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Hello, Elle!
I went along the nature trail.
Had it to myself.
Been a lovely day here.
I have not ordered any books yet.
Going to look this evening.

Hey, Rusty!
I have just been reading in yesterday's Sunday Times about the Olympic ban on Russian athletes being upheld in all disciplines .
But with odd exceptions who will be allowed to compete by special dispensation; such as possibly Yuliya Stepanova, who was banned herself for two years for drug abuse, but who subsequently "blew the whistle" on Russia's doping programme.
Also other "clean" individual Russian athletes will be singled out to compete under a "neutral flag"- most probably that of the International Olympic committee.
Further revelations show that the IOC may hold a retrospective medal ceremony for five British athletes, if it is confirmed that they were cheated out of medals in Beijing by prohibited substances being found in competitors placed above them.
Whatever else will unfold?

Hello, Elle!
If they are certain the athletes are clean, I would support that.
But, that is only athletics.
What about Russian wrestlers, swimmers, cyclists, archers, gymnasts etc?
I presume they are all excluded from the games?
Isinbayeva says she will go to court to be allowed to take part.
I think they should get all the "suspect" countries, like Ethiopia, Kenya, Jamaica, etc and tell them they are not welcome.
Have the games without them.
And if it were possible, ban Nike, too.

Hi, Rusty!
I think at the moment that the ban only applies to Russian track and field eventers.
But I could be wrong.
I believe that WADA are turning their attention to Russian participation in other sports, but I don't know how far this investigation has gone.
This idea of some Russian athletes being allowed to compete as " independent," rather than in the name of their country, sounds a bit ropey?
And surely how to prove that a competitor is "clean" is still going to be difficult?
It's all such a mess........
What is happening with Seb? What is the latest info?

Hello, Elle!
There have been Independent athletes at several Olympics including the London Games. South Sudan athletes at London, and years ago I vaguely remember Macedonia and Yugoslavia athletes competing Independently.
There will be a fudge.
Seb, has been quiet lately, but I thought the International Olympic Committee were meeting this week, though I do not think he is on that.
I think it is impossible to prove an athlete clean.
They may "pass" the drug tests, but who knows.
There will be ways around the tests.
Not answering the door, and hiding in "panic rooms" etc, springs to mind!
In many cycling cases the testers were getting money to pass the riders drug tests as clean.
"Who watches the watchers?"
There will be more scandals ahead!

Good morning, Rusty!
A lovely day here - blue skies and warm sunshine! Such a change from yesterday.
Unfortunately, though, I haven t yet been out with the dog.........
What a kerfuffle we have had here this morning!
I awoke with a bad migraine ( luckily as it turned out !) which meant that I didn't go out early, but took my meds and waited for them to work.....
Meanwhile my husband went out to get the paper.
He couldn't get back in , when he came back!
The key failed to work (it was fine last night )
It was a good thing I was there to let him in....had we both gone out with the dog, we would have both been locked out!
A mystery..... he is investigating the lock now...but I fear it will be a job for a locksmith!
Better get searching the yellow pages!....or Googling 'locksmiths'!
How is your day progressing?

Hi elle
We too are having a little problem with the front door key. The door has dropped fractionally, so the lock won't work by itself; however pulling the (rotating) handle upwards allows it to work fine. Someday we might need to do more. Mind you one of the back doors wouldn't open at all during the winter, as it had swelled up with all the rain. Back to normal now, though.

P.S. hope your migraine is better.

Still waiting form the promised sun - grass cutting needed today, but still overcast and cold.

Good morning, Elle!
A wee scoot of WD40 may help key/lock?
It is good stuff!
I know a man who puts it on his knees for arthritis.
It could not possibly work, of course, but he thinks it helps, poor soul!
Not too bad a morning here. Dry at least.
I am making up a wee list of books for Amazon.
Just have one at the minute.
"The Lost Legions of Fromelles".
It was the worst military disaster that befell the Aussies.
I have an afternoon appointment with the GP.
I prefer an early morning one, but it will have to do!
Just a BP check.
Good luck with the lock!

I use WD40 on sticky locks...works very well.
A lady cleaner at our office also sprays it on her knees
I would give yellow pages a miss...I always use checkatrade.com. Tradesmen are all vetted and recommended by real people and given marks out of ten.