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Good morning, Elle!
Overcast here!
I have no plans today.
I've done half my puzzle and put it away for later.
Young Miss Muir has tweeted that she worked in excess of 80 hours on her placement last week!
She's got what it takes!
I do not think BBC will show the New York Marathon.
Just EuroSport.
I think there were over 50,000 finishers last year!
Time for a coffee and a lump of Madeira!

Hi, Rusty!
I have finished the 15 x15.
I especially liked 5a, 9a ,17d, 18d and 21a - they just appealed to me!
I couldn't do two........
1a: R?T?R?A? and 22a: ?A?E
Nor could I fully parse 19d? Why does "nick "mean "edge"?
We had a visit from a Thames Water man this morning.
He was just about to fit our new water meter.
Apparently, we were misinformed by the last T.W. representative ........
The meter will be operating from today, but we shall not be charged as such for any water used.
Instead, we shall get a couple of comparative bills - showing how we would either benefit or otherwise from the use of a meter.
If we prefer the meter, we ring Thames Water to have it "connected" immediately, so that we are charged for water as used.
But if we decide otherwise, , then we have two more years of water "meter-free", before the use of meters becomes compulsory.
An interesting decision ahead?
Now I need to hoover......

Hello, Elle!
Seems fair enough from Thames Water?
1, is Rotarian. I believe The Rotary Club do good work with charities etc.
Register is "rota". Managed is "ran", keeping one, is "rain".
22, I've got "hare".
Some Scots say "hae" for "have".
River is "r", giving hare.
I suppose a hare runs in a field?
I have not seen a hare for ages!
"nick/edge" I wonder if the setter is using cricket terms?
I know "edge" is used.
A batsman striking the ball with the edge of his bat.
I am semi-sure a "nick" has the same meaning.

Hi, Rusty!
Yes, I think the comparative water bills is a great idea.
I would be more impressed if the decision taken were able to be a permanent one.... but I guess two years' possible grace is better than none.....
It seems a reasonable deal.
Thank you for the parsings. I would never have got either, no matter how long I tried!
The QC was a good puzzle too.
There was a rather clever (partial) homophone.....
17a: Mentioned earlier as help about a vocal number? (9)
Answer: aforesaid.
A nice one, don't you think?
Going to take the dog for a walk now ....

Hello, Elle!
Yes, I like the homophone!
You are away ahead of me, doing two puzzles in a day.
The comparative water bills do sound a fine idea.
I have resisted the "smart meters", so far!
It is dark earlier now.
Very noticeable!

Hi, Rusty!
Yes, it was already going dark by the time we came in from our walk.
The darker evenings certainly shorten the day.........
Getting in two dog walks, and a social life in between is far more hectic in the Winter months!
Younger daughter rang to say her bank debit card has been cloned!
She has had nearly one thousand pounds taken from her account today......in two separate attempts.
Scary how easily it is done, isn't it?
Fortunately the bank accepts liability and has made good her money...and of course cancelled her card.
She is still upset though.
I shall go watch "Eggheads".....see if my brain is still functioning......

Hello, Elle!
That is awful what happened to your daughter!
I can well understand her being quite a bit upset!
Wonder how the cloner did it?
Is there any hope of catching the culprit?
I think I am only allowed to take £200 a day from my debit account at a cash machine.
My Belfast friends are packing tonight.
They sail for Scotland tomorrow!
Hope it is a pleasant crossing!
I'll see them on Friday.

Hi, Rusty!
I know nothing about cards and cloning...I have no idea how this could happen?
I think though that one incident involved spending quite a lot of money on a restaurant meal?
It looks like whoever did this was just out for a good time, maybe?
That is good that your friends are coming over again from Norn Iron.
You will be looking forward to seeing them.
How long will they be over here?

Hi elle
Tonight's successful "Eggheads" team are (or two or three of them are) friends of our son-in-law - one was at their wedding here last March. We're famous (by association!)

Hello, Chris!
I did wonder whether you might possibly know any of the challenging team.......but dismissed the idea as being too unlikely!