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Hi, Rusty!
My goodness! You have a good memory.......you are often recalling excerpts from Mr M's books!
I have not read as many of his novels as you have - having "fallen out" with him over various personal issues - but I do not remember Narau?
"Field glasses"!
Ah, thank you.
A dim memory is stirring at the term...
Binoculars?
Hence the "bins", I presume.
I have missed my daughter phoning...
I was unaware of the time, and was out in the garden.

Hello, Elle!
Nauru is mentioned in "Hawaii", and, I think, "Tales of the South Pacific".
Trying to remember if Michener was stationed on it, or nearby during the war?
I know it was captured by the Japanese and liberated by the Australians.
Michener was a very good writer and I enjoyed his books.
I think you are correct about "bins".
Nothing to do with dialect!
Maybe your daughter will phone when she reaches home?

Good evening, Rusty!
Yes, I do agree with you that James Michener wrote excellent books.
I thoroughly enjoyed those that I read.
I think my favourite is "Centennial".
But somehow it all went sour when I found out about his abysmal behaviour towards his children.
And it has now coloured my view of his story-telling.
I gave "Alaska" away unread.....
A pity.
Now... I watched "Eggheads", and there was a question concerning Donegal!
"Lifford is the County town of which of the following: Donegal; Monaghan; or Cavan."
I got it right.......the Challenger didn't!
But Kevin knew!

Good evening, Elle!
A pity indeed.
"Alaska" was a great book.
That's where I learned about the Pribilofs, and Peter the Great, etc!
But Michener was a big let-down when we discovered what he had done with the children.
Miss Peckwitt was a saint compared to him!
I liked her stories!
Well done on knowing Lifford. Did I tell you that?
Many folk think the capital is Letterkenny.
Letterkenny is by far the largest town in Donegal, but the county town is Lifford.
Monaghan is the county town of Monaghan, and Cavan is the county town of Cavan.
I am not surprised Kevin knew!

Hi, Rusty!
Yes, at worst, Miss Peckwitt could be described as a not strictly truthful (but likeable) eccentric.....
Mr M was a monster!
Yes, you must have told me about Lifford.......
But I made a mistake...I remember now that it was not the Challenger who got the question wrong, but Egghead Chris!
He thought that Donegal was the County town of Donegal!
And gave the answer "Monaghan"!
Kevin soon put him right.

Hello, Elle!
Yes, I was fond of Miss Peckwitt!
I used to have all her books.
Some folk maybe think that Donegal Town would be the capital of the county, but no.
I think it may be a bit bigger than Lifford, but Lifford is the county town.
Letterkenny is much, much, bigger than any other town in Donegal.
Kevin seems to know everything!

Good morning, Rusty!
We have another lovely sunny day...a bit parky though!
It was great out in the park...cool enough for brisk walking.
I have a list of household chores that I really cannot put off any longer...but apart from that I have a "free" day, until our son and granddaughter arrive after school for their tea!
We are looking forward to seeing them both.
How about you? any plans?

Good morning, Elle!
Fine day here, too.
Good that your son and granddaughter are coming for their tea!
Are you making something special?
I've no plans today (and no paper!).
Giving the shop a miss today.
I may sort out some books for the charity shop.

Hi, Rusty!
Are you okay?
It is not like you to miss going out to Asda for your paper?
I have had a very productive morning.
I have got a lot of niggly little jobs out of the way!
No, I am not planning on cooking anything special for my son and granddaughter's visit.........
My granddaughter never wants to eat anything other than pizza and chicken nuggets, as far as I can make out!
So pizza is what we have bought!
It is known as "the line of least resistance"!
Her parents can argue with her about her food.
We shall just enjoy her company!

Hi, Rusty!
Just checking that all is well?
It was not like you to forego your morning walk to the shop......
And I haven't heard from you since?
Hopefully , you are just busy......
Our son and granddaughter should be here any time now.....
The dog is looking for them out the window!