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Hi, Rusty!
Dog and I are home again now...it has just become dark.
Oh, I rather like the idea of the FitBit!
But I have only been effectively "connected" since this morning, so its possibilities are all very new to me as yet.
One can swim in it, too, at it is waterproof!
I shall explore it at leisure.....
I thought today's Times crossword was quite "doable".
Only one clue I cannot solve ....
24a: Self-educator executed turn with American car (10)
A?T?D?D?C?
I thought "auto" for American car? but cannot see anything else.....
And one I cannot parse.....
17d: Curios thus gathering round maestro? (8)
I have "virtuoso" = "maestro" (def)
"so" meaning "thus"?
But I cannot see beyond that?
Are you able to help?


Hello, Pigale!
Did you get your sunshine?
It has been a lovely day here...and had warmed up quite a bit by this afternoon.
The dog and I walked to the further away (larger) park this afternoon.....
and I staggered back!
I'll swear someone is stretching the road!

Hello, Elle!
I am a bit surprised at you taking to this new gadget.
I thought The Times was on the easy side today, too.
24, Autodidact. Car, executed, turn.
Not sure what it means though!
Chambers tells me that "virtu" can mean "fine arts", so they could be the "curios", perhaps, with "so" and "round" being "o".
Hope that's a help, Elle.
It is as good as I can do!

Rusty, I've just remembered to look up Taghairm. What a wonderful word, with a great definition! I don't think I'll be able to drop it, casually, into conversation.

Update, Elle!
I have seen "autodidact" before but did not know what it meant.
Just looked up Chambers and it tells me it is a "self taught person".

Hello, Malone!
Taghairm is a great word and a wonderful definition!
It made my day, the day I first came across it!

Good evening, Rusty!
Thank you....
"Autodidact" is a new word for me!
Re the steps/ mileage exercise gadget......
I used to have a much simpler device that simply clipped on to my jeans when I went walking/ hiking with my previous dog.....he and I used to cover about twelve to fifteen miles daily.
Now, of course, I walk possibly more slowly, definitely less far!
But the FitBit is a good incentive to "put my best foot forward"!
I found that skiing was on my Red Button today!
Have you been watching?
How is the golf going?

Hello, Elle!
You certainly do plenty of walking!
I've always been a fast walker, but I go a bit slower nowadays.
I hope you and FitBit get on fine!
I think the skiing has been on Red Button since last week.
This is the second week of the World Champs.
It is being held in Are, Sweden.
I watch it on EuroSport.
I believe Mickelson won the golf, but I did not see it.
I think there were only two out on the course yesterday when it became dark.
Phil wanted to play on, but Paul Casey said he could not see and it was postponed until today.
They only had 2 or 3 holes left to play.

Hi, Rusty!
Yes, I've always walked!
Mostly just for pleasure, but sometimes for therapy!
If I have a problem or am fired up about something...I will walk (and think) it out.
It works well.
I have just been watching "Cold Feet"...only one more episode in the series.
I hope there will be another series in the future......but this almost seems to be tying up loose ends....?
Speaking of sport...I see there is the Athletics Indoor Grand Prix at Birmingham next Saturday.
It looks as though BBC is going to cover it.
That will be good!
I am happy that we are approaching the tennis and athletics seasons!

Good morning, Elle.
A bit dreich here today.
Walking is well known to be therapeutic.
And it is relatively cost free, too.
Good pair of shoes, and a kagoul, perhaps, and off you pop!
I don't know "Cold Feet", I'm afraid.
Wonder if young Dr Muir is running at Brum?
I am just home.
Been out doing a couple of tasks.

Good morning, Rusty!
It is a lovely day here...blue sky and sunshine.....coldish.......but very invigorating!
Great walking weather!
According to the IAAF News site.... yes, Laura should be competing at Birmingham on Saturday.
This is a timetable of the events.....
http://extranet.britishathletics.org.uk/timetable/Index/164
I have been busy doing a few household tasks.....
But I think I deserve a coffee now, and a look at the crosswords.
Time seems to be on wings this morning!