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Good morning , Rusty!
A fell dreich day here so far!
But a nice cool temperature, so I am not complaining!
It was good to be out early this morning!!
How is it up your way?

Good morning, Elle!
Lovely morning here.
I was out earlier.
Had the Nature Trail to myself!
Now I have to refix the sole of my favourite shoes.
Did one a couple of weeks ago, now the other one is needing attention.
I see Eilidh Doyle is Team GB captain for the World's.
Could not happen to a nicer lady!

Hi, Rusty!
Will you stick it with Superglue?
I had to restick the "patch" on my previously chewed up (by the fox) boot, with Superglue!
And remember that if you need to mend a "hole" or leak, that "Storm Sure" glue is brilliant!
My welly repair is still going strong!
As also is the split that I "fixed" in my Nubuck!
I am pleased for Eilidh - she will make a good Team Captain - and deserves the honour!

Hello, Elle!
I have Evo-Stik Impact Adhesive.
It seems to work very well.
(It is certainly effective on my Bradford's and Chambers!)
Screwfix have a "No Nonsense" range of products that are popular with tradesmen, but I know the Evo-Stik product is first-class, so I shall see how it goes.
Yes, I am pleased for Eilidh, too!
What is doubly pleasing for her is that she was chosen in a ballot by team mates.
Ahead of Farah and Rutherford etc.
So, well done, Eilidh!

Hi, Rusty!
I hope your shoe -mending is effective!
I have had a somewhat lazy morning... after a couple of hours out walking with the dog, I did a few household chores, then finished the 15 x 15 and the QC crosswords....... both fairly straightforward today, I thought.
There is a clue in the QC that Mr R must have included with you in mind.......!
1a: Make Ada rice when mixing sponge (7,4)
It made me smile!
The rain has stopped now, although I doubt for long........we are just about to drive over to attend to the cat......he will be pleased to see us!
Back about tea time......

Hello, Elle,
We are still blessed with great weather up here!`
Though a grump of a neighbour told me "it can't last, bound to get rain".
And I moved away... swiftly...!
You can't beat a slice of "Madeira cake"!
My shoe looks to have mended well, but I have not been out to test it on rugged ground or anything.
I have a query for you, Elle, on my puzzle.
It is either a mistake, or my language skills are not up to it.
"Cooks absurdly overdue masterpieces" (5-7)
I have "chefs d'oeuvre".
Cooks = chefs, with an anagram of "overdue".
Maybe it should be "chef's"?
Anyway, "masterpieces" is a plural word.
Should it not be "masterpiece", single word, for oeuvre, single word.
What do you reckon?

http://www.dictionary.com/browse/chef-d-oeuvre

Does this help?

Splendid, Cerasus!
That definition makes the clue/answer quite clear now.
Thank you.

Hi, Rusty!
We are just back from our cat-tending duties!
Feeding, watering, cleaning litter-tray and then lots of cuddles!
The cat likes to sit on my knee!
Are you sorted okay now with your clue?
chef d'oeuvre is the singular = masterpiece ;
chefs d'oeuvre is the plural = masterpieces.
The plural "s" goes on the "chef" rather than the "oeuvre".
Chambers agrees with me!
There is a (new to me) word that I did not know........
"Trope"?
Did you know that one?
I had the answer as I'd worked it out from the clue , but had to consult Chambers to check that "trope" did indeed mean "motif"!
Yes, a slice of Madeira often goes down well!
Speaking of food....I haven't eaten since breakfast..... I shall go forage....!

Good evening, Elle!
You can not beat a friendly cat!
Yes, I am clear about plural masterpieces, now.
I understand the clue and answer.
My less than adequate education can be a hindrance attempting cryptic puzzles!
And the fact that the answer was in French gave me another hurdle to clear!
Now, Elle, "trope" is a word I have seen written several times but never explored its meaning...until today.
"Motif" is the same. Did not know the meaning, at all.
Thought it may be to do with a mountain, but that is "massif".
But, as I often say about the puzzles, "we are always learning".
I am anyway!
I have just ordered "Wheels within Wheels" by Dervla Murphy.
An autobiography.
VGC from Julie's Books. 1p.