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Good afternoon, Rusty!
I am not finding the crossword easy?
I am about half way through....but am doing it in dribs and drabs in between other tasks!
I, too, liked "New Scotland Yard" for 4d.
And so far like "cathartic" at 2d, and "retrial" at 10a.
8d gave me an initial bit of trouble, as I was thinking that "hock" couldn't pass as a 'consecrated' wine as it wasn't red....before I realised that the "consecrated" referred to "holy"!
I was a bit slow there!
No, nary a word from E.P!
No response about either the letter that I sent by snail mail......or from my email to the CEO.
I think their general policy must be to ignore all complaints!
I am needing some fresh air...so am going out for a walk with the dog for a while .....
I need to be home at 4.30 for a delivery that is scheduled between 4.30 and 6.30 pm., so must away soon.......

Hello, Elle!
Very bad service by EuroPlayer.
I regret ever mentioning them!
They seem to be on a par with Chambers!
I thought the puzzle was on the easy side.
Are you still progressing?
We had some rain.
I am home for the day and taking in the golf on TV.

Hi, Rusty!
I am awaiting my pet shop delivery.....
Goodness, no, please don't feel bad about telling me about EuroSport Player!
Remember that initially I was very pleased with the service.
I had a good clear picture and plenty of opportunities to watch both Athletics and tennis that I would otherwise have missed!
I was satisfied with what I was getting (especially for my trial period at £19-95!) until the recent revamp of the EP site.
That was when all fell apart for me.
I had no complaints up until then!
In fact, I should thank you......
So please, no regrets!
I have finished the crossword, but I am not happy......
I did not enjoy it!
I cannot parse "brigandry" in 13d?
I had never heard of "hosta" or "dor -beetle"- although they were easy enough to get.
And whoever thinks that "absconda" sounds like "absconder" want his/ her head (ears?) examining!!!

Hello, Elle!
It is a pity about EuroPlayer though.
There are hundreds like you all over Europe who have been let down.
You are correct about "absconder".
Poor clue.
13d, "brigandry".
The fat bloke is "big Andy" with "rights" ( two "r's") dropped in.
I liked that one, though I do not agree that big means fat.
It is a fine evening here.
My son should be here later.

Good evening, Rusty!
I hope you are enjoying the time spent with your son?
It is good to catch up and chat!
My pet shop delivery has only just arrived - somewhat later than scheduled!
Still, at least, it came......
I would never have seen "fat Andy" as a part of the parsing for that clue!
There was a rather good clue in the QC, I thought?
I shall give it to you...although no doubt you will find it very easy......
5d: Shamelessness demanding gold, diamonds and a large settlement (8)
( I liked it , anyway!)

Hello, Elle!
Yes, we had a fine time chatting!
My son thinks it is getting cooler these days!
I think your answer is AU D A CITY ?
Yes, a good clue.
I agree about "fat Andy".
Big does not mean fat, but I suppose the setter is using "setter's licence".
I thought the puzzle was on the easy side today?

Hi, Rusty!
I am glad you both had a nice time together.
I have just been chatting to my daughter.
She had to give a presentation to some work colleagues this evening, and phoned me on her way home, to tell me all went well.
Yes, "audacity" was the answer - a nice clue, I thought.
My book from Amazon has not arrived yet.....I think perhaps I am being a little impatient!
I have started rereading yet another old favourite, in the absence of any new material.
I am with your son...it is definitely becoming much cooler!
Especially in the early mornings.

Good morning, Elle!
I am just home from the cemetery and you will be pleased to know I had a fleecy jacket on!
I had the cemetery to myself!
You will be pleased to hear that your daughter did well with her presentation.
Did she know about Margaret Hamilton?
I have started on Mike Tomkies book about his time in the wilds of British Columbia.
Good, so far!

Good morning, Rusty!
It was chilly here, too, first thing.......but the sun is surprisingly strong today, and warmed us all up whilst we were out walking the dogs.
Yes, wearing a fleece sounds like a practical move!
( I had a jacket on, this morning!)
I think I might need to make a list to remind me ....."Things to Do".... check out "clocked".. .ask daughter about Margaret Hamilton....!
I was thinking about Mike Tomkies and Moobli......
I bought "Mrs. Mike" at the same time.....I liked her!
Were there any sequels?
I cannot even remember who wrote it?

Hello, Elle!
Just a bit airy here, too!
Have not you found out about "clocked", yet?
Now, "Mrs Mike".
There is a follow up book written a few years later.
It is called "The Search for Joyful".
Briefly, Mrs Mike's friend, Oh Be Joyful, a Cree woman, dies during a 'flu epidemic.
Mrs Mike adopts her daughter, Kathy, and that is what the tale is about.
I have not read it, Elle, so how it compares with "Mrs Mike" I do not know.
You are on your own in this one!
Have a look on Amazon.
Mrs Mike was written by Benedict and Nancy Freedman.