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Hi, Rusty!
I think the hand touching has just become an established "good luck" thing!
Perhaps the players now think that to leave it out would be to invite disaster?
I can live with it!
Yes, I have emailed the CEO!
and the email has not been returned , so let's hope it hits base?
I parsed 11a as:
flagpole = which can keep up standards (ie flags) (def)
flag- mark
pole - post
I hope that is right?
(I was quite happy with it!)
I'm afraid that I, also, could not fully parse 15a.
I have "liar" = one giving false response (def)
But can go no further.
I cannot see the definition in 3d?
I have "constituent"........
(anagram of "notice stunt")
Now..........the sun is again shining...and the sky is blue.....
I am just taking the dog out for another walk......

Hello, Elle!
I am following Irma and have discovered a place in Florida called "Yeehaw Junction"!
Isn't that a great name?
Let's hope the CEO responds to your email!
11, Yes, I have "flagpole", but where does "for attention" fit in?
I have "liar", too. I do not know how the setter gets it though.
I suspect it is a word with the letter "d" missing, to give "liar" but I can not come round it!
I suppose a "constituent" will be a person who is in the MP's constituency?
A voter?
Yeehaw Junction was originally called "Jackass Crossing" but the state legislators did not like it and they changed it.
I am glad they did!

Hi, Rusty!
A pleasant walk......
We met up with a friend who sadly had lost one of his two dogs to renal failure since last we saw him.
The remaining dog seemed a bit low......apparently she has been pining for her companion.
Now re 11a...I think "flag" means "mark for attention"?
And for 15a......I have been doing a bit of research on Google....
Apparently LIDAR—Light Detection and Ranging—is a remote sensing method ("detection system " in the clue?) used to examine the surface of the Earth.
Remove "d" for diamonds and we get "liar"?
It is the best I can come up with?
Oops.....it is now pelting down with rain!
We timed our outing well!

Hello, Elle!
You have explained 11a satisfactorily, thank you.
I have not heard of LIDAR, but it makes good sense the way you have explained it..
And...Anne Bradford has it under "radar".
It is a fine afternoon here.
Now, back to Irma and Yeehaw Junction.

Hi, Rusty!
Goodness, it is getting very chilly.....whether it is because of the rain (again) or just autumnal evenings?.......
But we have switched on our central heating!
Now, I have found another clue that I did not parse!
I have "Locke" for 4d.
I am assuming this to be John Locke, an English philosopher (def) ?
How does "seen stripping" fit in , please?
Fortunately, the Times QC - just done - was very straightforward!
I must go and organise dinner - chilli con carne.
It is already cooked....just needs heating up!

Elle, I've seen that the possible parsing for Locke is...
Clocked = seen
Stripping = remove the first and last letters and you're left with Locke.

I don't think it is a good clue!

Hello, Elle!
I had the heating on for a wee while when I got up this morning.
My interpretation (it makes sense to me!) of the "Locke" answer is to look to the word "seen".
"Clocked" can mean "seen".
Chambers has it as "slang".
Strip "clocked" by removing the outside letters and you have "Locke".
I bet your con carne is very tasty.
I had a cheese roll and a banana for my tea.

Hi, Rusty!
I did not know that "clocked" meant "seen"?
This is not something I have ever come across before.
Yes, I can see where "stripped" then comes in!
Cheese and banana taste good in the same sandwich....especially cream cheese with banana........
Try it?
How were the pies that your son brought for you?
Savoury or sweet?
I have run out of fresh reading material...I didn't get around to browsing Amazon....
I shall have to decide what to reread....



Thank you, Malone...I didn't know that "clocked" meant seen.

Hello, Elle!
You scientists must lead a very sheltered existence if you do not know "clocked" for seen!
Have a look in your fine Chambers Dictionary?
Well, "clocked" is certainly in use around here, anyway.
I am surprised you have not came over it before.
They were beef pies my son brought me.
It is a fine butcher he goes to.
They rear their own cattle on farms not too far off.
I am very fond of bananas!

Hi, Rusty!
Yes, I have found "clock" in Chambers as "to observe, notice (slang)"!
I am not alone, though, in not knowing this, as neither my husband nor my daughter has heard of the term........
( I shall do a survey in the park in the morning! )
Cat is still eating...and with more enthusiasm now.....that is a good sign, isn't it?
He has just come miaowing for food!
We go to the vets on Wednesday to have his stitches taken out - and to discuss the biopsy results, and possible treatment.
I hope he will be ok........