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Hello, Elle!
I would not have thought you would need coal in Africa?
I feel sorry for the camels.
What a life!
I read the temperature was 46C in Adelaide, Oz, today.
Wonder if that's why they are playing tennis in the evenings at Melbourne?
Maybe a bit cooler.
I am out with Miss O tomorrow.
Looking forward to seeing her!

Hi, Rusty!
The coal was used for cooking purposes....... the women cooked over a fire.
We were not in a township or city.
It was all fairly primitive.
I think the coalman's camels were well treated, and not overladen.
The friendly camel was rather a sweetie!
Yes, I think the heat is the reason for the tennis matches being held so very late in the day.
Also why the roof has been closed over the stadium.
Mac was talking about that with Rafa.
Ah, yes, you will enjoy going to the Pine Cone with Miss O!

Elle and Rusty

Camels are my favourite animals. When I had summer jobs at Chester Zoo, our tea break was taken at the back of the Camel House so I saw a lot of them.

In recent years they have been moved from their prime location (next to the Giraffe House) to a remote enclosure. Okapis now occupy their former House. Okapis are beautiful creatures and this was a "commercial" decision. I was furious about it and cancelled my membership. I still go occasionally though.

Good morning, Elle!
Dry and mild here today.
Cold weather coming, though.
Women's final has started, but I won't say what is going on!
Yes, I am off to Pine Cone later.

jigjag
My brother used to pilot the boats round Monkey Island or whatever it was called for a summer job (we lived in Gt Barrow then). Maybe you shared cigarettes with him behind the camel shed! This would be late 1960s.
As a child it was a great treat to go to Chester zoo (from Birkenhead). I enjoyed the elephant ride. I remember (later) watching that poor old polar bear pacing and thinking "This isn't right". It wasn't- he or she was in agony with tooth decay for years.

Good morning, Rusty!
Wet and mild here!
I think tomorrow is of similar ilk...with temperatures dropping again severely on Monday.
Very muddy dog this morning!
I have cheated, and checked the tennis scores on the Aussie Open Scores page!
Regretfully, I see that Naomi Osaka has taken the first set on a tie break.
Highlights will be on the BBC later.
When is Miss O collecting you?
Have a good time!

Hello, Elle!
One set each, now!
Monday is forecast to be very cold here!
Miss O is being extremely tolerant with me.
I have cancelled today for tomorrow, hopefully.
I am getting a delivery from Amazon.
First it was getting delivered on Monday, then they said it would be Sunday.
Just had an email saying it was "out for delivery" today!
So, hopefully I will be out with Miss O tomorrow!
I am switching back and forward between tennis and skiing.
Good puzzle today, Elle, if you get round to it.

Hi, Rusty!
Unfortunately Petra Kvitova lost!
I should have preferred her to win, simply because I like her personality better, from what I have seen of both players.
But I had no desperately strong inclination either way.
It will be the same with Rafa and Novak tomorrow.
I am happy for either man to win, thought perhaps I have a sneaking regard for Rafa!
It is frustrating, though, just watching figures change on a progress chart..... instead of actually seeing the games in progress!
It is a shame you had to change your arrangement to meet Miss O, but a good job you received the email notification of the parcel delivery, before you had already left for the Pine Cone.
And you now get to go out tomorrow instead
I haven't looked at the crossword yet!

Hello, Elle!
Yes, Kvitova lost.
It was a good match.
I hope Novak wins tomorrow.
I read a review earlier of a musical play that is on in Glasgow.
It is about the Iolaire disaster.
It tells of a young woman who finds her young brother lying among the bodies washed ashore.
She bent to give him a final kiss, and detected a flicker of life.
He lived until 1954!
I had not heard of that before.

Hi, Rusty!
Is this really a true story, about the young women finding signs of life in the body of her brother?
Or is it merely a fictitious tale for the sake of the musical?
Has your parcel from Amazon arrived yet?
I have had two unexpected deliveries this morning..... both of which were supposedly due some time next week.
Luckily I was here!
Yes, a nice puzzle today.
I especially liked 9a: nimbii; 6d: precision; and 8d: vernal
Just one I couldn't parse......although I have the answer.
13a:Better run away from hedgehog, monkey! (8)
I have "capuchin" = monkey (def)
I have no ideas about this !