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Good morning, Rusty!
We have another very wet day here!
It was a decidedly poggy walk!
It necessitated cleaning a filthy dog and changing my soaking trousers!
(I do have a waterproof pair but cannot find them!)
I hope that the weather is better up your way for your son's trip to Kenmore?
It would be a shame were it to rain.
I have actually seen a party bus! although not in action!
We drive past a double -decker bus , duly labelled "party bus" and parked on the roadside, on our way to our daughter's house.
It is nearly always there, but I presume the owner hires it out for special occasions.
The bus is gaily painted in many colours and has pictures of balloons festooning it.
I am never near enough to see inside it.......
I wonder if it has all the seats removed? probably so, and is kitted out in some appropriate fashion?
Right, coffee needed.......

Good day, Elle!
Well, we have a beautiful day here and much milder.
Snow is pretty much gone, except piles of it at ASDA where the mini snow ploughs pushed it to the sides.
I was sent photos of the "party bus", (festooned with all manner of decorations) but none of the inside.
I do know it was a huge success, though!
I have not heard anything from Kenmore.
There is usually a "dignitary" performing the opening ceremony.
One year it was Fiona Armstrong (remember her?)
She is a keen salmon fisher.
I have had a wee look at the Aussie tennis.
I was surprised to see it is an indoor tournament?
Federer is on now.
How is the new TV behaving?

Hi, Rusty!
I have just had to reheat my coffee!
A friend popped in - said she didn't have time to stop for coffee - stayed chatting none-the less and has only just gone - during which my coffee went cold!
All I remember of Fiona Armstrong is what you have told me previously.......
I know she is some official to do with Dumfries? and a keen fisherman! (or should that be "fisherwoman"?)
Oh, and I do know that she was born a Lancashire lass. I'm not sure where that came from?
Would I be able to watch the Australian Open on the computer, I wonder?
Or would I have to subscribe to a channel in order to do so?
I shall investigate.......
Are all the big names playing?
The new TV?
I haven't watched it yet!
Probably not until "Eggheads" this evening!
I shall see then if it records successfully!

Hello, Elle!
Fiona is a very keen salmon fisher.
She used to read the News and is Lord Lieutenant of Dumfries.
And she is Lady MacGregor of MacGregor.
So, she is a Lord and Lady at the same time!
I think she may on the board of the Uni of Lancashire.
She also has a column in my local paper, as well as many other things.
She is well regarded in salmon fishing circles.
The Aussie Open should be online somewhere, but I do not know if you would have to pay money to view.
I am off for a dander seeing as it is a glorious day!

Hi, Rusty!
I hope you had a good walk?
How far afield did you venture?
I am envious of your sunshine!
We have just returned from a walk, too, but ours was taken between rain showers.
And we still had a very muddy dog - but she had a whale of a time!
I don't know of a University of Lancashire?
I don't think we had one in my day.....possibly it is one of the old Polytechnics given new status?
Now.....I have been unable to find any tennis to watch - not without subscribing!- but have seen today's results.
No "surprises", so far as I could see!
I hope your son enjoyed his trip out for the opening of the Tay salmon fishing season?
I am three-quarters way through today's 15 x15........... most of it so far is fine....I am having trouble with 11a?
What did you think of the very first clue being a homophone?!

Hello, Elle,
The Uni is at Preston.
I think it is an old one.
Yes, it is a very sunny day here.
My postie was in shirt sleeves.
No word from my son on the fishing.
i thought 1a was fine, but do not like 11a.
Too simplistic, I think.
Wall to wall tennis on Eurosport!
I had a canny walk and renewed my Lotto ticket whilst out.
I am looking forward to hearing how the TV and you get on!

Hi, Rusty!
I have researched the Uni out of interest, as I was sure there didn't used to be one!
Yes, you are right, it is in Preston, and a very old building.
But it did not begin life as a university.
First it was 'The Institution For The Diffusion Of Useful Knowledge' founded in 1828.
Then it became Preston Polytechnic, then Lancashire Polytechnic,
as I'd suspected.
It wasn't granted university status until 1992.
Please can you explain 11a?
Victoria - a queen and head of church (5)
I have V?C?R
All I can think of is "vicar" but how and why?
A vicar is not head of church?
Am I missing something here?
You are taunting me by telling me of wall-to -wall tennis!
Now the TV....so long as I can remember how to switch it - and the Freeview box - on, I should be fine!
I will report back on this after Eggheads.........

Hello, Elle!
Ah, I am wrong again!
I thought it was a very old Uni!
This is my take on 11.
Feel free to disagree!
I think the setter is abbreviating Victoria to Vic, as I often do with regard to Miss Pendleton.
The "a" is in the clue. With "R" for Queen.
I have an idea that the Pope can be referred to as the Vicar of Christ, or Vicar of Rome.
The Pope is head of a church.
Not certain, mind, there may be other interpretations.
I have the tennis off, but may annoy you even more when I tell you that I have set recorder to record two documentaries this night.
One on Cathy Freeman, and one on Dame Kelly!
Hope they are good!

Hi, Rusty!
Thank you for explaining how "vicar" is reached...your logic sounds good.
I am happy with that part.
But to me , a "vicar" is of fairly lowly rank in the C of E Church hierarchy?
I do not know that reference to the Pope?
Can you wonder I was/ am puzzled by the clue?
I wonder if others found it odd?
I have successfully watched - and recorded - "Eggheads"!
I have two aerials and am watching the TV through one, using the TV remote control, and am recording on the Freeview digibox through the second aerial (I use the other remote for that)
Is that making sense?
It seems to be working!
Yes, I am very envious of your being able to record/ watch Cathy Freeman and Kelly Holmes!
And yes...even more so than my missing the tennis!

Hello, Elle,
We do not have vicars up here.
Anne Bradford has "Vicar of Christ" under "pope".
The Pope is a "head of Church".
Chambers has "vicar-general of Christ", the Pope as representative of Christ on earth.
Brewer's has Vicar of Christ, a title given to the Pope.
Any good?
I do not really follow the TV/Freeview/Remote thing but as long as you do, that'll do for me.
Or if I may quote Farmer Hoggett, "That'll do, pig. That'll do."
i am especially looking forward to seeing the Cathy Freeman one.
They are on Sky Sports.