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Hello, Elle!
I have not been inside an Ikea shop.
I drove some of the family to one near Edinburgh a few years ago.
They were a long, long, time inside!
Yes, exploding lightbulbs should not be on sale!
It was an old work pal I met (and his wee dog).
Good to catch up with the news.
I have ordered a new mobile 'phone.
Arrives tomorrow!

Hi, Rusty!
Ikea is what I would term an "interesting" shop!
It is kind of ultra modern but spaciously so, and has some excellent ideas for storage.
It's furniture lends itself to a minimalistic theme, I think.
We do not have a lot of their stuff, but their lighting is great.
Did you notice that Rosalind was praising Dunelms?
You have one of those near you, don't you? and like it?
I still haven't been in the newly opened one near us!
So, tell me about your new phone?
What make?
What can it "do"?
You will be looking forward to "playing" with it!

Hello, Elle!
Yes, Dunelm seems a good store.
I bought a pair of Fogarty pillows there not too long ago.
My new phone is a Samsung.
I will use it mainly for texting, and surfing the internet.
I will download Google Photos to it, if it is not already on it, and WhatsApp, and Twitter. Also, Sky News, Amazon, RTE.
just basic stuff like that.
Yes, I am looking forward to it, and learning how to work it.
Plenty young ones to keep me right!

Hi, Rusty!
You new phone sounds a good buy.
Not that I know a lot about phones.....mine being as "old as the hills"!
What you call "basic stuff" is way over my head!
I shall be at a complete loss when my ancient device finally becomes obsolete!
Mentally, I'm back there with the carrier pigeons and the smoke signals!
I have made an appointment to take the dog to the vet on Friday.
She is bothering with her backside again...I am wondering if there is a repeat problem with her anal gland?
Remember that bad infection she had before?
She is not officially due back again for a check up until the end of February, but I want to get this looked at fairly promptly.
I forgot to watch "Eggheads"!

Hello, Elle!
Yes, get doggie seen as soon as you can manage.
I hope my phone is good.
i had a bit of a haggle with the lad on the phone, and he reduced the price a wee bit.
Will take a wee while to get the hang of it.
It gets excellent reviews.
My daughter-in-law has one and praises it to the heavens.
She plays games on it, too.
Way over my head!
i think you should hang on to your carrier pigeons in case you lose your 'phone signal, Elle.
You never know!
A good tip for your cousin in Blackburn, too.
Can you not watch Eggheads on catch up TV?
i do not have that, but my family use it regularly.

Hi, Rusty!
You seem to be becoming quite an expert in getting good deals after a bit of "haggling"!
Well done you!
I am sure you will fully master your new phone soon, and enjoy using it.
My cousin would be very offended to hear you....she is well versed in all the latest technology!
Her daughters change their phones and other technical equipment with great regularity, and she becomes the recipient of their still-up-to-date castoffs.
She is well genned up!
Unlike me, who remains a technophobe at heart!
I'm not sure what "Catch -up TV" is?
But I can watch "Eggheads" on BBC iplayer on the computer should I wish.
I think I shall stay with my book though.......

Hello, Elle!
I find "haggling" very straightforward to do.
I phone up whoever it is and tell them I am thinking of leaving, regretfully.
I get put through to the "Retentions" department who can knock a bit off the prices.
I have other companies offers written down in case they ask (they usually do) and discuss it with them in a friendly manner, and a better offer is usually forthcoming.
Today I got my 'phone at £4.99 per month cheaper and they added in more GB's for data.
I was pleased, and told them so.
I am a technophobe too, but I have learned quite a bit from the young ones.
Is Catch-up TV not being able to watch old programmes somehow?
I do not have it (that I know of!)
I prefer a book, too.
Reading Dr Crippen now. He was a rascal!

Good morning, Rusty!
A dry day...and mildish.....so far.
Our neighbour's son- in-law has been round this morning to give us an update on his situation.
He wants to move back home but his daughter wants him to live with them....all yet to be decided.......
We shall miss him if he does move to live permanently with his daughter.
Yes, you seem to have got the "haggling" down to a nicety!
But with my luck, were I to follow your tactics, the company would probably just wave me a cheery goodbye!
Ah well, I had better get some chores done.......this morning is galloping by fast without my having achieved anything!

Good day, Elle!
Fine day here, but forecast says we have "thunder snow" later in the week?
Are you getting snow etc this week?
I am not aware of "neighbour's son-in-law", situation?
Ref, the haggling.
You should be prepared to leave if things do not go to plan.
I have not experienced this, but the company often follows up by phone call, asking you to stay, with an improved offer.
I do not look for miracles, but a friendly chat with "retentions" usually pays dividends, I've found.
They are happy, I am content. A good outcome!
Give it a go!
I have a one hour slot for 'phone delivery this afternoon.
I'll watch "Homes under the Hammer" until then.
I find it astonishing what folk will buy!

Hi, Rusty!
Ah.........maybe possible clarification of pronoun needed re the neighbour situation?
Neighbour and old family friend was taken ill before Christmas - possible seizure - now staying with daughter.
Son-in law (of neighbour) came over to discuss our neighbour's health?
Clearer?
( I should be wary of this "pronoun trap" by now!
Remember, it nearly had me going to a concert with a stranger!)
I don't think we are having any snow?
But I have heard of this "thunder snow"....snow is supposed to fall as would heavy rain during a thunderstorm?
Rather a weird scenario, I thought?
I have finished the Times 15 x15.
Have you done yours?
You would not be pleased? One Cockney clue and a dubious (to me) homophone.
I couldn't parse 28a? although the answer was obvious from the first part of the clue.
I hope your phone arrives on schedule!