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Hi, Rusty!
How nice to have an unexpected visit from your granddaughter - and another birthday present!
You have been wanting to see "La La Land" for ages!
How very thoughtful!
I have looked up DVD players and you can buy one for as little as £19-99 from Argos.
But alternatively, I am sure that at least one of your granddaughters will have a DVD player?
Maybe you all watch it together on her machine?
That would be fun, wouldn't it?
( You could even have popcorn!)
Google how to poach eggs in the microwave!
It is much easier than the "old-fashioned" way!
And the eggs taste just as good!

Good morning, Elle!
Yes, I have read good reviews about "La La Land".
Will have to see about a DVD player.
I'll see what the young ones say.
I had a look at micro-waving eggs on YouTube.
Looks pretty simple.
I am on the go earlier today.
One or two things to do this morning!

Update, Elle!
I have done The Times puzzle on-line today.
Quite a good one.
Not quite worked out the parse for 13d yet.
Think an "O" level in science would help!

Good morning, Rusty!
You are probably still out........?
You certainly had an early start this morning!
I have popped back briefly from my walk, in order to change my footwear and grab a coffee before going to the vets
This time the appointment is for the dog - it is time for another anal gland check.
I will look at the crossword when I return home.
But first I shall need to buy a paper, as John is away again!
Right....I am off out now........
I hope your morning is going well!

Hello, Elle!
Right, that's the wee chores completed!
Rest of the day is mine!
Hope the dog is fine today?
I have emailed the Loch rangers, asking what is the point of a non working camera.
The squirrel cam is kaput, too.
I have had another look at 13d, but not quite getting the parse.
I did it online and it flashed up "Correct!", when I finished, so I know my answer is OK.

Hi, Rusty!
Firstly , the dog is fine.......her anal gland is now cleaned out and she doesn't have to go back to the vet for two months!
Secondly, 13d......... this has me puzzled?
In France, once, change a strongly acidic element in brass (10)
I have "sousaphone" = brass (def)
But, as far as I know, the French for "sous" is not "once" as the clue would perhaps indicate?
"sous" means" under; beneath" in French?
I thought that "once" in French was "une fois"?
I'm wondering if the clue could mean "en "which is French for "in".......
and if 'change' means to invert it , giving "ne" at the end of "sousaphone"?
Or of course, Ne might be referring to neon?
because 'element' has to be accounted for , somehow?
a ph o - a ph of 0 is strongly acidic.
( We need Pigale to help out with the French here !)

Sous were once "change" (money) in France, and a ph One is still pretty strong acid?

Hello, AB!
I did not want to put my answer in case I spoiled it for Elle!
Thank you, though.
I got the "sous" French currency bit.
And I had an idea "ph" was possibly to do with acidic soil, but could not figure the "one" part.
Thanks again!

Hello, Elle!
A "sou" was currency in France once upon a time, as AB has pointed out.
It was the "aphone" part I could not grasp.
I knew "ph" had something to do with acidic soil/gardening, but could not "get" the rest!
On reflection it is a good clue, I think!
I liked 5a, 10a, and 11d.
Very good news about your dog!

Hello, AB!
I did not consider that "change" meant "cash"......I was thinking of "alter"!
So that explains that part of the clue........
But what about "element"?
I thought o f" A ph one" but then wondered about the ne part being neon??......