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Hi, Rusty!
I think Summer is here and has bypassed Spring!
I'm not clear about how this wild card whatsit works?
Is it awarded to someone who is a "favourite", but whose current 'ranking' doesn't merit entry.........say, someone who has been way from the sport (like Maria) ?
Illness yes, I could understand that deserving a wild card ....but I do NOT think that having been banned for drugs, Maria deserves to be given a wild card back into the tennis world.
She needs to work up again to getting the standard qualifications necessary for admittance to a tournament.
No "easy" route should be allowed!
These female cyclists are really coming up trumps and showing guts!
Good for Emma in her fight against BC!
I have heard vaguely the expression about a fish rotting from the head down....
Basically, I think it means it means that if an organisation fails, the man at the top is to blame?
I am well ahead of my game today! All Cleaning and washing is done and dealt with.....
And I have finished both the Times QC and the 15 x15!
I couldn't do 12a and 19a in the latter?
and especially liked 8d; 17d; and 20d!
I shall say no more at this stage, in case you haven't done yours yet.

Hello, Elle,
That's my painter just away.
He'll be back tomorrow.
I have not looked at the crossword so far.
Both Caroline Wozniacki and Sir Andy have spoken out.
Sharapova's ban is not up until two days after the Porsche tournament starts.
Yes, Emma Pooley is a great lady, one of my favourites.
She speaks her mind, all 5ft 2ins of her!
She is highly intelligent.
Has a PhD in geotechnical engineering, and has an Honorary Doctorate of Civil Law.
She was also a member of the winning team on Christmas University Challenge, representing Trinity Hall, Cambridge.
I think you are right about Emma's fish.
I am off out for a dander, and will tackle the crossword when I return!

Hello, Elle.
I'll "hint" at 12 and 19!
12, the warship is an undersea vessel.
19, is fairly straightforward.
Very is often abbreviated to which single letter?
A negative two-lettered response?
Madeira is the definition.
I am starving and going to raid the fridge!

Good afternoon, Rusty!
I thought you were going out for a walk?
You surely cannot be back already?
I think University Challenge is quite hard - it is the speed with which the questions are fired at one that I find intimidating!
( and I do not like Jeremy Paxman)
Now the crossword clues......
12a: I already had the "sub" part meaning warship
I've got SUB?E?
No idea as to the rest!
I'd done 19a in your absence....
Vino = such as Madeira
v- very
no - negative response
i - island
I was being very dim there! (you may agree without needing to duck!)
I like 16D - but am not sure what classification of clue it merits?
Your painter responds quickly!
Is he going to paint or stain your cupboard?

Hello, Elle!
Just saw Her Majesty giving the Commonwealth Games baton to Anna Meares!
Then an interview with Anna and Victoria P.
They are great friends now!
I did walk, but a short way.
12a is a dreadful clue, in my view.
"Subset".
I cannot explain 21 across, for which I have "Cannes"?
Maybe a homophone that I can not twig?
My painter is like greased lightning.
He will be here a wee while tomorrow and Wednesday.
Mainly preparation work.
Then a bit longer on Thursday.
He is using non-odour paint.
Fine day here!

Hello again, Elle!
Update!
I found the OED.
it costs £56 for a three months online subscription.
All I have to say to that is, "Jings!"

Hi, Rusty!
Anna and Victoria used to be mortal enemies did they not, in the days of their cycling rivalry?
It is good that they can now be friends!
Maybe the unnatural pressures put upon them working for BC did not help their previous relationship?
I took "Cannes" to be a sort of cryptic definition?
Meaning the place in France where the film festivals are held; and a homophone "cans" as in judging in the sense of condemning?
No?
I am away out now, in my turn, with the dog........I shall not go far as she appears to be limping a little....
I cannot find a problem, though, when I check her legs and feet.
I just want to go a short way and see how she fares.............

P.S. Rusty!
Just seen your second post after I'd put up mine........
You could probably buy it from Amazon cheaper than that ?
although I haven't looked?
I have a ninth edition of the COD ( Concise oxford) but it was a 1995 edition.
It as nearly as big as my 13th edition of Chambers!

Right ... I must away out.........

Hello, Elle!
Yes, Anna and Vic were fiercely competitive against each other.
Intense, and then some!
Literally, blood spilling contests on the track.
Elbows flying, not an inch given.
Now? What a difference. Great buddies!
I can not grasp "can" as in "judging", but no matter.
Hope doggie is going to be fine.
I explored OED costs.
For the 20 volume set of OED, it is £750.
There is an "acceptable" set on eBay for £450.
I shall stick to Chambers, Brewer's, and Anne Bradford!

Hi, Rusty!
Goodness, I had no idea that the cost of the OED set would be so high!
I was fully expecting that for a year's online subscription, you could buy a second hand set of books from Amazon.
I am gobsmacked!
Yes, stick to what you already have!
The dog is only limping slightly sometimes, when she walks slowly.
She runs like the wind...no problem then.
This has happened once before, and the vet could find no reason for it.
She does not seem to feel any pain or discomfort - does not even wince when I feel her feet and manipulate her legs.
I shall keep an eye on her.
I feel tired today......maybe the warmer weather?
One thing about the cold frosty days.... they are exhilarating!