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Hello, Malone!
Just doing my wee bit to help Norah and the Forum!
Thank you!

Rusty, I always sigh when I see the rubbish creeping back in, but at least it's far less than it used to be and it doesn't get to stay, thank goodness!

Elle, I'm a bit like Rusty with the technical stuff, the conventions, in crosswords. Some of it, some of the terms, I don't even understand, so I tend to ignore most of it. I did see what you meant about yesterday's 'crazier/dottier' answer. On the Times website, where the puzzles are blogged and discussed, it said something like 'a rare example of the 'literal' being in the middle'. That seems to resonate with what you said.

Hello, Malone!
The spam is not nearly so much as it used to be, thank goodness!

Good morning, Rusty!
It is a beautiful morning here - bright blue sky and sunshine!
It is even a tad warmer than yesterday...or maybe I am just getting acclimatised!
I hope you have the same?
Hey, that is a really great reference that you sent me about solving Cryptic puzzles!
Thank you so much for taking the time and the trouble to suss out the book for me.
I have already ordered it!!!
It should hopefully be with me between Saturday and next Wednesday!
I feel that this cryptic puzzle malarkey is a "craft" that I need to learn!
A challenge that I need to meet!
(I may well fall at the first fence....)
I basically have a free day today....
What are you up to?




Hello, Malone.
Thank you for the endorsement re "crazier."
I am of the school of thought that a Cryptic crossword is not "completed" unless it is fully parsed!
Currently, I am struggling over many different types of clues.......like that "reverse anagram" clue last week, that I simply could not grasp
I think it is time I tried to learn the "science" behind it all!

Good morning, Elle!
Beautiful morning here.
Blue sky and thick white frost!
And it is cold!
There is a piece on Sky News about the flooding in Venice and photos of the portable pavements or walkways.
I wonder if the rising water is the reason Rondo Veneziano's CD is called "Venice in Peril"?
I'll have to see if I can find out.
Well done on your book!
There were quite a few on cryptic puzzles.
And you dodged "Cryptic Crossword Puzzles for Dummies"!
I can see you becoming the "go-to gal" on the forum!
I was out earlier and no particular plans today other than to be here for my grandson calling when he finishes work.

I received a fake ( scam ) email from Amazon today regarding "my account" and Pay Pal inviting me to "click on link" to confirm something or other. I have blocked and deleted .
I am neither a customer of Amazon nor Pay Pal !

Hello, Cerasus!
I have had three scam emails lately, two from BT, and one from Royal Bank of Scotland, supposedly.
Don't click on any "links" whatever you do.
If you are not sure if they are genuine or not, contact Amazon or PayPal through your own account and they will tell you if they are genuine or not.
Hope this does not sound like a lecture!

Sorry, Cerasus!
Just noticed you are not a customer of Amazon or PayPal!
Anyways, do not click on link, and delete, would be my advice.

Hello Rusty
Amazon are aware and have asked anyone receiving phishing emails to report to them. I never click on links .
You are not lecturing at all - safety and awareness is paramount .

Hi, Rusty!
I think your son and daughter- in -law were very lucky in the timing of their visit to Venice.
They fortunately made it home again before the flooding there really took a hold.
I don't know the story behind the CD you mention?
Could that be a parallel to the situation in Venice?
Yes, I am pleased about my prospective book....£5-09 , brand new, and free postage.
Not a bad deal?
I have done all bar two clues of today's puzzle...I found it easier than yesterday?
What did you think?