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Good morning, Rusty!
It is dull and still damp here from the earlier rain.
A very muddy dog this morning!
Now however were people to know that there was online voting for the World SPOTY?
I never came across any reference to it?
As Eliud Kipchoge and Tiger Woods were the only ones whom I knew, I would have voted for Kipchoge.
I gather there was a row over the British award?
I read in the online News that Gary Lineker called Ben Stokes the "main award winner", even before all the contenders had been introduced......and an hour before Stokes was crowned winner!
Seemingly, Lineker denied allegations that the voting was "fixed".... and apologised for his gaffe.
Did you see any of that on your recording?

Hello, Elle!
I am not long home.
Was out buying flowers for cemetery run tomorrow.
All set now.
Quite a bit of black ice about.
I suppose regular visitors to BBC Sport website would see the International SPOTY voting bit.
I visit there, but I don't remember seeing anything about it.
Have you never seen Simone Biles?
Best gymnast I have ever seen.
Currently has 4 Olympic golds and 19 World Championship titles.
She's only 4ft 8 ins, too.
I have not watched the SPOTY show, but I was a bit surprised to see Stokes at such very short odds with Paddy P.
As if it was a foregone conclusion.
Maybe Paddy knew something we did not?

Hi, Rusty!
I too have another visit to the Crematorium to fit in before Christmas.
We always take a holly wreath to lay on the stone.
We do so on the 21st to coincide with the date of my father's death...so, just glancing at the calendar, that will be on Saturday.
No, I have never watched Simone Biles perform...I rarely follow the gymnastics.
This British SPOTY award does indeed sound dodgy.
Gary Lineker was apparently very quick to say it was HIS mistake....but hey, why ever would he think to say something like without provocation?
Very dicey........
Right...I am now going 'present' shopping ...reluctantly, but of necessity!
I shall hope to be home before the cows!

Hello, Elle!
My cemetery visit is planned for tomorrow, with a visit to a TESCO Superstore on my return journey home.
Elle, Simone Biles is by far the best gymnast I have ever seen.
I rank her higher than Comeneci, Korbut, Terescheva, etc.
Maybe SPOTY is taking lessons from BGT regarding the voting!
I'll have a look later, though I will fast forward through bits of it.
But, as I said, I was surprised to see Stokes at such short odds with the bookies.
1-10 is very short indeed!
I suggest they knew something and the odds reflected it.

Update, Elle!
I watched SPOTY.
I saw Lineker's mistake, which he apologised for.
I'd give him the benefit of the doubt.
The phone lines were still open when he blundered, and online voting as well, and they stayed open for a good while, after.
I have no problem with Stokes winning.
He was very popular and his team did very well.
I'd still have gone for Dina, though.
What I disagreed with was Kipchoge getting the world award.
He set the world record with enormous help from a huge team, in a non-sporting event, and he ran in in shoes that were subsequently banned.
For me it would have been Simone Biles.
But the highlight of the night for me, was the special award given to Doddie Weir.
I found it very moving.
He received his award from Princess Anne, who is obviously a fan.
I thought it a very good show.

Good evening, Rusty!
I am finally home again......exhausted, but triumphant!
I have had a most successful shopping day, so it was worth all the effort.
Actually, yes, the name "Biles" is ringing a faint bell, Rusty, but I seldom watch the gymnastics.
I remember Olga Korbut, and Beth Tweddle, but couldn't name any others.
Although I might recognise the occasional name were I to see /hear it.
I do not know Ben Stokes but have no problem with his winning (other than I should have preferred Dina or Kat!)
I just thought the News article about the suspected "rigged" voting sounded a bit odd.
Gary Lineker's "mistake" was very strange.....
And I don't see how genuine one could assume the online voting to be?
The decision to give the award to Stokes could still have been taken beforehand?
Who counts the votes?
Anyway, no point in dwelling on it, I guess......best to give everyone involved the benefit of the doubt.
Who is Doddie Weir , this is a new name to me?

Good evening, Elle!
Well done on your shopping expedition!
It is a good feeling to get things done and dusted.
This is Simone,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTzICJaKSKs

I thought exactly the same as you regarding the voting.
Quite possible to ignore the votes and name who you like as the winner.
And Stokes was very, very, short odds with Paddy P.
George "Doddie" Weir is a retired Scottish rugby player.
He has motor neurone disease, and is battling bravely to stay as fit and healthy as he can, in the time he has left.
He has raised more than four million pounds in the fight against MND.

Hi, Rusty!
Thank you for the clip showing Simone Biles.
Yes, she is certainly terrific.
I am now wondering how often online voting might be rigged..... the viewers are simply told a result....
We have no means of knowing what exactly has gone on?
Well done, Doddie Weir, on raising so much money for motor neurone disease.
A goodly sum indeed!
My grandchildren break up for Christmas in a few days......I am looking forward to seeing them all at some stage over Christmas and the New Year.
And hopefully, all being well, all the immediate family will get together at the same time on New Year's Day!

Hello, Elle!
Yes, Simone is the biz!
You are bang on regarding the voting.
There is no outside agency checking the votes, I do not think.
I can understand Stokes popularity, though, but I still wish Dina had won .
This is Doddie's presentation with Princess Anne.
Think Chris Hoy had a tear in his eye.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/sports-personality/50803511

Yes, Christmas is time for all the family to meet up.
I am not so fond of New Year nowadays.

Hi, Rusty!
What a lovely man Doddie Weir is.......that was a very special presentation!
And what a nice person Princess Anne is, too.
She has mostly kept quietly in the Royal background, but is growing older very gracefully.
Thank you for the video clip.
No, New Year celebrations are not what they were .......but I think we have this conversation each year!
So many things are different , Rusty.....
Some changes are for the better.........but sometimes we might sigh with nostalgia, and regret the "old days"!
But life moves on.
On that philosophical note, I shall make me a coffee!