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Hello, Elle!
Could David not recommend a stand-in until he is fit again?
The "no show" of the puzzle has to be connected to the fact that today's puzzle is a "qualifier" for the championship.
I do not think it can be done online but has to be downloaded onto paper, or do it in the newspaper.
But I do not understand John's package.
Not like Pigale's or mine.
Maybe he is in the Crossword Club?
There's always crashes in cycling!
I looked up Mo's odds for the marathon and Paddy P is going 14-1 for him.
That means Elle, if you put a £1 on him to win, and he wins, you get £15 back.
Looks like Paddy P do not think he will win!

Hi, Rusty!
We do have the name of another fencing company, but as this is only a minor job - one that we just going to add to David's list - my husband says he can tackle this one himself.
As for the other things that need doing......we shall have to "shop around" for some quotes.
Perhaps Paddy Power feels that Mo is somewhat an unknown entity where the London Marathon is concerned ?
I think Mo has only tackled it once before in 2014, when he came eight.
Throw in the usual Kenyan and Ethiopan mix of long -distance runners, and Mo will face some stiff competition.
I think he is aiming for a place in the top three.
Shall you back him?
PP 's odds sound good to me?

Hello Rusty and Elle,

My package IS Times Crossword Club Rusty;
What I got today on my puzzle welcome page was the
old puzzle, and on top of that puzzle, under the number etc,
it explained that this was a replacement for today's proper
puzzle which the 1st Championship puzzles et.....
It then said that ' if you wish to access that (championship) puzzle
then click on the following link'
which I did and found the challenge puzzle

but did not do it, because I seldom do the week ones.
I do the Monthly Special though, spreading it over the whole 30 days!

Hello, Elle!
Yes, let your husband have a go!
I am sure he will manage, and you can help!
Or you can be the gaffer!
For the bigger jobs, perhaps your neighbours may have experience of good reliable folk to do your jobs?
Eliud Kipchoge is a red hot favourite for the marathon according to Paddy P.
Mo's odds are attractive, I think, and I believe he has been training specifically for this.
I have a small each way bet on Mo.
Meaning, if Mo is in the first three home, I make a profit.
So, "Come on, Mo!" will be the cry!

Hi, Rusty!
Uhm, our neighbours, if they are requiring work done, will be in much the same boat as us, ....David did work for all of us!
But it is not a major problem.
What we can sort out will be done ......some of it we can no doubt do ourselves...and some jobs can always be put on a back burner.
Now, interestingly, my friend and neighbour two doors down from us, dropped in to the Council Planning Office.
After my abortive phone calls, she thought she would try in person!
Would you believe she was told there was no one to whom she could speak... to "go away and try online"?
What sort of a robotic world are we living in?!
Yes, Kipchoge stands a good chance of winning the London Marathon, but there are also Bekele, Wanjiru, and Cherono (amongst others) who will be serious contenders.
I'm still rooting for Mo!
Goodness, it is still very warm here.......

Good morning, Elle!
Nice day here, so far!
That's a pity about the Planning Office.
Did your neighbour try online?
May be a good place to start?
I had an issue with PayPal recently and wanted to speak to someone there, and found it extremely difficult (and annoying) to find a phone number for them on their site.
I found one eventually and they sent me a one-off digital code to be used when I phoned them.
I phoned, used the code, and spoke to them and my issue was resolved and money returned to my account within an hour.
It was not easy finding a phone number though.
And unless I had the code I would not have got through to them.
Try the Council website, to see if you can possibly speak to someone?

Good morning, Pigale!
Sorry, I have just noticed your last evening's post!
I pay for my copy of The Times by direct debit, and that gives me access to the online version of the paper, too, including all the puzzles.
Yesterday, the cryptic puzzle was an ancient one, first published in 1965!
Not enjoyable at all!
There was a link to the Championship qualifier puzzle, too.

I was on AnswerBank and there is a puzzle posted there that the experts (setters etc) think will take two years to solve!
It is said to be 100 times (I think) harder than an everyday cryptic puzzle!
It is warmish here this morning!

A Very Good morning to you, Rusty!
Yet another glorious day!
We are told it will be the hottest so far this year.
Now...the Planning Office.....
Yes, I myself have already been online to the Council website....I did that about three weeks ago when I could get no response over the phone.
Help there is limited .....but that is where I discovered that the building plans had not yet been submitted.
But what both my neighbour and I are looking for is someone to speak to about this problem....some one available to answer questions.
To have a discussion..... a back and forth question and answer session!
Which is why my friend decided to call in at the offices.... to no avail.
Believe me ...I have been there, done that, bought the T-shirt.......as the saying goes.......phoned, gone online.......and now a visitation to the office......
What more can one do?!
Now, I must away to get changed......I am going out for the day very shortly.
My friend is coming to collect me about 11am.
I am looking forward to our outing!
I shall be back about teatime......
What have you got planned ?
I hope your weather is as fantastic as this!

Hello, Elle,
Write a letter requesting a meeting with someone and send it by recorded delivery.
Might be a way forward?
Hope you have a nice day out.
Yes, weather is fine here.
I have no plans today.
Taking it easy!

Hi elle
here if someone submits a planning application it is immediately put up on the website for comments. I also get an email if anyone puts in palns near me. If there is nothing at that address on the website, there is no planning application. May not be so here you are, though