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Hi, Rusty!
Still damp here!
I have discovered a small leak in my Nubuck walking boot .....time to get out the Storm Sure glue again.
My welly repair is still going strong!
I have finished all three crosswords, barring two parses - and one query - in the 15 x15, that require further meditation.
Now, I have "Tonga" for an answer in the Times QC....
Tell me, am I remembering correctly that it was Queen Salote of Tonga who attended Queen Elizabeth II's Coronation?
Salote appeared in one of James Michener's books?
A very tall lady - well over 6 ft?
Which book was it, do you recall?
I like the Melton Mowbray pork pies !

Hello, Elle!
Yes, get the Storm Sure on it.
It's good stuff!
Yes, Queen Salote was over 6ft tall, and she would not let the attendants put up the hood on her vehicle when it rained.
She thought that would be unfair to the people who turned out to see her.
She was at the Coronation, yes.
Queen Salote was a fine lady...in my opinion.
Possibly "Tales of the South Pacific"?
There was a chapter on the legendary Aggie Grey, I remember that.
My pork pie is "Asda's own"!
I have finished my puzzle.
Can I be of help regarding your query?

Update, Elle!
Queen Salote of Tonga was 6ft 3ins.
I've been "digging"!

Hi, Rusty!
I have duly repaired my boot; also the waterproof backing of a picnic blanket that had ripped slightly.
As you say, it's good stuff!
Now, the crossword.....
My query is about 21a: Sure to go after criminal, is one? (9)
Constable = ? definition ?
con - criminal
stable - sure
Just what is the definition here ?
Is this an "& lit" ?
(I never have understood this term properly)
I still have two to parse but will look at them on and off and see if a light bulb flashes at some stage!
I may have to ask for more help later.......

Hello, Elle.
I would not know an "& lit" if it bit me on the bum!
So, I will pass on that.
What the setter is meaning is, would "one"/constable go after a criminal?
To me, one is the definition, after you have solved the first bit.
Quite straightforward.
Yes, you may get a "lightbulb" moment on your parses.
Let's hope so!

Probably non-PC to repeat this, but when Noel Coward was asked who the small man sharing Queen Salote's carriage was, he replied "her lunch"...

Hi, Rusty!
As I understand it , an "&Lit" is such where the whole clue is involved in the answer?
But I could well have got that wrong?
I couldn't decide how to classify 21a!
Now.......no "light bulbs"...... and I am bored with trying!
So....yes, please help me!
24a: Slowing down is a problem for the Observer?(6)
I have "iritis " which is an eye disease = problem for the Observer (eye) (def)
What does "Newspaper slowing down" have to do with it?
I'm obviously missing something here?
27a: Howl resulting when wise bird gets this gas?(8)
Answer is "hydrogen" = gas
Why?
I can see "owl" for wise bird?
These two clues are completely beyond me!


Chris, I'm not sure how to respond to that....!

Elle, for 27 A if you add H ( the chemical symbol for hydrogen) to owl (wise bird) , you get Howl.

Hello, Elle!
I have no idea if you are right or wrong with "&lit"
It is not something I would be interested in.
Best kept simple, I think.
Right, 24,
Newspaper is "i" or "I" is it, the mini Independent.
"Rit" is an abbreviation of words for slowing down in music.
One is "ritenuto", the other is ritardando, I think.
"Is" is in the clue.
Hydrogen is an unusual one, but I liked it.
If you remove wise bird/owl from "howl" you are left with "H".
H is chemical symbol for hydrogen.
Any more questions, just fire away!

Sorry, Elle.
Yes, it is "iritis", a painful eye condition.