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Good evening, Rusty!
Yes, I am remembering a little more about Peter Snell now...
I think he won both the 800m and the 1500m at the same Olympic Games?
1964, would it be?
Even a small win on your horse is handy, Rusty!
You can give yourself an extra treat for Christmas?
Speaking of Ruby.....
I find it nice that sports people who have been in the limelight (so to speak) do not disappear from our screens on retirement , but often take up jobs such as commentating, and thus we "keep in touch" with them.
Like Gaby Logan, Michael Johnson, Denise Lewis, Paula Radcliffe, Sue Barker, John McEnroe, Tim Henman, Jess Ennis-Hill, etc.
Obviously, I am only coming up with names for retired athletes and tennis players..... but you know what I mean!



Hello, Ros!
That sounds like a bad experience you had with Argos.
I have never had a delivery from them...…
But fortunately have had no problem with quality of goods ordered.
Fingers crossed that all goes well this time!

I didn't have a delivery, elle, they just stopped over my driveway! Had I had an appointment, they still wouldn't move!

Hello, Elle!
I think you are correct.
He did the double at Tokyo.
It has not been done since.
Ruby is quite articulate and knows racing inside out.
I think he has his fingers in several pies now.
He does work for Paddy Power, too.
I agree it is good to see the retired folk on the screen.
I agree with your selections except Paula.
And can I add Jo Rowsell and Chris Hoy!
And I miss Brendan Foster.
I liked him a lot!

Hi, Rusty!
I forgot Colin Jackson!
And of course Steve Cram, even though we do not see him very much before the cameras.
Yes, Brendan has been much missed....not least I think by Steve.
The rapport between the two, when they were commentating, went a great way to enhancing the programme.
Steve Backley , too, does a good job of commentating, although he is rarely "seen".
It is the "Sports Personality of the Year award" tomorrow evening on BBC 1.
I think I should like to see Dina Asher-Smith win it?
What are your thoughts?

Hello, Elle!
Yes, Colin and Steve, I like them.
I did not know the contestants in SPOTY so I looked up the betting on Paddy P's site.
I think I would like to see Dina Asher-Smith win, too, just ahead of KJT.
But, if KJT won, I'd be happy with that, too.
But, according to Paddy's odds, Ben Stokes is a red hot favourite to win.
I don't know him?
Is the public voting, I wonder?
It's taking place in Aberdeen, I think.

Hi, Rusty!
Yes, I , too, looked the contestants up, before I decided on Dina, but apart from KJT I have no idea who the others are.
I could not find any info on voting on the night, during the show?
So I am wondering whether the voting might already have taken place?
I did not see any prior invitation anywhere to vote, though , or I would have sent in my choice!
Are you placing a bet through Paddy Power?
( You might be on a lucky streak ,after Willie's horse came good!

Hello, Elle!
I know Hamilton and Sterling.
I don't like Hamilton or his sport, motor racing, but Sterling is a fine footballer.
According to Paddy's betting there are only 6 contestants?
Not very many, at all?
I don't think the voting has taken place or the bookies would not offer odds.
Anyway, Paddy is going 1-10 on Ben Stokes to win.
That means, Elle, you would have to put £10 on, to win £1.
Very poor odds, and it looks like Stokes is past the post.
Dina is 16-1. KJT is 66-1.
No bet for me, Elle.
While I was on Paddy's site, I looked at the odds for a white Christmas.
3-1 for Dundee Airport, 5-1 for London Heathrow.

Hi, Rusty!
Ah yes, I had forgotten about Lewis Hamilton - I have of course heard of him.
My choice is either Dina or Kat, though.
I'm sorry, I didn't express my thoughts clearly......
I had wondered if the votes were "in" - by telephone, by post, online ? - but not yet counted!
But I could be way off beam here, and voting may well take place during the programme.
I don't want a White Christmas, Rusty.........Bing singing of it will do me just fine!
And speaking of Christmas......
We shall need to buy a new (artificial) Christmas tree tomorrow.
The base of our "old and trusted" tree has collapsed beyond remedy!
A visit to Homebase, maybe?

Hello, Elle!
I have no idea how SPOTY voting works.
It is a few years since I watched it.
I do not want a white Christmas, too.
I will be driving that day...so, no!
Do you still have a Homebase?
There was one not too far from me, but I have an idea it closed down?
It was expensive, I remember that.

Hi, Rusty!
If you are visiting your elder son and family on Christmas morning, then no, you will certainly not want to be driving up (and down again!) a steep hill!
But at least it is not too far...
We are driving over to our younger daughter's for Christmas lunch... a much further drive - and will certainly not wish to do that in the snow!
Yes, we do have a Homebase, only a short drive away.
The store can be expensive, yes, ...but it is near...and time is of the essence.
We had not expected the tree to collapse!