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Hi, Rusty!
You will miss seeing the girls!
But at least you did get over to the Pine Cone twice last weekend!
I have tried to finish the remainder of the crossword...
Only two clues left to do....please can you help me?
12a: Soothing stuff from peace-keepers following confrontation on pitch (8)
?F?E?SUN
I thought "UN" for "peace-keepers"? but couldn't see anything else?
5d: Coastal regions provided one with cover when lifting felon (7,3)
P?C???C / ?I?
Is the first word "pacific"?
And how about the definition for 4d: Mature, upwardly mobile daughter, dated brother (4)
I have "egad"
age (reversed) - mature
d - daughter
I cannot see a definition?
"Egad" is an exclamation expressing surprise, anger, or affirmation.
What does "dated brother" have to do with it?

Hello, Elle!
Yes, I shall miss the young ones!
12a, is something called "aftersun" which I have not came across before. "Afters" can be a bit of a skirmish on a playing field, I suppose.
5d, I have "Pacific Rim"
"crim" is slang for "felon", "cover" is "cap".
I have "egad", too.
I am sure the definition is "brother".
I think it is an American expression of surprise, not unlike "egad".
No idea about "dated" unless the setter is indicating that it an old expression?

Update, Elle!
Just checked Chambers and they have "aftersun" as a lotion applied to damaged skin after sunbathing.

Hi, Rusty!
Ah, thank you!
Yes, I can see "Pacific Rim" now that you have pointed the components out to me!
I do not understand "afters" - how is this a skirmish on a playing field?
( I do not remember any "afters" on the lacrosse field!)
I have never heard the term, other than its meaning "dessert" to be eaten after one's main course!
I did not know that "egad" means "brother"?
You are probably right about "dated" implying it is an old expression...that would make sense, wouldn't it?
Well, I have learned something new today!

Hello, Elle!
"Afters"! This is my take on it!
If you can imagine a rough tackle on a football field immediately followed by the two players having a go verbally or physically at each other, then that can be referred to as "afters".
Is that any help? I wonder what Chambers has to say about it?
Now "egad" does not mean "brother", but they are both expressions of "surprise", as is "holy smoke", for instance.

Update, Elle!
Here's your afters!
https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/afters

Hi, Rusty!
Yes, I do see what you are saying, but I still cannot understand why it should be called "afters"....... other than it is taking place "after" something that happened "before"?
Chambers simply agrees with me...that "afters" is a course following the main meal.
I suspect this will remain one of life 's little mysteries!
Oh, I am with you about "egad"...... an equivalent of "Jumping Jehosaphat"!
Now, totally irrelevantly, but simply conjured up by the word "brother", do you remember a comedy programme ages called "Oh Brother!", where Derek Nimmo played a bungling monk?
It was very funny!

Oops, Rusty!
Our posts crossed !
Your update wasn't there when I started typing my previous post.
Thank you for that explanation.
Funnily enough, I do often use the Collins Online dictionary, but didn't check it this time, using Chambers instead.
Unless I missed it (always possible) I didn't find it in Chambers?

Good morning, Elle!
Hope it is a nice day today.
Still dark out!
Going off to ASDA shortly.
I don't see the "afters" definition in my Chambers or Bradford's, perhaps it's a relatively new usage of the word?
I vaguely remember "Oh, Brother"!
In Ireland, a well known expression of surprise is "Janey Mac !".
Not heard it here, though.
Not sure of the origin of it.
There will be dozens of phrases like it.
My pal's wife was a Burnley lass and she often said "I'll go to the foot of our stairs !"
Mine's is often, "Gee whizz !" or "Jings !".
Isn't language wonderful!

Good morning, Rusty!
It is pouring with rain here.
A wellie day!
We are just home after a very poggy walk......resulting in a very muddy dog.
Did you get wet going to Asda?
Or is your weather better than is ours?
Burnley is only about thirty miles from Bolton,.......I have heard your friend's expression.
I sometimes say "Gordon Bennett" or "For crying out loud!"
Yes, language - and its meanings and origins - is fascinating!
The coffee is brewing......