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Hello, Elle!
That is a very interesting link you posted.
Thank you!
I have just read it.
I have owned a donkey jacket or two, but not a camel haired coat!

Hi, Rusty!
I seem to recall having a donkey jacket... a long time ago....I think it was short and had toggles...a taupe colour?
They were very fashionable at the time.
Speaking of jackets...how are you and your new down coat getting along?
Mine is wonderfully warm when I am out walking the dog.. ...this is its second Winter and it is one of my very best buys!

Good morning, Elle!
A fine mild morning here.
I took the the longer route to get my paper.
I am afraid my donkey jackets were not fashion items, but for work.
My down jacket is very good but not cold enough for it today!
It is very light and warm.
There will be plenty of cold days before Winter passes, to wear it though!

Good morning, Rusty!
It is grey and dull here....with rather a sharp wind.
I was wearing my down coat!
I only wear it for dog walking though...I wear an alternative jacket/coat elsewhere.
Have you remembered the Athletics today?
It is the Great Stirling Cross Country event.....1.15pm on BBC1
I am looking forward to watching it.
No plumber as yet........but seemingly he said after 10, rather than at 10!
Never mind...just so long as he does turn up!

Good afternoon, Elle!
Hope your plumber turned up as planned!
I have the Athletics on, yes.
I preferred the Edinburgh course, but this one will have to do!
Good day for it.
Nice and mild and no rain.
I have almost finished my puzzle.
The last few are toughies!

Good afternoon, Rusty!
I have been watching Laura bring the GB Cross Country relay team safely home to victory!
Both she and Alex Bell ran fantastic legs, getting identical timings.
It was a pity that GB only came second overall, but it was a close run.
Well done, everyone!
I have finished today's puzzle, in that I have answers for every clue...but I still have five that I cannot fully parse.
I have put the crossword aside for now.
Inspiration may strike later!

Hello, Elle!
Alex Bell was super!
Was a good afternoon, though, in spite of the course.
Not a proper x country course. Too easy.
And the ropes lining the course looked very amateurish and should not be held up with metal posts, surely!
What if a runner fell on to one of them?
Quicker they return to Edinburgh the better.
I think I have most of the parses.
Took a bit of thinking about some of them, though.

Hi, Rusty!
Was any reason given for the change of venue?
Why the race was held in Stirling, rather than in Edinburgh, as it was last year?
I missed the beginning of the programme, when such a point might have been mentioned.
It was a much flatter (simpler) course today, wasn't it?
Although I have to admit to not even noticing that the posts were metal?

Hello, Elle!
They gave a reason several weeks ago for the change, that I read, and have forgotten.
But, to me, they should have found a proper cross country course, with mud and streams to cross.
Running round a golf course is not proper cross country.
It was maybe just an event put on for the BBC?

Hi, Rusty!
I have been investigating and found this
https://www.scottishathletics.org.uk/39997-2/
According to this, the Cross country events, plus others, have moved from Edinburgh - where they had been held for the last thirteen years - to Stirling, where they will now be held for the next three years.
So it is least a semi-permanent fixture at the new venue.
Btw....the plumber didn't turn up...no explanation!