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Hi, Rusty!
It is good that you had a fine time with your son.
You are especially fortunate in having him live so close to you.
No, no specific information about the extension plans as yet.
The architect appeared only to be sketching details as they spoke to us....... it all looked to be in its early stages.
Uplighters work very well!
The lighting is still effective, but the brightness is diffused.
We have two in our lounge ...and our standard lamps work on the same principle, too.
Time for a coffee.......and maybe a shortie biscuit.

Hello, Elle!
Yes, a fine time with my son.
He is going to America a week tomorrow on his holidays.
The uplighters sound strange to me.
I have normal lamps.

Here's a nice wee clip, with the Cranberries and Dolores O'Riordan in good voice!
One of my very favourite bands!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hk25G0aOo8

Hi, Rusty!
A great clip!
Thank you......
I loved the singing......and a clever advert showing so many beautiful facets of Ireland in such a short piece of film.
Is your son going to Orlando again?

Good morning, Elle!
Fine morning here!
Hope the weekend is the same!
Glad you liked the clip of the Cranberries.
I have never heard anyone pronounce the word "quite", the way Dolores did.
"Quite" unique, I think!
My son and daughter-in-law are flying to Sanford, so I imagine it is Orlando they are staying.
They love Florida.
Mind you, so does everyone I speak to who has been there.
Misses O and La Bamba are "in charge" of me while they are away!
That'll be a hoot!
Off to get my paper shortly!

A Very Good morning to you, Rusty!
A lovely day here, too!
But no early morning walk for me (and dog) today......
We have workmen from Thames Water supposedly coming between 8am and 1pm to repair our leak!
It has taken them from late February until early May to achieve this......!
It is a good job that we are not yet being charged for our water usage.
I dread to think what this wastage would have cost us!
We are at the ready, in case they come early...but of course it could well be 1 o'clock before they show their faces.....if indeed they turn up at all.......
I am sure that Misses O and L-B will do an excellent job of "minding" you, whilst your son and daughter-in-law are away next week!

Hello, Elle!
Turning into a lovely day here.
Hope the Thames Water lads turn up and do a good job.
I take it you will be keeping a sharp eye on them!
And they probably won't say "no" to a cuppa, either!
The young ones and me get on well, so we will be fine when Mum and Dad are away.
I have spare keys etc in case they get locked out!

Hi, Rusty!
Update.......two workmen are now here.....they arrived at 9.30.
Very pleasant young men, whom we are duly fortifying with drinks and biscuits.
A hole has been dug outside next to the water meter......
The only problem now is that they cannot trace the pipe....!
Oops!
Watch this space for further developments.........

Hello, Elle!
Well done on looking after your pleasant young men!
I am always on the side of the workers!
I am sure the pipe will turn up....hopefully!
I have just finished my puzzle.
I found it tough.
10a is a new word me, as was 1d, 3d.
The answer to 1a is hidden, thankfully, otherwise the clue is pretty meaningless to me.
I'm not very excited about today's puzzle, I'm afraid.
Anyway, time for my carrot soup!

Hi, Rusty!
Progress is painfully slow......
The poor guys have been wandering about with their tracking device, whilst the errant (leaking?) pipe has remained obstinately hidden.....
However, they have now discovered it.
So we shall see what happens next.....
I did not think the puzzle too bad?
I especially liked 1d!
HOUYHNHNMS are the intelligent talking horses from Gulliver's Travels.
I agree with you, though , about 1a.
"Hippos" is the hidden answer, but I do not know why?
Nor do I know why "lieu" meaning "place" is the answer to 19a?
And I couldn't do 27a: P?N?Y?A?F
Otherwise , all done and parsed.
Dog has taken a shine to one of the workmen!

Hello, Elle!
The lads will make progress now they have found the pipe!
Are they staying for tea?
1a is not a good clue, unless I am missing something.
I tried Gulliver's Travels yonks ago, but gave up on it.
Not for me!
Anne Bradford gave me the answer under "horse"!
I do not know the term in 27a, but it is found from the clue.
A "penny" can drop when you suddenly twig something.
And a clanger could be a "gaffe", or speaking, "gaff".
I have not looked up "penny gaff", but it fits and appears to be the answer going by the clue?