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Good morning, Rusty!
We have a lovely day here - sunshine, and even a temperature as high as 7C!
We had a great walk in the park.......no frozen lakes today, and no slippery paths!
I think we need to make the most of it........because apparently it will be very cold again tomorrow.
I am just about to make a coffee and take a look at the crossword.
I have about an hour's leisure time before my friend arrives.
How about you?
What are you up to?

Good morning, Elle!
Fine frosty morning here!
Roads a bit slippy.
I was driving earlier.
I am watching the Games.
My girl, Lara Gut, had a spectacular crash in the Giant Slalom.
She took out around 6 photographers as well!
Anyway, Mikaela Shiffrin won, and it won't be her last.
She is the new Lindsey Vonn!
A tall blonde American, and boy can she ski!
I will look at the puzzle later.

Hi, Rusty!
Oh dear, poor Lara!
Still. it was a good coup to take the media out with her!
By all accounts, luckily no one was hurt?
You are not having much luck with your bets, though!
I do not know Mikaela Shiffron?
Now, before my friend arrives, I need to go and talk about water meters with one of my neighbours.
We have a Thames Water representative coming here to "discuss " the new meters and the supposedly helpful adaptations...... which we have been warned against by fellow victims!
I need to find out more info beforehand.........
"Forewarned is forearmed" !
Catch up with you later......

Hello, Elle!
This is Lara taking out the photographers!
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/othersport/919233/Winter-Olympics-2018-skier-crash-photographers-Lara-Gut-video
No great harm done and she skied off down to the finish.
Mikaela Shiffrin is the new American super skier!
She will win the slalom and won't be far away in the other events.
My bets are unimportant.
They just add a little spice to the sport for me!

Good afternoon, Rusty!
I am home for the day now!
I had a very enjoyable lunch....Sicilian Crepes with chips and salad.
Delicious!
I have just watched Lara wiping out competitors and photographers!
A good job no one was injured!
After this morning's consultation with neighbours, It seems to be that we are all experiencing a drop in water pressure, since the installation of the water meters.
I have no idea why this should be?
But will bring this issue up with the Thames Water rep when he calls on Monday.
Apparently , the rep also wants to change all the shower heads for one of TW's own designs...
We have been warned against this , as the water is then reduced to a mere trickle .
Also I cannot see why we should want a timer on the shower....?
This is going to be an interesting meeting / confrontation!
Is your son visiting you today?
Or is he fishing again?

Hello, Elle!
What in the name of the wee man are Sicilian Crepes?
The sound like dodgy Lotharios?
No messing with Lara!
Hope she is fit to race in her other events.
I watched Team GB women in the curling.
They beat China, which is a good result.
Good luck with your water meters.
I do not have one.
Hopefully my son will call later, yes.

Hi, Rusty!
I hope you had a good time with your son?
A crepe is a kind of thin pancake.
( There should be a circumflex over the first "e", but I cannot do that!)
The "Sicilian" bit means it is made with three types of cheese.
Trust me...it is very tasty!
Now...water meters!
As I have said before, these were forced upon us........we had no option.
But we have a two year hiatus when we can "take it or leave it" as it were.
We will be given comparative bills with or without the meter usage and charge, and can decide whether we wish to have the meter connected now........or wait out the two years before it becomes mandatory.
An official is coming on Monday to discuss options/ check on the meter installation/ offer various "gizmos" to supposedly enhance the prospect /discuss comparative costs etc.
I just thought that I would "gen up" beforehand!

Good evening, Elle!
The crepes sound very tasty.
I think I would like them!
Learn as much as you can about the pros and cons of the water meters before you meet the official.
My electric supplier is forever pestering me to get a "smart" meter, but so far I have dodged one.
I almost cost myself money with Amazon.
They gave me a free trial of "Prime" and were going to start charging me after a month without my say so.
I just realised that this night, but I have explored my account and managed to escape from Prime.
May be useful to many but I do not want it.

Hi, Rusty!
Yes, I agree.....that was my thought entirely.... we may already have the water meter in situ...( it is out in the street)....... but whilst we have no choice about its existence, we do have a say in how soon it has to be "connected" and "working".
So I am finding out as much as possible.
Smart meters?
Again , we were given no option about having those in our area...but since then , I believe there has been a change of tactics?
I read that now one can actually refuse to have one?
So do check this out, because you may find that this change will apply to you ?
My new hot air brush should arrive tomorrow....but only by standard "free" delivery....
I refuse to pay for "Prime", although both my daughters have it.
I was offered a free trial, but I hate the hassle of having to "cancel" the arrangement before they automatically start charging me, so I gave it a miss!
Dry and mild out now ...but expected to be 2C in the early morning!
I am going to watch a recorded episode of "Call the Midwife".

Hello, Elle!
I have refused a smart meter several times and shall continue to do so.
I was unaware that Amazon would start taking a monthly fee from me when my free trial ended.
I have put a stop to that.
They should leave us dinosaurs in peace!
It is a fine night here.
The webcam from the loch is showing a permanent night time scene again.
A very amateurish set up they seem to have.