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Hi, Rusty!
What a weird comparison?
I have never before heard such an expression, as to compare water to quality!
Who would ever have thought that "of the first water" would mean "of the highest quality"?
We live and learn!
And it is good that we do!
Now...I rarely watch television during the day, but I was setting the recorder this afternoon for a programme tonight.......and I came across "Escape to the Country".
So now I am wondering why ever I am living here.........on the outskirts of London, in an old Victorian villa that is all but falling down around me.......when I could be out there in the country in a wonderful mansion with acres of land.......and still have lots of money left over (to squander on whatever I like!)
We should move tomorrow!
Only we won't, because I guess we like it here..........
It is amazing though how much cheaper property is away from here!

Hello, Elle!
I have never heard the "first water" term used by anyone, either in a conversation, or written in a book.
Maybe it has gone out of fashion.
As we know, language is continually evolving.
I know that when they update Chambers, they drop many older words and expressions that are no longer used, to make way for new ones.
Now, your show, "Escape to the Country" used to be one I watched regularly, but I do not ever remember anyone actually buying a house?
I thought it was quite a good daytime show.
Any sign of your new neighbours?

Hi, Rusty!
It is still chilly here...it never really warmed up today.
We have had our central heating on low all the day.
The local forecast says heavy rain and gale force winds should be with us by 8 pm!
Brrh..... I think Winter is on its way!
My daughter had to leave work and go to pick up YB from nursery early in the day, as he wasn't feeling well.
Poor little mite, he has a cough and cold developing.
It is fortunate that she can work from home on such occasions.
No, no sign yet of any new neighbours.... we still do not know who has bought the house.
It is all in the hands of solicitors.... so no one to ask.
I have had an mail from Amazon to say my book is on its way!

Hello, Elle!
Yes, Storm Aileen is on her way!
I had heating on for half an hour yesterday.
Poor YB!
I read that this Winter's flu will be worse than usual!
Not good news.
I usually get the jab, but maybe it is a bit too soon to visit the nurse.
I have had an email from eBay saying my key tags are on their way!

Hi, Rusty!
I did not realise that it was a specific storm that was on its way!
Yes, I have now been reading about Storm Aileen, on my computer.
We have the heavy rain already......no winds as yet.
It does not feel right to worry about a mere storm, does it, when so much worse is hitting Florida?
It is strange your just mentioning the flu jab!
My daughter was only talking abut it this evening , considering it for the children.
Although I think flu protection for the small ones is given in the form of a nasal spray?
YB, though, will too young , I think, to have it this year.
BB can surely be given it though.
She is going to enquire about it.
Our GP usually offers the flu jab next month.
Perhaps your doctor will be the same?
That is a very quick response from Ebay about your key tags!

Hello, Elle!
No sign of Aileen here.
I do not think we are getting winds.
Florida got it bad with Irma.
I think she has been downgraded as she moves North.
Hurricane Jose is waiting in the wings!
I do not usually "go" for the flu jab.
They usually catch me if I go in for something else!
Our practice has a website, so there may be info on it.
Yes, the eBay shop seems good.
I got a "dispatched" email within an hour of ordering.

Good morning, Rusty!
We have a glorious morning here, albeit after a very wet and stormy night!
A tree came down on the main road this morning, on our way to the park.
Fortunately no one was hurt.
How is the weather at your end?
Have any bridges had to be closed?
I am grabbing a quick coffee, and then we are off to the vets.
Our appointment is for 11am.
It will take some time to "persuade" the cat that he needs to go into the cat carrier!

Good morning, Elle!
Bit wet here but we have had no winds.
Bridges running normally.
Aileen seems to have missed us!
Hope you get the cat to the vet!
There is an obituary in my local paper and also The Times to Mike MacDonald-Cooper.
He was a setter for The Times, Indepependent, Listener, and several other papers and a Times Crossword Champion.
And he had been crossword editor at the Independent.
And did very well on BBC Mastermind.
My son installed a central heating system for him several years ago and said he was a very nice man indeed.
There is a service for him in my local church a week today followed by interment.
Just thought I would pass the info on.

Hi, Rusty!
We are home again at last......
The cat is feeling much happier, as he is now rid of the "lampshade" around his head!
This is designed to stop him removing his stitches in a DIY gesture!
Said stitches now having been removed by the vet today.
Cat has had a steroid injection this morning to help reduce the inflammation found in his liver and gall bladder, and next week will go back for a further three -weeks' duration antibiotic injection, plus a second steroid injection.
Some time after this, all the blood tests will be repeated, and after assessing the results, then we shall see where we go from there.
So far...so good.....
Still a lovely (cool) day here.
Have you done your crossword?
I haven't yet had time even to peek at mine!

Hello, Elle!
It is a fine day here now.
My key tags arrived at dinner time, less than 24 hours after I ordered them.
My son is going to one of the church services for Mike next week.
I may go, too.
I have finished my puzzle.
23a is a new phrase to me.
I liked 16d and disliked 19d.
Quite a good puzzle.