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Hi pigale

Yes, the ice cream maker is a Christmas present. My sons like to be given a list to chose from. I suggest a range, always including books. This year I put an ice cream maker and a digital scale (water has destroyed 2 of mine but this one is said to be waterproof) and received both. I have rather sensitive teeth but been wanting to make ginger ice cream for ages. The brandy is already in the cream, sold to go on Christmas pudding but rejected. I thought I'd use it in the ice cream.

I hope you see you granddaughter today, elle, but not too long to wait in any case. Lovely to see your son- I bet he's very busy over Christmas and New Year. When in Portugal in October, our walks/tour guide said he also worked in anther local hotel. I wondered if he ever got any sleep.

Yesterday I read "Birdcage Walk" and the day before "The New Mrs Clifton". Very odd, both begin with a grave being found and both include baby snatching and murder. Currently reading Rose Tremain's "The Cupboard," one of my favourite authors.

Am off to visit a (very) old friend today, snow or not (there is some but it appears to be raining now).

Good morning, Rusty!
We have rain, sleet and snow .........repeatedly, in varying order!
And it is very cold!
There is also a very strong wind...... and branches were being blown down from trees, whilst I was in the park.
Fortunately, no trees down as yet.
I am just home...and never was a cup of piping hot coffee more welcome!
Unless there is some improvement, I am here to stay!
Our son is coming about 1 pm to see us.
I doubt, though, that he will bring his daughter, as I expect he will be going straight on to work afterwards.
What about you?
Do you have snow?

Good morning, Elle!
No snow, or wind, but cold with a hard frost.
Beautiful day, though!
I am home for the day, too.
Very few in ASDA today.
You will be looking forward to seeing your son!
Hope you have a nice time!

Hi, Rusty!
You are very lucky with your beautiful day...at the moment we have settled in to heavy rain!
Mind you, I am just thankful there is no snow!
I think the Midlands might well be forecast snow over the next few days .....
I hope it will not affect our elder daughter and family travelling down here on Friday or Saturday.
Still, no point in worrying at this stage, about something that might never happen!
I have just printed out my crossword puzzles, having finished my household chores.
I should have about an hour before our son arrives....I shall see how far I can get.....
I'm very slow!

Hello, Elle!
I am content with the hard frost, blue skies, and no snow....yet!
I hope the roads are clear for your daughter travelling South at the weekend.
Not sure of your forecast?
Today's puzzle was used in the Championship final.
I found it fairly tricky, but have got there.
8d is a very odd one.
I put in what I think fits, but not too chuffed with the setter on that one, but probably it is something that I can't twig!

Hi, Rusty!
I am only about half way through the puzzle but I have done 8d!
I have
Hathaway = wife left bed (def)
(Shakespeare left his wife his second- best bed in his Will!)
H - hours
at
h - hotel
away - getting out
Does this make sense to you?
Son should be here shortly.....I am looking forward to seeing him!

Heaven's above, Elle!
However did you know about Shakespeare's bequests?
I am mightily impressed!
Your parse is fine with me!
I had Hathaway but could not fathom why.
I knew she had something to do with Shakespeare but did not know they were wed, or about the bed!
That is specialist knowledge!
Jings, as they say up here!
Yes, enjoy your time with your son!

Hi, Rusty!
Ah well, you see...
There is an American actress by the same name as Shakespeare's wife, Anne Hathaway.
I first saw the actress in the film "One Day" by David Nichols.
It is a great film - wonderful correlation between book and film........
( I must have mentioned this before? it is quite a fetish of mine!)
Anyway, because of the identical name , I looked up both actress and Shakespeare's wife, afterwards!
I was amused by Shakespeare 's only leaving his wife the "second -best" bed!
(I wonder what happened to the "best" bed?)
No sign - nor word - of our son yet....?

Hello, Elle!
Ah, it becomes clearer!
But does the esteemed setter expect us to know about Shakespeare's beds and wills?
Mind you, it was used in the final, so all top notch solvers there!
Hope your son turns up.
Roads may be busy though.

Hi, Rusty!
Well, no word from our son.......it is odd that he hasn't phoned or texted if he has been held up, or is no longer coming......especially as it was only yesterday that he arranged this, so not much chance of his forgetting in the meantime!
I have sent him a text...but he could be either working...or has overslept!
Meanwhile, elder daughter has rung.
They were on their way back from her sister-in-law's, but found the M1 closed because of snow!
They are finally home now, to find six or seven inches of snow surrounding their house!
Yes, it was a good crossword!
But I am stuck on my last one....
22d: Lonely type getting up behind Chinese people (6)
?R?H?N
I have no ideas?