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Good morning, Rusty!
Another lovely day here!
A great walk this morning!
Just had a message from daughter - her car won't start!
She and children all sat in it, ready for "off"......but...it won't go!
Son-in-law on the way home from work to take a look at it!!
Oh dear!
Meanwhile.......I am just shooting over to Bromley to collect an order from a shop........
Back soon!

Good morning, Elle!
Heavy rain here.
I have the AA "Home Start" which has came in handy over the years with non-starting cars.
Hopefully your daughter will get going soon.
Just been reading that Laura Muir will miss the Commonwealth Games as it comes too close to her exams.
Very sensible of her, I think.
I finished my puzzle early today.
Just a bit on the easy side today, I think!

Hi, Rusty!
Back home again!
Mission successfully accomplished!
Daughter rang to say she will be coming down in her husband's car, as her car needs a new battery!
Yes, we, too, have the AA Home Start, but I have no idea what provision for breakdown our daughter has?
I expect we shall learn more in due course.
I'm not sure what our son-in-law is expected to do with the rest of his supposedly "working day"?
Maybe go to find a Halfords.....?
I'm sorry about your rain! Still sunny and warm here......
I'm just going to take a look at the crossword!

Hello, Elle,
When my motor would not start the AA man came and diagnosed a "dud" battery.
He went and got a new one for me and fitted it.
Good service!
I do not think you will be very long doing your crossword!

Hi, Rusty!
Yes, you are right - a very "doable" puzzle today!
Nothing left to parse!
I had to look up "thimblerigger" though - a new word , for me.
And "Chateaubriand" gave me pause for thought - I was thinking of it as a thick steak.......
I especially liked 1a, 9a and 20d!

Hello, Elle!
I suspect "thimblerigger" may be American?
I think Chateaubriand is a steak?
I do not have my puzzle any more.
It's been recycled.
It had boot polish on it.

Hi, Rusty!
Yes, Chateaubriand is a steak...but it / rather "he"/ is also a French Statesman and thus the definition in the clue!
But I didn't know that until I'd consulted my Chambers!
Now...my daughters and the boys have arrived safely...but no thanks to a huge lorry which hit their car on a roundabout and then drove off!
They fortunately weren't hurt......but the car is........although she managed to drive it here....
I must go and see what we can do now to sort it all out.......
I may have to 'disappear' for a while....will keep you informed!

Hello, Elle!
That is most unfortunate regarding your daughter and grandsons.
Hope she can get the lorry driver's details for insurance purposes.
Has she calmed down?
She must have got a right fright!
Remember, Elle, a car is but a lump of metal and can easily be replaced.
Your family is safe and that is much more important!
Your daughter has not had a very good day with cars!

Hi, Rusty!
No, no details! The lorry driver didn't stop....just hit them and drove off!
Luckily, my daughter took down his number and has duly reported it to the police
They say that if the incident is not reported within the next 24 hours , they will "investigate" the matter.
Meanwhile, the Insurance people are sending Green Flag to take the car to the nearest garage to her home for repair.
Her husband is coming down tonight to take her home!
The boys, of course, will stay here with us, as originally planned.
I am now going to feed two very hungry children!

Hello, Elle!
Quick thinking by your daughter!
Good!
Hopefully the boys (and girls!) in blue will find the driver quickly.
Wonder why he did not stop?
Suspicious.
Anyway it's the insurance company's job to sort all this out.
And they seem to be on the ball with Green Flag!
That's why we pay them.
And has her other car a healthy battery now?