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Hi, Rusty!
Yes, it was indeed fortunate that you went out early, in view of the skiing schedule being brought forward!
I hope that Lara, who you are supporting, does well!
Re the avalanche.....
It always seems a grave injustice when an aid worker , such as a paramedic, or a fireman, gets injured, or is killed, in the line of duty, doesn't it?
Well, I must away and get organised..... we are leaving in about twenty minutes.
Catch up later.....

Hi, Rusty!
Home again!
We have had a lovely time out for lunch with the family.
The restaurant was very busy, but fortunately our daughter had booked a table, otherwise we should have had to queue .
I debated between pizza and lasagne but settled for the former.
I had a Leggera Sloppy Guiseppe..... pizza round the outside, salad in the middle.....
It was delicious!
We did a minimal bit of shopping whilst out, but then came home to have a 'rest'!
How has your day been?
How is Lara doing in the skiing?

Hello, Elle!
Your dinner has a great name anyway!
My day has been fine.
I was out for a while after the skiing finished.
Lara Gut was placed third in the downhill after her time was revised by a tenth.
The timing system went wonky and several racers, including Lara, had no idea of their time or position when they finished.
Sofia Goggia won, in the first downhill of the post Lindsey Vonn era.
Joana Haelen was second.
Puzzle was not too hard today.
I am not certain I have 7d correct as the definition is unusual!

Hi, Rusty!
Well, if your weather has been anything like ours here, it was certainly a good day for you to go out for a walk!
The fog eventually dispersed, and we have had brilliant sunshine and a high of 16C !
In February!
I wonder if this is an all time record?
Where did you go for your walk?
I haven't quite completed my crossword, as I have come to it late in the day.
Bur for 7d, I have "cicada" = "flier" def)
CIA - spies
cad - treacherous guy
Is this what you have ?
It seems ok to me?
I always like the Saturday puzzle...I find it more "doable" !
I have just a few clues still to work through, before I am finished......

Hello, Elle!
I had a walk on part of the Nature Trail, but there were horsewomen using the trail, so I jumped the fence on to the golf course.
Much quieter....and safer!
I have "cicada", too, Elle, but "flier"?
It is an insect.
Flier seems an odd definition for an insect, I think.
I agree, it is a very doable puzzle today.

Hi, Rusty!
You jumped the fence?
My goodness, that was very athletic of you...…
The Nature trail in our Country Park brings forth bikes, rarely horses!
Most insects can fly...I don't see a problem with that, Rusty?
Especially as the word "insect" doesn't come into the clue ....
And a cicada can fly.
I cannot see the parsing for 18d?
Old Spanish wine buff acquires large organ (8)
tentacle = organ (def)
But that is as far as I can go?
What am I not seeing / understanding, please?
I am looking forward to "The Voice" tonight.....
The Blind Auditions have finished and the Battle Rounds start this evening.
It should be good.....

Hello, Elle!
It was not a very tall fence!
There is a stables close to the Nature Trail.
Do cicadas do much in the way of flying?
I have never came across one, but when setters mention "flier" it is most times a bird.
And birds do a fair bit of flying.
I8d, is "tent" for wine, "ace" for "buff", swallowing "L" for large.
Tentacle appears to be an organ?

A little time has elapsed, Elle, so I'll butt in on your clue....

Tent = old Spanish wine (it appears in crosswords relatively often)
Ace = buff, expert
L = Large

Buff acquires large = put the L inside Ace.

Tent ac l e.

Rusty, I knew that would happen - but if I hadn't posted, you might not have appeared either!

Ah, but we agree, Malone, and that's the main thing!