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Hi Ros,

Good that you are fine - are you working on a particular research
if you need to go to the library?

Hi, Rusty!
Yes, I have watched the link, and I do agree that the scenery is magnificent!
It is a pity that I cannot find myself interested in the cycling itself.... I don't think that is ever likely to happen......but possibly worth checking in to see some of the beautiful surroundings!
I do like it when there is interesting background history.
My daughter has sent me a copy of BB's school report.
He is doing very well and the teacher seems very pleased with him!
Not only is he doing well in his schoolwork but, even more importantly, his teacher says that he is a polite well- mannered child, who is friendly, considerate and helpful to others.
That is good to hear, isn't it?
Education is not only academic, but becoming a well-rounded, happy, and caring individual.
It sounds as though BB is doing ok!



Hello again, Pigale!
Yes, I did watch your link.
Amazing, fantastic scenery!
I hope the cyclists participating in Le Tour will appreciate their wonderful surroundings!
But they probably don't have time to look!

Hello, Pigale!
Anquetil was a great rider but I never liked him.
As you say, a big head.
Pou-Pou was loved by everyone.
I have found out that his photo is on the Col de Portet because of his great battle with Eddy Merckx.
He dropped Eddy on the col and rode to a great victory, I believe.

Yes Rusty, you are correct and that was quite an exploit to beat
Eddy Merckx!

Pou-Pou was 82 years old last April, so I just read.
He had a commercial spot on TV a few years ago, riding a bike
of course, but I cannot what product he was advertising - wonder
if it was not a brand of bottled water...? Not sure at all.

Hello, Elle!
Wonderful scenery in the Pyrenees.
Think I prefer it to the Alps.
The bike racing in a grand tour can be difficult to follow unless you are a true fan.
There are many different agendas taking place on the road.
But you can try it for the scenery and the wildlife?
Pigale and me will tip you off when there is a stage in the mountains!
Yes, BB is doing very well. It is good seeing the young ones coming on.
Have you asked your daughters about "was like"/"said" yet?

Hi, Rusty!
Okay, that sounds like a good deal!
I shall watched the cycling when advised of the view!
Ooops! I totally forgot to ask the girls about "was like".......
I did try listening purposefully to general conversations to see if I could spot the expression ....but to no avail!
Maybe it's just not used around here?
I made some inroads into the crossword, but my heart/ mind wasn't in/on
it today.
I was concentrating on fences and tennis!
I got to 23a though.
I have an answer "acai" - yes, it was "straightforward" as 4d said! - but, like you, I had never heard the word before.
I think we are in for a muggy night!

Hello, Pigale!
I did not know Pou-Pou was making commercials!
This link contains an interesting photograph.
It is a pic of Bernard Hinault, Eddy Merckx, and Miguel Indurain paying their respects at the grave of Jacques Anquetil.
Each one of the four of them had won five Tours de France. http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/remembering-jacques-anquetil/

Hello, Elle!
Quite a good puzzle today.
Never mind that you did not finish the puzzle.
They are like buses, there will be another one coming along soon.
And of course your fence took priority today!
"Acai" is a new tree to me!
Anne Bradford did not know it, too, so that's fine!
It is cooler here this evening.
I have just had a coconut yogurt and it was very nice!

Very interesting article Rusty - Thank you.
I was not that aware of the drug taking situation in those years -
basically It went over my young head, but it is interesting to
know that drug taking in cycling go back a long time!
Poor Simpson open the door to more care being taken, at the
cost of his life.

Hello, Pigale,
There has been drug taking in cycling for over 100 years.
I think it started simply with brandy then moved on to other things.
Anquetil openly admitted to any one who would listen that the riders took drugs.
As we see in the Froome case, it does not matter if you fail a dope test.
Just hire high powered lawyers to defend you, and the case will go round in circles for ever more.
I doubt if there are any clean sports.