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Hi, Rusty!
Ah, I have been at the local shops , too!
It suddenly stopped raining , so I seized my moment!
All the shopping is done for now....
I am home for the remainder of the day.
Your description of how to tell if your Casio watch is genuine reminds me of the instructions that Hunter give out to check on whether or not their wellies are "the real deal".
Apparently so many fake pairs of Hunters wellies are being sold...both online and even in shops...that all sorts of "tricks" are concealed about the real boots, which are hard to copy!
My husband has bought me a new pair for Christmas...so far as we can tell they are genuine!!
Yes, I saw the explanation offered about "Solti" by both Cerasus and Malone.. it was very kind of them and I did send them a post thanking them, earlier today.
I think the setter was pushing his boundaries a little bit , expecting the average solver to know that?
It is definitely time for a coffee!

Hello, Elle!
I am home for the day, too!
I did not know about Hunters wellies.
I know they are very popular.
Miss ATW got a pair from her Dad one Christmas.
She was delighted!
I've checked the feedback on the lad selling the watch and it is all good, so hopefully my watch is the real deal, even if the price looks a steal.
We shall see!
"Solti" was a tough pass.
I only got it through the crossing letters.
I found today's puzzle a bit stiff, too!

Correction, Elle!
My last post should read,
"Solti" was a tough parse!

Elle, thanks for your thanks on the Solti clue. I don't think it's a great clue - not even a good clue - but technically there's nothing wrong with it (I suppose, she added, grudgingly!)

Good afternoon, Rusty!
Yes, Hunters boots are great! Very practical and comfortable.
They are also extremely expensive, but fortunately if one keeps an eye on their website, they do have very good Sales.
I would never wear a different brand ever again.
I seem to have done something to my left knee!
I have no sense of its happening...but now, at times, it is painful when I put weight on that leg.
Maybe I have pulled a muscle?
Anyway, I am restricting the dog to a run in the garden this afternoon, rather than going for a walk.......in the hope that enforced rest ( for me, not her!) will result in my knee being better by tomorrow!
I have yet to start today's crossword!

Good evening, Elle!
Been a fine day here.
Do you still have rain?
Hunters have a very good reputation!
You may have tweaked something in your knee.
I get pains in my knees but it is arthritis.
Does not really bother me, though.

Hi, Rusty!
Yes, it is still raining!
My daughter is due to run in a race tomorrow morning, but I hope, in view of the extreme weather, and her asthma and a bad cough, she will see sense and not take part.
I have been watching (a recording of) Rafa playing Stephanos Tsitsipas.
Some wonderful tennis and Rafa won the match!
The weekend matches should be great.
Rafa has finished the year as World Number One for a fifth time!
And was presented with the trophy on court this afternoon!
Well done, him!
No "Eggheads", as the tennis took precedence.

Hello, Elle!
A pity about your rain!
It is even wetter in Venice!
No, it makes no sense your daughter running if she is a bit poorly, in wet and cold conditions.
Rafa seems to be playing well in this tournament.
I see that Roger Federer is the favourite to win, though.

Hi, Rusty!
I shall be very happy if Roger wins!
But I like Rafa, too.
Novak is out of the tournament.
I have set the recorder for both Saturday's and Sunday's matches, in case I am not able to watch them at the times shown.
The family may be over here on Sunday.......
I found today's crossword to be a stinker!
Some of the clues were well over my head.
Did you finish it all?
Yes, I am sure that you did!

Hello, Elle!
Yes, I know you like Roger!
I liked today's puzzle.
One or two answers I had to go searching dictionary for a meaning.
I liked 1d !
I have the answer to 4a, but the "heavy defeat" is a word unknown to me.
That's fine though, I don't mind a challenge to hunt down a meaning!