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Hi, Rusty!
I'm not sure about beef tea........it sounds awful?
I do not drink tea.
I like Bovril though!
I think you are probably thinking of Anthony Trollope who wrote "The Chronicles of Barsetshire"?
Joanna is a distant relative, but I am not sure what?
Anthony Trollope died way back in the late 1800s so it must indeed be a remote connection.
And I have a feeling she has a cousin who also writes....?
But I could have that wrong.
Right...bedtime........
I believe we are to have fog in the early morning.

Hello, Elle!
I think Bovril is the same as beef tea, and I do like Bovril!
I do not drink tea, too.
Yes, Anthony Trollope, I thought the name was familiar!
Thank you!
If you still have EuroPlayer next week, the Australian Open tennis on.

Good morning, Rusty!
A wet, warmish morning!
Very muddy dog!
How is your cold today?
Have you been out for your paper.......or are you being "sensible" and staying indoors?
According to EuroSport Player's last communication, I have extended coverage until January 15th.
This will obviously not see me through the Australian Open tournament, unless EP forgets to cut me off!
We shall just have to wait and see what happens.
I am assuming that the BBC or ITV isn't offering any coverage?
I am out for lunch today....... just awaiting my friend's arrival.

Good morning, Elle!
Lovely morning here and mildish.
I have been out for my paper.
I bought "car wipes" for cleaning the windscreen etc of my car and they are useless!
Left streaks all over!
I have since burned some energy using kitchen towels etc to get shot of the streaks.
Not a great start to the day.
There is tennis on Eurosport today, from Brisbane.
I do not know if BBC/ITV are covering any of it.
I'll put that on my to-do list for today!
What about "akimbo"?
A strange word.
Wonder what the origin is?

Hi, Rusty!
I am home again now...and am staying put for the rest of the day, as it is raining and already beginning to go dark!
I had already gone out, this morning, by the time you posted your message.
I had a most enjoyable lunch.
I am panic stricken now, because I have only just realised how far into the month we already are.......
My grandchildren's birthdays are next Tuesday and Thursday........
And there was I, thinking that I had at least another fortnight before I needed to buy their presents.
Ooops!
Decisions...and action......needed!
Pronto!
I got about half way through the crossword before going out......I shall see if I can finish it!

Hello, Elle!
A bit duller up here to, but the good news is that they have got the squirrelcam working at the Loch!
I had a tuna roll for my dinner today.
ASDA's finest! Was very nice!
I'd say you'd best get yourself to a good bookshop in Bromley or Croydon to get the young ones' gifts?
I have finished my puzzle.
22a, is a new word to me, I have seen 6d before, but I do not know the meaning.
26a, is my "clue of the day"!

Apparently "akimbo" comes from Middle English and in turn from Old Norse.

Certainly odd place names in the NE (like Keld) can be directly from Old Norse.

A useful crossword word I should think

Hello, Rosalind!
Yes, I have just investigated "akimbo".
I was surprised to read it came from Old Norse.
Sounds more like an African word to me!
We live and learn!
The village of Embo, in Sutherland, has Norse connections, and a name not unlike "akimbo".

These pesky spammers!

Most of my family background is Lowland Scottish from the NE. I got my DNA done and am apparently about 20% Scandinavian! I like that idea. Viking blood!

Embo is a really odd name and, as you say rusty, not so far from akimbo

Hello, Rosalind!
There is a Skibo, too. Has a castle.
There is a lot of Viking blood in Scotland.
Several Norwegian kings buried on Iona.
The West coast of Ireland folk have some Spanish blood.
Supposed to come from shipwrecked sailors from the Spanish Armada.
It is a wonderful world!