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Good morning, Rusty!
The start of the day here was a tad damp...but we are promised it will be brighter later with a high of 14C
I do not need to go out until about 11am, so there is time for the weather to improve.
I am not surprised to hear that Bradley Wiggins is appearing in a poor light...all that has been said about him recently has been very unfavourable.
I do not have a paper today....what does it say about him and the ongoing investigation?
I'm drinking coffee and eating my apple!...
And then going to sort out my washing......

I hope you all have a good day.
I am off out for the day shortly.
All I can add about the starlings is in the link.
The flocks at Studland are the only ones I have ever seen live and that was many years ago. The numbers have increased since then. Gathering warmth seems to be the main reason. Some murmurations have started as early as September

https://www.birdsofpooleharbour.co.uk/starlings-steal-show-studland

Good morning, Elle!
Has became dull here too.
Basically Wiggins is being criticised for speaking ill of his ex-colleagues at Sky and BC.
He lacks credibility in my view.
His Jack the lad persona does not cut it with me.
Why call Victoria Pendleton a "milkshake"?
Not a very gallant comment from a knight.
She is a multiple Olympic and World Champion, and pretty nifty on a horse!
I vividly remember a World Championship Time Trial in which Wiggins was caught by Cancellara.
His reaction was to jump of his bike, throw it in a ditch, and blame the mechanics for a "problem" with his bike, while jumping up and down in a rage as Cancellara rode on to collect his Rainbow Jersey.
So who's the milkshake?

Hi, Rusty!
Uhm......Sir Wiggo is definitely not appearing in a good light, is he?
I haven't heard the word "milkshake " used before as a derogatory term?
I have heard of "milk sop" used similarily?
Neither is a 'pleasant' description of Victoria!
I think she "picked herself up , dusted herself down, and started all over again", very proficiently and satisfactorily.
Well done her!
Now....I have been reading up about starlings and murmurations!
According to the RSPB, the main reasons for this are :
*Safety in numbers (from predators)
*To keep warm
*And to "talk" ie. exchange information such as good feeding areas.
Murmurations can begin as early as September but more normally from November.
And the early evening is the best time to see them in action.
Right....I must away to get changed out of dog-walking gear.....and go and meet my daughter.
Enjoy your lunch with Miss O!
( I hope she isn't late!! )

Hi Elle
The RSPB agrees with the reasons given in the link I posted earlier. It all makes sense . Enjoy your meeting

Hello, Elle!
He may have meant milk sop!
So much for Team GB, where a senior member castigates others in the team.
Some "team"!
I think the less said about him the better.
That is very interesting regarding the murmurations.
It is from mid November to January that I see them.
Maybe Miss O will surprise me and be on time!

Good afternoon, Rusty!
Drizzling again....I have arrived home a mite damp!
We had a very nice meal....
We found out where "The Giraffe" was hiding itself in Bromley and had lunch there.
It is a kind of glorified burger bar...only it doesn't just sell burgers, it serves meals from all over the World.
And very child friendly ( with giraffes on the walls and sufficient high chairs!)
It suited our purpose fine.
YB certainly enjoyed himself!
How was your meeting with your granddaughter?
Did she arrive on time?
Where did you go to eat?
I am here to stay now......no more energy to go out walking!

Hello, Elle!
Your Giraffe sound inviting!
Miss O texted me at 12.03.
"Here!"
So that was unusual, but I soon recovered!
We went to visit the babies' graves, then on to Pine Cone, which was quite busy.
More folk seem to have discovered it!
Miss O and me had a nice time.
I have just finished the crossword and that's me parked for the day.

Hi, Rusty!
I am glad that you had an enjoyable outing!
And what did you eat for your lunch?
Did you have the almost inevitable bacon roll - or did you "ring the changes"?
Yes, the Pine Cone seems to be forever more popular!
Now you mentioned the other day going to visit the babies' graves, when you were with your Irish friends...and now you and Miss O have both gone there?
I didn't query this before as I didn't wish to be intrusive...but as you have mentioned it yet again......have you at some point lost a baby within your family?
I didn't know whether to ask you.......or to let it go again....... I could be doing the wrong thing either way........?
But for me to ignore the reference for a second time seemed wrong, too.........please forgive me if I'm treading where I shouldn't.........
I haven't looked at either of the crosswords yet!
I shall take a strong coffee first!

Hello, Elle!
I have a young friend who has two babies buried there.
But, Miss O had never been to that part of the cemetery, so I took her there.
It is lovely there.
Dozens and dozens of tiny graves, and teddy bears and toys all over, etc.
Would break your heart.
It is very colourful, too.
It is out in the country, on the edge of the forest, on the way to Pine Cone, and visiting and a few moments contemplating, seems the right thing to do.
Miss O had a wee tear in her eye!
It is a bit wet outside and I do not think the weather forecast is up to much!