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Hi, Rusty!
I couldn't see "penny gaff", but you have explained it very clearly.
Thank you for that.
Chambers says that is a "low -class theatre", so yes, that fits fine with the clue.
I saw "hippo" hidden in the clue for 1a, but still cannot understand why?
We must be missing something known to the setter, but not to us?
The workmen have now finished ...so no, not staying for tea!
They have replaced the part of the pipe that was leaking.
The big holes will remain until different workmen come to "make good " the ground!
I am assured all be replaced as they found it.
When, though, remains to be seen......
We shall receive a phone call.....!
(Let us hope it is not in a further three months!)
The guys today, though, have been brilliant....very nice and friendly, and very hard working.
Good for them!

Hello, Elle!
"Penny gaff" is not a term I know, seems to rank with "flea pit"?
Anne B has "pennygaff" (one word) under "theatre".
I have gone back to "hippo"!
Chambers tells us that "township" is used in South Africa for a settlement of poor black people.
And I suppose a "hippo" is more likely to be found in Africa, (I do not know about South Africa) than anywhere else, so I grudgingly give the setter his "hippo", along with the admonition "must try harder!"
Well done, your lads!
They appear fine young men.
Are the holes safe? Could passers by fall in one?
If so, alert the council!

Hi, Rusty!
Ah, now I have heard of "flea pit" for a cinema........
Although not as a verminous building as given by Chambers - apparently most commonly infested by rats - but rather used as a term of affection for our local cinema, when I was but a child!
We used to go to watch cartoons there sometimes, on Saturday mornings!
Yes, the holes are quite safe!
The one out on the street is barricaded by official Thames Water barriers...... and I understand that someone is coming within three days to fix that.
The others are on our own property........ but confined within two gates, so we are quite safe!
I think a strong coffee is in order after all this stress.......

Hello, Elle!
I remember as a wee boy going to the local cinema and the usherette had a large spray tin which she scooted us with.
Must have have been disinfectant or something?
Well you have your leak fixed that's the main thing.
And you met two fine young men, so that's a bonus!
Were they glad of the tea and biscuits?
I always go out of my way to keep the tradesmen happy.
I have two sons who are tradesmen and I would like to think they were offered a cup of tea and a couple of biscuits when working on someone's property.
They told me the wealthy folk and the poorer folk always made coffee and a bite to eat.
It was the ones in the middle class who were miserable and gave them nothing.
It is a lovely afternoon here!

Good evening, Rusty!
We have had a lovely day here , too, although most of our day has gone in tending to the workmen.......cups of tea, cold drinks, biscuits...... and clearing up all the mud afterwards!
We are at least fortunate that the worst of the mess is at present behind closed gates!
The dog has had no walk today, but she seems to have had fun playing "foreman"!
We have since cut the grass and done some gardening...... all is looking good!
I am now about to get dinner.
It doesn't feel like weekend tomorrow?

Good morning. Elle!
Fine day here!
You will be pleased to get "the leak" fixed at any rate, that's the main thing.
Will you and your husband manage to clean up the mess?
Pity it was not Bob-a-Job week!
I have a couple of wee tasks to do today.
And going out with Miss La Bamba tomorrow.
So, a quietish weekend ahead, I think!

Good morning, Rusty!
Dull and cool today...no sunshine!
We are forecast rain this afternoon.
We are just home from our walk.
No workmen have come to repair the front street pavement as yet!
You were asking about the general clearing up....
Fortunately, this is something undertaken by Thames Water.
They are required to "make good" any land that they have had to dig up.
In our case, this constitutes a path between our house and the next.
The path belongs to us, not the Council.
So (different) workmen will come to restore the path to its former state of glory.
I hadn't realised that " Bob-a-Job" week had been reinstated?
I think that is an excellent thing.
It teaches the young Scouts responsibility and is a help to any householder wanting a small job done,
I wonder what the "going rate" is these days?

Hello, Elle!
Superb weather here.
Now, I do not know if Bob-a-Job is still on the go!
Or if the Scouting movement still exists, even.
I do not know any scouts.
I have done the puzzle.
Took ages to parse 11a, but that was because I entered the wrong answer!
All done now!

I may be wrong but I believe that Bob-a-job week was stopped 'for safety reasons'. I don't know if this was prompted by parents or the Scouting movement.

Hi, Rusty!
The Scouting movement is still going strong, Rusty!
I have grandsons in Scouts, Cubs and Beavers!
All having a great time!
I shall enquire from them as to whether " Bob - a - Job" still exists in some form or other.
It did become defunct at one stage about twenty years back.
I know there have been corporate efforts, in recent years, when the Scouts have worked together on various Community projects.
But I do not know whether this is a regular occurrence?
I have nearly finished the crossword! Still a few to go.......



Hello, Kenyatta.
You are quite right in saying that Bob- a-job week was stopped - about 20 years ago now - for health and safety reasons.
But the concept has since been revived on a number of occasions, a few years back, when the Scouts have been involved in Community work to help with various projects.
But I do not know if this is still ongoing?