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A Very Good morning to you, Rusty!
A lovely day today - sunshine and blue skies.... a bit nippy though.
Good walking weather.
This week seems to have gone past very quickly - nearly weekend already!
We are having a family celebration for YB's birthday on Sunday.
On his actual birthday, he went, if you remember, for a ride on Thomas the Tank Engine.
There are various sites, hosting a "Thomas", all over the UK , but the nearest one to us is in Tenterden, Kent, which is about fifty miles away.
I think there is one up your way...in Angus.
I am going to make a start on The Times Monthly this morning!
It takes most of the month to solve.......but I do learn a lot, which is good.
What are you up to, today?

Good morning, Elle!
Fine slightly frosty morning here.
I have heard of Tenterden!
I don't know of any Thomas the Tank Engines in Angus, but there could well be.
Not something I'd be looking for, or aware of!
But there is/was a model railway (I think that's what it is called) at Arbroath, Angus, for many, many years.
I have not came across The Times Monthly.
Just finished my puzzle.
I did not know that particular meaning of 25a !
Nicola Benedetti is on the front page of my Times today.
She was at the Palace yesterday collecting her CBE.

Hi, Rusty!
I would not have know that there was a "Thomas" in Angus, either, had I not been looking up locations for my daughter!
But you never know, such information may well come in useful.......
One of your friends may perhaps want to take a grandchild to see "Thomas"!
If you are interested to take a look at The Times Monthly , will it not be accessible online for you?
A friend sends me my copy by email.
It does take me a long time to complete .......if indeed I do manage to finish it!
But there is a month in which to do it.
I am doing today's puzzle now...but haven't reached 25a yet ---- I like to work through systematically!
Nicola well deserves her CBE!

Hello, Elle!
It is a miniature railway at Arbroath, not a model railway.
I have found The Times Monthly puzzle and had a quick look.
5a is "blew it", is that the one you are on?
"Lew" (Grade) inside "bit".
I am going to watch Millionaire now!

Hi, Rusty!
I think I have made a reasonable stab at today's Cryptic......
I must be on the same wavelength as the setter!
I have "apostrophe" = address (def) for 25a - the clue that you mentioned.
I think it is a double definition.... a punctuation mark (possessive apostrophe); and also an oration / soliloquy given to a person or thing.
There is just one that I couldn't do
27a: Possible alternative to barrel bomb (4)
T?N?
Is it tank? But why?
Yes, you have found the (March) Times Monthly puzzle!
But ironically, the clue you have given is the easiest clue that I have so far come across in these monthly puzzles!
Take a look at some of the other clues, and tell me what you think?

Hello, Elle!
I liked Millionaire.
The two ladies did very well, I thought.
I think in 25, there is a ' in Bishop's, and the speech meaning which I never knew.
Quite a good clue.
An alternative to storing liquid in a barrel could be to store it in tank.
As a word for a "disaster", to "tank" and to "bomb" are similar meanings.
The reason I queried "blew it" was the date of 1/03/19.
I was not sure if that was the one you were doing.
It is a bit of a scutter looking for that particular puzzle again, Elle, so I shall not bother, if that is fine with you.
One puzzle a day is plenty for me.

Hi, Rusty!
Ah, I did not know that "tank" meant "disaster / bomb"
That is a new meaning for me!
All done and dusted now then!
No, there is no need for you to find The Times Monthly crossword again........I had just wondered what you thought of it.
As I said, the puzzle is hard work.....well, it is for me as it involves a lot of research
But I enjoy learning new facts, and find it rewarding.
Today seems to be racing by.....I am trying to sort out some local Council problems .....

Hello, Elle!
Been a fine afternoon here!
Possible snow at the weekend though.
Hope you sort the Council out!

Good evening, Rusty!
It is wet here......
Our glorious morning degenerated into heavy rain this afternoon!
I don't think, though, that we are forecast snow.
I wasn't very explicit.....
I am not trying to "sort out" the Council as such, but rather hoping that the Council can help solve a local problem!
I have contacted a senior official on behalf of some neighbours........and he seems likely to be of assistance.
It is looking promising......fingers crossed anyway!
I can but try!
We are going to have pancakes.... we didn't have any on Shrove Tuesday!

Hello, Elle!
Well done on helping your neighbour!
Quite heavy rain here.
I like pancakes, too.
I have been reading my book this evening.
Re-reading "A Walk in the Woods".
I like it!