EV No. 758 cracked!

[crofter]

This is the very first EV that I have completed completely on my own and within one day! I am well chuffed! I have now attempted 12 of these and have finished 9 on them, but always with the generous help of some awesome AB-solvers!

Today I also learned that I was one of the seven entries to score a top score of 99/100 for "Literary Characters", but failed to impress the judges with my tie-breaker clue!

What did I get wrong? I had SCHOLAR-GYPSY instead of SCHOLAR-GIPSY!

For the "Courtly shepherdess", I eventually settled for CIRCE ~ which I didn't feel 100% certain about, but I couldn't find anything better!

For the clue about "Charlie's Aunt" (Qn. 68), I was surprised that an alternative answer was accepted which followed the pattern (4,8,9), when the clue states (4,8,8)

[macpark]

Respect Crofter!!
I have often looked at these and never even been able to start so quite an achievement I think!!
I once went on tour with a group of singers to Paris. When we arrived for our first rehearsal, it was announced that during the plane journey, one of the company had "done the treble" and completed the Times, Telegraph and Guardian cryptics in one morning - and without the help of the AB too!

[paulineward]

Well done Crofter!!! I have not seen this one...only questions on here. if it stumps people like you, then I have no chance!!! But it's a great feeling isn't it when you complete a puzzle that tests you!!
I know I completed a cryptic in a local mag last week, unaided and quite quickly...cryptic as well!! Must be all the tutoring on here has helped me to 'think'.
Anyway..well done again!

[crofter]

Thanks for that macpark. I see this as my "pay back" time when I may be able to help those who have helped me in the past!

As for anyone who can do "the treble", The Telegraph is a good first target followed by The Guardian! However, to complete The Times on a regular basis, one needs to be very well read! But to do "the treble" without AB ~ very impressive!

[crofter]

Ah Pauline! I am working quietly away on our first "joint quiz". I have the 100 answers and all I need now are the CLUES!

I'll e-mail you tomorrow!

How's "double hit" Reg?

[paulineward]

double hit the sack!!!
Look forward to hearing from you!!! Don't know how you fit it all in!!

[kettledrum]

Congratulations Crofter! I do hope you send it in and are successful - like some other ABer who has, like you, only recently started doing the EV crosswords.

Re Literary Characters....I quite forgot to send mine in....Do I gather that Circe was correct.? Did the setters give an explanation? Would love to hear it.

[crofter]

Cutting down on sleep is PLAN A!

However, I am also working on PLAN B, which is "Early Retirement"!

Put these plans together and you get plenty of time for friends on A + B = AB!

[crofter]

Thanks kettledrum!

TECTONIC PLATE ~ I ask you?

[kettledrum]

Kettledrum is huffing and puffing with indignation - in fact she's at her very huffiest! "What's wrong with tectonic plate?" The same as what was wrong with milk bottle .....
One day I shall scoop the pool with 4 original choices: I'm just not sure whether I shall win the Lottery first.

[crofter]

I am ashamed to say that burgess advanced TECTONIC PLATE and I talked him out of it!

[paulineward]

You didn't talk him out of the rest though did you??!!!...rubbish!!!

[kettledrum]

There you are then ! I always thought that Burgess and I were on the same wave length and I couldn't understand why it wasn't obvious. Crofter - you should be ashamed of yourself - but very brave to admit to interfering and robbing me of my rightful points! .However I shall claim a moral victory .

But....... revenons a nos moutons, what about Circe?

[Alibobs]

Congratulations Crofter, I have never tackled an EV, I am always chuffed if I can finish the DT cryptic on my own!

[kayakamina]

Very well done Crofter!

The 'triple' of the Times,Telegraph and Guardian is a 'doddle' compared with the EV !

On to the Times 'Listener' now for a real challenge?

Regards K

[novalis]

Well done!! Hope you win ( and if not you one of the other ABers )