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Same to you, Jazzgirl!

Hello, Elle,
I meant to say, I think 16 down is a dreadful clue/parse.
One of the worst I have came across.

Hi, Rusty!
Have you heard yet from your son?
How did his day of fishing go?
Did he manage a "big" catch?
I am afraid that 16d was one of my problem clues.....I told you that there were some that I could not fully parse.
I had ?O?T?I?E
I went with "tortoise" and am assuming that it is a homophone meant to sound like "taught us"? (by the ears)
The "race" between Achilles and the tortoise that never took place, because Achilles conceded it?
"Tortoise" is one of those words that I have heard pronounced in so many different ways, I am not really sure just what is the correct pronunciation?
I would say it like "tortuss", with the emphasis on the "tor".
7d is another of my problem clues.
I have "harvest" = crop - but cannot explain why?
Your tea sounds good - I haven't eaten yet!

Hello, Elle!
My son sent me a photo of a fine fish about 15lb, caught on the Isla.
He is very pleased.
His biggest ever salmon is 18lbs.
I pronounce tortoise as "tortoys".
I have harvest too.
A top is a "vest", apparently.
A fur is "ha(i)r".

Hi, Rusty!
That fish sounds like "a bit of a whopper"!
Well done, your son!
Nearly up to his previous record!
Yes, "tortoys" is yet another way I have heard the word pronounced!
I did look it up in Chambers, but am incapable of understanding its explanation of pronunciation!!
( I wonder if it is a local thing?)
Anyway, my "tortuss" was very clever and won the race against Achilles without even setting off!
Thank you for the parsing of "harvest" - I couldn't see that!

Hello, Elle!
It is a biggish fish for this time of year.
Most of the big ones run in Autumn.
And here is an intriguing thing.
Most of the big record breaking salmon in Great Britain have been caught by women.
Yet, women form only a very small percentage of anglers.
Probably one of the better known ones is Fiona Armstrong.
I agree about Chambers pronunciation explanations.
They are written for educated folk, I think.
I did not know the tale of Achilles and the tortoise.
I liked the Owl and the Pussycat one, though.
Have you heard of it?

Hi, Rusty!
Yes, I remember your telling me about Fiona Armstrong, and her fishing prowess.
Did you know that she was born in Preston in Lancashire, not all that far from Bolton, where I was born?
If you mean the Edward Lear "nonsense" poem about The Owl and the Pussycat then yes, I do know it !

"The Owl and the Pussy-cat went to sea
In a beautiful pea-green boat,
They took some honey, and plenty of money,
Wrapped up in a five-pound note."
etcetera...

I can recite the poem all the way through!

Good evening, Elle!
Yes, she is a Preston girl!
Lady MacGregor of MacGregor!
Yes, the Owl is a fine tale.
I am not one for poems but that one appeals to me.
It is less cold this evening.
I think Winter has left us.
Did you see the Jess Varnish interview?
Was interesting, I thought.
Anyway, just three sleeps until Cheltenham!

Hey, Rusty!
No, I didn't see Jess Varnish being interviewed?
When / where was that ?
Did she have much of note to say relevant to the enquiry?
I had to smile at your "three sleeps" (to Cheltenham).......... you sound just like a little kid waiting for Father Christmas to come!
I am watching "The Voice" whilst typing this.......
It is a good show!
(You should try it!)

Hello, Elle!
If you go to BBC Sport website, Cycling, Jess is there being interviewed.
She said quite a bit, but there is more to come, about the paracyclists etc.
i hope Jess races again.
I have always liked her.
And I would love to hear Nicole Cooke being interviewed!
No messing with Nicole!
Yes, I am looking forward to Cheltenham!
Nina is coming over, too.
Her baby is due in May, so that's fine.
"The Voice" seems a popular show.
My favourite is BGT!