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Hi, Rusty!
Yes, the builders are all friends of ours, although we know two of the guys and their wives much better than the others.
Yes, it does make for a relaxing atmosphere......and of course we know in advance that all the jobs will be well done.
So you won your bet with So-Yeon Ryu coming in third at the golf?
Didn't you say that she needed to be in the top five?
That is good!
That was a great video clip of Trotty....I thought it lovely that her first thoughts after her win were of Albie!
You have had a good day!

Hello, Elle!
Yes, it all sounds good with the builders.
Yes, my bet was successful with So-Yeon Ryu.
She made a mess of a couple of holes early in her round or would possibly have won.
Delighted for Georgia though!
I think all Trotty speaks about is Albie, nowadays!
I have a very high opinion of Trotty.
No airs or graces, just a very nice girl, who happens to be a great champion!
She rides the Madison (the holding hands race) with Katie Archibald and they may well win!

Hi, Rusty!
Ah, now you have me......what is the "Madison"?
You say the "holding hands" race?
Do they ride together?
Or is it a tag race?

Hello, Elle!
I think it was Katie Archibald who called it the "holding hands" race!
There are two riders in a team, but only one taking part at any one time.
The other rider circles the track slowly and when they decide to change, the rider who has been racing, "hand slings" their team mate into the race.
I do not know what a tag race is?
I'll have to find out when it is on.

Good Morning, Rusty!
Another very hot day here!
30C maximum.
I feel sorry for our builders having to work outside in this heat!
Although fortunately we have a number of trees offering shade.....
And they are sitting out on the garden bench having tea and biscuits at the moment!
I assume a "tag" race is one where one contestant tags (touches) his/her fellow team mate before the other takes over the place in the race?
Isn't this what happens in the Madison?
I may have made up the term , though!
Right, I think I'll have a coffee......

Good morning, Elle!
No great heat here!.
17C outside.
Just fine!
I know there are tag teams in wrestling but it is not something I follow.
In the Madison one rider throws or slings their partner into the action.
It increases momentum.
The throw helps the outgoing rider get up to speed quicker, and slows down the slinger.
Finished my puzzle.
New words for me, 10a, 11a, 18a, 20d.
2d is a supposedly a homothingy!

Helo, Elle!
Here is a brief clip of a Madison race.
Don't worry there are no crashes!
You can see how the hand slings work. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeVncQTVgHs

Hi, Rusty!
A temperature of 17C sounds wonderful!
Well, I can but dream......
The builders are going great guns......
I have kept them supplied with tea and biscuits, but they have gone home for lunch now (they all live nearby)
Thank you for the cycling clip.......
Yes, that is what I vaguely meant by "tagging" - I didn't know the professional name of "slinging", and I also didn't realise that the rider could actually pull/ "sling" his team mate into action!
I have finished my crossword puzzle , too!
( In between making cups of tea..... and chatting!)
10a: "effulgent" and 20d: "lovage " are new words for me, too.
Although I knew 18a: "Notting Hill Gate " and 11a: "segue"
21a puzzled me?
I went for "weepie" = tear -jerking film (def)
wee - tiny
But what about "pie"?
Is this a bird ?......I couldn't find it in the dictionary?
Re 3a: Pontefract ...
I used to love Pontefract cakes (round pieces of liquorice shaped like a penny)!
I haven't seen them around for years!

Elle, pie meaning bird (ie magpie) is in my Chambers. There are five entries for 'pie', it's the third one.

Good afternoon, Elle!
Our temperature has been below 20C for a week, I'd say.
Just fine!
That's good your builders are getting on with their work.
Will they finish today?
The Madison is a difficult race to follow.
There are riders everywhere, but it is exciting.
Anyway, Trotty and Katie will be "slinging" each other into action tomorrow, (Albie permitting!).
I do not think I should be expected to know the names of London streets.
Why not a street in Aberdare or Dunfermline for a change?
I am surprised you do not know "pie"?
Anne Bradford has it, and Chambers.
I know of magpies and treepies, and there may be more.
I don't know Pontefract cakes, though!
Lassie has not left yet, but anytime soon, I think!