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Yes, found it all right, on Google, Pigale
Thank you!

Thanks for your replies. Luckily it doesn't matter what I think and I never watch any sport anyway, except very occasionally Tang Soo Do when my son/grandson do it. No point in cheating at that, it is skill, knowledge and courage that count and, as far as I know, cheating does not help any of that. Plus respect is a cornerstone of the teaching. It is rude to be late, appear in less than a perfectly washed and pressed outfit, not say "Sir" at once when spoken to.
Now I am going back to the nineteenth century!

Hi, Rusty!
Well, there weren't many people arguing the toss over Sports competitions, were there?
I had thought that Rosalind's throwing down the gauntlet might bring forth some opinions / discussion?
But there was nothing much mentioned that a few of us have not said many times before........
I have just got home, having been down to see the practice nurse, at the GP surgery, for a routine Blood Pressure check.
Fortunately, all was well.
It is time for the animals' MOTs next!
The cat is due his boosters - and the dog her anal gland check.
I must ring to make an appointment for next week.
I learned two new words today from the crossword....
Nelumbo and charivari.
Anne B told me the second one!

Hi Elle,
I did not realise you (in England) used 'charivari' - Just a look
and it seems you use it in the same context as we do in France.
Was it easy to get from the definition?

Hello, Pigale!
I'd never heard the word "charivari" before.
The clue is:
Hubbub exposed in daily, one modified when editor's absent (9)
hubbub = charivari(def)
char- daily
i - one
vari (ed) - varied minus "ed" / modified.
I checked it out in Bradford's.

Yes, not a difficult clue really - I worked it out for myself before
looking at your parsing.
Strangely enough, whenever there is a french word in a crossword,
it often gives me problems, mainly because I do not expect to
find it there - I mean in England!
There are many english words in the french language, and obviously there are as many french words in the english language.

A point of grammar - the reason I am not putting Capitals at the
various "french' and 'english' is because in France, we only put
capital letters when it is a noun and not an adjective. Is it the same
for you?

PS - I meant not a difficult clue when you know the word!

Hello, Elle!
Nelumbo is a new word for me.
The "umbo" bit was easy, but I thought the first part would be "nod", a fellow reversed.
I have came across "charivari" before, though.
Is it something to do with weddings?
Anne B is very good!
Most of the snow has gone now, thankfully.
Have you had a look at any Morpurgo book sets?

Update, Elle and Pigale!
Just been on the the loch site and live pictures are coming forth!
Still some snow there.
Anyway, here is today's blog from Emma.

https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/2018/03/start-new-season/

I have several of Jim Crumley's books here, and he writes a column in my local paper every week, and is a fellow citizen of mine!

Thanks for the update on the Loch Rusty.

In fact, I had a mail from Emma this afternoon, in response to
one of mine in which I complained for their lack of action,;
She was very apologetic and assured me that everything would
be ready for Laddie and Lassie's return.

So they were not able to do anything substantial throughout
the whole of the past months, but now all of a sudden, it will all
be done within 10 to 12 days? I know they are only winter staff
and volunteers, but there was a definite lack of communicatio
from them, about which I also complained er... gently and
politely of course!