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Very sadly, I see on the News this morning, that an army captain, who suffered a heart attack three miles from his completing the London Marathon, has since died.
He was only 31 and hailed from Arbroath, Angus.
Not all that far from you, Rusty?
He was taken by ambulance to St. Thomas's but to no avail.
I think there have been a few previous deaths at this event - surprisingly all relatively young people.
His friends say that they will walk the remainder of the course in his memory.

Good afternoon to you, Elle!
I saw that on the News, Elle.
Arbroath is about 16 miles away along the coast.
45 Commando are stationed there.
I am not sure what unit the captain was in, or maybe Arbroath is his home town?
A blooming shame, at any rate.
It is a fine day here, but a cold North wind blowing.
We had some snow blowing through earlier and more forecast for tonight.
Had my gloves on whenst walking!

Hello, Elle!
BBC says the captain is from Cowdenbeath, Fife.
Sky News has him from Arbroath, Angus.
They both agree he was serving with 29 Commando RA at Plymouth, Devon.
I read a bit about a girl who died during the marathon in 2012.
They raised over £1 million in her name for the Samaritans.

Hi, Rusty!
It was Sky news that I was reading.
The soldier's friends and colleagues say that they will be walking in his honour for the charity for which he was running........."Help for Heroes".
Let us hope that they get a worthwhile response.
What a sad event.
It is very cold here, too! I was wearing a padded jacket and scarf and gloves when I went out earlier.
And it has now started to rain.
Still, I suppose that is better than snow!
The book by Nicholas Evans that I am reading - "The Loop" - is very good.
I am wondering just how authentic are the parts about tracking the wolves and ensuring their safety, especially where there is aggression from the populace against the animals' reintroduction into the wilds?
As I told you, it is only a sub plot in a sense, but the references are genuine, so I'm assuming that the information given will be accurate.........?

Hello, Elle!
You will be grand in a padded jacket.
It is when you are in a padded room, you have to worry!
I hope the captains colleagues finish the course for him.
A nice thought!
Quite cold here!
I think the aggression toward wolves will be from farmers with livestock. Would you trust a wolf not to cross a fence?
And there may be the odd tourist going missing etc.
Not easy!
I am going to record a programme on Sky Arts channel later.
It is about landscape painting in Cornwall.
Wonder if it will be any good?
I recorded one on that channel recently about Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison. Was good!

Hi, Rusty!
I have been listening to Eggheads.
I learned something new.......the term "a parting shot" originally came from "a parthian shot".
According to Brewers, this allusion is to the ancient practice of Parthian horsemen, when in flight, turning to discharge arrows and missiles at their pursuers.
Did you know this? I certainly didn't!
I hope your Art programme is good.
Sue (my friend from Tewin) and I are going on Wednesday to the "Russia and the Arts" exhibition that I previously wanted to see, at the National Portrait Gallery.
I am looking forward to it.
As I understand it, the exhibition is about Art and Literature, so will feature the great Russian authors (Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, maybe Pushkin too?) as well as the famous painters.
Should be good?

Good day to you, Elle!
Lovely morning here and no sign of the promised snow.
Cold, though!
The "parting shot" is causing a "silvery" tinkle in the back of my mind!
Fairly sure I have come across this, before.
I will have a wee look at my recorded programme later.
It appears to be about landscape painting on the River Fal.
I am off out for my paper now.
Going to see my nurse later (with BP monitor!)...

Hello, Malone!
Another one for the collection in Times today.
"Pigment from river talked of in East London? (5)"

Thanks for that, Rusty. I found one of today's clues slightly puzzling...
12 A. Shrewish woman badgered, some might say, a knight (8)

I've got the answer - though I'm not giving it in case people have still to do the crossword - but I don't understand the 'some say'. The 'some' seems superfluous. It's often (too often!) used to indicate the dropping of 'h', but that's not the case here.

I will attempt the crossword later, Malone, but at first glance at your clue, I can't solve it.
Will need a letter or two, as normal!

Elle, I had a quick peek at the landscape programme.
One lad was using cow "manure" on his palette!
Artists are odd!
Also, Anne Bradford has both "Parthian" and "parting" under "shot".