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Hi, Rusty!
Yes, it was a well varied puzzle...and I much enjoyed the selection of clues that I could do.
We covered a lot of Shakespeare at school, and I liked it very much.
We would go round the form, taking turns to read out a part.
It made the plays come alive!
Yes, it became dark very early tonight....not yet ten o'clock, and it has been dark for quite a while.....
Not many days ago, it would still be very light at this time.
But what depresses me are the darker mornings...all of a sudden, it is almost still dark when I get up about 6 am......
It is definitely feeling cooler now....but I am thankful for that!

Good day, Elle!
It's cloudy and overcast up here!
No Shakespeare at my school!
I have not been out today.
Had to stay home for a caller.
So, I did my puzzle online.
All finished!

Good afternoon, Rusty!
A glorious day here...bright blue sky and sunny...with a nice fresh breeze!
I think the maximum temperature is only going to be 23C - perfect!
I have technically got a "free" day....leastways, nowhere that I have to be.
I have done a few chores, this morning ...and struggled somewhat, on and off, with the crossword.
I still have four clues unsolved....and one parse...... but will take another look later on.
I suppose the puzzle is easier overall today......but I enjoyed yesterday's far more!
I think my favourite today is 15d: "valentine".
I am awaiting a parcel... I hope it comes soon, then I can take out the dog for a walk.

Hello, Elle!
Your weather is better than mine!
Still overcast here.
I have been home all day.
"Valentine" is a good one.
My favourite is "Siberia".
My son won't visit this evening.
They have gone to Amsterdam for the weekend, leaving La Bamba in charge of me!
Thankfully, the young one and me get on very well!

Hi, Rusty!
Yes, we are lucky with the weather today...the temperature is an ideal one, and the breeze very refreshing.
My parcel arrived, and so I was able to go out with the dog.
Great to be able to walk with some enthusiasm today, instead of struggling in the heat!
I finally managed to solve my four remaining clues......but not the obstinate parse.
It was 24a: "Siberia" = "place of exile" (def)
The clue that you especially liked!
How is it parsed, please?
I have no idea?
I remember now about your son and daughter-in -law going to Amsterdam.
I hope they have a good time!
I am sure that Miss L-B will take very good care of you!

Hello, Elle!
So, was Siberia your only parse you could not get?
Very good!
From memory, "is" in clue, reverse it, and Lavrentiy "Beria" was the one time head of the Soviet Union security and secret police.
He sent countless thousands to Siberia and the gulags.
A horrible man, and was eventually shot, himself.
I thought it a good clue, if you knew who Beria was!
My son said it is very warm in Amsterdam!
And La Bamba has texted to say, "I hope you are behaving, Granddad!"

Hi, Rusty!
Oh dear, I have never heard of Lavrentiy Beria......no wonder I could not fully parse the clue!
I arrived at "Siberia" from the crossers and the definition!
Thank you for your help!
I'm glad that your son and his wife have arrived safely in Amsterdam.
Now.. ....are you..... behaving yourself?
With Miss La Bamba to answer to, I should think you dare not do otherwise!
Do you both have plans for the Pine Cone this weekend?
There is no "Eggheads" this evening.
I wonder why?

Flippin' ladies football, elle.

rusty
Tell Miss La Bamba you do not feel like haveing! (be-have, haveing)

Good evening, Elle!
No, I had the advantage over you, in that I have read about Beria, Yagoda, and Yezhov, who were all in charge of the Soviet security and secret police, at different times.
They were all shot.
You know your Shakespeare and I know the Soviets!
After Stalin died, Beria was involved in a power struggle with Khruschev and Malenkov, to be the Soviet leader, which he lost, and was shot.
No word of Pine Cone, so far.
Wonder where Eggheads has gone?
The Diamond League is on in Zurich tonight.
Unusual to be on, on a Thursday?

Hi, Rusty!
I think the days on which the Diamond League events are held, may well vary?
Although I could well have that wrong.
The Highlights, though, of the Zurich DL are being shown on BBC 1 on Saturday at 3 pm.
"Eggheads" seems to have been pushed out by Women's Football.......
I am reading one of my "new" books....
This is written by Dick Francis' son, Felix.
I have previously read books co - written by father and son , but never before one written solely by Felix, after his father's death.
I wonder if Felix has written any more?



Grrh, Ros!
I would far rather watch "Eggheads" than football!