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Hello, Malone!
Yes, I understand.
It is a blooming nuisance.
I use the "edit" facility when that happens, to "newest posts first".

Rusty, thanks for the 'edit' switching tip - I might even remember it one day!

,he Spectator article, about the current rugby and athletics events, was in this week's issue. The piece echoed many of the things you and Elle have said, about sparse crowds. The author mentioned ' Dina smashing records in a stadium where the press box outnumbered the crowd'!

Hello, Malone.
The attendances at Doha have been extremely poor, except when the Ethiopians are running in the distance events.
Then there are lots of Ethiopian supporters singing, dancing, and cheering their runners.
But, as soon as their runners have finished, the crowd goes away and the stands are empty again!
They are only interested in their own runners!
I have just had a look at the men's marathon which has just started. It's midnight in Doha, and there is not one spectator on the streets to support the runners.
Not one!

Rusty, I've watched only bits and pieces of the athletics, but noted the many, many empty seats. That's a real shame about the marathon. I often watch the start and finish of marathons, there's usually a great atmosphere.

Hello, Malone!
This marathon is awful.
It is held on city streets and there is just no one there.
The race starts at midnight Doha time, because it is slightly cooler then.
I agree with you about the big city marathons.
London, Boston etc.
They are great occasions for the runners and spectators.
The Doha marathon is a travesty of a sporting occasion.

Good morning, Rusty!
We arrived home yesterday.
What a horrendous drive...the road visibility was very poor because of the heavy rain, and the splash back thrown up by all the vehicles.
But the journey apart....we have had a really lovely holiday!
It was a trip down Memory Lane, re-exploring Swanage!
I didn't watch the end of the Athletics World Championships...
We did not have the TV on, and I haven't set eyes on a paper all week!
But I believe that Laura came fifth in the 1500m?
A pity that she did not get a medal...but she did well!
Well done her!
No surprise that Sifan Hassan won.
How did we do in the 4x 400m relays?
Anyway, how have things been with you?
Are you and your family all okay?

Good morning, Elle!
Nice to see you back!
Pleased to hear you enjoyed your holiday, too.
Laura was delighted with her run after being off for so long.
I did not see the relays, sorry!
Watched Eliud Kipchoge breaking the two hour barrier yesterday, though.
He and his pacemakers were super!
The Chicago marathon is on later today.
Mo Farah is running.
Hopefully on Red Button!
All fine here.
Just waiting on my grandson collecting me.
Going to his home for a coffee.

Hi, Rusty!
Yes, the holiday was somewhat of a "treat" - it had been ages since we went away.
The weather was variable -- a mixed bag of two days of glorious sunshine and blue skies, two of exceedingly heavy rain, and two with intermittent sun and showers!
But we were not deterred!
We went out, whatever!
We spent a lot of the time walking on the various beaches.
Swanage beach, only a stone's throw from where we were staying was handy...but we had to clamber over breakwaters!
Whereas a short drive to South beach (low tide) or Middle Beach (high tide) enabled us to walk, uninterrupted by any barrier, from there, along the sands to Knoll Beach and on to Shell Bay, from where the Chain - ferry runs to Sandbanks (when it's not "broken down"!)
Only a few miles. but a lovely walk on beautiful sandy beaches.
The dog , although not a keen swimmer, liked running into the sea after her ball!
We met some very nice people …..and their dogs!
I'll look up the Chicago Marathon......
Did you have a good time with your grandson?
How is his house coming along with its renovations etc?

Hello, Elle!
Swanage seems to be a fine spot for a holiday.
I had not heard of it before.
Think Chicago is on at 13.25 on BBC website, and later, on Red Button.
Yes, had a nice time at my grandson's house.
It is practically finished.
It looks well, I think.
They dropped me home, and are off to ASDA for a wall clock!

Hi, Rusty!
I am glad you had a good time with your grandson and his girlfriend.
It is good their house is nearly all sorted!
Yes, we have had many a happy family holiday in Swanage over the years!
I think you would like the place
And folk are very friendly and chatty.
Now....I have been trying to catch up on what I have missed.
BGT?
I was horrified to find, when I just Googled it, that Kseniya only came third.... with no mention of Alexa and her dogs?
I see that "Twist and Pulse" won the Championship award....I do not know of them....?
I obviously missed their act.
Were they good?
Or was it more "strange" voting by the "Super fans" ?
Time for a coffee , I think...
( I missed my coffee machine whilst I was on holiday! )
And I shall go and investigate the Red Button...…..