is selling shoes just now, but has offered me her laptop as she only uses it for Uni work.
I think I shall get a Chromebook.
They are ideal for my needs.
Curry's class me as a "social" user!!!
Getting dull outside, hope there is no snow coming!

Hi, Rusty!
I don't know anything about Chromebook?
Didn't you look into that a while back?
Does Miss O think it would be a good buy for you?
What on earth is a "social" user? unless it simply means that the computer isn't used for work /business purposes?
Are you going to order online - or go and take a look in person?
I have just ordered us a new printer from Argos.
We knew what model we wanted, so it was just a question of finding the cheapest deal.
Unfortunately it is out of stock for delivery but we can collect it from the store tomorrow morning.
That will suit us fine.
Still beautiful here........hope you don't get snow!