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Elle, sorry the parse for 78 is,
Looker is "eye"
Opening is "vent"
Faculty can be "sight".
"Seventy-eight".

Hi, Rusty!
Thank you for your prompt response to my quandary........
I was out in the garden!
( I should like to say I was "labouring" - but it would be more accurate to say I was "offering helpful advice" to my husband, who was doing the actual "toiling"!)
Yes, I can see very well, now that you have kindly explained to me, how those clues work.......but I would never have "got there" on my own though, had I struggled all afternoon!
As far as 17a was concerned, I never connected "seventy -eight" with that type of "record"!
I was thinking of a world -record or some such ilk.
And I have NO excuse not to know what a "78" is!
All my old Bing records are 78s!
And I still play them on a beautiful record deck that I purchased from The Sunday Times!
It is funny how I rise to the occasion with the Saturday crosswords - and also with the Championship ones - maybe it is the challenge to my pride?!
I certainly do better than I do with the usual weekly offerings!
Thank you for your help!
I am off to make tea for the "gardener" - I would offer you a coffee and a shortie bikkie as a 'thank you', were you nearer at hand!

Hello, Elle!
A fine day for the gardening!
I am sure your husband appreciates your "helpful" advice!
I had an idea you would recall "78's"!
My old auntie used to make flower pots out of them!
Yes, you are progressing very well at the Saturday Cryptics!
You will gradually file away all the little tips and setters' ploys for future usage!
I shall just make my own coffee, so, and a lump of Madeira to go with it!

Hi, Rusty!
Yes, I inherited all my father's collection of records....I was brought up on a "diet" of Bing, as you know!
I do have some CDs of Bing, as well, but the old "78"s are very precious!
And in surprisingly good condition.
Now tell me....how did your Auntie make flowerpots out of a 78s record?
(Not that I plan such a fate for mine!)
I have set the recorder for "Casualty" and will watch "BGT" as it is transmitted.
I promise not to tell you anything, if you are not going to watch it yourself until tomorrow?

Hello, Elle!
My Auntie used heat to soften the vinyl, then moulded the 78 with her hands.
I am not sure when I will watch BGT tomorrow.
A couple of my buddies have been in touch today, and suggested we attend the local cycling clubs' meet-up point in the morning to remember Michele Scarponi with a minute's silence and possibly a brief service of some kind.
But, I will not watch BGT this evening, though.
It is a fine evening here.

Hi, Rusty!
I think that sounds like a very nice idea for you and your friends to go to the cycling club's meet-up tomorrow, and honour Michele Scarponi with a minute's silence, and possibly a short service.
A fitting gesture.......
I have just discovered that BGT is repeated on ITV tomorrow, so I can record it then, (as tonight it clashes with "Casualty" which I shall be recording)
That way I do not need to watch through those pesky adverts on ITV, but can fast forward....!
Yes, we have a lovely evening here, too!
We have been re- staining our garden furniture........it should dry nicely before bedtime ....but I think we are forecast a dry night anyway.
I am in for the rest of the evening now........going to read........though I might watch just a little of BGT........

Hello, Elle!
Yes, Scarponi was a very popular rider, always smiling.
He was known for starting sing-songs in the peloton!
Yes, I think BGT is repeated on Sundays, maybe even on ITV2,3 and 4?
I know there are several different slots to find it.
I am a fast-forward man, too!
Hope there is another choir on tonight!
I am just browsing on YouTube.
Some great stuff on it.
Was looking at one called "The Hay Pusher".
A girl out in the field making hay.
Boy, could she work!
Just her and a graip, helping her father with the hay.
I have an ice cream in my fridge and I think I shall have it now!

Hey, Rusty!
I have been multi-tasking...........reading and half -watching BGT - although I am recording the programme, too.
However, no comments - other than to say a mixed bag tonight! - until after you have watched it!
We are looking forward to tomorrow as our daughter is calling in for a couple of hours on her way back from her weekend away.
It will, of course, be lovely to see her, as that normally only happens in the school holidays when they all come to stay with us!
It seems quiet on the osprey site - only one bird in residence - and I'm not sure which one as its back is turned.......but at least the camera is still working!
Did you enjoy your ice-cream?

Thanks elle - pleased to see that the osprey site has recovered from the power cut.

Hello, Elle!
Yes, my ice cream was smashing, thank you!
I think Lassie tends the eggs during the hours of darkness.
Laddie will be on a near at hand branch.
(A lot happens off camera.)
Yes, it will be nice to have your daughter visit you.
Michele Scarponi leaves a wife and twin boys.
Cavendish (and many more) tweeted "he was the nicest man you could ever wish to meet).
I have been watching YouTube.
Better than TV (except BGT!)