EV 1016: Sentry Duties by MynoT

[DocHH]

Hello EV N&Cers
Started off by entering the answers to what I thought were quite easy clues, and ended up with an awful lot of clashes! Then the brain sort of marched into action. It became apparent how the 12 should be treated! Not the easiest of EVs, but an enjoyable challenge!
Time for a preprandial! Dinner tonight will be washed down with a Merlot!

[dr b]

Hi Doc,

Looked at this off and on last night while trying to pay attention to a hockey game and a basketball game. Not surprisingly the light did not dawn till this morning. All in all a good workout.

[ringer]

I didn't know whether I was coming or going with this one to start with. Definitely a good workout for a very inclement Sunday!

[kayakamina]

I really enjoyed this puzzle. A lot of 'easy' clues initially made me think it would be a doddle - but!

I'm not absolutely sure of the title and will need to reflect on it.

Thanks MynoT

[devadolly]

Hello N & C'ers Hints please........Large ones! I am totally at a loss about how and which to adjust, every square seems to have a clash in it and all the chaos and dust has clogged my brain.

[x_word_fan]

Hi devadolly - look at the clashes in the 8 clues that form the corners and the relative positions of the letters in each clash in the alphabet.

[x_word_fan]

p.s. What are N&Cers?

[devadolly]

Thank you x-w-f will have another look, all very dispiriting when the brain feels like cotton wool. N & C = Natterer's and Chatterer's, all we regulars tend to 'rabbit on' about this and that as well as discussing the EV..........hope you'll join in!

[x_word_fan]

Happy to help - the corner ones are 8 of the 12 ABCD givs BCDE!

[DocHH]

Devadolly, there is a hint in my original post, what do Sentries do apart from stand in their boxes! Ringer also gave a hint about being uncertain about coming or going!
Sorry to hear that there is lots of turmoil chez toi! I have pretty pink drive and car, thanks to a neighbours flowering tree shedding blossom! Hopefully the wind direction will change soon and deposit the remaining blossom to its rightful garden!

[devadolly]

Thank you for your hints Doc & x-w-f, still haven't 'clicked', must be the up-heaveal in the bedroom (having it completely re-fitted and that is not easy in a house with not one straight line ANYWHERE.....walls, floors or ceilings) and my sleep is being disturbed by everything not being as it shoud be! But will try harder but, the two top corners seem to be occupied by non-clashing letters (two of the few it would seem) and that doesn't fit in with your letters x-w-f??
Don't be such a grump about the cherry blossom Doc, it is so beautiful

[kayakamina]

Hi DD

I hope I don't get into trouble if I tell you that the 12 answers which must be treated alphabetically are-
Across- 1,9,21,41,54 & 56
Down- 1, 11,18,30,45 & 48

Good luck

[x_word_fan]

Are you there yet - it is corner clues not letters so NEER goes to OFFS

[devadolly]

Hello K & x-w-f, my apologies for taking so long to log back on......remember the chaos I mentioned well it involves paint now! Have had another brief look and thanks to your very welcome help have now 'got a handle' on it and am hopeful I will be able to correct the ones I have got wrong and finish it. I don't think I would ever have thought of what was necessary, thanks again.