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Hello, Elle!
Lydia just missed out on the play-off.
She had a putt to be in the play-off with Anna Nordqvist and Brittany Altomare, but missed, so...
Good news about doggie!
I did not know about the 6 hour shopping rule.
I do not think we have that law up here.
I was watching a bit of the All Ireland final with Dublin v Mayo.
Was hoping for the Green and Red of Mayo and they have a slender lead!

Hi, Rusty!
That is a shame about Lydia!
She did well anyway, though?
It was a shame that we did not see our daughter and the children today, as originally hoped, but they are still sniffly with their colds, and she did not want to pass on any infection, especially to their Gramps.
Her husband was at his school today, preparing for an Ofsted visit tomorrow!
We shall see daughter and YB on Wednesday as usual.
Well, I am saying "as usual", but of course it will only be for two more weeks... as after that she will be back working full-time!
I shall miss our mother and daughter quality time when we met up for lunch every Wednesday!
But there will still be weekends - and of course the children's school holidays!
Life evolves.....

Hello, Elle!
Lydia did do well.
I had a chuckle at the commentators saying she should try and replicate her golf swing that she had when a teenager.
Lydia is 20 years old!
Hardly old and past it.
Yes, family time is important.
Have you tried Skype?
I know folk who keep in touch with far flung relatives through Skype.
They all approve of it.

Hi, Rusty!
Yes, we do have Skype, but I do not really like it........I have a problem with it, as using it seems to trigger off a migraine attack.
So I tend just to rely on the telephone, email, and texting.
But I am in constant contact with my younger daughter anyway, as we speak every day on the phone - and she also sends me emails during the day!
She phones either in her lunch hour or /sometimes and / on her way home from work and we talk throughout her journey home!
So there is not really a problem!
It was just nice having the additional fact of Wednesdays!
But this was always only going to be transient...she always planned to go back fulltime when YB was a little older.
We have been spoiled in the interim!
Now, nearly time to phone my cousin...and hear the full story about her hand...she has been having a very hard time.

Hello, Elle!
I did not know you suffered with Skype/migraines.
Yes, you seem to be in very close regular contact with your daughter.
I think family is very important.
I occasionally get what my optometrist calls an "aural migraine", maybe once or twice a year.
She does not know why, but it is no problem anyway.
Yes, phone your cousin, I think it is your turn.

Hi, Rusty!
I've suffered from migraines since I was in my twenties.
Yes, mine are "aura" migraines........
I get a visual disturbance heralding the headaches, so if I take my medication immediately this happens, I can usually avert the headache.
Mine are always caused by some sort of "light" disturbance" - flashing lights, sunlight through trees, flickering light bulbs........ (and Skype cameras/ gadgets !)
I can often avoid it if I take care.
The meds work quickly , too, so it is perfectly manageable.
I think aura migraines are easier to manage, as at least one is forewarned.
My elder daughter gets migraines, but she does not have the type with the warning "auras", and goes straight into the crippling headaches.
A much worse scenario!
All well up North, apart from my cousins' hand!
She has a new plaster cast.

Hello, Elle!
After reading your experiences of aural migraines, I have decided I am very fortunate.
I only have the visual disturbances for about twenty minutes but I do not get pain.
I have no idea what brings them on though.
My optometrist told me she gets them as well.
I am sure I read somewhere that chocolate can be a trigger?
That's good all are well in the North!

A Very good morning to you, Rusty!
A dull, damp, but mildish day!
Not exactly inspiring!
Just home with a muddy dog!
Yes, you are quite right, certain foods can be a trigger for some migraines; I believe chocolate can be a cause for some people.
Hormonal changes ( in women) is another factor.
The Migraine Trust website is a good base for reliable information.
Fortunately my own migraines are simply restricted to "light" problems.
Not always within my power to avoid though!
I am drinking coffee, eating my apple and cheese..... and about to look at the crosswords.....
What do you have planned for your day?

Good morning, Elle!
Dull and dry here, so is the weather.
No plans today, maybe have a look at the young ones in the World Cycling Championships.
Of course, not a word in the press about it.
Cycling is not a popular sport in this country.
I have finished my puzzle.
Not too tricky I did not think?
I have not a clue how the parse in 21A works, though?

Hi, Rusty!
I have been letter -writing....well strictly speaking, emailing .......this morning!
I am catching up with a backlog of correspondence!
( It always seems to be "my" turn!)
Now 21 a........
This clue is a tad unfair, I think, to the non - Londoner, who could not be expected to know that Highgate has a well-known cemetery, where several famous people are buried.
The most famous of these being Karl Marx!
I think Highgate = cemetery = graveyard?
"earth tremors" = "shift"
Thereby giving "graveyard shift" = night work (def)
It works for me, anyway!
I am stuck in the bottom right-hand corner with three interlocking clues...
Perhaps if I could have help with 18a, it might enable me to solve the other two?
18A: Set of instructions for putting on weight (7)
PR??R??
We are having tantamount to April showers in mid September!