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Good morning, Rusty!
A beautiful day here! Bright blue skies and sunshine, with a temperature at the moment of 14C.
I have been browsing "staycation"............
According to the Oxford dictionary, it can mean holidaying in one's own country...... or, more literally, staying in one's own home and going on day trips!
I also found alternatives.....holistay and daycation!
( Neither of these appear in my Chambers )
Right, action stations ..........I need to do some "tidying" ready for the onslaught of family arriving to stay for a week!
What are you up to?

Good day, Elle!
There was a decided autumnal feel to the air this morning, up here!
"Staycation" is not a word I have ever used, but I am aware of it.
I am quite pleased that "holistay" and "daycation" have not made it into Chambers!
New words to me!
I have not looked at the puzzle yet.
Hope it is a good one!

Hi, Rusty!
We still have sunshine, but a chilly breeze has developed now.......I rather like it, as it freshens up the atmosphere.
I haven't yet had time to look at the crossword., as I have been making preparations ( making beds etc ) for my elder daughter and the boys coming to stay.
It is up in the air as to whether they are sticking to the original plan of arriving on Monday......or whether they might now come earlier?
I am promising myself, though, that I shall not be deviated from watching the last day of the World Championships Athletics on Sunday ......whatever happens!
That day shall be my "staycation"!
(Does that fit? A "holiday at home"?
Or maybe one of the variants ...a "daycation"....... would fit the bill better?
Anyway, you get the drift....?)

Hello, Elle!
Just stick with "staycation" and folk will understand you!
Just discovered Eilish ran a PB last night.
Not quite as fast as her Mum, though....yet!
I have done the puzzle.
Quite a good one!
There is a "grammar" clue, just for you!
You will be looking forward to your family arriving, whenever!

Hi, Rusty!
I meant to tell you.......
I was talking about "staycation" in the park this morning (as one does......)
and someone mentioned that the word had been used in yesterday's "EastEnders" on the television!
Spooky...or what?
Yes, I think today's 15 x15 one of the easiest I have done for a long time!
All finished...including all parsed!
I shall now have to refresh my memory as to the differences between simple, compound and complex sentences , though!
I liked the Spoonerism in 15d, and I also liked 21d --- but it took me a while to realise that "sewer" meant one plying a needle and thread!
Oh, and I had to look up "amain" to check the definition - I didn't know that!
Yes, I'm looking forward to everyone getting together.
We have a family picnic planned if the weather is good!

Hello, Elle!
You will be tripping over "staycation" for ever more now!
I did not know "amain", too.
"Sewer" is a good one.
So is "something wicked", for a candle, when it appears.

Hi, Rusty!
I am three-quarters way through "War Horse".......
I recognised the part read out - and acted in the background - by Michael Morpurgo, when Joey was stranded in No Man's Land......and the German tossed a coin..... to see whether Jerry or Tommy should have him......
Now, I have just reached the part where Albert realises that the dirty bloodied horse is indeed his beloved Joey......
I am sitting here with tears tricking down my face......

Hello, Elle!
Dry your eyes!
It is just a tale, though very well written, and unusual!
An odd ending, though!
"Private Peaceful" is very good, too.
I may try another of Michael Morpurgo's books.
I am going to eat my tea now.
Silverside this night!

Hi, Rusty!
I have finished reading the story now....and yes, an odd ending?
Kind of back to front?
Had Joey said that Maisie never offered him a pasty, and so he never got to eat one....... it would have made sense...
But the other way round?
Are we missing some nuance here?
Silverside sound good!

Hello, Elle!
My silverside tea was very nice!
Would a horse eat a pasty, anyway?
Joey liked her bread though.
I do not understand the ending, nuance or not!
There is a sequel to the tale, I think, called "Farm Boy".
But, my understanding is, it takes place 50 years later.
I presume Albert will be a granddad in it, and Joey would be long dead.
Maybe told in flashbacks?
War Horse was a fine tale, though.
I believe there were around 8 million horses and donkeys killed in the war, or did not get home from the war.
The BBC are a strange lot!
They got into a bidding war with SkySports to cover the US PGA, and won.
But they are showing it on Red Button?
Makes no kind of sense to me!