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Hi, Rusty!
Back home again!
The rain held off, but it is cooler and feels damp in the air.
Good to be out though.
Yes, I did well with my books.
One volume is a Rosamund Pilcher omnibus........with three books in it!
A good buy at 1p!
Have you yourself had time to have a browse round Amazon?

Hello, Elle!
What does Rosamund Pilcher write about?
I recognise the name.
An omnibus for 1p can't be bad! In "very good" condition?
A very good buy!
I have had a look on Amazon.
Was looking at books on the Boer War and the French Revolution.
I did not order any, yet.
I may have to read one that I have here!
"Come hither, Miss Peckwitt !"
During my puzzle, whilst "fathoming" out a clue/answer, I discovered a new word for me.
"Withal".
It was part of "wherewithal".
But I have never heard "withal" being used on it's own.

Hi, Rusty!
Yes, that is what I have been doing.........rereading old favourites!
And I do enjoy them....but it will be nice to break new ground when my next lot of books arrives.
Rosamunde Pilcher writes (fictional) family sagas.
Her stories are also sometimes portrayed on the television , usually in a mini-series. or maybe two episodes.
I enjoy them.
I thought today's crossword was quite reasonable?
I liked 18a and 19d especially, but yes, "wherewithal" was a good clue?
I had seen "withal" in written text, meaning "in addition", but never heard it spoken!
Even the homophone didn't grate on me today - I will agree that "Sligo" sounds like "sly go"!
I couldn't parse "Idaho" though, in 2d?
Idaho = state (def)
ho - house
but IDA?
Now......I have a serial to watch in ten minutes......

Hello, Elle!
Your books sound good.
Puzzle was a good one.
You are one up on me, for I have never seen "withal" written or spoken.
Elle, 2d, the clue mentions a "Cretan mountain".
There is a Mount Ida in Crete.
1a, puzzled me. "whipping cream"?
I thought it was "whipped cream", it was called?
13a was my favourite, "filibuster".
9a took me ages to work out.
I had never heard of the word or what it meant.
It was straightforward with the clue, though.

Hey, Rusty!
Oops!
Well.....either tonight's episode of "Liar" must have been boring......or else I was more tired than I thought!
Yes, you have guessed it........I fell asleep!
It is a good job I always record programmes that I intend to watch!
So at least I can watch it another time.
I did not know of Mount Ida.
(I feel, though, that, with a little more thought, I should have come to that conclusion?)
I had to resort to consulting Anne B over "nick" and "whip"!
I would have gone for "whipped" cream, too!
Drizzling out......... the dog has just returned damp from the garden .......

Hi rusty
I would suggest that "whipping cream" is a cream that can be whipped - you see it labelled as such in supermarkets.

....whereas "whipped cream" that has been whipped, and so is mostly air (the supermarkets would probably love to sell that!)

Hello, Elle!
I always record programmes I am interested in.
And I often delete them without watching them!
I did not know of Mount Ida, but the answer had to be "Idaho", so I looked up mountains in Bradford's, and there it was.
There is a Mount Isa in Australia but I do not think it is a mountain.
It is very well known for minerals there.
What Chris says about whipped/whipping cream makes sense.
I just had never heard of "whipping" cream.
That's what happens when you lead a sheltered life!

Good morning, Rusty!
It is not often that I am using the computer this early in the day!
I woke up way ahead of the alarm clock!
The dog has been out in a very 'black' garden - I do so dislike these dark mornings.
Roll on putting the clocks back an hour!
I now have 45 minutes to kill before going out for my walk.......
How are things at your end today?

Good morning, Elle!
No alarm clocks in this house!
It is a bit dull outside today.
Just about to take the scenic route to get my paper from the shop.

Hi, Rusty!
I had a pleasant walk...but a fresh, invigorating breeze would have been nice...it is rather "heavy" out.
The sun is just breaking through now though.
How was the "scenic route"?
I have just had an email from Amazon to say that my omnibus will be arriving on Saturday!