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Good morning, Pigale!
Hope your weather is fine?
I am thinking of investing in a new dictionary.
My Chambers is falling to bits.
I am a bit miffed with Chambers not replying to any of its disappointed customers (usually a loyal band!) when it was discovered a section was missing from the new edition.
Pondering jumping ship to Collins.
Not sure how it would compare to Chambers though?

Hi, Rusty!
Well, you know me and Geography.....!
How was I to know where Donegal is?
You talk of friends in Belfast so I assumed - in my abysmal ignorance (yes, I'll admit to it!) that Donegal and Belfast were near to each other , and both in Northern Ireland.
I didn't realise that Donegal is in the Republic. Having just looked it up, I see too that they are on opposite coastlines.
(Do you know Dundalk? - my friend Pat comes from there)
Apologies........but you should know by now that I'll not know where anywhere is unless you tell me outright!!! (I need all the i's dotting and the t's crossed!)
I've just read what you've put about possibly changing dictionary makes......I did have a Collins ( it's temporarily vanished) and I also have an Oxford - but neither are as good as the Chambers from a Crossword solving point of view - although I guess perfectly adequate for most other reference needs.
That is why I decided to buy the ill-fated 13th edition of Chambers when I did. I grew tired of being told that the answer to whatever I'd asked was in Chambers!
So if I were you, I'd stick to Chambers!

Hi Rusty,

greyish and about 9C here - a nonentity day ! neither raining nor pleasant.

I quite like Collins but am not sure how it would compare with the Chambers you are so used to -

What I do know is that there is no better bilingual dictionary than the 'Robert-Collins' .


Elle, I did not look specifically for the Crossword editor - did not even think he might be a different person from the general editor !
but if you tell me how to mail this Mr Rogan, I thought I might write myself, pointing out that I enjoy the Times Xwords but, being French, I know nothing of, say, Cockney Rhyming Slang or specific areas of London area.

Hello, Elle!
Relax! I am not nipping your head about Donegal.
I have as many family and friends in and around Belfast and Norn Iron, as I do in Donegal. One big happy family.
I know of Dundalk but have never been there. There is a fairly new racecourse there.
I think you are right about Chambers. I should stick to that, but I am irked with whoever owns Chambers for their attitude to customers.
They should remember there once was a Woolworths on every High Street but we are now managing away fine without them!
I may go for a 12th Edition on Amazon. Must have a wee look.

Hi, Rusty!
I have had an automated reply from The Times about my email...seemingly I must have sent this to the wrong department, as they now want my full name and address in order to print the letter in the newspaper!
I only want to express my views (privately) to Mr Rogan, not to have a letter published in The Times!
And I'd hoped for a response from him, too!
I have emailed back asking to where I SHOULD have sent the email, in order to have direct communication......
(But I am already thinking shades of communication with Chambers here.......I never got any direct response from them either , did I?! )
Well, you cannot say that I didn't try.......

Same here Elle ! but I still reckon the letter(s) will be read - so the more letters they receive the better ...I suppose ???

Elle,
You are doing splendidly!
Your endeavour should be recognised in the New Year's Honours List.
There is somone (a lady, but I forget her name) who has a column on a Saturday, who often mentions folk writing in about various things, including the crossword, and the Times take on their comments.
Well, with Pigale, Malone, and me, as examples, it would appear there may be many who are not quite on the same wave length as Mr Rogan.
It is excellent that you are bringing it to his attention!

Yes, Rusty, if Mr. Rogan ever gets to see my letter!
We shall see.......
I haven't heard back from my daughter - I am wondering if she has managed to contact that school to see if we can pay a further visit........
I'm on a roll here........let's take on the World while I'm at it!
Our beautiful day degenerated into a dull, and even colder, afternoon! Nowhere near as nice out as it was this morning!
And now beginning to go dark already.
I might knuckle down and do a few belated jobs .......the dog hairs need hoovering up........housework is something I usually do early morning.......today has gone pear-shaped!

Hello, Elle!
Yes, I was wondering if your daughter had contacted school 1.
I think Desmond has arrived here.
Wind is rising and restrictions are in place on Road Bridge.
Which is better than Forth Bridge which is closed until after the New Year!
Saturday tomorrow, my favourite day!

Hello, Elle!
I have ordered a Chambers!
I ordered an 11th edition from Amazon/World of Books.
I read reviews on the 12th and one said lists had been removed (editorial decision) and there was more info in the 11th.
It is in "very good" condition and cost just over £10 plus p&p.
And I still have money left in my gift card balance!