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Hello, Elle!
Oh, you have new boots?
I am very reluctant to give up good shoes.
I have a pair of Nike trail shoes that are falling to bits, (more glue than anything else holding them together) but I won't give them up.
They are now my "cemetery going" shoes.
But the Nikes are the best walking shoes I have ever had.
It was me who mentioned skorts, do not you remember?
Now, I dislike words with "ista" on the end of them.
Very much of a "Oh amn't I the clever one using words like this" tone about them.
There is a new ALDI store being built close to ASDA and they are doing the ground works now, and an upgraded road leading to it.
That was my two sites.
Some great machines doing the digging.
I was impressed!
Yes, we plan to go to the new restaurant on Friday to try it out.

Hi, Rusty!
Yes, comfortable walking boots are important -- I probably wear my Nubucks for a longer period each day than I do any other pair of dressier shoes/ boots!
Of course I remember that it was you who introduced the topic of ladies' golfing fashions yesterday!
I was just making sure that you recalled it as coming from you, and not from me or Pigale!
We have an Aldi.....I may have told you?
It does have some good "bargains", but I do not much like going there.....
I prefer Sainsburys.
I wonder will your Asda lose business when the new Aldi opens so close by?
But as a customer, you may benefit....prices may drop in competition?
I hope you like the new restaurant when you try it out on Friday.
It will be handy, at least, if it is close by..... and near enough to walk there?

Hello, Elle!
It was definitely me who broached the subject of the ladies clothes on the US Tour.
There is an ALDI about two miles from me but I have not been in it, or any ALDI store.
I have an ALDI kagoul though (from their outlet on eBay), and it is very good.
Well made, several pockets with fine strong zips, was cheap, and has proved excellent value.
One of my daughters-in-law does as much of her weekly shopping there, as she can.
My ASDA has objected to ALDI opening, in the same way that TESCO objected to ASDA opening here.
I do not think ASDA will lose out.
But, we shall see!
Hope the restaurant is OK.
We will see what the weather is like before we decide to walk.

Hi, Rusty!
I have been doing today's crossword in stages....
I got off to a good start this morning......then hit a blank spell, so put it aside.........and finally came back to the puzzle later, and have just finished it.
And hey, I managed to do the cricket clue at 22d.
I knew W. G. Grace!
How about that?
But 10a has me stumped?
American author, Tolstoy's hero (5)
L?V?N
Can it be "Levin"? A character in "Anna Karenina"?
But what has "American author" to do with it?
Am I being obtuse here?

Hello, Elle,
Well done on your puzzle!
I do mine in fits and starts, too!
I knew W.G., too!
I do not know the "Anna Karenina" story.
I recognise the title but that's all.
But, a lad called Ira Levin wrote "The Boys From Brazil" and he was American, so I would stick with Levin, if I were you.
You are not being obtuse at all.
We all know different things and what is an easy clue to one person is a toughie to another, and vice versa.
It is quite mild here.

Hi, Rusty!
Ah, thank you, it is good to have that solved!
I did not expect "Levin" to be an American name.
On the contrary, it is feeling a tad chilly here...and still very wet out.....
According to our local forecast - which had today completely wrong! - tomorrow will be cooler, but sunny.
Here's hoping!
My friend is driving up from Benfleet (Essex) tomorrow, and we are going out for lunch!

Hello, Elle!
Yes, it's good to have the puzzle solved!
American surnames come from all over the world, I suppose.
Wonder how many nationalities have passed through Ellis Island in its day?
I hope tomorrow is dry, for I plan to visit the cemetery.
We have a "wind warning", think it's on Friday, though.
I think you have mentioned your Benfleet friend before.

Good morning, Rusty!
We have swung to the other extreme and now have a glorious day here!
Bright blue sky and sunshine....but a tad colder, and with a very boisterous wind!
A very enjoyable brisk and invigorating walk.
Yes, you will have heard of my friend from Essex...she used to live nearby, but moved to be nearer to her elder son and family, because of impending "old age".
(Perish the thought!)
She drives up to London most Thursdays so that we can still go out to lunch!
She will come and pick me up about 11am.
How about you?
Any plans for the day?

Good afternoon, Elle!
Fine day here and mild, too!
Hope you have had a nice lunch.
A busyish day for me.
Been to cemetery, and got door keys cut, and dropped books off at PDSA, among other tasks.
All go, today!

Hi, Rusty!
Yes, I had a very nice lunch, thank you!
I went to the local Toby Carvery with my husband!
My friend had phoned to say that because of the high winds, the Queen Elizabeth Bridge, at Dartford, was closed .
So the Dartford Tunnel was taking one lane of traffic from both directions, both north and south........with resulting tailbacks, and long delays, for miles!
She endeavoured to get to the Blackwall Tunnel , instead, to cross the river....but the roads were jammed......
So she gave up and went back home again........
My husband very kindly rose to the occasion..... and bore me off to lunch, instead!
We had a nice time!
Still a beautiful day here.....and locally the strong winds are abating now.