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Hi, Rusty!
The name Luke Kelly is familiar to me.........isn't he from The Dubliners?
That is impressive that all should quieten to listen to the team member sing one of Luke's songs.
I think it is lovely that you talk to your parents and sister when visiting their grave.
I do the same thing when taking plants to the Crematorium.
I wonder though whether the younger generations will do the same in time to come.
I hope we have instilled the right principles in them, but fear that "modern" life has different values to offer.
But let's not get too introspective or I shall be needing another of your stories!
I can hear a lawnmower.....I wonder why someone is cutting their grass at this time of night?

Hello, Elle,
Yes, Luke was a Dub.
It was impressive, all right.
I had the pleasure of spending time with the Dubliners one evening.
Long after Luke had died though.
They were great company.
I agree the young ones think differently.
They are grand, though.
It is the way things are.
I am different from my parents.
The kids are alright!
I saw two swans swimming on the loch today.

Hi, Rusty!
I must have fallen asleep over my book!
My husband awoke me with a hot drink!
I've just checked in on the ospreys. No-one there. An empty nest!
I read on the blog today that two of the chicks attempted a dive - but aborted at the last minute!
It was described as a "thrilling sight"!
They are learning now to catch their own fish as well.
I suppose it will not be all that long before they are "off and away".
We shall miss them.
Well.... bed calls before I nod off again. I am tired tonight!

Good morning, Elle!
Lovely day here.
I saw a chick yesterday with a live fish (its tail was flapping) and thought it had caught it itself.
But I do not know for sure, as I did not see it land with the fish.
I can not get on the site today. Something's up!
Maybe be back to normal when I return.

Good morning, Rusty!
I am glad that you have a dry morning for your visit to the cemetery, and the grave -tidying.
In contrast, it is very wet here - we had a somewhat poggy walk!
It is typical that our first day of any "real" rain should be when I am going out for lunch!
I am meeting my old school friend, and we were planning to eat outside in the lovely walled garden of one of our favourite restaurants.
Not any more!
I have just logged on to the osprey site - two chicks in residence at the moment!
Possibly the two females, going by size.
Right..... a cup of coffee, a quick look at the Times QC, and then I must be away.......

Hello, Elle.
It is a smashing day here.
I did my cutting back at the cemetery.
I had the place to myself, except for several rabbits.
Hope lunch is fine!
There is a fine article in The Times today about Mary Decker and Zola Budd.
And, there is a documentary about them on Friday evening on Sky Atlantic channel, called "The Fall."
I shall record it.
The Russian fencers and triathletes are very welcome to the Games say the respective federations.
You can smell the stench from Rio across the oceans!

Hi, Rusty!
Home again!
Yes, lunch was good!
The weather improved, and we were able to eat outside, in the sunshine, after all!
The restaurant and gardens are in the middle of a wood, so we enjoyed a pleasant walk after we had dined.
Now I know a little about Zola Budd and Mary Decker......
Their legs became entangled during a run.... I think Zola ran in front of Mary, causing Mary to fall and then be out of the race.
These accidents do of course happen during running.
But in this instance , there was a row between the two women and they haven't spoken for many years?
Something like that, anyway?
I know Zola ran barefoot!
From what I have read today ( on the computer) all the individual federations so far named have agreed to the Russians taking part! with the exception of those athletes having previous convictions.
Even the IAAF - who is the only one to be commended as yet in all of this - has said that the long-jumper Darya Klishina , is considered to be "clean" and will be allowed to compete.
Is she still doing this an "independent"? I thought there were problems with that trend of thought?
You were certainly right about the "fudge"!!
I cannot get over it!

Good evening, Elle!
It has been fine here, too!
Yes, Decker tripped over Budd.
(You can likely see it on YouTube?)
I think Zola Budd was blameless, but Decker did not.
I think peace may have broken out between them, now.
Zola still competes in marathons and triathlons.
I am sorry to be correct regarding the fudge.
Lot of politics and big bucks at stake.
"Do not rock the boat!"
It is not sport as we should know it, Elle.
I am interested to see which way the swimmers and cyclists go?
But no sporting federation should have to decide.
That is the IOC's gig, and they dodged it.
Wonder how we can get shot of them?

Hello Elle/Rusty,

I remember the Zola Budd incident - I must have been watching that particular event.

You are probably right about politics being involved in the ban mess - it could well cause a big diplomatic incident, were all Russian sport people to be banned.

Hi, Rusty!
It is a beautiful evening! by far the nicest part of the day!
I think FINA have allowed Russian swimmers generally, but have banned three who were implicated in the McLaren report?
The Russians themselves have reputedly withdrawn those swimmers who have been previously convicted of drug -taking.
I don't know about the cyclists.
It is all becoming such a mockery.
I feel we are going around in circles.......
I have just been talking to younger daughter.
As you know, she is on maternity leave, but today and yesterday went into work as part of a "keeping -in- touch" scheme .....
A very good idea, I think (and she gets paid for it!)
I haven't even looked at today's crosswords yet!