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Hello, Elle!
It is cold here too. Only 10 degrees.
Yes. Laura and Jenny were fab!
And I sincerely hope there is no Sharapova nonsense with them!
The tennis is coming from Nottingham and Stuttgart, but I was not watching..
Was doing my crossword.

Hi, Rusty!
I think we are having April showers in early June!
It brightened up , enabling us to get out with the dog for a while, but then the sky darkened again, and we have had yet more heavy rain!
Definitely cooler.
I haven't had any tennis showing......
I hear though that Johanna Konta was knocked out in the second round of the Nottingham Open, leaving qualifier Tara Moore as the only British player in the competition?
I do hope Johanna has a better showing at Eastbourne, prior to Wimbledon.
My favourite, Roger Federer, lost out in the Semi-Final of the Mercedes Cup.
So how is your cycling going?

I watched the last hour of the cycling today (it was the "Queen Stage"). I thought Sky were going to let the young Frenchman (Bardet?) steal the yellow jersey, but they had it under control.

The commentators haven't awarded the race to Froome yet - does this mean that he might be attacked on the last day? Not the tradition in the major stage races.

Hello, Elle!
It is dashed cold up here.
Well, I am very pleased for Cancellara.
He won today's stage, which means he will wear yellow tomorrow, probably for the very last time.
He has Tweeted that another legendary rider, Rudi Altig, has passed away.
Hello, Chris,
Tomorrow is the most mountainous stage in the Dauphine, six major climbs, so I think they will be hammering into Froome, searching for a weakness.
If it was a flat stage I would agree with you, that it would be more of a procession.
Just cannot see that tomorrow!

Hi Rusty
Do you remember when the TdF finished with a time trial (1989), and Greg LeMond beat Laurent Fignon to the title? They haven't done that again!

Hello Elle,

Sorry for late reply - was not by computer!

My friends left this morning (luckily by car, so no problem with strikes).
It has been drizzling on and off today with temps around 18C - still 15 now, but there was a breeze which probably made it feel cool - have not put my nose out !

Chris, I remember that very well!
Folk say it was Fignon's pony tail blowing in the wind that cost him time.
And I think it was the first time I ever saw LeMond's tri-bars.
They are going over the Col de la Madeleine tomorrow.
Hope it is clear of snow!

Didn't they go over the Madeleine today? Perhaps they're going the other way tonorrow?

Yes, they went over the Madeleine today.
I do not know which way they approach it tomorrow.
Froome is long odds on to win, with Richie Porte second favourite.
But things can and do happen in cycle racing!

Hi, Rusty!
Cycle racing seems to have a magic all of its own!
I have just been reading the exchanges between yourself and Chris, and there is definitely an element of excitement there that doesn't arise when people discuss tennis, for instance!
and Well done, Cancellera - it is good that he will the wear the yellow jersey tomorrow, especially if this proves to be his last time.
I wonder if I shall remember all that you taught me when next I watch Le Tour de France?
I recall how long it took me to grasp the principles of cycle racing!!
(and how satisfied I felt when I finally understood!)
I have nearly finished my book ....I didn't even watch "Casualty" tonight.
And it is raining AGAIN......