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Hello, Jigjag!
Yes, I have the parse, thank you, but maybe best leave it for Elle?
I am sure she will crack it!

Hi, Rusty!
The problem is that the fireworks obsession will not be over now, here, until after the New Year.
When fireworks were (more or less) limited to November 5th only, it was never a problem for anyone to sedate their pet.
But when this can occur so many times within a couple of months, it no longer remains safe or practical.
I have discussed it with our vet, but she thinks best to behave as normally and calmly as possible around the dog, but not to give her medication.
Now....Bill Bryson books...I have "The Lost Continent" and "Neither Here nor There" - combined in one volume.
Have you read these?
Your friends should nearly be safely home in NI by now.
I expect they will text you when they arrive?

Hello, Elle!
Posts crossed I think.
Fireworks seem an awful waste of money, to me.
Just who gets any pleasure out of bangers etc?
I suppose your vet knows best, but it must be difficult keeping pets calm and safe.
Yes, I have read both your books.
Both typical Bill. I think you'll like them.
One that you may like is "At Home. A Short History of Private Life"
He wrote that one about his home in Norfolk, as I recall.
An old rectory.
And he describes the things in each room and how and why they are there, with his usual excursions into all kinds of other stuff!
I would recommend it.
The Norn Iron folk have just WhatsApped me to say they are home.
So, all's well!

Hi, Rusty!
I am glad that your friends are all safely home.
You will be able to relax now.
I've vaguely heard of "WhatsApp", but it isn't a service that I can get on my (archaic) phone.
What exactly does it do?
Yes, Bill's book "At Home. A Short History of Private Life" sounds good!
I shall add it to my ordering list.
Time for a hot drink before bed......

Update, Rusty!
I have parsed Jigjag's clue...…

jived = danced (def)
dj - formal attire
vi - three couples
e- last letter of "the "
all reversed.

Good morning, Elle!
Raining this morning!
Well done with "jived", go to the top of the class!
It was a good clue, the "three couples" baffled me for a while!
WhatsApp is a very like the normal text service, but the beauty of it, for me, is you can send and receive photos through it, for free.
On the normal text service I have, I am charged for every photo I send, but that service is free on WhatsApp, saving me several pounds each month.
There are indicators on it which tell you if your text has reached the phone you are texting to, and whether the text has been read.
I think there are other things you can do on WhatsApp too, but i have not used them.
I like WhatsApp!
I am going to try and send this article from today's Times about the Times Crossword Championship, but I am not sure if it will work for you, as I pay for the paper.

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/1-down-crossword-king-toppled-at-last-f8vv7ts9r

Hello Elle and Rusty

Well done on solving the clue. I am afraid I didnt at the time

Good morning, Rusty!
A sunny and mild (ish) morning here!
it was lovely out walking the dog.
Yes, I was pleased that I finally finished parsing the clue.
I saw "jived", and "dj" for dinner jacket, straightaway, but couldn't fathom "ive"!
So I put it to one side for a while...only remembering to look at it again just before bed.
I saw the rest of the parsing immediately then!
Yes, I have managed to read your article......
I could only get so far at first, and then I was asked to pay a subscription in order to continue reading!
But luckily I remembered that I had signed up for two "free" articles a week from the Times, so I logged in and got my first free article for this week!
What a pity for Mark that he made a mistake........but fortunate for Roger Crabtree!
I understand about "WhatsApp" - it sounds ideal for you - but it would not apply to me as my phone does not even take (nor receive) photos!
Any plans for today?



Well, it took me quite a time to get the final parsing, Jigjag!

Hello, Elle!
It is brightening up here!
I feared you may not be able to read the article.
I think The Times articles are behind a "firewall" and only accessible to subscribers.....I think!
Mark Goodliffe finished a good deal faster than anyone else, too.
He'll be back next year, though, I'd say!
"Jived" was a first class clue, I thought.
Now, phones!
My pal from Skye showed me his phone on Saturday.
It is an old Nokia. An antique!
I had the same model about 12 years ago!
He barely gets a signal where he lives, on Skye, he has to walk up the road a bit to get a signal, to send or receive a text, or attempt to make a call!
So the latest phones are of no interest to him.
No plans today, Elle.
Fingers crossed for a quiet evening!

Hi, Rusty!
I'm not sure from what you wrote in reply, whether you realised that I actually HAVE READ your article?
Because I had previously signed up to read two FREE articles from the Times each week, your link was able to be one of them!
So I saw that Mark was ten minutes ahead of Roger Crabtree in finishing!
And read about his mistake!
Your friend from Skype sounds just like me!
My mobile is an old (and trusty)Nokia 1100.
I love it - plain and simple!
Just within my capabilities!!
I have a parcel coming today, but have no time slot for it......
So will just have to wait till it turns up!