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Hi, Rusty!
I am home from the vets.
The dog's tooth cavities have been deemed satisfactory, altho I think the only person who has really examined them is me!
My dog is getting a tad confused by the constant change of veterinary personnel, and wouldn't open her mouth to the unfamiliar vet whom we saw this morning!
However, I have been checking the empty sockets for the last few days, and am happy with them.
So I think all is well.
She finishes her course of antibiotics on Tuesday......but can stop taking the painkillers today.
How was the Pine Cone?
Did Miss O come with you?
Now to look at the crossword......

Hello, Elle!
That's good your dog is progressing well.
Only La Bamba and me at Pine Cone.
We had a good time.
Last weekend for two of today's girls at Pine Cone.
One is heading to Goldsmiths, London, to study music, and one is heading off to do pharmacy, not sure which uni, though. They are lovely friendly girls, and we shall miss them!
Miss O is off to a gala day or somesuch.
Good luck with the puzzle!

Good afternoon, Rusty!
I am glad that you both had a good time at the Pine Cone!
Yes, you will miss the present friendly staff, when they move on to continue with their studies....
But I am sure it will be interesting to meet their successors.
I have completed my crossword grid....
I think all my answers are correct, but I still have a few parses to do.
I shall set it aside for now......inspiration may strike later!
My favourites are 27a: Islamabad; 3d: eland; and 5d: Peter Principle
Time now for a coffee and a chocolate muffin!

Hello, Elle!
Pine Cone have excellent staff.
All youngsters at the weekend.
I'm sure the new ones will be every bit as good after a week or two.
Took me ages to parse "eland", and a minute or two to see "mastiff"!
I liked "fundament", "Islamabad", and "emigrant".
It's a fine afternoon, here.

Hi, Rusty!
Now I saw "eland" straightway........but still haven't got the parsing for "mastiff"?
Yes, "fundament " and "emigrant" are good ones, too.
What about 13a: diacritical? How is that parsed, please?
And I have just noticed that I have a clue unfinished.....
7d: Reduced charge for Bengali's family (5)
I?D?C
The only word I can think of to fit is "iodic", which means "containing iodine", but this does not seem to make any sense?
Have I gone wrong somewhere?
I should appreciate some help, please.
I am just going out for a short time (too hot to go far) with the dog.......

Hello, Elle!
Fine weather here!
Now, "mastiff". A student can get a "MA", with "stiff", slang for body.
"diacritical" is, "lend a hand" is "aid" turned, "critical" is "key".
The other one is "Indic", "indic(t)", reduced.
"Indic" is to do with Indian languages, perhaps?
A walk sound a good idea!

Good evening, Rusty!
Ah, yes, I can now understand the parsing for "mastiff" and "diacritical"....
I should have got those!
But I didn't see "indict" for "charge"......and have never come across "Indic".
Thank you very much for your help.
It is uncomfortably hot out.......rather like a heavy blanket being thrown over you, when walking out the door!
Not really a day for walking.
My daughter has just phoned, so we have had a nice chat........

Good evening, Elle!
The parsing for "mastiff" and "diacritical" were fairly straightforward, though "diacritical" is a new word to me.
I think I may have came across "Indic" before.
The Indian languages rang a bell.
Been quite a few new words this week!
We are doing well!
It is a fine evening here.
"Millionaire" is on later. I am recording it.

Hi, Rusty!
I have my recorder set for "Casualty", which is on at exactly the same time as "Who Wants to be a Millionaire".
I always record a programme that I especially want to see, even if watching it at the same time, as almost inevitably someone will phone me in the middle!
So if I want to watch "Millionaire", I shall have to view it this evening at its scheduled time.
I shall give it a go, I think......
I always like trying to answer quiz questions!

Update, Rusty!
Well, I watched "Millionaire".......
I won't comment, as you will be watching it yourself sometime later.
Did you know that "BGT: The Champions" starts next Saturday?
It is definitely time for a coffee....