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Hi, Rusty!
We now have sunshine and blue skies!
Our weather had a dramatic turn for the better, mid-afternoon.
Yes, the pet food delivery arrived towards the end of its allotted time slot.
It was a new delivery service, with a very pleasant guy who carried the goods (heavy) inside for me, with a smile!
Since then I have been talking to my daughter, who rang, as usual, on her way home from work.
She has just lost telephone connection.........
So now - somewhat belatedly- I am finally away out for a walk with the dog!

Hi, Rusty!
Update....it is beautiful out - this has turned into the best part of the day.
And I didn't have to cook dinner on my return........we went to the chip shop!
I thought today's crossword was very much easier than yesterday's?
I am stuck on one clue...but apart from that, I have done all the other clues, and even parsed them all, too!
So a good puzzle...for me!
The one I cannot do is 9d: Embracing queen, ludicrously wonderful standing naked below? (8)
?A?E?O?T
I'm probably being thick!

Hello, Elle!
Great day here, too!
Can't beat a chippy tea!
It was not a very tricky puzzle today!
A very good setter, I thought.
9d "barefoot"
"standing" in the clue means "reversed".
"ludicrously wonderful" is "too fab", around "ER", for Queen.
Gives you "barefoot", "naked below".
I liked that one a lot!

Hi, Rusty!
Thank you....yes, that was a good clue.
I didn't know that "standing" in that context meant "reversed".
I just couldn't see how to answer it.
I liked 11a: clothes peg; 16d: tea towel. and 22a: bottomless.
I even got the cricket clue at 14d: silly mid on!
I know what I meant to ask you....
Simon Cowell had mentioned an extra "surprise" that he had in store for the winner of BGT.
What was it?
I don't recall any mention of it?
( I have just had some ice cream...... Mackies' vanilla.
Very nice!)

Hello, Elle!
Could it be "standing/reversed" because it was a down clue?
I am a bit unsure about it, as I am no expert!
I think there was a mention of Lost Voice Guy going to America, possibly to appear on America's Got Talent.
Would that be it?
The article I read wondered what the Americans would make of the act?
Me too!
He is in a series on Radio 4 every week, too.
A sit-com, I think.
I think Mackies ice cream is the best!

Hi, Rusty!
Oh, I must have missed that.......
I didn't know about the offer to go to the US?
Yes, maybe that was the "surprise" then?
Did the Lost Voice Guy already have a radio show before appearing on BGT?
Or is this an offer since arisen?
I don't seem to be well informed!
I am still surprised that he won!

Good morning, Elle!
Another fine day here!
It's been a good spell of weather!
Think I shall visit the cemetery today.

This is a piece about Lost Voice Guy's programme on Radio 4.

http://lostvoiceguy.com/2018/05/08/listen-to-my-bbc-radio-4-sitcom-ability/

I think the pilot show for the programme was on in January, and it was on in May.
I was surprised he won too, but he was a hot favourite with the bookies to win, so they expected him to win.
Wonder if today's Wednesday puzzle will be a toughie, as usual!

Good morning, Rusty!
My goodness, you were up early this morning!
It is a lovely day here, too - bright blue sky and sunshine!
It was somewhat chilly when I first went out with the dog...but it is warming up nicely now.
I was amazed to read on your link that Lost Voice Guy is already an established comedian!
Not only having his own radio show and sitcom, but also a list of gigs at which he has performed.
Was this public knowledge before the BGT performances?
Perhaps I got the wrong end of the stick, but the impression I received was that he was a "new kid on the block"?
And this may not be PC, but I did wonder whether there was a sympathy vote element in that viewers were keen to see him do well...quite naturally if he were new to comedy........perhaps not already realising that he was already "established" as a comedian.
Have you been to the cemetery yet?

Hello, Elle!
Yes, I was to the fore a bit earlier today.
Have several tasks to do, including cemetety visit.
I was at cemetery earlier.
Had the place to myself!
I was surprised to read about Lost Voice Guy having a series on Radio 4, too.
A lot of performers on BGT have a hard luck story, I have noticed.
One of my favourite tennis players is in action today.
Sloane Stephens!
She plays her great friend Madison Keys.
And I noticed that Willie Mullins had a horse running at Kilbeggan last night called "Bang Bang Rosie"!
Wonder if she is related to "Vroum Vroum Mag"?
Rosie was second!

Hi, Rusty!
It is good that you visit the cemetery regularly.
I need to pay a visit to the crematorium sometime soon.
I have been thinking that the lettering on my parents' marble memorial tablet needs redoing.... But somehow whenever it comes to my mind, an anniversary or birthday seems to be coming up, and it is an inappropriate time for the stone to be removed.
I must get my act together!
Re hard luck stories on BGT... I think they should be banned!!
Contestants should be judged purely on merit.
(And pigs might fly!)
I must away now and see if my husband has taken any notice of my instructions on what constitutes "smart casual wear" for our Afternoon Tea!
We are going up to London earlier than required, so as to make the most of our day out!
We are taking the train and tube.... no point in driving in town.
I'll catch up with you when we return...which should be early evening.
I hope you enjoy the tennis... and Sloane does well!