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Good Morning, Rusty!
Another wet morning......we are just home from our walk.
I am eating my apple and cheese...and typing this.
Then I shall sort out my washing - no outside drying today.
And then it will be crossword time!
Regarding the new prince.....it seems that "Louis" is to be pronounced as "Louie" rather than "Lewis".
I guess it also sounds younger and more "with it"?
We have no special plans for today.......just taking it as it comes.
How about you?
Are you off to the Pine Cone with a granddaughter?

Good morning, Elle!
Fine morning with me, but a good deal colder.
I would agree with the pronunciation of the young prince's name.
Pine Cone tomorrow with La Bamba!
She texted to me earlier!
I have completed the puzzle.
It is a very good one.
I like this setter's effort, but... 7d is a dreadful homothingy!
Certainly not the way I speak!
3d, 11a, 21a are new to me.
In 10a, I am not sure if you will know the "test for internet connection"?
Your daughters may, though.
I know it through testing my own internet connections.
Good luck!

i love the name Louis, pronounced the same as Louis Mountbatten, Prince Charles' favourite uncle (and also the Kings of France) and Satchmo !

Hi, Rusty!
I have completed the crossword in that I have answers to all the clues.......but there are still a few parses outstanding.
I shall mull these over from time to time.......until either light dawns......or I give in and ask for help!
My favourite clue by far was 20d: Goddam.
I like Noel Coward's works.
I also liked 1d: shyish, 26a: unchecked, and 27a: liturgy.
I did manage to get "aping" for 10a, but had to look up to check what a "Ping" was!
"Ping is a network utility that measures the time in milliseconds (ms) between your computer and the test server."
You were right...I had never heard of it!
Going out with Miss L-B tomorrow will be good!

Hello, Elle!
Well done with your puzzle!
The lower the "ping number" the better!
You found out what "ping" meant, so that is good!
I liked this setter's puzzle!
A lot of variety in it, I thought.
I am off out for a wee walk!

Update, Elle!
Nina Carberry has just won the first race at Punchestown and announced her retirement!

Hi, Rusty!
Did you have a good walk?
How far afield did you venture?
You are fortunate with your weather - it has been wet and miserable all the day here...not even any sunny "April showers" to brighten up the day!
I have been busy wandering down Memory Lane ........
An old friend phoned, asking us over to lunch.
She lives out in Staines...not far from Virginia Water, which we were talking about fairly recently.
Her husband and I were brought up together and have remained friends all our lives.
Our children all played together when young!
We talk regularly on the phone but I shall look forward to us all meeting up again in person!
It is a while since we saw them.
Then....I turned to my email and discovered a letter from a previous work colleague.
He and his wife now live in France and are doing up an old farmhouse.
It is good to keep in touch!
Now Nina Carberry.......!
If my memory serves me correctly, Nina is Katie's sister-in law?
Nina being married to Ted Walsh?
What about Ruby? Will he retire, too?
Is this a family plot?!

Hello, Elle!
I did not walk far, kept stopping to chat to folk.
Your lunch sounds a good idea!
Nina is married to Ted Walsh junior, Katie's brother, and Ruby's too.
Nina's little girl is called Rosie.
They are Irish racing royalty!
Goodness, I hope Ruby does not pack it in, too!
Willie Mullins would have a fit!
The girls were speaking about retiring to each other but it's amazing how they each went out on a winner!
The end of an era!

Hi, Rusty!
Yes, lunch will be good........it is not for another three weeks though.
We shall most probably drive there.
Public transport would be a bit tedious, involving several changes!
You said that Katie had decided to retire after riding her next winner.......probably Nina had made a similar decision?
I think it was nice that it happened for both girls so soon together.
They will be able to concentrate on raising their families now.
I am not much forrader with my puzzle parsing.....
But I am away now to wash my hair.....

Hello, Elle!
No, Nina had decided to go out whether she won or not.
Her last ride was on Josie's Orders, who she had ridden many times.
This is a wee bit about it (and baby Rosie was there too!)

https://www.racingpost.com/news/bowing-out/nina-carberry-retires-following-victory-on-josies-orders/329373

I'll miss Nina and Katie!
It is a lovely evening here!