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Good morning, Elle!
Lovely morning here!
That sounds like a fine outing you have planned for Sunday!
Did you treat your good self to an Easter egg, too?
I am awaiting La Bamba.
She is bringing her bike for me to fix (hopefully!).
I have finished my puzzle and have a couple of parses to nail, but I'll say this.
It was a smashing puzzle today and I really like this setter, whoever he/she is!
I shall await your comments on it later today, if you tackle it.
Mind you, in this weather, we should all be outside!

Good morning, Rusty!
It is a glorious day here, too!
It was quite chilly when I first went out...but is now warming up very quickly.
Do you know what needs doing to Miss L-B's bike?
But you are good at fixing bikes... you did your own not all that long ago.
I am sure you will soon have Miss La Bamba's bike as right as rain!
Are you both heading out to the Pine Cone afterwards?
I am just about to print out the crossword.......
I usually (hopefully) find the Saturday puzzle an easier one than those offered during the week.

Hello, Elle!
I've fixed the young one's bike.
She said her front wheel was making a noise.
So, I replaced and greased the ball bearings in the hub and it is going like a well-oiled clock now, and no noise!
I was rewarded with a smacker on the cheek!
No Pine Cone this weekend.
Good luck with your puzzle.
I enjoyed it. Some smashing clues!

Hi, Rusty!
Hey, well done!
And now that you have overhauled her bike, you know that your granddaughter will be safe, too, when riding it.
You deserved your kiss!
We are getting a tad carried away with the advent of Summer.......
We have painted (stained) the shed, the garden gate, and part (so far) of the fence.
I am thinking the bench seat should also be done, if we have enough stain left.
It is all looking good....mid oak colour, virtually what it was originally.
I am pleased with the outcome!
Yes, I finished the puzzle - a good one......I specially liked: palanquin; aphasia; "into the bargain" ; and "Heisenberg"
There are a few clues I still haven't fully parsed, but it is too early yet to ask for help!

Hello, Elle!
It's great weather here.
Yes, I was pleased to help out La Bamba!
You appear to have had a busy morning!
Some fine clues today!
I liked your choice, and 20a (my favourite!),16d, and 6a.
Och, you have all day to parse them.
I think it is the best Times puzzle in a good while.
I enjoyed it!

Hi, Rusty!
It is scorching here!
I am now back indoors, as it becoming too hot for me in the garden.
Who would have thought we would have this extreme heat on top of the recent cold spell?
Now, the crossword, please.....
I have "Ella Fitzgerald" for 20a?
I can see "el" and "la" for the Spanish articles......and F. Scott Fitzgerald for the American writer....
But I do not understand the definition...which is presumably "scatter", as that is all that is left?
Am I being obtuse , here?
Perhaps I need a strong coffee?

That's a clever clue, elle - one of the styles in which Ella sang was "scat"!

Hello, Elle!
It is very warm here, too, 19C.
It was frosty here last week!
Some change.
Just had a text from La Bamba saying she has been out on her bike and it is running much better.
Very pleased to hear that.
20a, was my very favourite clue today, Elle.
Fitzgerald sang "scat", so was a "scatter".
Scat is another name for jazz.
I can't stand jazz, but the lady had an excellent voice, I think.
No, you are not being obtuse at all.
It took me a while to twig it.
Much head scratching going on!
What did you think of the puzzle today?
And you have mentioned coffee.
Have you ever had Coffeemate, and what do you reckon?

Update, Elle!
Here's a clip of the "scatter"!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbL9vr4Q2LU

Hi, Rusty!
Ah, I am glad that Miss L-B is pleased with her bike's performance.
Scat"/"scatter" are new terms for me......
I did look up "scatter" in Chambers...to no avail .....but did not look up "scat", as I did not know then that such a word existed!
I have now looked it up, though, and Chambers tells that "scat" is
"the use of nonsense syllables and other wordless effects in singing"
I think Ella Fitzgerald had a great voice...and I do like some jazz...but definitely not "scat", if your clip is anything to go by?
I am glad that I now know what "scat" is....but it did nothing for me at all!
Yes, I liked today's puzzle, but it was a bit harder than the usual Saturday one, did you not think?
I don't know "coffeemate", Rusty?
Is it something that you add to coffee... a milk or creamer?
I don't add either of those to my coffee......I drink it black!
No sugar!



Hello, Chris !
Another term with which I was unfamiliar!