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Hi, Rusty!
I haven't come across the "Book People" before but the deal hopefully is a good one, and the books will be nicely presented.
I am paying just short of £30 instead of just over £100!
Your son has had the puppy for quite a while now....surely too long before Christmas for her to have been a present for that occasion?
She should be being taught not to "nip"........
It is instinctive for pups to "mouth" in their exploration of things - including people! - but biting can really hurt and it does need to be gently stopped.
Probably your son is training her to know better, and she will be much gentler when you see her tomorrow!
Pups learn quickly and are eager to please!
Yes, I knew that you lived on the side of a (hopefully extinct!) volcano!
Now......I have done some of the 15 x15...but am puzzled by 11a?
Criminal left another listening in (9)
I have "larcenist"= criminal.
and it is obviously a homophone.
l - left
"arcenist" sounds like "arsonist"?
but there isn't a word "arcenist" - or not that I can find?
There is arcAnist?
but the crosser makes it definitely an "e".
And "larcenist" is obviously correct.
Can a non -existent word be used like this? or have I gone wrong somewhere?
Help!

Hello, Elle!
It is 400 million years old.
They say it is the "plug" of the volcano.
Does not make it any easier to walk up though!
I had "larcenist".
I took him to mean arcenist sounds like arsonist to the ear.
I do not see why you need arcenist to be a word?
That group of letters sounds like the word the setter is after.
Straightforward, surely?
I know the pup is just using her teeth to explore.
Sharks do the same.
I remember now!
Miss O'H got a "selfie-stick" from Santa.
Have you heard of a selfie-stick?
The Book People were good to deal with as I recall, and yes, they have some excellent bargains.

Hi, Rusty!
I thought your son and family had moved a short while ago, and were now living nearer to you?
I was obviously over thinking the clue! I thought that "arcenist" would need to be a genuine word.
(Indeed it may yet be one.....but I cannot find it!)
That is okay then. Thank you!
I haven't heard of a "selfie stick"?
But I do know that a "selfie" is a photograph taken of oneself by one's self!
So maybe - by superb logic! - perhaps a selfie -stick is some sort of appliance to enable this to happen more easily?
Is this what it is?
Go on, surprise me! Whatever next eh?
I am struggling over this xword puzzle..... I shall go and read!
The QC was an easy one.

Hello, Elle,
Yes, they do live nearer to me, but it is a 25 minute walk straight uphill.
Your larcenist is correct.
When I did the online Times, "Congratulations" flashed up on completion.
Right, as far as I can gather, a selfie stick holds the phone further away and can get more folk in the frame. I think!
They are all the rage apparently.
A bit of good news, now.
Tonight, young Laura Muir has broken Liz McColgan's 5000 metres indoor Scottish and UK record, set 25 years ago.
She ran in Glasgow, and as far as I can gather, I think she ran on her own against the clock.
I am very pleased for Laura!

Elle, update,
Laura ran on her own.
She took 14 seconds of Liz's record!

Hi, Rusty!
In that case, if I were you, I would be driving there every time I went to see him!
I like walking, but, for preference, on the flat!
I am so pleased for Laura!
To me , Laura is one of the "good guys".
She seems to have high ethical standards .....and her head screwed on right!
But I didn't realise that one could set a record by oneself by running against the clock?
In my ignorance, I had assumed that one had to compete in an official race against other athletes?
But good for her!
I heard tell the other day that Serena Williams had gotten engaged?
I don't know to whom?
I wonder how he is on panic rooms?

Hi Elle and Rusty,

Just a quickie - there is a word arsOnist (guilty of arson)

now it all depends on how you would pronounce that.


Are you both OK?

Hello, Pigale!
Yes, I had got that..."arcenist" sounds like "arsonist".
My personal problem was in not finding "arcEnist " to be an existing word.....leastways it isn't in my Chambers.
I have been assured though that this isn't necessary for the solving of the clue, which I can accept.
I just wanted to get it straight in my head!
Sometimes I get blockages that I mentally cannot go past........
Do you know what I mean?
Yes, am fine - still a bit tired......

Hello, Elle,
They are saying now that Laura ran 16 laps on her own.
So best wait until tomorrow and read all about it to see if it is an official record or not.
I am just getting Twitter updates.
But, on Saturday is the Edinburgh Cross Country, live on BBC1.
i am fairly sure Laura is running in the relay race
A four person team, two men and two women, in each team.
I do not know who is in her team but I anticipate the event with relish. Laura is just back from training in South Africa.
Yes, she is one of the "good guys".
Not sure if Sir Mo is running?
Yes, good old Serena!
That was a surprise!

Yes Elle, I too get a lot of mental blockages!!!
I usually blame it on the ...... weather???? (never on old age!)