Crossword Help Forum
Forum Rules

Hello, Elle!
The riders are used to hot weather so I should not think they will pay much heed other than to wind speed and direction and if the roads will be wet or not.
I suspect it will be a battle between BMC and Team Sky for the win.
I have no favourite for the overall race, but I favour Sagan for the green jersey.
If Team Sky wins by more than 15 seconds, Geraint Thomas will be in yellow.
I like G, but not his team!
I needed my jacket earlier for odds and ends I was carrying when out.
Plenty pockets!

Good afternoon Elle and Rusty!

I am sorry I have not been in touch for a couple of days (I think?) -
Got involved in some research work (well, more pass-time really)
in the cool little area that I use as my 'office'.
I hope you are both keeping well.

I do not really mind the weather we are having as a) I don't dislike
the heat and b) we have been having a constant breeze.
Moreover, we are very lucky is that the temps at night, between
11pm and 5am or a bit later, gradually go down as low as 14C, which
make for a good sleep!
I know this for sure as this is what I saw on my thermometer in
the bedroom when I got up around 5 this morning to use the loo -
not surprising view the amount of water I drunk yesterday! I reckon
I must have drunk double the amount I usually do, it around 1.5 litres
x 2!

I looked at the forecast for Cholet today, temps should reach
27C on the map, so 30C felt, with a small breeze. I don't know
if the breeze will affect the riders, I hope it will not be like
crosswind.

I am glad P. Sagan won his stage yesterday - Is he not that good
in a time trial Rusty?
I will be watching the Mur de Bretagne stage, and then just keep
track of things towards of each stage before the Alps.

Glad also that you are so enjoying your tennis Elle! I know what
this sport means to you, though you surprised me when you said
that you would put Athletics before Tennis, should you have to
choose!

Try and stay cool

Hello, Pigale!
Nice to hear from you!
A bit cooler here today.
Sagan is not known for time trialling, but it is a team time trial, so will depend on how fast his team mates can ride.
Movistar often win the TTT, but have more climbers in their team this year.
I think it will be between BMC and Sky, with the Mitchelton team, and the Quick-Steps, up there too.
We shall see!

Hi, Rusty!
Ah, I have met before this male need for a jacket with pockets!
My husband is just the same1
He will wear / carry an unnecessary jacket just because of the "pockets"!
The girls thought they had got around this by buying him a "male bum bag"!
But he won't use it, as he says it's "sissyish"!
To me , it is a sensible, practical alternative to a jacket...especially in the heat!
Now remind me again about the green jersey?
I think it is for overall points?
But how, why and when are these gained?
Unless Karolina Pliskova - last women's seed standing- does something pretty drastic very soon, she will be out of the tournament!



Hello, Pigale!
Good to hear from you!
Athletics has always been my first love as regards watching the Sport!
But I do love tennis, too.
Especially as I was a keen player in my...er...younger days!
I would play every day..... even in the drizzly rain that we used to get so much up north!
Fresher today...not much cooler, though.

Hi elle
I played a lot of tennis when I was a teenager too, but even then I didn't watch it much on TV - a few minutes watching just made me want to go and play!

Hello, Elle!
I would not be seen dead with a bum bag!
Every shirt I own has a breast pocket for the rare occasion I take my 'phone out with me, and my trousers have three pockets for coins, wallet, and keys.
The green jersey is for points.
Basically, the higher you are placed for each stage counts towards the green jersey, and there could be stages with sprints in one or two places along the route.
The yellow jersey goes on time.
The winner of le Tour will be the rider who takes the least time to get to Paris.
The polka dot jersey is for the best climber in the race.
The white jersey is for the best young rider.
Yellow race numbers indicate the leading team.
A red number is worn by the most combative rider of the previous stage.
Think that's them all!

How did I spend Sunday afternoon?? Watching sport? In the garden? Nope, watching a succession of youngsters (all boys for some reason) playing the drums. My grandson was last so I had to sit through about seven renditions of the kind of "music" I dislike very much, in the hot sun. He was apparently good, though I wouldn't know! One thing for sure, he wasn't fazed by performing in public (he has to "perform" martial arts with an audience sometimes, but it's not quite the same).
My cousin, whom I have not seen for 25 years at least, sent me an email today saying could she visit mid-afternoon. Some time ago I arranged to see a friend then. Would you have cancelled?

Hi, Rusty!
You and my husband both, re the bum bags!
Thank you! That was a very succinct explanation about the various jerseys!
I do have a printout where you answered some of my questions about Le Tour, and explained it all to me very clearly.......but this last is short and to the point.
I have printed it out and shall keep it handy for referral!
Now, Pliskova went out to Kiki Bergens!
If I am counting correctly, that is all the women's Seeds out now.........
Angie Kerber won her match - she is a worthy player.
I wonder who will win the Singles title.....?
I should love it to be someone other than Serena!
Roger has made short work of Adrian Mannarino in three straight sets .....I had thought it would be a better match.
It is very overcast here, too, now...though I don't think there is any rain forecast?



Hello, Chris!
I know what you mean about wanting to play oneself!
I played tennis for many years (from being a small child) until an injury to my hand stopped me from serious play.
I only knock around with the grandchildren these days!
Btw , you never answered my query as to whether you had read John MCEnroe'a autobiography?
"Serious".... and the second volume "But seriously"?



Ros, are you asking whether you should have cancelled your prior arrangement in favour of your cousin's sudden proposed visit?
I always use to tell my children, when small and either invited out, or having asked a friend over to play, that once they had accepted an arrangement, then they had to stick to it........regardless what other more tempting offers came along!
(And it doesn't even sound as though you consider your cousin's proposed visit a more tempting offer!)
So, no, I don't think you should cancel your long-standing arrangement!
I think that would only be justifiable in case of an emergency?
If you remember, I was placed in a somewhat invidious position regarding a cousin popping up expectedly, and wanting to come and stay?
Always an awkward situation...I do feel for you!

Sorry elle! No I haven't read the McEnroe books. I take it that you would recomment them?

New word, recomment! I'll have to decide what it means...