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Hello, Elle!
Lovely day here!
Yes, we have two chicks now.
Things are going well!
Now, Simon Yates has lost time today.
Dumoulin, Pozzovivo, and Froome, attacked him and he could not respond.
His lead over Dumoulin is now cut to 28 seconds.
That is his first sign of weakness.
Hopefully it will be his one bad day and tomorrow he will be back on song.
Glad you had a nice lunch!

Hi, Rusty!
Hopefully, number three chick will arrive soon!
Laddie will be very busy fishing.
I have tried checking on the Barn Owlets on Brownsea Island ( near Poole in Dorset) but the website has been down for a couple of days.
I hope all is well there.
That is not good news about Simon?
How significant a lead is 28 seconds?
It does not sound very much?
You will miss your visit from your son tonight....will a granddaughter come to see you instead?

Hello, Elle!
Yes, hopefully a third chick will hatch.
28 seconds is not a lot, but if Simon recovers it could be enough.
But, he has shown weakness today, so he will be attacked tomorrow again.
Dumoulin is the big danger, I think.
Yes, I will miss my son.
He texts to me several times a day, though.
I don't think my granddaughters will come.
They have their own lives to lead and I'll probably see them at the weekend.

Hi, Rusty!
I'm just remembering that last year one of the eggs did not hatch.....let us hope that this does not happen again.
Three chicks would be good!
That is great that your son texts you so often.....you and he have a really close relationship.
You did an excellent job bringing the boys up to be such caring individuals.
I have been talking to my elder daughter this evening.
Half term is nearly upon them and they are spending this holiday in York.
They are renting an apartment ....it will be better for the children than staying in a hotel.
I think daughter plans to eat the main meal out, rather than cook.
A good idea...she needs a rest , too!
My other daughter has taken her husband (and the boys) out for an early dinner ...it is his birthday!
We shall all spend the day together on Sunday and have another family celebration.
We are looking forward to it!

Hello, Elle!
Yes, hope the third egg hatches too!
Laddie will have his work cut out now, still, plenty of lochs in that area, and of course, the River Tay.
My son often texts me and I appreciate that.
Miss his chat tonight, and he usually makes the coffee when he's here!
I think York is a fine place for a holiday.
Have they been there before?

Hi, Rusty!
No, York is a place that none of our immediate family has ever visited, although my daughter's in-laws have been there a few times.
It is surprising in that I , in particular , never made it to Yorkshire at all, having lived in the next county for nearly twenty years!
I have just finished today's crossword.
Very late in the day again for me to be doing it.
I thought it quite a reasonable one?
My favourites were "Sassoon", although it was a very simple answer...also "conte"; "starlight!; "alumina"; and ""Brighton Rock".
I didn't like 22d: "digit"....is it me, or was it a clumsy clue?

Hello, Elle!
I only know York by what folks have told me.
And they all speak well of it.
The county is very scenic too.
Yes, a fine puzzle.
22d is a bit of a long drawn out clue.
I do not like criticising setters but I am sure there could have been a better clue to be had!
It is a lovely evening here!

Hi, Rusty!
EuroSport Player seems to think that I should like to pay £39-99 for an Annual Pass!
They have just sent me yet another email.
I didn't even get my money's worth when I only paid £19-99 last year!
What a racket, isn't it?
I do wish though that the BBC would lengthen - even if only slightly - their Athletics coverage.
It is so disappointing to watch with inadequate commentary.
I hope ITV4 does better with the tennis next week!
I am looking forward to the Summer Sports season......tennis and athletics!

Good morning, Elle!
Very misty here!
Could you not block emails from Eurosport?
There is tennis on Eurosport this week.
The qualifying rounds for the French Open from Roland Garros.
I have not watched any of it.
More engrossed with the "lad from Bury"!
No sign of chick 3 so far.
I have one or two things to do today!

Good morning, Rusty!
A dull but warmish day here.
Thunderstorms throughout the day are forecast though for Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.
Not a pleasant prospect!
Now for the good news....
I have just spoken to the Thames Water contractors and they are (hopefully ) coming to finish re-instating our path a week tomorrow!
I shall keep my fingers crossed......
I too have a few things to do today...one of them is to walk down to the village very shortly and buy a birthday card!