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Good Evening Elle, Rusty and everyone!

I have come home a couple of hours ago - Good to be home!

This time they put 2 stents in the second collapsed artery, and discovered a third one that needed treating - so back to Orleans I
shall go on the 5th December!
It was rather painful this time as the Doctor was what seemed ages
rummaging inside the artery, but he got the job done so the
discomfort was worth it I suppose!

They also decided that my hemoglobins (red blood cells) had gone
drastically low in the space of a month, so I was treated to two
blood transfusions 300ml packs.
About 20 or 30 years ago, I would probably have refused, but
the blood is so well checked and double-checked nowadays that
I did not mind - and anyway, I desperately need the blood, or so
it seems.

So, now we'll see - all this was very tiring and I am supposed to
rest - which is what I did most of the time there. But perhaps
all this fresh blood might cure this chronic anemia with which I
have been battling over the past few years!

How has life been treating you?

Hi, Rusty!
I am definitely with you in not liking the new system......especially as my counting would appear to be at fault!
I wonder do we get banned if we fail more than three times per session?
Ah well, we shall see........maybe it will get easier.....
I have been out for a walk this afternoon.
I found myself counting traffic lights and zebra crossings........chimney pots proving too much!
How did you like today's crossword?
I thought it somewhat reasonable, even though I still have three clues to do!



Hello, Pigale!
I am delighted to hear that you are home again!
And that all went well!
I am sorry to hear that you need to go back yet again, though, to have another stent fitted, but at least the doctors have found the problem and will deal with it.
And your blood transfusions should set your haemoglobin back on track.
You have been having a lot to contend with, just recently.
Rest now, and do exactly what you have been instructed by the doctor!

Hi pigale
Pleased to hear that you are progressing!

Good evening, Pigale!
Welcome back!
Good to here everything went well.
You appear to be getting excellent care!
Rest is best!

Good evening, Elle!
No, I do not like the robot, too.
It is a blasted nuisance trying to post using my tablet, but my Chromebook is fine.
Not seen the chimney pots.
And spam is still getting through.
And very few new threads today.
So, there will be fewer posts from me as it is too much of a palaver using my tablet, or phone.
I do not see it as a step forward.
Yes, the puzzle was a good one, though I did it this morning and have forgotten it!

Hi, Rusty!
I am thinking that there may be people other than yourself experiencing problems, posting under this new system, with their different individual appliances?
This may well be why there are so few posts today?
Do you not think it would be a good idea if you were to email Norah and tell her of your own difficulties?
It might well help you..... and also aid other people?
There may some adjustment that Ash can do?
He will certainly not want to loss "custom" on the Forum because of these problems.
Now.....if I post the clues, do you think you can help me with my remaining two clues, please?
23a: Short poem, as exercise (8)
?U?T?A?N
18d: Holed by count, stag goes wild (7)
M?D?E?S
I am completely stuck!

18 MADDENS
ADD (count) in STAG (men's)

23 QUATRAIN
QUA - as
TRAIN - exercise

QUATRAIN - stanza of 4 lines

qua train

Hello, Elle!
I am wondering if the browser makes a difference?
I have had no traffic lights on my Chromebook, using Chrome.
But my 'phone and tablet run on the Brave browser and they get traffic lights etc every time.
No, I'll leave Norah in peace, I emailed her this morning, so that will do.
I noticed you had answers for your clues but I did not read them.
So....
23a, The poem is a "qua train".
Train is exercise, no idea about "qua", but Anne Bradford has it under "as".
Collins has "quatrain" as a poem with only four lines to it.
18d Count is "add", surrounded by "mens/stag".
Maddens.
I see we have "harsh" in the puzzle today!