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Hello, Elle!
It is 23C here and I find that too hot!
I had a shortish walk earlier and finished my tasks.
Just have a quick visit to a pub later and my wee jobs are complete, for the day.
Yes, I get photos sent to me from family and friends who follow the girls on FaceBook.
They know I am not on FaceBook, you see.
Yes, the race has started, beautiful weather and lovely scenery in France.
Unfortunately, Luke Rowe and Tony Martin have not been allowed to start.
So, Team Ineos and Jumbo-Visna have weakened teams going into the Alps.
But, "rules is rules", I suppose!

Apologies rusty, it was chris.

That's fine, Rosalind!

Hi, Rusty!
I should happily settle for 23C !
But hey! the local forecast now shows rain (rain!!!) for a part of tomorrow...and then all day Saturday and Sunday!
With a quite distinctive drop in temperature!
Bring it on!
It is the first time I have ever heard of "a visit to a pub" described as "a job", Rusty???
That is a pity about those two cyclists losing their appeal..... but I guess the line has to be drawn somewhere.
I have no specific plans for today... there are a number of chores I could - and probably should - do......
But in this heat, they can wait for another (cooler) day!

Hello Elle and Rusty,

Yes, rules are rules and personally I think the decision taken for those
two riders was the right one!
Can you imagine this sort of behaviour in the middle of the peloton,
and the consequences it could have crash wise?
And what if every rider behaved in this way?
Surely there must strict discipline applied for the good of all riders?

From what I heard, apart from the initial pushing which could have been dangerous, both rider were subsequently hitting out at one another - I did not see this, did you?

Hello, Elle!
We are forecast "thunderstorms" but I am paying no heed to them.
These "weather warnings" are often wrong in my experience.
The pub owner asked if I would pop in to see her as she wanted some advice.
That was my wee job, and it has been done, and I had but a glass of water when I was there!.
Yes, a pity for the riders and their teams, and for the race.
These things happen quite often and quickly blow over.
I disagree with the commissaires' decisions as I think being taken out of the race, a heavy fine, and points deductions in their world rankings, is just far too penalising for a minor incident.
Elle, you are quite correct in avoiding chores in this heat.
I even do it when it's snowing!

Hello, Pigale!
I only saw Tony Martin flicking his wheel at Luke Rowe.
I did not see the retaliation.
They should not do it, but they did, it was a minor altercation, which they and Alaphilippe sorted out between them, with a handshake, and they rode the last few miles to the finish together.
The penalties applied to them are far too harsh, for me.
There are incidents every single day in the peloton which the riders sort out themselves without commissaires getting involved.
Anyway, Pigale, it's a lovely day in France and I hope it's an epic stage!

Yes Rusty, you may be right but I saw an interview before the start
of the Tour in which Commissaires said that they would not allow
any show of agression nor potentially dangerous behaviour on
the Tour -
Perhaps some lighter punishment should have been applied, but
what the commissaire did is in keeping to their intended policy.

It is a lovely (boiling) day and the mountains are gorgeous!

Hi, Rusty!
Well, thunderstorms I can do without......especially because the dog becomes so distressed....... but some rain to cool down, and freshen, the atmosphere would indeed be very welcome.
I was but teasing you about your visit to the pub....!
It was very good of you to go to help out your friend with some advice.
We have unearthed the hereto "missing" fan, and so have now put this also in the lounge.
We really need two fans in the room, to feel any overall benefit .....one at the seating end of the room, and the other at the farther end, where the piano, and my desk bearing the computer, are situated.
The entire room now feels much cooler!
I am fast becoming addicted to ice cream in this heat........
One can't beat Mackies' vanilla ice cream and blueberries!



Hello, Pigale!
This weather is unbearable!
Roll on the next few days when it should be cooler again.....
We have been out hand- watering the newly potted plants...both in the early morning and then again late at night.....
I hope they will survive.

Hello, Pigale!
In my opinion the commissaires would be better devoting their energy to coming up with a method to keep the crowds back from the riders in the mountains.
The "assault" was a very minor incident for which the two men were punished in three different ways.
1, Disqualification from the Tour.
2, A large fine.
3, The deduction of world ranking points.
Three penalties for a minor altercation?
I think it far too harsh, Pigale.
But, great scenery today, and let's hope for a great finish!