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Pigale, the crosswinds, narrow roads, and street furniture made things tough for the riders.
Yes, not professional by Cavendish.
I have no problems connecting, Pigale, but one of our Americans on the forum often mentions that he has trouble getting on.
I do not really know what the solution would be.
Maybe someone a lot more technical than me can help?

Jazzgirl, I do not know if it would interest you, or not.
After Le Tour highlights on ITV4, there is a documentary called "Slaying the Badger".
This is about the rivalry between Greg LeMond and Bernard Hinault.
Hinault's nickname was the Badger.
Should be good...so it should!

rusty
Thanks, but I doubt if I can stay awake for that. I am not a night owl like you ;) I had in mind to watch "fake or fortune" BBC . I will maybe catch your programme later next week on itvplayer

Sorry ab. I just meant thank you all for reminding me to turn off the computer and TV and listen to some Mozart!

My goodness, JG, what an anniversary. Did you visit Salzburg together? I once went to a concert in a place where Mozart had played. The rest of the audience was/were dressed up to the nines! DJs, sparklers, furs. Amazing.
My husband was a Bach devotee. I gave him all the organ works on CDs recorded, I think, at Hexham Abbey by a great organist who has, I think, sadly had a stroke.
I admit to selling the collection, though, which you clearly have not.
I sold or gave away most of the sheet music as well, so it could be enjoyed by others. I also (permanently!) loaned the Hammond from our living room to an Oxford College.

Evening, Rusty!
Goodness me, nearly 8 pm already!
What sort of a day have you had?

It was very interesting to hear more about the swan -upping and to read that link that you posted. It is a great pity that none of it takes place near where we live, as I would have liked to go to watch it take place. The officials apparently wear special uniforms.

Our weather today seems to have mirrored yours of yesterday! We got wet through on our morning meander....luckily we had umbrellas in the car and took them with us on reaching the park, as the skies were so threatening- but they were somewhat inadequate in view of the very heavy downpour! Decidedly a "poggy" trip! Needed a change of clothes on our return!

We've had a great day with the family - it was our younger daughter who came - not the mother of the would-be racing-driver - so no need for warnings about car brakes and gears!
It's been fun playing trains!

How did your cycling event go today?
Have yet to watch today's Athletics... the 8th Diamond League; followed by the British Championships from Birmingham.......I doubt you've had the chance to watch that if you've been watching the Tour?

(Ok, I will ask....... what DID Queen Victoria actually say to William McGonagall when she chased him from Balmoral?
Wasn't William McG that dreadful 'poet'?)

Hi Elle,

I've read a bit about William McG this morning out of curiosity - without find an answer to Rusty's question -
Now, please tell me, what was it that made him a
'dreadful' poet ?

hi rosalind
Of course, we had to visit Salzburg (more than once :)
and husband had to have his photo taken beside Mozart's statue!
Did you try the marzipan fancies? Mozartkugel (known by other names !) I still have 600-odd CD's which I find difficult to part with. But all the sheet music (two cupboards full) has been donated to the Performing Arts Library in Dorking . What a generous heart you have to donate the Hammond. I did donate his trumpet to James Rhodes "don't stop the music".

Elle, you seem to have had a good day.
No, I saw Jess Ennis looking fairly pleased with herself in an interview, though.
Cycling was very good. I liked Zelande!
Hello, Pigale!
Now the two of you gather round and I shall tell the tale of the worst poet who ever lived.
Firstly, everyone associates McGonagall with Dundee.
The truth is, he came from Edinburgh and inflicted himself and his dreadful doggerel upon us!
He managed to get several bookings in Dundee halls and recited his dirges, and when the audience threw oranges and spoilt fruit at him, he took it for adoration. Honestly.
Eventually, he wrote letters to Her Majesty Queen Victoria, seeking her patronage as a Royal poet.
But, Queen Vic was a lot wiser than William and deigned to reply to him.
He knew that she holidayed at Balmoral every year and decided to go and see her there.
And off he popped up the road.
Now, Balmoral is about 60 miles North of the city and the bold William walked all the way.
But, the Queen had her scouts out gathering information and they relayed the impertinent scoundrel's intention to her. She was not amused.
And when William reached Balmoral he was met at the gates of the Castle by an enormous royal usher (Brown?) who told him that Her Majesty's wishes were, for him to be off and never darken her door again.
There was no messing with our gracious queen.
And he returned to Dundee and made up more daft verses!
It is a pleasant evening here!

Thank you Rusty - You have enlightened me and enriched my tale knowledge -

I would like to see how bad his 'poems' were by reading at least one small one, if there are some to be found ! Did not see anything when I googled earlier.

Pigale, it is on our sports news here that Cavendish is blaming his team mate Mark Renshaw (Prince Harry) for getting beat. His manager, Patrick Lefevre, is furious with him, and rightly says he cost Tony Martin the yellow jersey.
The arrogant twerp says Cancellara should not be beating him in a sprint.
Superfast sprinting is not Cancellara's forte but he did not give up, as Cavendish did, and raced into yellow.