Saturday Times Cryptic 25101 Saturday March 3rd 2012

[MarkRae]

Sorry, folks, but this is driving me crazy...

4a Front part of train, and who's in it. (8) ?A???A??
I think it should be CARAVANS

16a Sort of over fifty? Yes and no (5-4) F?R?E-?I?E

20d Strong man, one working in expensive bars (7) B?L?I??

[shooty]

farte five as me grand pappy would say. over 50 yes, den again no : )

[MarkRae]

Thanks for that...

[shooty]

the times is a long way ahead of me yet mr rae : )

[shooty]

BULLION
strongman - bull
1 - i
working - on

[MarkRae]

Thanks.

[shooty]

30 mins. you owe me a pint mark : )

[cupid04]

This is a wind up, yes?

[MarkRae]

I've been working on it since 00:01...

[cupid04]

Are you pair sozzled?

[shooty]

i am : )

[shooty]

and the Times is out of my league. but i'm a trier : )

[shooty]

if you're sober cupid, help US out so i can go to sleep : )

[cupid04]

I'm afraid the mail is about my limit.

[shooty]

same here. but i'm drunk, so i shall percy thrower : )

[shooty]

forte like ?

[shooty]

sort = like
over fifty ? = questionable = forte ( forty)

[shooty]

caravans will have to do, cus i'm off to bed. : )
good luck with the rest : )

[shooty]

bugging me now!!!
FARCE LIKE is an irish saying. always thought it meant 'ridiculous' (yes and no?)
just something to ponder over : )

[ixion]

4a Front part of train, and who's in it. (8)

van-guard

[shooty]

nice 1 ixoin. can you clarify 16a ?