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Hello, Malone,
I like to hear of the old traditions coming back.
One of Collins definitions for "handfasting", is,
"A contemporary pagan (esp Wiccan) marriage ceremomy."
I prefer that to Chambers!

Good evening, Elle!
That's good you had a lovely time with your family!
Well done to BB on his medal, too!
It's funny that the brush dancing led us on to wedding ceremonies!
I've learned quite a bit over the weekend!
I watched the Guineas but my horse was well down the field.
Another win for Aidan O'Brien.
It is a fine evening here.
Been hearing about the Belfast Marathon from my friends,
It was today, and the course was 0.4 of a mile too long!
Apparently the lead car took the wrong course and everyone followed.
It has caused quite a bit of annoyance!

Good evening, Rusty!
We have been searching for our snake....!
No, we are not keeping an illegal pet.... it is a stuffed draught stopper made to resemble a snake.
We keep it (her...we call her "Slinky Jane" ) across the bottom of the front door, to exclude any draught.
(I do not think we can actually get any draught there, but she was a present, bought for us many years ago, and almost a "family member"!)
She had gone missing!
YB often plays with her and I was beginning to think I might have to phone him to enquire after her whereabouts.........when it occurred to me to try the toy boxes.
And then she was - stuffed neatly into a corner!
Yes, it has been a day of information...going as you say from Brush dancing to "jumping over the besom" and "tying the knot"!
I like to learn new things.
There does not seem to be any more news from the osprey nest?
No sign of any eggs hatching...and I wonder what has happened to PH1?

Rusty, thanks for the additional definition for 'handfasting'. It was nicer, better, than the one in Chambers!

P.S, Rusty!
Whilst searching for further info, I have just learned that an osprey has a special transparent eyelid, like a contact lens, that protects its eye under water, whilst the osprey is catching fish!

Good morning, Elle!
Looks like another fine morning.
At first glance I read your snake as "Stinky Jane"!
Not a nice name!
Yes, we learned quite a bit over the weekend.
I loved the music for the brush dancing.
Very toe-tappy!
There should be a hatching this week, I'd say.
PH1 may have moved away.
There is an empty nest at Loch Garten
The webcam there is not working, just now, with no explanation as to why.

Good morning, Rusty!
A lovely sunny day here - padded coat and gloves needed though.
I've already been out walking for two hours.
Wonderful!
Our snake "Slinky Jane" was so called after a large eel - from a book by Catherine Cookson that I was reading at the time.
We have no plans for today, other than another walk later.
A rest day!
Reading and crosswords!
How about you?

Hello, Elle!
I think my mother only read Catherine Cookson books, as far as I can remember.
I had a quick look at one but it seemed a bit gloomy as far as I recall!
I've been out a-doing things, but have the rest of the day to myself.
My grandson is coming to see me when he finishes work.
I did my puzzle earlier.
I really liked 18d!
In 22a I do not know what "Lackland's one" is/means.
But, a fine puzzle!

Hi, Rusty!
I have read (and re-read) many ( possibly all) of Catherine Cookson's books over the years, and I enjoy them....
but I would say that they are not a man's books?
Although some men might, of course, disagree?
I have struggled with today's crossword puzzle!
I like 1a: Wensleydale; 17a: Halloween; 25a: childless and 22a: epithet.
But there are about eight clues that I cannot as yet do....18d, which you said you liked, is one of these!
Re 22a......"Lackland" is a epithet applied to King John of England , who was called "sans terre" because of his "lack of land"!
I shall resort to a strong coffee to see if it aids my brain power.....
That is nice that your grandson is coming to see you!

Good afternoon, Elle!
It is a bright sunny day here, with occasional hail!
Catherine Cookson was very popular, but not for me.
For a few years my old mother would ask me for Catherine's latest book for a Christmas present!
And what has "Lackland" to do with 22a?
I can't see it.
Must be a clue for the clever folk!
18d is a great clue for us folks North of the Border!
I am sure you will get it, and chuckle!