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Hello, Elle!
I did not know that about the Trafalgar tree!
Is there a link with Norway?
I know the Norwegian Navy felt that they were made very welcome in town here, during the war, and they established the custom of our tree coming from Norway each year, to say "thank you".
17ft is a big tree, right enough!
I have no idea who buys them.
They sell lots of logs and kindling, etc, too.
Jo sometimes works for EuroSport when the cycling is on.
She is very articulate and does a fine job.
Trotty and Jason Kenny have written a book between them!
One you may like would be Jo Pavey's book?
I am not sure of the title but it is something like "Who'd be a Mum", vaguely!
"Mum" is in the title, anyway!

Good morning, Rusty!
A fine day here, but very cold; 2C.
We had a pleasant - fortunately uneventful! - walk.
Our Christmas tree here would appear similar to yours......
The Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square is donated by the city of Oslo every year, since 1947, in recognition of Britain's support during the Second World War.
It is always a 50 to 60 year-old, 65 ft plus, Norway Spruce, and is cut in November at a joint ceremony attended by the Lord Mayor of Westminster, the British Ambassador to Norway, and the Mayor of Oslo.
The tree is always decorated in traditional Norwegian style and adorned with five hundred white lights.
There is an official switching on of lights ceremony in early December and I believe the tree stays up until just before Twelfth Night!
It always looks very impressive!
Yes, shall look up that book by Jo Pavey.
I have always liked Jo....she is one of my favourite athletes.
I did meet her once...she ran in a "Race for Life" event, in which my daughter was taking part.
A very nice young woman!
Right, now I need to ring Petplan...there seems to be some hiccough regarding my cat's Insurance claim....!

Good morning, Elle!
A fine frosty morning here!
Just 2C.
I hope you resolve your cat's insurance!
I like Jo Pavey a lot, too!
Seems a very nice lady.
So there is a link with Dundee and London via Norwegian Christmas trees!
Very good!
There is another close link with us and Norway through a dog which served in the Norwegian Navy during the war.
There is a statue to honour him at Montrose harbour.
Also a statue to him in Norway.
And if you type "Sea Dog Bamse" into Amazon search box you can see the book written about him.
A fine tale.
This is a little news report BBC did about the statue at Montrose.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-27662650

Hi, Rusty!
Lordy, I wish I had never started on this paperwork/ telephone trail......
Re the cat's Insurance...I think it is simply that the Insurance company could not cope with the name of the veterinary practice having changed.......despite the vets being the same and the practice at the same address!
Hopefully, I have sorted that!
I am now waiting for British Gas to phone me back about their Homecare Service....
I have one radiator valve non -functioning, and two "iffy" ones - all supposedly checked mid- June.
( Do you think if I went back to bed, and then got out again on the other side , my day might improve? )
I like the sound of Jo's book...it is a bit expensive at the moment (only out in March) but I shall keep an eye on proceedings.
I love Bamse ! a lovely story! and a great statue!
I hope your day is better than mine?

Hello, Elle!
That's computers for you!
It could not understand the vet was in the same address!
Reminds me of a tale Bill Bryson, the author, told.
He was travelling in the USA and his publisher had booked his flight, and when he got to the airport they would not let him board because the flight was booked for a "William" Bryson, and not "Bill", and that was way beyond the computer's reasoning!
I can not remember how that was resolved.
It should not take British Gas long to fix/replace the valves.
I am lucky, my son is a plumber and can fix radiators etc, but I have a contract with a local gas company to cover the cost of parts and maintenance checks etc, anyway.
I think Jo's book will be good!
Bamse's book is only a 1p, "vg con" from World of Books on Amazon!
And World of Books have 3 copies of it on eBay, "vg con" for only £2.45p inc p & p.
Should be a good read!

Hi, Rusty!
We have a contract, too, Rusty, with British Gas Homecare to service our boiler, but not our radiators, so I am consequently awaiting a call to arrange an appointment for an engineer to come out to us under "payable circumstances".
I was told over an hour ago that someone would ring me back within 5 minutes!
Grrrh!
There is no point in going back to basics, and ringing again, as there is a waiting list of over 40 minutes just to be connected!
I don't somehow think dog will get walk this afternoon!
Now, on the plus side, (elder) daughter has just confirmed that she is definitely coming down for the weekend.
She will arrive after lunch tomorrow, and go home on Monday.
So that has brightened my day, and is something to which to look forward!
I shall go hoover and tidy up a bit......

Hello, Elle!
It can be hard to pin down a time for an engineer to arrive.
The nature of their job means they could be quite a while at one job, may not have the part in their van, may need to get a sparky, etc.
Other jobs could maybe just take a few minutes.
Onyway, let us hope you are sorted soon!
So, is that both daughters visiting, now?
I have done my puzzle.
28a and 16d are new words to me.
2d, new meaning to me.
A good puzzle, well up to 8d (second word) standard!

Hi, Rusty!
Whew, finally I have arranged for a BG engineer to come and replace three of my radiator thermostats next Friday afternoon!
I have exercised my tact and diplomacy to its limits!
But to a good outcome...seemingly, I am covered by the Insurance for all thermostatic controls, be they for the boiler or the radiators!
So........ nothing to pay!
No, only one daughter coming to stay?
(The other only lives a forty minute drive away).
I haven't really had much time to study the crossword... it is only partially done....
But I did know the word "linac" ie linear acceleration.
A linac machine delivers high-energy x-rays to treat a patient's tumour
But I haven't been able to do 16d yet?
Yes....the crossword is hard as usual on a "Friday"!
What time is your son coming? Is it Fridays that he finishes work earlier?

Hello, Elle!
Good result with BG!
Seems like you have a sound cover with them.
16d, a wee help. "struggled" = "vied".
I had "violated" for a while, but that is wrong.
Yes, my son came early.
He has gone now.
He and his wife and La Bamba are off down town for tea!
Miss O is off to the bingo!

Hi, Rusty!
Your son did come early!
Was the family (except Miss O ) going out for a celebration? or just off out somewhere for a meal?
I am debating whether the three of us (daughter, my husband, and me) should go out tomorrow evening on our Anniversary, or maybe treat ourselves to Sunday lunch out somewhere?
I am vaguely inclining to the latter.... it will not be as dark or as cold out at lunchtime!
I shall see what the others think.....
I think "vitiated" = "spoiled" for that clue?
vied - struggled; as you said
ti - note
a t - a (chan)t
I had never heard of the word before!