Never a Crossword

Mr D greeted me with a huge smile and welcomed me indoors. He was so pleased that after some confusion about dates, that I had still been able to make the visit. He said how much a difference my visits make to him as he doesn't get out much, and he enjoys our chats. I was really touched by his genuine pleasure.

He offered me a cuppa and we were soon sat down comfortably for a good chat. He had restarted the picture he was doing on my last visit as he wasn't happy with the proportions, and it was nice to see how this one was progressing. He was also starting on a picture of his daughter and her granddaughter - using a photograph he had saved especially.

He then went on to tell me about the latest translation work he has been asked to do. This time translating a rather complex article about how plastics are recycled or repurposed. He said that it was taking him some time as it was beyond his field of technical knowledge and was having to find out the Russian for some complex terminology. But, as he told me, it keeps him out of mischief, and provides him with some extra pocket money. I just hope I am half as astute by the time I'm in my 90s!

And then to test out exactly how brainy or not I am he got out the current crossword that he is working on. He and his son download the same Quiptic Crossword from the Guardian and each work on it during the day - catching up by phone in the evening to see if they have managed to solve any clues. And my goodness the clues are hard! I didn't want to spend the rest of the visit silently struggling of the two remaining clues, but there was one that I kept coming back to every now and again as I was sure it was more obvious than it looked.

We continued talking about family arrangements for Christmas Day. Mr D is looking forward to his son and daughter coming over with their partners and cooking Christmas lunch. He's been told he will be able to put his feet up while they do all the preparations etc.; he is really looking forward to seeing them. I told him about my plans for Christmas Day too - but that I'd be the one in charge in the kitchen so there was little chance of me putting my feet up. As I started telling him about going to midnight mass the answer to 4 down came into my head. YNS were the letters he already had in the puzzle and the clue was "Composer - that's him speaking back in a way"... HYMNIST I almost shouted! Mr D thought I was still talking about church, but soon realised that I had indeed found the answer to the clue (after checking that this was an actual word and not one that I had just made up). He is looking forward to telling his son that I managed to solve a clue this week. Now I just need to find the answer to the last clue and maybe text him later. Any help gratefully received NLRD and the clue is "Rudolph could be thus described".

I couldn't believe how fast the time went by, and I could have sat there all morning chatting. But it was soon time for me to be on my way. Looking forward to catching up with him in the New Year (and to solving the puzzle).