Crossword Help Forum
Forum Rules

Hello, Elle!
Yes, it was a bit odd for a while.
Ash to the rescue!
I did not see Andy at the end, but I saw on Twitter, the two Mums, Judy and Mrs Djokovic having a wee drink together.
All very friendly!
My bets were useless. You never beat the bookie!
I did better with Lara Gut etc in the skiing.
Been great weather here again.
I see Lassie moving sticks about again.
Wonder if she is deepening the nest to prevent a chick falling out?

PS.
Hello again, Elle.
Another mystery!
The tweet I mentioned from Judy Murray.
"Mums. Grannies. Friends.
Me and Djana Djokovic.
Toasting our sons."
And a lovely pic of the two ladies!
But, here's the thing.
Judy's glass is on a chain for some reason, but Djana's is not.
Why ever would that be?
Are the folk at Roland Garros feared Judy is going to pinch their glass?
Been an odd Sunday!

Hey, Rusty!
I forgot to mention that I caught the tail end of a discussion that Gaby Logan was having with Seb Coe, during the Birmingham Grand Prix transmission.
I missed some of it because I was also watching the tennis (channel-hopping).
She appeared to be asking him about the Russians being banned from the Olympics.
I could have got it wrong (what with my coming in half way through) but it seemed that Seb was saying he would make a report to the Committee and they would then make a decision.
A decision as to......what?
Whether the Russians would after all be allowed to participate in the Games?
I truly hope that this is NOT what was meant? A ban should be a ban - and in my opinion a ban for drug-taking should be for LIFE!
(Yes, very weird about the glasses.... you are right, a most peculiar day!)

Hello, Elle!
I said a while ago that Coe would not do anything.
He and those who have been on these committees for years are part of the problem.
There will be a fudge, I suspect.
Big bucks will play a part.
Corruption abounds on these committees.
That's why the football World Cup is going to Qatar, of all places.
Look what Lance Armstrong got away with for years.
People were getting paid to ignore the failed drug tests.
Who tests the testers?
I am afraid, Elle, that sport simply is not clean!

Hi, Rusty!
Usually we listen to Classic FM on the car radio, but just occasionally we have on LBC - Leading Britain's Conversation.
Have you ever listened to that? It can be "interesting".
The other day the topic was about drug taking in sport- hardly original, but listeners were phoning in with their viewpoints, so a wide range of opinions.
The presenter put forth the theory that as it would prove virtually impossible to stop sportsmen/women from taking drugs , it would be a more viable option to allow it legally.
And that ALL competitors would then take drugs!
This presumably would then supposedly offer a level playing field!
I don't know what allowance could then be made for anyone wishing to compete in an honest fashion?
Or maybe it was thought that there would be no "honest" contenders?
I gave up and switched back to Classic FM!

Hello, Elle,
I do not use my car radio.
I prefer peace and quiet!
There's the mechanical dopers, too.
Those who sleep in oxygen tents.
I think it has the same effect as EPO.
Seems to be legal?
If they allow drug taking legally, they had better accept that athletes will die.
My sport, cycling, has lost several riders who died in their sleep.
Their blood had became so thick with whatever they were on, and their hearts could not pump the sludge-like blood around their bodies, and they died. Young men in their early twenties. Dead!

Good Morning, Rusty!
Summer is with us!
The temperature was already 15C when I went out at 7.45 am and is set to reach 22C later on.
We even sat on a park bench for a while, enjoying the warm sunshine!
I was unaware that several cyclists had died as a result of drug taking. Why ever take such a risk? Is the short-lived glory really worth that?
I googled this new trend for making drug- taking "legal" and find that there is quite a lot of support for it.
The concept is beyond me.......
I have a "free" day today! by that, I mean no social commitments.... I do (regrettably) need to push the hoover around though ........
What do you have planned for your day?

Good morning, Elle!
Great day here too, and in Belfast, I hear.
So, it appears we all are getting a fine start to the day!
Yes, the riders went to sleep at night, as normal, and never woke up.
I remember Graham Obree, the Scots rider, telling of how he was approached by a French team. La Redoute, I think?
In the contract it said 10% of his salary would be kept back for "medical purposes". He was told it was for drugs.
Graham refused to sign.
Cheating is rife in sport, I think.
In cycling they have found bikes with tiny motors hidden inside them, and are now testing for them.
I have no plans for today.
Done my shopping etc, and will have a walk...or two!

Morning Everyone!

Hello Elle, There is something bright in the sky ! Wonder what it is....
After a warmish night, we finally seem to have a better outlook with 24C already; but guess what..... thunders due this afternoon (not everywhere, but humid heat anyway).

I don't know how this silly idea of legalising drug taking in sport can solve the problem - there will always be some who will take more than others, and of a different kind, so where is the limit and how to control it? It would only make it legal for sportsmen and women to put their life at risk. (or even damaging their health on a long term basis)

Breakfast time at the Loch,
These chicks are really growing!