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Good afternoon, Rusty!
It is good that you have sorted out your door..... you might well have ended up locked out otherwise!
The work men in your area are very efficient....getting a tradesman around here to do a job is very different!
Half the time, they do not turn up.......
We ourselves are very lucky, though, at the moment, as we have a "working list" of folk - electrician, plumber, locksmith, gardener - upon whom we can rely to do good jobs......
We and the neighbours trade names when required! it works well!
Ah, daughter's cat and I are great friends - he is twelve years old, so we know each other well!
He likes to sit on my knee when I visit!
I know of Birkdale...if it is the same place?
Southport?
I have a friend lives there.
I have done all but two of the crossword, earlier this morning.
I couldn't do 16d and 29a , which interlock?
16d: ?O?I?N??
and 29a: ??S?N?T?D
I have no ideas at all?
I also couldn't parse 8d?
I have "shameless" = bold (def)
and thought "sham" for "forged" but couldn't work out the rest?
Right, the sun is shining, so I am about to take the dog for a walk........

Hello, Elle!
Yes, Birkdale is beside Southport.
It is very windy there today.
You have a good system with tradesmen.
Word of mouth recommending is by far the best way of getting someone good.
8d, Sham is correct for forged.
The "letters written out", are "el" for L, and "ess" for S.
Pretty bad, I think.
16, "Did show behind" is "mooned", "Italian backed" is "tI", "curtained" the setter imagines it is mooned going around ti, to give "motioned" for directed, I think.
29, is "disunited" for "not one".
"Ladies" apparently is "Dis".
I think it would be better if it was Lady's giving "Di's".
The college is "Uni" and the boy is "Ted".
I disapprove of using words like "mooned" but that is a discussion for another day.
Not a great puzzle for me.
Hopefully the prize one on Saturday is more fulfilling!

Sorry, Elle!
8, "Shameless" for "bold".

Hi, Rusty!
It is lovely out......there has been no sign whatsoever of the threatened rain!
A beautiful afternoon!
I would never have got those crossword answers.....
Thank you for your help.
Even having had 16 and 29 explained to me, I am finding them difficult to follow.
Re 8d, I never thought of "written out " as "being removed"......
I shall remember that interpretation in future.
Ironically enough, I always do find Saturday's puzzle the easiest of the week!
Oops, I hope I haven't jinxed it now!
Well, younger daughter and family are now on their way......they are going on an overnight ferry.
She will text me tomorrow when they arrive.

Hello, Elle,
My interpretation of 8d (and I could be way wrong!) is that "written out" means the way the letters are written, in Chambers, for instance.
If you look up "el" and "ess" you will see what I mean.
L is written as "el" and "s" is written as "ess", though "es" is acceptable, too.
I think in 29, there may be an error.
I think it works better with Lady's rather than Ladies.
I do not like 1d, too. Very vague!
Lucky folk getting the ferry!
I like on the "boat"!
Now, a piece of sad news.
This was before your time watching BGT.
But the winners one year were a girl/dog act.
Ashleigh and Pudsey.
They were great!
Unfortunately, news has reached me that Pudsey has died of leukaemia.
A blooming shame!

Hi, Rusty!
I am sure that your interpretation of 8d is quite correct!
But I hadn't read the clue - nor your explanation - properly!
You see, I had it in my head that I had to explain away the two "Ts" in the word "letters" in the clue......
I don't know why I was on this particular "bandwagon", as the characters then left - le..ers" did not fit "(sham)eless"...
Are you following me here?
I was way off beam, but am just trying to explain my (very mistaken )trend of thought?
I remember your telling me about Pudsey winning the competition.
What a shame for him.
His owner must be desolated.
Sadly , our beloved pets very often die of similar diseases to us humans.
We have lost two cats over the years to leukaemia.
They are members of the family - it is very sad to lose them.
Re the ferry.........I am sure the boys will enjoy that... and they have an overnight cabin so should also be able to get some sleep!

Hello, Elle!
Hopefully there is a better setter tomorrow!
Yes, I do follow you in 8 down, but I do not think we should have to tie ourselves in knots trying to solve clues.
I have no problem with clues being tough as long as they are fair.
Some of today's were a bit contrived.
Ashleigh is devastated about Pudsey.
She got him for her birthday 11 years ago when he was a pup.
Pudsey met the Queen. She liked him...so did Simon Cowell!
I think sea travel is the best.
Well, maybe not the best for speed etc, but I prefer it!

Hi, Rusty!
I haven't done a lot of travelling, so am not well versed in modes of transport!
But I hate flying....I am very afraid of heights, which includes being up in a plane!
I have travelled thus when necessary, like going to Africa, and to the States, but have not enjoyed the experience!
I have been very relieved indeed to be back on terra firma!
My experience on ferries has been fine!
Not that I have gone far afield.... I've travelled to the Isle of Wight, and the Isle of Man, on car ferries.
Also to France a couple of times.
I am hardly a great explorer!
You will be well used to travelling to and from Ireland on the ferry........

Hello, Elle!
Yes, I love on the boat to Ireland!
Not so much the return trip.
But going across is great.
I always find someone to chat to!
Bad weather at the golf this evening.
Horizontal rain !
Now, fingers crossed we get a good setter for the puzzle tomorrow!

Good morning, Elle!
Fell dreich up here today,
It is quiet on the forum?
Too quiet!