Crossword Help Forum
Forum Rules

Good evening, Elle!
Yes, the circumstances in NI were different.
Though, I only have a vaguish notion of what goes on over there in education. I am told the children attending Catholic schools do much better than the young ones going to non Catholic schools. Why? I really do not know. Odd!
Abigail is here.
I stopped my son from visiting me this night. Just too wild outside. Same in Norn Iron and Donegal, I am told.
Let us hope it blows out overnight!

Hi again elle
One year we went in just as the Photography Exhibition was closing one day and bought tickets for early the next. We were thus able to waltz past the queues at the main entrance, and the secondary queue for tickets for the exhibition (a bit of a pain to have to pay to get in, but well worth it.)

Hi, Rusty!
Goodness, the winds must be very strong indeed if you stopped your son from coming, as both sons live quite near to you, don't they?
So not a long way for either to travel to visit you.......
Is someone out there "taking the mickey" calling the hurricane
'A big gail' ?

Now, I have a crossword clue for you from today's Times QC........
Clears play - act broadcast in London Area (7,6)
(The answer is somewhere that I have told you about!)

Have you seen the dinosaurs there, elle?

I have, and I've just been reading about them in a Stephen Jay Gould essay. The Iguanodon is mistakenly made on four legs (it was bipedal). A banquet was held in its partially completed body, apparently.

Hello, Chris!
We often have to pay for special exhibitions, even though entrance to the Art Galleries and Museums themselves is free.
Paying in advance was a good idea as it saved you from queueing. Often it is possible to book ahead online, too.
One advantage of being over '60' is that we get a reduction in the fee!

Our posts crossed, Chris!
Yes, I have seen the dinosaurs at NHM, but a very long time ago now! It's but a distant memory!
Have you seen the dinosaurs at Crystal Palace Park? As you used to live in Dog Kennel Hill, I strongly suspect that you might have done?
They were the first dinosaur sculptures in the world, pre-dating, by six years, the publication of Charles Darwin's " On the Origin of the Species."
The models were first classed as Grade II listed buildings from 1973, extensively restored in 2002, and then upgraded to Grade I listed buildings in 2007.

Those were the ones I was referring to, elle (solution to your clue).

Sorry, Chris! as you were just talking about the Wildlife photography exhibition at the NHM, I thought you meant the dinosaurs there! Confusing!

The Crystal Palace dinosaurs were based on the reconstructions of Richard Owen, who I think was Head of the NHM at the time. He was recognised as a great anatomist, but was very anti-Darwin.

The bust at the top of the main staircase at the NHM is alternated between Owen and Darwin!

Hey, Rusty!
You okay? You've gone very quiet!
What is Abigail doing???