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Hi, Rusty!
I am glad that Lexi is doing well!
Despite the best efforts of the bee to distract her!
Do you have a bet on?
Yes, I can see 1a now that you have explained it to me!
And I can accept "qualifies" for the first bit...although not terribly impressed!......but am not understanding/ grasping "weakens"?
( I think my "senior moments" are lengthening? perhaps progressing to "hours"?!)
Now.....I have just had a nice surprise!
My elder daughter has just phoned to say that they are back safely from their holiday in Mauritius!
It was indeed a "surprise" because I had thought they were arriving home on Sunday!
I am just popping out with the dog.........back shortly !

Hello, Elle!
You will be glad your elder daughter is safe home!
I have had a visit from my son.
He brought a stewed steak and veg dinner from the butcher for me!
The "qualifies" clue is not a great one and I have really tried to fathom it.
How about if you were arguing a point which was not rock solid and you had to add "but" or "possibly" or "maybe", to it.
That may "weaken" it?
That is as near as I can put it it, Elle.
I can vaguely see what the setter means, but through a glass darkly.

Rusty, Elle, I didn't have a problem with 'weakens = qualifies'. One definition, in Chambers, of 'qualify' says 'to abate, reduce the strength of' - and that seems to fit with 'weaken'.

Hi, Rusty!
It has been lovely out!
I am enjoying being able to "walk "again!
Now re 3d...yes, I am seeing what you mean about the preposition "but" maybe implying a weakness......but as you say, not a good clue!
Your son came to visit you early in the day?
The steak and vegetable dinner sounds very appetising!
How did he do with the fishing yesterday?
You haven't forgotten that the Athletics World Championships start this evening?
The introductory session is now on BBC2, but it transfers to BBC1 at 7 pm.
I am looking forward to the week ahead!

Malone, thank you for your contribution.
I didn't see your message until after I had posted!
I never thought of "qualifying" as "mitigating" but I guess that it what it might mean?

Hello, Malone, I did not look at Chambers, so thank you for that.
I think that is what I was trying to say, but not making a good fist of it!

Good evening, Elle!
I do not think it was a good clue, but Malone's/Chambers explanation puts it over much better than my attempt.
My son usually finishes early on Fridays.
The steak dinner was very good indeed.
He said the fishing was poor, very dirty water after the rain.
I watched the Tour of Poland today.
Some smashing scenery and enthusiastic fans!

Thanks, Rusty.
Elle, 'qualify' = 'mitigate' is also specifically mentioned in Chambers, so that would be fine too (in addition to 'qualify = weaken', as in the clue).

Hi, Rusty!
Oh, you've already eaten the steak dinner?
Your son timed his visit well!
The 6 o'clock showing of the World Championships on BBC2 included the presentation of the upgraded re-allocated medals to those athletes who had been "cheated" out of their rightful awards by subsequently exposed drug takers!
It was good to see them finally get their rightful medals on a podium, even if for some athletes it came many years later.
( Gabby Logan said that Iwan Thomas was given his updated medal in a bag, in a car park! Disgraceful!)
Laura Muir takes part in a heat for the 1500m at 7.35 pm.

Hello, Elle!
I had enough of Gabby Logan and co and am watching the athletics on EuroSport.
I prefer their coverage.
Laura Muir ran a sensible race.