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Good morning, Elle!
Looks dry outside!
Let's hope your plumber is a good tradesman.
How did you find him?
My youngest son is a plumber, though it is mainly installations he does, like central heating etc.
I am heading out soon.
Heading to ASDA and my favourite butcher's.
And Screwfix for lightbulbs!
So, in the words of the great Hank Williams,
"Goodbye Joe, me gotta go, me oh, my oh!"
Only I'll leave the pirogue at home and take the car!

Good morning, Rusty!
We are just back from the Crematorium, having taken the wreath.
It is very wet here....we could probably have used the pirogue!
(Did you buy a crawfish pie at Asda?)
We got the name of the plumber from the Metro.
I have checked the firm out online and it looks credible....we shall just hope for the best.
The guy is coming at midday.
I have at last heard from The Times.... not from Rose, but from Mr R himself.
He very handsomely offers an apology for the error in the clue.......

" Dear Ms ------
Thank you for comment on puzzle No 27218
Indeed you are correct that Bolton is but a town still.
Sometimes we err on the side of grandeur, in particular in relation to place names in the US, where everywhere appears to be a city.
However, I offer no excuse for slipping up here!
Regards
Richard Rogan
Crossword Editor"

That was very nice of him to reply in person, wasn't it?
I wonder if Rose will comment , too?

Wow, elle, that is a handsome apology. Good for him, and you for eliciting it.

Hello, Elle!
It is fine weather here. Quite mild, in fact.
I gave the crawfish pie a miss at ASDA, but bought some of their excellent mini pork pies!
And I bought a steak pie at the butcher, and a curried pie for my tea.
I noticed on my till receipt that the butcher has been in business since 1875.
A long time!
Hope the plumber sorts out the leak.
Well done, to Mr Rogan.
It was very nice of him to reply and offer an apology to you.
Fair play to the man!
Well, Rose knows, as she passed your email on to Mr R.
There was nothing about it in her column last week, so perhaps tomorrow?
She maybe waited to hear Mr R's opinion before responding?
That would be sensible, I think.
I'll let you know if there is anything in her column tomorrow!

Hi, Rusty!
I like the Melton Mowbray mini pork pies!
Speaking of which, I am feeling a tad peckish...
I might have some soup for lunch when I have written this.....
I have got about half way with today's puzzle in between doing numerous other things.
It seems, so far, a good puzzle.....with some nice parses?
Have you finished yours?
Yes, let me know if Rose mentions the subject in her column.
No sign yet of the plumber ...and noon has just passed.....
Let us hope he is just a little late....


Hello, Ros!
Yes, that was a nice gesture of Mr Rogan's.
I have written to thank him for his response....and have wished him a happy Christmas!

Hello, Elle!
I don't know if ASDA's pork pies are from Melton Mowbray, but they are very tasty.
Yes, I have just finished my puzzle.
There are a couple where I am not on the same wave length as the setter (what's new, says you!).
But it is a good one.
I was held up on the song, believe it or not, and the football team, but got there eventually.
I am not sure if you will know the team, as they are not a British side?
I fully expect Rose to mention the clue, and I think there may have been a few folk writing in about it.
I shall certainly let you know what Rose says about it.
Almost certainly something humorous, as is her style!
Hope your plumber turns up.
Could be held up on another job, possibly.

Good afternoon, Rusty!
The plumber arrived at 12.40 pm., just after I last spoke to you.......and has only just left!
It was quite a big job, necessitating removing the toilet in order to access and replace several leaky pipes.
We are informed that, if possible, it would be better not to use the now re - placed toilet until tomorrow....
It is a good job that we have two bathrooms!
I am well impressed with the work done, and the friendly and pleasant manner of the workman.
A really nice man.
We should be happy to use him again...although hoping that there are no more emergencies!
And will recommend him to our neighbours.
I have finished my crossword - in between supplying the plumber with coffees!
I was okay with "Auld Lang Syne" .
We always used to sing it every New Year at the end of the church socials when I was "nobbut a lass" in Bolton!

Glad the plumber's been and was OK, elle.
I started to make the gingerbread for the house and guess what I just had to go out for??

Er…...ginger, Ros?

Yep!! Am sure I bought some along with the mixed spice, but couldn't find it! Not even in the fridge