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Hello, Elle!
Here is a wee article about it.
I know it's the Daily Mail but the gist of it is accurate.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/sportsnews/article-4141142/Caroline-Wozniacki-tells-Rory-McIlroy-on.html

My friends always get that ferry.
The crossing takes about two hours, then they have a long drive from Cairnryan.
Should be here in the early afternoon.
I won't see them until Friday.
The Stranraer weather forecast is for strong winds!
So the crossing could be rough!

Good morning, Rusty!
It is another wet and windy day here...although the severity of the wind is definitely lessening.
I hope it is not too bad in your neck of the woods?
And I also hope that your friends are having a reasonably calm ferry crossing.
My husband is just off to his physio group exercise class, so I have the morning to myself.
I shall relax.......

Good morning, Elle!
It is a beatiful breezy morning here.
Not a cloud in the sky!
My friends are still in Belfast.
The ship has not sailed yet, due to very strong winds.
Hope they get away soon, though the seas will be rough.
I've been watching the skiing.
A win for Vikki Rebensburg.
Now to have a look at the Cheltenham fields!
I finished the puzzle earlier today.
I thought 5a was two words, but Collins has it as one word, so what do I know!
I misspelled 11a's first name, too, which held me up!
A good puzzle, though!

Hi, Rusty!
Any more news from your friends?
I hope they are at last upon their way.
They will be worrying about the inroads into their limited time here.
I have got about halfway with my puzzle ...and am now having a break.
It was strange that my second one in should be "duck", after our conversation yesterday about Rachael!
I also remember some general discussion about "white ants" and "termites" a while back.
I had thought that "send- off" should be hyphenated?
I haven't bothered to look it up, though, as it is obviously the answer required.
My husband should be home by now.......I wonder if the traffic is still bad.... there was a bad water leak causing massive traffic tailbacks earlier.

Hello, Elle!
The ship sailed out of Belfast around 11.20 a.m.
Almost four hours late.
They say the sea is choppy, but not too bad.
They should be halfway across now.
They'll be glad to see Loch Ryan, I think!
I remember the "white ants"!
Chambers has "send-off" hypenated, and Collins has it as "sendoff".
Think I prefer Chambers version!
Yes, "duck" and Rachael were to the fore yesterday!
I have backed one of her mounts today.
A horse called "Cuneo".
If she is in the first 6 home, I'll make a profit.
Just a fun bet!

Hi, Rusty!
I hope your friends are making good progress with their journey?
I trust none of them are ever seasick?
They will be glad, however, to reach terra firma!
My poor husband finally arrived home , looking rather like a (very large) drowned rat..... as the saying goes.....!
He had to leave the car some distance away (because of the road flooding) and walk to and from his physio appointment....and it was raining cats , dogs and pink elephants!
The sun is shining now though......so I am considering a walk......
I shall have another look at the rest of the crossword on my return.
Fingers crossed for Rachael and Cuneo!

Good afternoon, Elle!
Yes, they have landed and are heading up the road towards Glasgow and then on to here.
They are pretty good sailors.
They have done that crossing many a time!
Must be bad weather down your way if your husband had to leave the car and walk.
Rachel rode a fine race and gave Cuneo every chance but had to settle for 4th.
She rides Monalee in the next, and I have taken an interest.
So fingers crossed for them!

Update, Elle,
I meant to tell you that "Maya" the female osprey at Manton Bay, landed this morning.
She's the first returning UK osprey that I have heard of this year.

Hi, Rusty!
Home again now!
We just made it back before the heavens opened again....
It was good though, to get out.
Another big tree uprooted and down, in the park, since this morning.
I am glad that your friends arrived safely.
That is encouraging news about Maya's return....
Perhaps it will not be long now, before Lassie and Laddie come back?
How is Rachael getting on?

Hello, Elle!
You seem to be getting plenty of rain!
Laddie and Lassie will be on their way.
Be a few days yet, I think, before they get here.
Today's racing was the most enjoyable I have seen in a long time.
Rachael was 4th on Monalee and the winning jockey was Bryony Frost!
Bryony was superb and gave a great interview coming in, and the crowd loved her.
What a reception she got!
In the next race the winning owner was Mr Andrew Gemmell and the crowd went wild for sentimental reasons.
Mr Gemmell has been blind from birth but loves to come racing and the crowd roared his horse home.
He was very, very, happy!
The next race was won by Lizzie Kelly to the delight of everyone.
There's no stopping these girls, and it is great for the sport and the spectators.
And to round off a great day, we were told it was a bad day for the bookies!
Perfect!