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Hello, Elle!
I had a fine morning, but was working this afternoon.
Yes, working!
Giving my son a hand as his partner is down with 'flu.
Just driving a van and collecting stuff from the merchant's for him.
Yes, you have a go at your puzzle.
A good one today!

Hi, Rusty!
Well done you for helping out your son!
That was very kind of you.
Speaking of sons.........
Our son came to visit us this afternoon!
He is recovered from the flu now, but is still suffering from osteoarthritis in his knee.
It is obviously very painful. He is having physio treatment for it.
He brought us a hamper full of delicious "goodies" to eat!
I have yet to look at the xword.......

Hello, Elle!
What a thoughtful son you have!
I have one, too!
I have forgotten what was in the puzzle today.
It's an age since I did it.
Quite a bit milder up here.

Hi, Rusty!
Yes, the hamper was a lovely Christmas present.
We shall enjoy discovering its contents!
I am belatedly half way through the 15 x15...it is quite a good one.
I am slowly getting there!
I liked 12a: Greek character backing firm in Perth, remarkably (4)
I have "unco" (a Scottish word) = remarkably (def)
un - nu (reversed) Greek character
co -firm
I think I have this correct?
I had to check the meaning though!
I thought 2d a good one , too.
I shall battle on to finish.......

Hello, Elle!
Yes, "unco" is correct.
I think it is an old Scots word.
I have never heard it used by anyone.
Burns may have had in a poem, I think?
I liked 11a.
I am sure you shall finish the puzzle!

Hi, Rusty!
Yes, "lobster pot" was a good one.
And yes.....I have finished, all bar three - all answered ones are parsed.
The ones I cannot do are as follows:
7d: Security measure for Panama running through locks? (6)
?A?P?N
16a: Second mate claiming heart of girls like Myrtle, perhaps (7)
SH?U?B?
26a: Some music I put on as soon as king enters court (8)
C?N??R?I
I have no ideas whatsoever?
Perhaps I am being obtuse.....
I shall make a (strong) coffee......

Hello, Elle!
7d, I have "hatpin". Panama is a hat and locks are hair.
16, "Shrubby".
"S" for second, mate is "hubby", heart of gi"r"ls.
26, Concerti.
as soon, is "once"
"R" for king, inside "ct" for court.
You did very well!
A coffee is a good idea, and a sticky bun!

Hey, Rusty!
My thoughts were on canals and that type of locks!
And the other two words are new to me.
I'm presuming "shrubby" is an adjective related to the noun "shrub"?
Thank you for sorting me out!
Are you going to be helping your son again tomorrow, while his partner has flu?
I think we are heading out to B & Q........and maybe to Ikea, whilst in that direction.
I want to buy new seat cushions for the dining chairs.
Ikea has a wide range.

Hello, Elle!
My first thoughts were canals and locks, too!
"A man a plan a canal Panama", have you seen this before?
I'd say you are correct regarding shrubby.
I am just presuming Myrtle is a shrub.
I know it is a plant.
Maybe sales on at B&Q?
There is no Ikea in this area.
I think the nearest is just South of Edinburgh.

Hi, Rusty!
Ah, but you saw past the canal and locks! I didn't !
No, I haven't seen "A man a plan a canal Panama" before?
It's a palindrome, isn't it?
There may well be a sale at B & Q......I am not sure what my husband is looking for -- just possibly any potential bargains?
Wednesday is a good day to go, as he has a Senior discount card, that is only operative on that day.
A pity you do not have a local Ikea.......it is a fascinating shop!