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Hello, Elle,
I think the skiing is only on Eurosport.
There are several programmes each week showing different disciplines. I prefer the Alpine, though.
There is little or no coverage in our newspapers, though.
That is an early arrival from your daughter, tomorrow.
I did not know youngsters (and you) played with train sets anymore.
I have put Sacco and Vanzetti book away for a while, and have read a bit of my book about the Lusitania.
It appears to be very good too.

Hi, Rusty!
My cousin isn't home yet - so we didn't have our telephone conversation.
As I'm sure she told me that we would be speaking tonight as usual, I'm assuming either that they have been delayed in driving back, by the floods en route, or else that on reaching her daughter's house, she found her car possibly submerged in the floods there, and thus was unable to drive home..
(I think she said that she would be leaving the car there, and driving up to Fort William with her younger daughter)
Perhaps I will hear tomorrow.......
Yes, Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends are very popular among the young one (and the not-so -young who get inveigled into playing with them!)
So you are reading about the sinking of the Lusitania?
Wasn't the Mauretania her sister ship? She wasn't sunk, though, was she ?
I am reading a Jeffrey Archer - "The Fourth Estate."

Hello, Elle!
It could well be the weather that has held your cousin up.
Or something to do with the floods.
You will find out in the morning, probably.
No, Mauretania did not sink.
Titanic had two sisters, Olympic and Britannic.
I think Britannic hit a mine and went down.
I know Britannic was in use as a hospital ship at the time, and there was a woman on board who was a survivor of the Titanic disaster (not Molly Brown) and she also survived the Britannic sinking. I would send her for a lottery ticket, no problem! Either that, or make sure I was never sailing on the same ship as her!
I have forgotten her name.
I tried a Jeffrey Archer book a few years ago.
He was good!

Helli, Elle!
The woman's name was Violet Jessop and she was a jinx!
She was also on board RMS Olympic when it ran into a cruiser off the Isle of Wight. Luckily, the Olympic was able to limp back to port, Southampton, I think.

Good morning, Rusty!
It's a lovely morning here - blue sky and sunshine with a fresh breeze. An enjoyable walk!
What is it like with you?
No word from my cousin as yet....wherever she is, the reception must be bad.
I hadn't heard of Violet Jessop - one very lucky young woman - though, as you say, not one with whom you would want to be in company, if she makes a habit of getting shipwrecked!
There was some excitement - rather, panic - in Bromley, Kent, yesterday!
There is a big shopping centre there - now called "intu" (used to be "The Glades")
We often shop there when in the town.
You will have heard me mention it.
At the time it was thought by most shoppers to be a terrorist attack, as someone ran amok with a machete and other youths were carrying knives. Apparently there was wide scale panic and people fled the scene.
The police turned up in force but seemingly it turned out to be a gang attack, and not now thought to be terrorist related.
If you google it, you can see the town centre and the shopping arcade
How's that for a bit of excitement? I'm glad I wasn't there!

Hello Elle,

I can understand the panic among the shoppers! But more importantly, did the police arrest the gang?

Weather same as yours - It has been like this for about a week.
Due for a little rain tomorrow or Thursday I think

Good morning, Elle!
I read about the "Bromley Incident" on BBC News website.
Dreadful behaviour.
A good hard boot up the buttocks is what they need!
My weather is OKish. Dry anyway.
Roads are very quiet.
Wonder what is up with your cousin? Mind you it is a long drive from Fort William. Not heard anything about road problems up there.
Violet's life story would make a great film!
She "supposedly" rescued a baby during the Titanic tragedy.
I am not sure how true that is.
I am watching the skiing, first run of the women's giant slalom.
Viktoria is lying 5th just now. Ana Drev is leading at the moment.

Hi, Rusty!
I'm sorry about the delay in answering - I have been playing Snakes and Ladders with my youngest grandson! (no trains today!)
I have heard from my cousin -they are travelling back today instead - some sort of problem yesterday?
All should be well, though, when her daughter does get home. Although the village High Street is flooded, and completely closed off, her own property is now clear of the floods.
How is the skiing going? How is Viktoria doing?
I think I am required for another game.......

Hello, Pigale!
Sorry not to have replied - I am being kept busy here!
As far as I know - and accounts seem to vary - the police have caught one miscreant, but the others are still at large!
(I don't know whereabouts the machete is - scary, isn't it?)

Hello, Elle!
I hope you are not cheating at the snakes and ladders!
Good that you have heard from your cousin and all's well.
Skiing was great!
Viktoria came third behind Lara Gut and Tina Weirather.
Lindsey Vonn crashed out. I made a wee profit.
We have heavy rain forecast for Wednesday. Still dry here, for now.

Hello, Pigale!
I trust you are well and had a nice Christmas!
There is a programme on Eurosport today about Bernard Hinault.
I am recording it. Should be good!

Hi, Rusty!
I never cheat! We declared the last game a draw as my grandson wearied of playing!
I am now left to my own devices as daughter and family have gone shopping......and husband and dog are gardening!
I am being lazy and have just completed today's Times 2 Jumbo GK crossword.
My friend is back from holiday so he has sent a lot of Mind Games from today's Times!
I should /could / be doing some household chores......but then, there is always tomorrow........
Well done , Viktoria , for earning you a small profit!
Still dry here, too - in fact, it has been a glorious day! It's going dark now, though.