Crossword Help Forum
Forum Rules

Hello, Elle!
Just had a look at the puzzle vlog.
Simon says it "is anything but easy!"
Also, that Mark solved it in around 6 minutes in the Championship final!
Took me over an hour!
I could give you a link for the vlog, if you wanted?
Elinor Barker tweeted earlier that she will be riding against her good friend and GB teammate, Katie Archibald, at the Gold Coast.
Elinor riding for Wales, Katie riding for Scotland.
I know Trotty has just started training after having her baby but maybe the Gold Coast will be too soon?
And Jo Rowsell has retired, so be interesting to see who rides for England in the endurance races?
Good luck in taking on the council!
The friendly approach can be very productive!

Hi, Rusty!
Yes, please, I will have that link for the puzzle vlog.
At least then I will see where my reasoning is failing me!
And will hopefully learn from it.
There once was a time, Rusty, whenever I rang the Council, they would greet me by name without my having to tell them who I was!
Well, how soon is the Gold Coast Cycle ride?
I should think it will depend on this as to whether or not Laura will take part?
But thinking about it, wasn't Jess Ennis-Hill back out there competing pretty quickly after her baby was born?
Does Laura still use her maiden name competitively, or maybe she has double -barrelled it to "Trott - Kenny"?

Hello, Elle!
Here is today's vlog.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLZWNv95b_s&t=54s

I think the Games start in early April at the Gold Coast.
No, it is "Laura Kenny" always, nowadays.
But she will always be affectionately known as "Trotty" to those of us who have followed her career!
Jo Rowsell became double-barrelled, adding "Shand" to her maiden name.

Hi, Rusty!
Thank you for the link!
I am sorry to be so long in replying......
I got caught up in local strategy!
I am about to organise dinner...and then I shall see where I went wrong ...and couldn't cope...with the crossword.
I've been speaking with my daughter.........
She was to see her GP late this afternoon.
She thinks she may have developed a chest infection...... she certainly sounds terribly croaky!
Fortunately, the rest of the family recovered quite quickly from their own doses of flu.
I have read that "Australian" flu is now on its way?

Good evening, Elle!
How's you and the council getting on, now?
There are a few bugs about.
There were several wards closed at my hospital because of 'flu.
I think we had Australian 'flu years ago, didn't we?
Or was it Asian?

Hi, Rusty!
I think you are probably thinking of Asian flu?
There have been several severe epidemics of Asian flu over the years.
And then there were the outbreaks of Avian flu, weren't there - more commonly referred to as "Bird flu".
But I think that this Australian flu virus is a completely new strain?
I don't know much about it...only what is hitting the headlines right now.
I'm assuming...perhaps wrongly...that this will not be included in the present flu jab "mix"?
This is supposedly more severe than any previous flu strain.
I think the advice being given out is to avoid crowded places...... and go see the doctor if symptoms persist over the normal expected flu period.
We shall no doubt hear more in due course.
It is good to have "Eggheads" back after the Christmas break!

Hello, Elle!
I had a 'flu jab, but I have no idea if it protects from Aussie 'flu.
Hope so!
Ah, the Eggheads are back.
That is a good show!
I have been browsing on YouTube.
Not sure if you have seen this before?
It is the voting in the final of Holland's Got Talent, the year Amira won.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJ0STx7hV3Y

Watch when they announce her score.
She is hilarious!

Hi, Rusty!
I am not clear as to whether this year's present flu jab has protected people against the Aussie virus.
I don't think so?
Although an old report (October) by the Guardian says that people may be partially protected, as some part of the strain might be covered by the given vaccine.
This sounds as though there was some fore- knowledge of the Australian flu's arrival?
I think the best thing to do would be to check with your GP?
I shall check with our surgery to see if my husband needs any additional protection.
Yes, I've watched the link you sent!
Amira was very funny, especially at the first announcement when she lay on the floor!
And she was so thrilled, when announced as the overall winner!

Hello, Elle!
I'll wait to see if I get a call from my surgery.
My reading of the situation is that the Aussie 'flu is the same strain as Hong Kong flu, and we already have protection from that, with the present 'flu jab.
I am not certain, mind, so you check with your surgery and see what the craic is.
I am actually calling into Lloyd's Pharmacy tomorrow and I'll ask them about it (if I remember!)
Yes, Amira is great fun.
A pity, in a way, that she has to grow up!

Hi all
What a grey day! Absolutely horrible, wet, misty, cold.

My understanding is that the recent flu jab does protect against Aussie flu, which is the only reason I had it. I don't usually have one (or anything much else offered by my G P surgery). I turned down a pneumonia jab because if I get dementia I would like to get pneumonia quickly. Did have shingles, though; seen too many people in pain afterwards.