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Hello, Elle!
Been a fine day here, but quite windy.
I feel sorry for Caster, too.
But I do not know how to resolve the problem.
Not the first time this has happened.
I remember the Soviet athletes, Irina and Tamara Press.
They had umpteen world records between them, but retired as soon as gender testing was mooted for athletics.
I did not realise the article about Stella was so long.
Basically they only found out she had male characteristics when she was shot dead during a robbery and was autopsied.
Yes, I had a wee bet but my horse did not trouble the judge, unfortunately.
Will maybe try again tomorrow!

Hi, Rusty!
I do not remember Irina and Tamara Press?
And when I just googled them, I discovered a list of other athletes whose "genders" were questionable.
But these instances seemed more of a deliberate intent to defraud the system .....not like Caster Semenya's circumstances at all.
She is a victim......not a cheat.
Maybe one day an acceptable solution will present itself.
I have set the recorder for both BGT and Casualty tonight...as for once , the one follows the other!

Hello, Elle!
I am not sure the Press sisters were cheats.
I think they were what folk are calling "intersex".
But they competed in women's events.
I would feel sorry for them too, because they were used by the Soviets.
But where should they compete?
It is a very difficult problem.
I am recording BGT, too.

Hi, Rusty!
I have somewhat belatedly remembered to finish my crossword.
I was distracted from it earlier.
It is quite a nice puzzle today?
I liked 10a: biodata; 15a: by -product; and 9d: manflu!
I did not know that Marie Rose is a sauce?
Did you know that?!
My daughter has sent some photos of the charity race
BB did well and enjoyed himself!
We shall see them tomorrow, so will hear all about it in person.
Apparently, there is something BB wants to tell me......?

Hello, Elle!
Yes, I liked today's puzzle!
Not heard of "Marie Rose", or "dead air".
And I did not know about the second "e" in "plebeian"!
I am a bit puzzled by 26a, "staunch".
Seth occasionally is "st", "a" in clue, but why is "unch" a funny feeling up north?
You're from "oop North", any explanation?
BB has something to tell you?
I am intrigued!

Hi, Rusty!
I took it as the setter thinking that we "unwashed" from "oop north" couldn't sound our aitches?
Hence 'unch?......or perhaps that should be 'ence 'unch?
But perhaps I do him/her a grave injustice.......
For once, I actually got, and understood, the Spoonerism in 2d!

Hello, Elle!
I thought the setter meant that, too, but I did not think you Northeners dropped aitches?
I thought that was the Londoners, or some parts of London!
I dislike Spoonerisms!
But that was a fairly obvious one.
I thought Bertie Wooster was the only lad who actually said it though!

Hi, Rusty!
Well, certainly some of us do not drop our aitches!
Perhaps if one speaks a local dialect?
I don't know?
I thought the setter rather rude, if that was what 'e or she meant!
Oh, I like PG. Wodehouse!

Hello, Elle!
Well, my pal's wife was from Burnley, and she did not drop her aitches!
Anyway, we got there!
Have you ever seen the "Brush Dance"?
This clip was taken in Galway.
I liked the young one!
Maybe Mum and daughter?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5gPYO_Nid4

Good morning, Rusty!
Another gloriously cold day here - great out!
I have just watched your clip of the "Brush Dance "....thank you.
No, I have never seen that before....it had me a toe-tapping!
However, I have heard of "living over the brush", where a couple who could not afford a church wedding would jump over a brush handle, held by two older people.
I think the custom originated in the 19th century.
Do you think there is any connection?