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Hello, Elle!
I have heard these pace-makers are great, if you need one, and a fairly straightforward op.
I have not really looked at any books today.
One I am going to look for during the week is a biography of Kemal Ataturk.
I have read snippets about him over the years but would like to find out more.
He is still revered in Turkey, I believe, and yet he died 80 years ago.
It's only a possibility, but I'll have a look.
And a book either by, or about, John Muir.
I like exploring books!

Hello Elle,

Yes, I have read your post - all is well that ends well!

I always worry when there is heavy rain his way as apart from
the mountains surrounding, and as mentioned to Rusty, he is
at the very bottom of the village and thereby receive all the water
from the top part - I don't know how many times he has been
flooded, and he is supplied regularly with sand bags to put by
his garden door, The garden regularly gets under some water, but at
least the house gets protection.
Anyway, things seem Okay this time, I think!
Only Skype playing up!

Have your fireworks died down? You need a good downpour
right now to soak this little peskies!

Time for bed said Zeberdee....

Good morning, Rusty!
It is raining very heavily here ...again.
My "walk" was more of a "plodge", across the fields....a good job I was wearing wellies!
Dog and I are drying out now, though!
Thunder hit us halfway through the outing, but the dog was very good...she just ran back to me and stayed by my side till the bout was over.
What with fireworks and thunder...she must think the end of the world is on hand!
I know of Kemel Ataturk, of course...he shares a first name of Mustafa with one of our friends!
But do not know John Muir?
(Any relation to Laura?)
What are you up to today?



Hello, Pigale!
We finally caught up with each other!
It was busy on here yesterday evening and our posts kept crossing .
I hope your friend manages to get through to you today.
I see you were a fan of "The Magic Roundabout"!


Hello, Jigjag!
No, I couldn't do your cricket clue...I did try...but I know so little about cricket, that I was probably never in with a reasonable chance of getting it!
Yes, please do explain, as hopefully I might learn from it - but better write out the clue again, please, as I cannot remember it now.
Is your daughter's friend a Cockney?
Most 'Londoners' do not pronounce the words the same.

Hello Elle and Rusty,

Thank you for sending your rain over here! It has eased up now,
but the sky is so grey that it is certainly not cheerful! Oh how I do
like the sun! Mild again though.

Yes, I used to watch the Magic Roundabout, first in France where
it was called 'Le manège enchanté', then in England.
It was always shown just before the evening main programs
started, and I think young children and adults liked it equally!
We adults often remain big kids at heart!

It seems very odd to have thunder in the middle of November - your
poor dog! (and poor you getting soaked!) Still, at least you have
proper walking gear for this type of weather.

Guess what? I am up to .....nothing!

Hello Elle

The lovely cricket clue was:

Off spinner must go around wicket before tea, said paper (9)

The reading is nice as it is the sort of thing a newspaper cricket column might say. It parses

Off - anagram indicator
Spinner - anagram

Around W (wicket) as in lbw - leg before wicket
T - tea as spoke

Definition - paper = NEWSPRINT

Yes she is a Cockney. I cant tell the difference in the words but she says she pronounces them differently.

I loved the Magic Roundabout too. Simple charming 5 minute stories.

Was Zebedee the one on a spring who always "arrived"? And Brian, the snail?

Good afternoon, Elle!
It is a fine day here!
I do not know of a connection between Laura and John Muir!
Here is a wee bit about John Muir.
https://www.macsadventure.com/walking-holidays/12-things-to-know-about-john-muir/
I had one or two chores to do this morning.
I had a very good result in a conversation with Sky TV.
They offered to reduce my monthly payments by £21, by offering discounts.
I had to give up the Kids Channels, though, but that is fine, and I accepted their offer.
So....feeling pleased with myself!

Hello, Pigale!
Weather is lovely here, and I am sure your weather will clear!
Hope your recovery is still progressing.
How are you and Skype getting on now?

Hello Ros,

Yes, Zebedee was on a spring, 'Jack in a box' character,
and Brian was a snail, together with Dougal the shaggy dog and Ermintrude the pink cow, All these having different names in
the French version (ie shaggy dog was Pollux and cow was
Azalée and I think Zebedee was Zébulon)

Lovely series!

Hello Rusty,

I am afraid our dull day is supposed to last all day - Never mind!

I shall know about Skype this evening when my friend calls me
usually around 8/8.30 pm French time.
But at least now, we know it is a technical problem:
Already last time we spoke, (mid-week I think) we cut the
conversation short because very poor reception. Unusual these
days, but can't be helped I suppose.
Glad your weather is lovely!