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Good morning, Elle.
Horrible day here. Rain, rain, rain!
I am just home and am "drookit".
"Drookit" is another good word for you.
It means drenched!
I thought "fankle" was a fairly well known word?
To me, it means "a bit of a muddle".
Anne Bradford has it under "tangle".
I have not looked at Chambers to see if it is an "accepted" word in the language!
If I do decide to get a a smaller chromebook it is an Asus I have my eye on.
They have a good reputation.
I have the cycling documentary to watch some time today.
Hope you get on fine at the groomers...and the dog!

Hi, Rusty!
I hope you are drying out!
We are just home, having left the dog to the tender administrations of the groomer.
We go back to collect her at 12.30 pm.
I see that the tennis player, Jana Novotna, has died from cancer. at only 49.
I well remember the Duchess of Kent giving her a hug, after Jana lost the Wimbledon Final to Steffi Graff, and burst into tears on court.
I have just made a coffee and am drinking that, and eating my apple and Cheddar cheese!
I shall print out the crosswords and make a start.....

Hello, Elle!
Very sad news about Jana.
I did not know she was ill.
I watched the cycling documentary but there was nothing new in it.
Also been chatting to BT.
Managed to get a deal for 18 months which suits me, and suits them.
So, that is pleasing!
Still wet here!

Good afternoon, Rusty!
Wet, dark - and miserable - here........
But the upshot is that we now have a clean and beautifully trimmed dog!
I doubt she will stay clean very long....she is very much a tomboy!
But the main intent was to cut her coat........so that is a more lasting effect!
Dog looks very smart .......................
I completed my crossword , all bar one clue and two incomplete parsings.....
I thought it a reasonably straightforward puzzle today?
I could not do 26a: Speed trap? (10)
M?T?R?O?T?
Any ideas? I am sure you will have done it!
I'm still mulling over the partial parsings.......

Hi elle
Someone who talks rapidly and incessantly.

Rather a nice clue, in fact!

Hello, Elle!
It is a dour wet day here!
You are doing well with your puzzles!
I find the Monday puzzle slightly easier.
Easier than the Friday puzzle anyway.
26a, Trap can mean your gob or mouth.
So a "motormouth" would be someone whose trap was going constantly!
Good luck with your parsings!

Hi, Rusty!
Still raining here, as well......
I have never heard of "motormouth"....
I did not know that "trap" can mean "mouth"...
I should never have got that !
I meant to comment on what a lot of double definitions there were today?
I don't think I have ever before done a cryptic puzzle with so many DDs!
Now I shall touch but briefly on "night -brightness"!
My daughter has found an alternative link for me to access On /Off and adjustment....
We shall see what (if anything) happens at zero hour (ie 10 pm) tonight!



Thanks, Chris!
Not a word I have ever come across!

Hello, Elle!
You have led a sheltered life if you have heard of motormouth!
It is in fairly common usage.
Or "trap" meaning "mouth"?
Not heard of "shut your trap"?
Jings!
Yes, well done your daughter, there has to be a way of doing it.
I wondered if it was to do with colour adjustment, but I do not have a desktop, so I shall leave it to your daughter and you!
I'll be interested to hear the outcome!

Update!
Elle, please insert the word "not" between "have" and "heard" in my first sentence.
Senior moment!

Hi, Rusty!
I should have known what you meant anyway! No problem!
It is encouraging, though, that I am not the only one to suffer senior moments!
No, I have never heard anyone use the word "motormouth", or say "Shut your trap"!
It sounds very rude and uncouth to speak to someone like that?
24a led to a furthering of my education........
Working backwards from the answer of "donates" = "gifts"......
I did not know that "nates" means "the buttocks" ("cheeky couple" in the clue)
I am having an enlightening day!