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Good morning, Rosalind,
I have had a wee look in Chambers about Esther and Hester. They appear to be the same name, just a variant in spelling.
Chambers says, of a Persian origin.
For some reason I have always associated Hester with the USA!
Never met one!
My postie is in shorts most of the time too.
Lots of geese flying overhead this morning.

Persian sounds very exotic. I think there was a Lady Hester Stanhope who went to the Holy Land in the early 19th century to do some archeology. Only Hester I've heard of, though I think there is one in "The Scarlet Letter"

Good morning, Rusty!
A dampish start but the sun is showing its face now!
I have just been to the Cobblers........
Yesterday, my husband very kindly cleaned my walking boots, but left then outside afterwards......
Then, later, through the kitchen window, he saw a fox making off with one of my precious Nubucks!
He gave chase and the fox dropped the (partially mangled) boot before escaping over the fence.
The toe of the boot is sadly chewed!
My husband didn't own up to any of this.......I discovered the sad state of my Nubuck when about to put it on this morning!
I have taken both boots ( the second one has mere teeth marks!) to the Cobblers but he doubts that he will be able to do much by way of repair!
"Leave it with me!" he said.
He will phone me sometime next week to let me know the outcome!!
Not the best start to my day!
I hope you are faring better with your day?
Any plans?

Hello, Elle!
Wonder what the fox thought the boot was?
The leather must have appealed to him?
I prefer fabric boots nowadays.
The cobbler may surprise you, you know!
Keep the faith!
Have you alternative footwear?
My day is fine.
Started it with madeira cake and custard, and a strong cup of coffee.
If the practice nurses knew that they would have a fit!

Hi, Rusty!
Maybe it was the leather......or maybe my feet smelled "good" to a fox?
It was the cobbler himself who thought he would be unable to do anything........my faith in him has always been immense - he has worked miracles before!
We shall see.
Yes, I wore my Hunters wellies this morning!
And I do have a spare pair of walking boots!
I thought your practice nurse wanted you to "keep fit" by "eating sensibly" and "taking extra exercise" - hence the scenic route for your paper !
Leastways, that is what you told me!
Scoffing madeira cake does not fit that category?
(and look what madeira cake has done to your fillings?)
I have an unexpected free day, as a friend was coming but has postponed.
I am about to make a coffee and look at the crossword........
(I may hoover later...)

Hello, Elle.
Yes, it will be the leather the fox took a notion to.
I think the cobbler will be able fix your boots if you are not concerned about appearances?
I had a similar experience when a large dog attacked an accordion case. It was repaired by the cobbler but the battle scars were still visible.
No, I decide my walking route, not nurses.
We have "debates" about their recommendations.
I do not always agree with them, you know.
And we agree to differ, in the friendliest manner possible!
Madeira cake can not harm fillings!

Hi, Rusty!
Now you told me that your filling fell out when you were eating madeira cake?
although I did think it a little strange at the time!
(I should know by now not to believe you sometimes, when you tell me things!
I am too naive!)
Funnily enough, I thought about cosmetic appearances - and I did ring the cobbler when I got back home to tell him that I didn't care what the boot looked like, so long as he could fix it!
So here's hoping.......
I have made a start on the Times 15 x 15 - it takes me a long time to do - and I especially liked 3d......
What do you think?
Anyway, I shall plod on......
A lovely day now - blue skies and bright sunshine!

Hello, Elle,
Now, think,
I had that filling in my tooth for years.
It had done very well by me.
We got on very well together, the filling and me.
Sheer coincidence that I was eating Madeira when it came out.
These things happen.
I have finished the crossword and disposed of it.
What was 3 about?
It is a fine day here, too.

Elle!
I had never heard of 3 down!

Good afternoon, Rusty!
You just caught me.......we are shortly about to go out.
It is a beautiful day, so we are going to drive out and then walk the dog in pastures further afield!
We may go to the woods and the river!
Two clues that particularly appealed to me are
3d: 1320 yards before dog catches tail of athletic dairy animal (5-3)
mil(e) ch c ow
and 13a: Pope, a tragic youth bearing cross (9)
A le x ander
But there are six I cannot even do, and two additional ones that I cannot parse.
It is not a good day for me crossword wise!
I have a pet shop delivery coming later so must be back for teatime.......