Crossword Help Forum
Forum Rules

Actually, (it took me a minute to twig this!) but Chambers has four abbreviations for Saint, that I can see.
S or S. and St and St.
I suppose it is a bit like CA, Cal, and Calif. for California.
You takes your pick.

Hi, Rusty!
So far as I know, gout is caused by a defective metabolism of uric acid, which causes arthritis.
Especially in the bones /joints of the feet, although it can affect any joint.
Causing episodes of acute pain.
I'll bear out that last!
Thanks for the info on the shoebill - I learn something new every day!
(including "Oxfords"!)
I have just been reading up on Venus's car accident.
Apparently, her blocking of the road intersection did cause a fatal accident - for which she is being privately sued.
Seemingly, although the police are saying it is her "fault", they have not bought any action against her?
Her car was moving at 5 mph at the time of the crash.
It all sounds a bit "suss"?
Maybe some one has more info to add?
But no wonder she is looking a bit "peaky"!
Yes, Chambers also gives "st" for "saint; strait; and street"
So...we are all correct!!

Hello, Elle!
I only saw the headline regarding Venus, I did not read about it.
This would be in America?
Was she breathalysed (spelling?) do you know?
It is hard to visualise how her doing 5 mph caused a fatality?
Maybe she strayed into a wrong lane or something?
I read that crystals form in your gouty joint and causes pain.
They can be removed, but that would perhaps be in very bad cases?
I get intermittent pain in a toe, but I blame it on years of rough work on building sites.
Maybe dropped something on at one time.
The beauty of this pain is it goes away for months at a time then turns up for a while.
My way of treating it is simply to only buy shoes with roomy toe boxes so there is nothing pressing on it.
Yes, we all correct with the saints.
I am fairly sure in crossword land that it's normally "s" that the setters use.
I could well be mistaken, I often am, but that's what I think.

Hello, Elle, again!
I have read about Venus and the car crash.
The other driver crashed into her motor, the cops say.
They also say Venus drove through a red stop light.
Strange how there has been no charges, so far.
What did strike me was that the car Venus was driving was a 2010 model.
That seems quite an old car for someone of her wealth to be driving?
There is a few bits on YouTube about it.
I would be lost without YouTube!

Good morning, Rusty!
A glorious morning here - already warm and sunny with a bright blue sky!
I am awaiting my friend to come and collect the dog!
The dog is on alert at the window and will tell me when the car pulls up outside.
Yes, I remember your having trouble with your big toe a while back......
But I had thought it a "new" problem at the time?
Maybe you did injury it at some stage and gout has set in ?
Could that be possible?
I believe from what the GP said that gut does "come and go"?
You seem to be dealing with it okay, anyway!
Yes, a very funny business about Venus.
Apparently, she broke down yesterday during a TV interview at Wimbledon, when asked about the accident.
No doubt we shall hear more.
Well, breakfast calls.........!

Good morning, Elle!
Not so nice here!
My toe first bothered me a few years ago but it is not in a joint, so that would not indicate gout to me.
It is the soft tissue under toenail that is painful.
I do not really mind it as experience has shown it will go away after several weeks and it could be many months before it returns.
In days gone by we did not have Totectors, so injuries to toes and feet were fairly common.
I mostly wear trail shoes now.
I go for the ones with the roomiest toe boxes and that's all I need.
I did not see Venus' interview.
Hope doggie has a good walk!

Hi, Rusty!
What a shame about your weather!
We are supposedly set for temps back up in the high twenties again, for the rest of the week.
A pity! I have been enjoying the much cooler days.
My dog has come back still bursting with energy - she has obviously greatly enjoyed her outing!
She has popped out into the garden to tell next door's foxes all about it!
I am going to have a coffee, a look at the crossword, then do some household chores before it is "tennis time"!
How about you?
What plans do you have for the day?

Hello, Elle!
Weather is just a bit dull, it's fine really!
Yes, the tennis should be good.
I am going out later but will be back to see the last few miles of the TDF.
Good that doggie had a good time!
Part 1 of my plan for the day has been successful!
I am interested in a Supreme Court decision that is being made tomorrow morning, and I managed to find the Court online, doing a live transmission today (as a dummy run!), so should have no problems tomorrow, IF I can understand what is going on.
Today was a case involving the GMC, but I could not follow it.
Hopefully it will be simpler to follow tomorrow!
Good luck with your puzzles.
I'll get to mine around tea time!

Hello, Elle!
Just heading out.
I had a look at the puzzle.
It is quite hard today!
Still have some to do when I come home.

Hi, Rusty!
Oops! I hadn't realised that so much time had gone by since I last checked in to the forum!
I probably have missed you - and you have already left?
I didn't know that it was possible to follow a court proceeding online?
Is this something to do with British Cycling, which I know you have been following with great interest?
I am about halfway through the 15 x15 , just coming back to it occasionally in between doing other things......it's a bit of a strange mixture?
I have spent the last forty minutes chatting to my daughter on the phone - she rang whilst eating her lunch, outside the office in her break!
I hope you enjoy your outing!
Catch you later......