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Good morning, Elle!
I had a good time in Ireland.
Good to get over there and good to be home again.
It has been very warm here and another beautiful morning today, so far.
Not had rain in ages, it seems like.
Been very lucky compared to your area and France etc.

Good morning, Rusty!
Another cold day here! but no rain as yet......
You are indeed fortunate with your sunny and warm weather.
So what did you think of the BGT finalist?
I expect you were pleased that at least it wasn't a singer?
I was impressed with him; I thought his "sales pitch" and dexterity were excellent.
I also liked three of the singers - especially the seventeen year-old and the twelve year old girls.
But again (as with last year) there has been a lot of controversy over the winner.
Arguments over the authenticity of the winning act bring feelings of deja-vu re last year's dogs........
And does it matter if an act is not wholly original....I don't know?.....surely it must be impossible for all Members of the Magic Circle to produce individually unique acts?



Hello, Pigale!
How are your water levels in the village? Have you managed to get down there - or is the territory still closed off?
The French Open is suffering too, I believe!
Not that I have had much time to watch the tennis......

Hello, Elle!
Another hot morning here. Not a cloud in the sky
"Oh What a Beautiful Morning". From "Oklahoma"?
I did not think the standard on BGT was as high as in previous years.
I hoped Jasmine (she's 14?) or Trip Hazard would win.
The highlight for me, though, was the show that Ashley Banjo created near the end, bringing back previous acts from other years.
Great seeing Stavros Flatley, and Ashleigh and Pudsey again!
And I still think Diversity was the best dance act to have ever been on the show.
The magician was very good indeed.
I am sure the Queen will like him!

Hi Everyone,

Hello Elle,

Just back from the village and yes, the levels have receded, even though the river and Canal are still very high and running at high speed; hence the area to the North of us are having problems now, heading towards Paris.

On top of it all there are some strikes in France, but I am not really au fait with these.

I don't know if Roland Garros ever started properly - think there was disruptions from Day One - but like Wimbledon, the French Open is either suffering from extreme heat or heavy rain !

Did you go to 'The Ladies Who Lunch' yesterday after your day out with family ?

Rusty, I am extremely jeaolous of your (and my friends') weather - I am so depressed with this permanent grey sky; It's not raining today for a change, but still no sun, and I had heater on first thing this morning!

Good day, Pigale,
Yes, I am blessed with wonderful weather these past few days.
I may have a cooling ice cream when I meet my granddaughters soon!
I read earlier that the Louvre and Orsay galleries have closed and the staff are moving the paintings etc in case they are flooded.
The Seine at Paris will peak nineteen feet above normal levels!
That is astonishing!
I am not sure if Roland Garros is on or not.
There is an interview with Andy Murray showing just now

Hi, Rusty!
Yes, you are right, 'Jasmine', and yes, 14 not 17 as I queried.
That is whom I meant! and I think the younger girl was called 'Beau'?
But I had a surfeit of singing from watching "The Voice", so was pleased and entertained by the magician.
I used to like Geoffrey Durham - comedy magician in days- gone- by; Victoria Wood's ex-husband.
He had such a lovely smile - I would find myself smiling back at the screen!
I wasn't so much impressed by Trip Hazard - that was the dog wasn't it? - rather a bit of "been there and done that" , about it?
Shades of Pudsey?
Yes, the showing of previous acts was impressive (especially as I hadn't seen most of them before).

Did you or any one know that a "moccasin" was a venomous snake besides being a shoe?
I learned that from my crossword this morning!


Hello, Pigale!
I am glad to hear that your waters are receding!
I'm assuming though that it was necessary to go out in your wellies?
Wimbledon of course has not had so many weather problems since he introduction of the sliding roof over Centre Court.
By the time a second roof has been installed over No. 1 Court - it should make life "plain sailing" (sorry, couldn't resist the watery pun!)

Will check on Roland Garros...........

I heard on the grape vine that there were talks of perhaps extending the French Open by one extra week - don't now if this has been confirmed.

No, I did not need wellies - I walked mostly on main roads and they were OK. The worst was on Tuesday afternoon/evening.
Some nearby villages have been much more hit than us, so I would say that we were quite lucky, with no casualty.

The insurance guys are very busy though ! and the people who put a claim in are not always the most seriously hit - as usual !

You're right elle. Just as there are said to be only x basic jokes (I have no idea what x is, mind), there are only so many basic tricks in magic. So it is probably impossible to be wholly original.

Really cold here- winter clothes and CH on.

Nice to see you, rusty

Hi, Ros!
So I cannot see why there is so much fuss about the magician's winning....?
Nothing can ever be straightforward, can it?
Yes, I'm wearing a sweater, too! and we have kept our heating on all day!
but the forecast tomorrow is for 21C - I'll believe it when it happens!

Good evening, Elle!
I have heard of a water moccasin snake in USA.
I have not looked at my crossword yet.
Been a lovely day here.
I had a look at weather forecast on AccuWeather site.
Said my area my have "spotty showers".
What is a "spotty" shower?
No showers of any kind happened!
Awful flooding in Paris!
Pigale, hope you are safe!