Crossword Help Forum
Forum Rules

Hello, Elle,
Once an author sells the rights of his book to a film company, he has no control over what they will do with it.
In "Return to Paradise" there are very good short stories.
My favourite one was "Until They Sail", about the four Neville sisters in New Zealand, and World War 2.
Yes, thick fog causing problems at HeathRow, Gatwick, and London City airports. Lots of disgruntled passengers.
Can you be "gruntled", I wonder?
It is colder here, but no fog.

Hi, Rusty!
I am "gruntled" that the fog here now seems to be lifting a little !
Yes, there is indeed such a word!
According to Chambers, "gruntled" means happy, pleased , in good humour.
I cannot, however , recall ever hearing this used!
I can quite understand why the film was modified ....I doubt it would have attracted viewers in its original format.
Emile de Beque had more than the two illegitimate children quoted in the film story - and by several mothers - and Lieutenant Joe Cable loved Liat only enough to sleep with her , not to marry her or stay with her for life.
Too harsh probably for back in the late 1950s?
I have already started the second book......
Didn't you tell me that a film has been made of "Until they Sail"?

Hello, Elle!
No, me too, regarding "gruntled"/
It will be a kinsman of "kempt" and "couth".
I read somewhere, sometime, that the phrase "city slicker" comes from someone with a very kempt hairstyle.
Who knows!
Yes, "Until They Sail" was a film.
It had Piper Laurie, Jean Simmons, Sandra Dee, and Paul Newman in it.
I think I saw it yonks ago,
Not as good as "Babe", which, strangely enough, was made in New Zealand.
How is your pea souper getting on?
We have had rain.

Hey, Rusty!
I do not think I know Piper Laurie - leastways the name is unfamiliar?
I recognise the others that you mention.
I do not greatly enjoy reading short stories .......although in some cases in the last book there was a tenuous continuing link.
I think the only short story teller that I have liked - and nowadays I do tend to avoid them - is Jeffrey Archer.
But then I would like anything written by Jeffrey Archer! I think his books are great!
I thought our fog was lifting...but it appears to be creeping in again.
The local forecast says it will return overnight - and be there to greet us in the morning!
Oh dear!
I am just glad that our daughter returned home safely from Germany last night before the fog came down.
Rain is what we need! it would hopefully help clear away all this murk.

Hello, Elle,
Piper Laurie made quite a few films.
She was a redhead, though not as red as "Herself"!
Her parents put her and her older sister into a children's home for much of her childhood.
I do not know why.
She hated it.
I think Jeffrey Archer wrote fine tales too.
Is he still alive?
I just found out Paul Daniels was dead yesterday.
I did not know.
Pity about your fog.
Fingers crossed it lifts.

Good morning, Rusty!
We have mist, rather than fog, this morning!
A slight improvement. Certainly pleasanter out!
How is it in your neck of the woods?
Yes, Jeffrey Archer is very much alive and still writing books!
I am hoping for the last volume in the "Clifton Chronicles" as a part of my Christmas presents!
I shall do the Everyman now........with a piping hot cup of coffee (already sitting beside me) to stimulate my brain cells.
And then I will make a start on wrapping Christmas presents........
What plans do you have for today?

Good morning, Elle!
Happy Quiet Man day!
(Well, it is in Comber!)
Cloudy and overcast here.
Weather man says fog across South England and the Continent.
Not so good for travellers.
I have been watching the skiing.
So Mr Archer is still to the fore. Very good.
I did not know Whitney Houston was dead either!
No plans for me today.
I will text the young ones later.
They were all out last night, so...
Will watch SPOTY in the evening.
I am voting for Dame Sarah, but it looks nailed on for Murray.
He has had a great year.

Hi, Rusty!
Whew!
I have so far wrapped up all that I can......
I have some packages to collect from my daughter....she is bringing them over here tomorrow, so I shall have those still to wrap.
Plus whatever shopping I do tomorrow.........
She and I are making a last trip to the shopping centre in the morning for some remaining gifts on our lists.
Then we shall be finished!!
Thank goodness!
Family are not arriving to stay until Saturday....so that does give me some time in hand to clean the house!
I have a feeling that public opinion will favour Andy for the SPOTY award.......I still do not like him but I will freely admit that he probably most deserves the award.
Did you remember to ask your son how the puppy is getting on?

Hello, Elle,
The pup is growing quickly!
I don't mind Murray at all, but many seem to dislike him.
I am the same with several cyclists I used to rate, but no longer do.
Wiggins and Armitstead, to name two of them.
And why is Froome not in tonight's show?
He won Le Tour de France this year.
I would have no problem with Alistair Brownlee or Dame Sarah winning.
Laura Muir tweeted that she got a visit from the dope testers on Thursday morning at 6.30...and it made her day!
Trotty has tweeted that her Christmas present to her parents is paying for big sis, Emma, to fly home from NZ for Christmas.
Well done, Trotty!

Hi, Rusty!
Alistair Brownlee or Dame Sarah would be a happier alternative for me, but I'll not deny Andy is a worthy candidate.
I never asked you if you watched the Royal Variety Performance?
How did whatsisname - the magician from BGT - do?
Did you see his act, or hear about it?
I forgot all about it!
The RVP isn't the sort of programme that I would normally watch, but I did wonder how he got on?
We are just about to brave the elements - still somewhat foggy - to take the dog out for another walk!
I must admit that for once I would as soon stay at home - really cold and murky out - however... duty calls/ needs must / whatever.....so off we go!
Back in a bit!