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Hello, Elle,
I am surprised that merganser is new to you.
Around here it is "chipper" for a fish and chip shop.
There is an excellent one not too far from me.
There are several articles in The Times, condemning the IOC.
Also comments from Hoy, Adlington, etc.
The Aussies have refused to move into their quarters in the Olympic village because the toilets are blocked, there are bare wires dangling from walls etc.
Just a tip, they say. Not unexpected!
Jo Konta has beaten Venus W to win a tournament in USA.
I am off for a dander!

Hi, Rusty!
I hope you enjoyed your walk - where did you go?
Whew! I feel as though I have run a marathon!
(I didn't dare stop or I knew I would give up)
One of the jobs on my list was to reorganise my wardrobe, donating to charity items I no longer needed.
This was no easy task because I am not tall enough to reach the higher hanging rail without climbing up a step!
It was a bit like doing fitness exercises! Up, down, up, down......!
I am pleased for Jo Konta winning the Stanford Classic.
She is the first British woman to win this title since Sue Barker in 1977, and will join Heather Watson on the WTA tour.
Any further feedback about the IOC?
I should have bought a paper!
Off now to take the dog for a quick walk....shan't go very far afield.
I've done enough exercising!

Good afternoon, Elle.
And a very pleasant one it is too!
I just had a canny dander up to the Nature Trail.
I bought a new wardrobe earlier this year and punted quite a lot of clothes.
My new wardrobe is quite a bit smaller.
Not heard anything new although Kara Goucher is condemning them for disallowing previous drug cheats from Russia to the Games, while turning a blind eye to the USA (for one) having several in their team. Katherine Merry slaughtered IOC too.
And Jo Pavey.
Meanwhile FINA have banned seven Russian swimmers.
There was a quite a lot in The Times you could have read.
Even editorials.

Good evening, Rusty!
Goodness, I must have got the spring cleaning bug (a trifle late, but who says you can't do it in mid Summer!)
I have now started on the chest of drawers!
The staff at the charity shop is going to be very pleased with me!
I haven't heard of Katharine Merry for a long time.
She retired from sprinting because of illness, didn 't she?
Or am I misremembering?
What is she doing with herself these days?
Yes, I wish retrospectively that I had bought today's paper.......... there must be such a lot I would like to read......
My husband has just gone out to get our local paper - the Evening Standard - so I have asked him to pick up a Times for me if there is still one available.
Nothing strange or starting in my crossword today...Mr R must be keeping a low profile!

Good evening, Elle¡
I think Katharine had bone spurs on her heels causing retirement.
She works as a sports presenter for Sky TV and Eurosport.
My crossword was straightforward too.
Stepanova has criticised IOC for not letting her run at the Games.
And...I have just discovered that all the athletic events shall take place in the early hours of the day!
This is a pain in the butt.
Will have to get my thinking hat on!

Hi, Rusty!
I have been busy reading about the IOC in both today's Times and the London Evening Standard.
So many people are now speaking out against the shameful decision that was taken.
The IOC should bow its head in shame!
At least the IAAF (and Seb) have come out of this with some credit.
I don't think you need worry about the timing of the Athletics track and field events at Rio..... the BBC - and presumably Eurosport? - will no doubt show them here at a 'civilised' hour!
This has happened before when the time scales do not coincide - and the events were simply shown the next day.
Admittedly, they will not be shown "live", but this is often the case in Athletics - certainly with the BBC !
(We are used to its happening with the Diamond League Meetings)
Goodness, I am tired.........housework is exhausting!
Roll on the Athletics when I can give it up again!

Hello, Elle!
You are one up on me with the London Evening Standard!
Is it any good?
We have an evening paper but I avoid it, it is more like a comic!
Be good to hear Seb say something, though.
I shall plan my viewing at the Olympics.
Wonder if there are programmes with event times for sale?
Want to see David Florence in the canoeing events, too.
I like him.
BBC and Red Button should be fine for watching the events.

Hello, Elle!
Update!
I have found the Olympic programme on Radio Times website and have saved it as a bookmark.
Very pleased with me!

Good morning, Rusty!
Another lovely day but a lot cooler!
So far I have only been as far as the garden.
I have just realised that the bulk of the Olympic Games will be whilst our elder daughter, the two boys - and the new puppy - will be here!
I shall have my hands full!
I doubt I will get to see much of the athletics!
I shall need to study the timetable, and see how much is possible to record if we are given sufficiently specific times for detailed events.
Ah well.... I can always watch in the early hours of the morning when everyone has gone to bed!
It will be lovely to have them all to stay.
We are looking forward to it!
Now.........off to the park with the dog.......

Good morning, Elle!
It is a fine morning here, too.
Much better when it is cooler, I think!
I am going to be selective regarding what I watch or record during the Games.
One event I am looking forward to, is the mountain bike cross country.
Peter Sagan is in it. He does not like the cycling road course as it does not suit him (he is world champion on the road), so has switched to mountain biking. Incredible!
I think there are more Olympic articles in The Times today.
It will be nice having your family to stay.
Hope the dogs get on!