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Good morning, Elle!
Snap! Fine morning here, too!
I was out earlier, too.
Got flowers for the cemetery visit tomorrow.
The Times (not sure if it was Richard Rogan, or not?) has said they try to make Wednesday's puzzle the toughest of the week.
I have just completed it, and it is up to standard.
14a, took me a wee while to parse, but I think I have it now.
I am sure you and Katie will get there!

Hi, Rusty!
I had to postpone my date with Katie, as I decided on a change of plan!
I went down to the High Street to do a bit of shopping.
I just made it back in time...as it is now raining!
This certainly wasn't forecast!
I shall get around to the (difficult?) crossword very shortly......and see if I can manage to produce a few answers......

Hello Elle and Rusty!

The Tour de France is over, and my friend has gone back home!
He left yesterday early morning, so now, I am at a loose end!

Seems strange not to log in with Eurosport Player after three weeks
of doing so, and seems strange to be on my own again - but I'll soon
get back into my routine

I had to register and pay for one month with Eurosport Player as
I don't have a French TV here (!) - I have a TV which is set to
receive English programmes only - this is due to be changed but
will need to acquire a French antenna. So Eurosport Player on
the computer was an ideal solution. I registered, and then immediately cancelled my registration - that left me with just
the first month to pay, which was well worth it.

How are you both? Any family arriving soon Elle?
Any outings with your grand-daughters Rusty?

Good afternoon, Elle!
Great weather here!
I am just home from the Nature Trail.
Did you get all your shopping done?
I don't think the puzzle is very difficult today.
You should be fine!

Hello, Pigale!
I watched the Tour on EuroSport, too.
Excellent coverage.
I think LouLou is riding the Clasica San Sebastian on Saturday.
I'll have to watch it!
No outings just now, Pigale.
Two of the girls are in California on holiday, just now.
It is quiet here without them!

Hi, Rusty!
I hope you had a good walk?
Were there many horse riders about on the trail?
I managed to get some of my shopping completed, but I shall need to make a trip into Bromley at some stage, as I obviously need a bigger range of shops.
I have finally completed the crossword... ..more or less!
My favourite is 28a: crayfish
I like Rudyard Kipling's poem "If".
Do you know it?
http://www.kiplingsociety.co.uk/poems_if.htm
There are just two clues I cannot do...these intersect...
1a: ??R?N?A?
1d: ??N?A?E?
What should I be looking for, please?
I am completely stuck!



Hello, Pigale!
It is nice to hear from you! I am glad that you had a good time, whilst your friend was staying.
Yes, we have some of the family - our elder daughter and our two eldest grandsons - coming to stay with us on Saturday for a few days.
We are looking forward to that.
Unfortunately, though, our other daughter and her family will be away over that period, so we cannot all get together as we usually do.
A pity, but just bad timing!
How are your cats?

Hello again!

Just come back from town - a run to the Pharmacy mostly - and it
was a pleasant walk in the sun - a little breeze but nice and warm nonetheless.

My cats are fine thanks Elle - in fact, I have just fed them, Fluffy (the
daughter) started voicing her hunger rather loudly soon as I walked
in the house!

Hope your pets are OKay too! It is a shame the cousins will not
be able to meet during this holiday - might there be another
opportunity once later on before they good back to school?
Where has your younger daughter and family gone for a holiday?
Somewhere abroad?

Your family seems to like going to the US Rusty!

Hello, Elle!
Fine afternoon here!
No horses today.
It's usually Saturday I see them.
I have heard of "If" but I do not know how it goes.
Now, 1a, the definition is "belonging to a peer".
Pub is "bar", "o" for old, the Irishman briefly is "Nial(l)".
Giving "baronial".
Have you heard of "Niall of the Nine Hostages"?
Clan O'Neill is descended from Niall.
1d, is, a favourite word of mine and my family!
"Embargo" is "ban", "j" for "judge", and "axed" for "removed",
giving "banjaxed" for "destroyed by incompetence".
How's that?

Hello, Pigale!
Yes, they all like America!
My granddaughters visited Alcatraz Island yesterday, and said it was very cold there!

Hello Elle and Rusty,

I learnt the poem 'IF" in French while at school.
Having since seen the original version, I can say that whoever did
the translation did an excellent job of it - keeping the English title.

I have always liked this poem and still remember some of the
verses, though not necessarily in the correct order......