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Hello, Pigale.
Yes, a quite satisfactory day for everyone except Tony Martin, who many thought would win.
It was quite a technical course which suited Cancellara, who rides like a madman through the corners, anyway.
I shall try Meteo, yes.
The cobbled stage to Cambrai is on Tuesday, 7th July.
Tomorrow it is crosswinds and into the sea at Zealande (not sure of spelling!) and on Monday the finish is at Mur de Huy. So, a very tough start, Pigale.

Very tough indeed Rusty but once they are along a bit of coast line, then a bit in Normandy and Britany, they might be able to race of course, but under easier conditions, particular with regard heat.

Then after the team time trial they have a rest day before attacking the Pyrenees (where it might be hot and perhaps also humid!)

T. Martin hinted that the heat did bother him very much - I guess some people cope with it better than others .

By the way I watch the UK weather every day by googlng BBC Weather forecast!

Hi Rusty
The cavalry horses are on news 24 any moment

Rusty, I have googled forecast for Tuesday around Cambrai, and so far no rain with temps within 24/25C, which is not bad at all after today !

Good Evening, Rusty!
Have you had a good day watching the Tour?
I haven't followed any of it but hopefully things are going as you want them?
What is the situation so far?
It's been an exciting day for tennis! Roger Federer won his match - a very good five setter!!
Murray is through, James Ward (another Brit) sadly is out, Tsonga also lost.
But the main event is the departure of Petra Kvitnova to Jankovicz! Very surprising!
I had Kvitnova down to win the Ladies' Singles' title - how wrong could I be??
In between whiles, I managed a bit of gardening and took the dog out (briefly!)
An action packed day!

Pigale, you are doing great!
This may sound odd, but I hope to see some of the war cemeteries on the way to Cambrai.
Will be an added interest to me.

Sorry, Doglet, I missed the horses.
I was away dumping stuff at the skips.
A pity, i would have liked the horses.

Good evening, Elle!
The stage went pretty much as expected though I expected more from Contador and Froome.
A slight surprise to find an Aussie in yellow, but he was very impressive with a new speed record.
And he rides for an American team on the 4th of July!
Och, that's a pity. I like Tsonga.
I like Jankowicz! Wonder if she could win!
Who is the girl who sits with Tim?
I remember her playing but not her name.
A blonde American?
Elle, what about the swan-upping? Do you attend that or is it not for the public?

Hi, Rusty!
It sounds as though you had a satisfactory day. all- in- all!
Re the tennis......I hadn't rated Jankowicz to win? I really don't know what to expect , but there's always Serena! (oh dear! Maybe Venus will beat her? when do they play each other?)
Or maybe Sabine Lisicki - I like her!
Tim Henman sitting with a blonde girl? When was this? Is she a commentator/ tennis player? The only blonde commentators I can think of are Sam Smith, but she's English, or Tracy Austin, who IS American , but an "older woman" - you wouldn't describe her as a "girl''?
Tracy was a No 1 American player ; she must be in her early fifties now? Would that fit the bill?
Maybe if you give me some more 'clues', I might do better?
Swan -upping? What put that in your mind?
I always thought that it was the swans belonging to the Queen / Crown that were marked? but for some reason, I looked it up in Chambers, and it says there.......
" Swan-upping is an annual expedition up the Thames for the marking of young swans belonging to the Dyers' and Vintner' Companies - those belonging to the Crown being unmarked".
Well, I had that wrong!
But I have no idea whether or not the public can witness this 'marking' or whether it takes place privately?
I would think tho' for practical purposes that this would happen in situ on the river?

Hi Rusty
They take the horses to Norfolk and the get to go in the sea and just play about like Appleby Horse Fair but with beautiful horses and much nicer people.People can watch the swan upping
Hi Elle
I t is Tracey Austin and she still looks like she did when was playing