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Hello, Elle!
So, you will have seen the pic of Aggie Grey!
A fine looking lady!
I finished the crossword this morning and it was trickyish.
One answer was "animalcules" which was new to me.
If you struggle with it, Elle, put you it away for a while, and when you return, the answers often jump out at you.
"Scarlet Ribbons" is a nice song to have in your head.
Mine is empty just now, but "Goodnight, Irene" is never far away!

Hi, Rusty!
Yes, I have seen the photograph of Aggie Grey!
She does not look as I expected her to do!
For some reason - I suppose because Blood Mary had been modelled upon her - and I have the image as the character appeared in the film , in my head - I expected a more buxom lady!
I, too, have never heard of "animalcules" - I 'm assuming this is the answer to the "amoebas" clue? I couldn't do that one!
No, the puzzle was too difficult for me today. I concede defeat!
I am tired ...and about to go to bed!
G'night! Talk tomorrow.

Good morning, Elle.
Fine cold morning here.
Aggie may not be buxom, but Luisa Tetrazzini certainly was!
i am just heading to shop,
Just finished the crossword online.
One parse to get and it is bugging me!
It was used in the championships so not easy.
Quite a lot could not complete it.
Right, I am off, out into the cold!

Good morning, Rusty!
A warm(ish) wet day here! although since I came home, it is drying up.
I did not think that rain was forecast for us today.
Are you home again now?
I wonder if the crossword is so hard, that many of the "regulars" could not complete it, whether there is any point in my even trying?
I found my poor attempt yesterday very disheartening!
I shall start off with the QC......
Any earworm today?
I am going to listen to Katie Melua......

Hello, Elle!
Frosty here, but less cold, I think.
Todays crossword was completed by 33 out of 82 contestants at the Championship.
1a gave me trouble, (I know you start there) but not Anne Bradford!
It is a word from Spenser/Shakespeare and it was new to me. So, stick at it! (Though you may very well know it!)
How is your weather down there?
Enough blue skies here, to make trousers to spare for sailors galore!

Hello, Elle,
Posts crossed!
Crossword is quite a test, the way it should be.
Or what's the point in doing them!
I am surprised that over 50% could not finish it, though.
So there's a target for you to crash through!
Yes, my earworm today is "K-K-K-Katy, Beautiful Katy" and goodness knows who sung it, back in the mists of time!

Hi, Rusty!
There you go, you see, many an old wives' tale bears forth fruit!
Enough blue sky for a sailor's pair of trousers.....and you have a fine day!
I have taken a look at 1a in the 15 x15 and ironically I can do it!
des - "some of the" in French
crying - in tears
"descrying" means revealing (spotting)
Normally, to be able to do the first clue would be encouraging.....but today I think the odds are against me .......
I shall try though......"never say die"!
I think it all depends on how one's mind works! (and mine is peculiar at the best of times!)
I remember "Kkkaty....", but googling it didn't help....I had never heard of any of the names put forward for singing it!
Katy Melua is going down a treat with me, though......
Try her on YouTube? You might like her?
She writes / co -writes many of her own songs.

Hello, Elle!
"Descrying" was completely new to me.
Is it a word that you would use?
In 24, "Paris" is not a city. A good clue.
Enough tips from me!
I have not heard of Katy Melua?
From which neck of the woods does she hail?
Why do folk "hail" from places?
I have "Treasures" and Alison Balsom to catch up with.
YouTube will have to wait!

Hi, Rusty!
Now this is really strange.......I told you my mind works oddly!
I have all but finished the crossword!
One not filled in , but that is all.
Two to parse completely.
I actually didn't find it all that difficult...yet I had to give up with yesterday's puzzle!
6d: I have L?W?U?
No idea at all!
24a: I have "introit" as "part of the service" (def)
I can account for "in" an "it" but not "tro"?
You say "Paris" in this context is not a city, but I'm afraid that doesn't help me?
15d: I can see from the crossers and the "gas" in the clue, that the answer is "firedamp" - but why, please?
Oh, and I had to look up "meadow rue" to make sure it is a plant, as I'd never heard of it!
Katy Melua was born, I think in Georgia ( ex Soviet Union).
She moved to Northern Ireland at the age of eight and then to England at fourteen.
I like her very much.
Enjoy Treasures"!

Hello, Elle!
6d. Come on Elle,
You have "L" for large, and you need a word for "pants", giving a word for "not proscribed".
Pants in this case is not something one would wear, and is a "slangy" word!
Well done on "introit".
The city of Paris, mostly, is "Tro(y)".
15, discharged is "fired". An "amp" is an abbreviation of amplifier, used in hi-fi systems.
I had never heard of meadow rue, too!
You are going great guns, well done!
Is it one to go?