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Hi, Rusty!
I wish we had your weather........it is very miserable here!
Chemmy Alcott is a retired Alpine skier, isn't she?
I do recall your having mentioned her before.......but I am not well up in that field.
I am having trouble with today's crossword...it seems very difficult to me?
I agree with you about "miasm"....... I didn't not know the word, but Chambers offers it as an alternative to the more common "miasma".
I am not enjoying the puzzle, though.......it is way over my head!
I am waiting for a break in the rain, so that I can take the dog for a walk........ rather than a paddle!
I think we shall have some (home -made) sprout soup in the meantime......... and some nice crusty bread.......
Sounds good?

Hello, Elle!
Just watched the athletes parade.
I enjoyed it, seeing them all having a good time!
Chemmy was an Alpine skier.
Yes, the puzzle is hardish, as it should be!
Never heard of "miasm" before, too!
Yes, your soup sounds good.
I had broccoli and carrots.
1d, Think Garden of Eden, and eating something not permitted!
A wee hint to get you going!
26, is an anagram of "is to do" and "anagram".
1a, the row of shops can be a "parade".
The sweet is often used in crossword puzzles.
"One's" is often "is".
That should get you going!

Hi, Rusty!
I had already produced "Fool's paradise " and "Forbidden fruit".........for 1 across and 1 down.......although I do appreciate your kind hints!
I was about halfway through, systematically, before I became fed up!
I have not yet reached 26, but looking at it, out of turn, I can see it is "Good Samaritan".......
I may take another look at the puzzle later...but my heart is not in it today.
The rain has now stopped but it is icy cold out....dog and I have been out playing in the garden.....
I fear this is as far as I am going today!
Yes, the soup and bread were delicious........!

Hello, Elle!
Yes, best put the puzzle away if you are not in the humour of it!
There will be another tomorrow and you usually do well with the prize puzzle.
It is cold here, too.
We have snow and ice warnings for the weekend.
I am sure we shall cope!

Hello Elle and Rusty!

Are you both coping with your respective weather?

Here, it is snowing - thus not over cold - and it comes on top
of what fell two days ago and which had not totally melted away:
We should have another cold night, but then, we may hit a +4C tomorrow afternoon - a mini heatwave!

I have not heard any gritters yet, but there again, with the
double glazing, I hear very little from the street - and perhaps
they came early morning in anticipation.... which somehow I
doubt!

I hope you do not have your icy spell for the week-end Rusty -
Snow is not too bad so long as it does not freeze on top.

How cold is cold in your neck of the wood Elle? Stay in the
warm if you can!

Hi, Rusty!
How is your day progressing?
Have you watched much of the Olympics?
I have been switching between a feeble - very half -hearted - attempt at the 15 x15 crossword....... answering some letters....... and playing out in the garden - very cold, though - with the dog!
( I was wrapped up like Michelin Man!)
I am back inside now, writing to you........and my husband is out there instead of me, doing a bit of "tidying" with the dog's help!
So she at least is getting plenty of fresh air and exercise!
Despite our cold weather, all our daffodils are in bud, and one or two flowers have opened out into trumpets.......
It is an enlivening sight!
And I do so love yellow flowers!




Hello, Pigale!
No snow here, at least...but sadly today we have had a lot of rain......
And that I do not like!
I hope your ground does not become slippy........fresh snow on previous ice can be very treacherous!
Be careful if you have to go out.

Hello, Pigale!
Hope you get on fine with the snow!
It is OK here, just cold.
It has been a very good Winter here, so far.
We have had snow but it is usually gone in a couple of days!
Hope that continues!

grrrrr spent some of yesterday and all this morning preparing lunch for 2 (married) friends. They didn't turn up.
Anyone fancy best sausages braised in Merlot, Desiree mash, buttered leeks, apple crumble and home-made vanilla ice cream or raspberries? I have enough for about 4 or 5!

What time shall I come Rosalind?

I hope your friends will at least phone you at some stage,
with a very good excuse!

Hello Elle and Rusty,

No, Elle, I shall not go out until tomorrow around lunch-time -
by which time we may have 'sunshine'..... ! Plus 4C and sun
should help ice thaw;
In any case I only have to go to the gate to open it for a delivery,
but of course, the garden is on a slight slope up from house
to gate! But it should be OK!
But as usual with snow around, my feet are two blocks of ice!

Hope your winter continues to be good Rusty!