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Hi, Rusty!
No, I hadn't heard of "Niall of the Nine Hostages", but fortunately I'd assumed straightaway that 5d contained an anagram!
But I can see why you were temporarily misled , as you knew of "Niall"!
Google tells me that he is a prehistoric Irish king?
Yes, still raining!
It hasn't let up once, since starting this morning!!
Dog and I didn't go further than playing ball in the garden for a bit!
I have made great inroads into "Down Under"...……..
I shall probably finish it this evening.

Hello, Elle!
Yes, but a couple of things.
"The Nine Hostages" does not really work without "Niall" being in the phrase.
And I was doubtful if the setter would use it anyway, as the majority of The Times readers would not know of him/them?
(But I am supposed to know of "Hereward the Wake"!)
I had, though.
Then I spotted the anagram, but I have not heard of "The Nine Worthies"!
Had you?
And I was stuck for an answer to 25a, until I got rid of "hostages" and replaced it with "worthies".
How are you getting on with Down Under?

Hi, Rusty!
No, I had never heard of "The Nine Worthies", either!
I did not do very well with today's puzzle - leastways, not by my standards, as I still have seven clues to parse!
I filled out the grid fairly easily though...with letters from crossers and definitions to go off.
But that will not suffice to satisfy me!
If I can't parse it.....it remains "incomplete" in my eyes!
I am doing well with "Down Under"!
Bill and Allan have just left "Ayers Rock" after a 600- mile round trip...and are heading back to Alice Springs.......
Three more chapters to read......

Hello, Elle!
Keep at it. The parses will come!
I was ages getting the parse to 25a, then it jumped into my head and I wondered why I did not think of it sooner!
You are doing well with "Down Under"!

Hi, Rusty!
Funnily enough, 25a is one of those remaining that I cannot parse?
I have "imagine" = "picture" as definition
But cannot see the rest?
And what about "Verdi" in 7d?
How do you explain that?
Yes, I am greatly enjoying "Down Under"!

Hello, Elle!
I shall help!
"Imagine" was a musical number by John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band.
7d, Verdi wrote "notes" as a composer.
"Papers" are "ID".
Minister is "Rev(erend)"
Reversed, giving Verdi.
Glad you and Bill are getting on!

Hi, Rusty!
Ah, thank you!
I did not know that "Imagine" was the name of a musical composition record by John Lennon .
And yes, I can see "Verdi", now that you have kindly explained it!
I think I have out-thinked my brain !
Or should that be "out thought"?
I am going to make a coffee....I obviously need it!!

Hello, Elle!
I am surprised "Imagine" is new to you!
It was a very popular song by Lennon.
And Verdi's "business was notes"!
Is that you finished your parsing now?
A coffee sounds a good idea!

Hi, Rusty!
I have one or two "iffy" parsings left...but enough is enough!
They will survive as they are!
I have attempted to finish my last chapter of Bill's book.....but it will have to wait for breakfast time!
I am too weary to concentrate any more tonight!
Now I need to go and deal with a very wet dog....!
Yes, it is still raining!

Good morning, Elle!
A fine day here.
Blue skies and a bit of a breeze.
Hope your rain has eased a bit?
Wonder how Lassie and family are getting on, on their journey South?
I have no plans today.
In the evening I shall watch the golf, though.