EV 862 Secret Tribute

[devadolly]

Good Afternoon all EV N & C'ers. Have only glanced at it but don't feel hopeful. Sez it all on my last post of last week's - special message for you Physicsgirl!

Regards

[devadolly]

That is what I have for those two Physicsgirl but am stuck on a few more than just 19d, I can't get together with the oddities at all. Pimms is good isn't it, thank you Copelander. But where are Novalis and Christina? And Doc, he is far too quiet for my liking, all that day's work must have exhausted him!

[Physicsgirl]

I'm stuck on loads more too. Just thought I'd try those two first and see if we got a nibble. Mini PG very unsettled today (teething?) - nothing I do entertains her for more than 5 minutes. She's usually so smiley and easy to amuse and will play on her own for periods of time. Maybe as she'll be 6 months old tomorrow she's going through some sort of phase ..... or perhaps picking up on my consternation at this week's EV!

[ringer]

Evening all
That rest in DC has done me the power of good and I must confess that I've now populated the grid but have not had the feeling of satisfaction which normally avails. 19D is one of the four answers that are "messed about" before entry as per the second work. Try solving it as if it were two separate clues and then split one of them up to fit the across clues.
I hope mini PG settles - the phases last for years! My daughter is at the teenage / hormones / boyfriend stage and is completely unpredictable.

[copelander]

Yes that rest in DC (Dunroamin Cottage ??? ) did me the world of good too, Ringer. When I next pop in with a Pimms refill I'm more than happy to dress it with a few hints. Rollo gave the best of all hints a few days ago....thanks Rollo. Devadolly I think you're on the right lines with your lovey.

[novalis]

Hi Evers everywhere!

Been separated from my "infernal machine" since late Saturday. Have managed to complete the grid, have the theme but cannot for the life of me find a third work from the very many to choose from represented by five "contiguous letters". That could mean in a straight line across, down or diagonally or letters above one another ( 2 over 3 or vice versa ) or even in the shape of one of the theme's initials. I shall keep looking.

[copelander]

Not a straight line Novalis. It's a cryptic representation of another "work". Confine your search to the north east corner.

[novalis]

Could be totally wrong ...... but I think Cabernet Sauvignon Pinotage-induced inspiration has struck. Bit of a "gem" if it has!

[novalis]

Thanks for that Copelander! Thought my idea may have been too cryptic.

[Physicsgirl]

I think I'm trying to go down the same path as you, Devadolly. Hope it's not a dead end!

[ringer]

I'm coming back to the comfy corner - looked at the grid all evening but the I haven't spotted the 5 contiguous squares. Got an author's name and 4 squares going down which partly fit a work. Brought some cushions with me, plus a fleece blanket cos I reckon I'll be in the corner some time.

[copelander]

ringer, my last post had 2 hints

[MatydaLover]

The five contiguous squares I found refer cryptically to to a work from half a century ago ... appropriately, in the top-left section of the grid.

[Physicsgirl]

Can I ask whether the 5 squares are a word in a particular direction and position, hence a dingbat-style representation of a work (if that makes sense?). Frustratingly I can't get to grips with the clues, despite twigging (I think?!) the theme from the original birthday hint given days ago.

Hurrah for the DC!

[MatydaLover]

Absolutely spot on. If you're unsure of the work, Cary Grant starred.

[Physicsgirl]

not unsure of the work, unsure of the blasted clues!! Thanks MatydaLover. Any other hints greatly appreciated

[copelander]

Well now, Matydalover and I have chosen 2 different dingbat type solutions to highlight. Ican't yet see the one top left, but am reasonably happy with my top right one. How interesting!

[Rollo]

The one I foyund was the one in the NE section of the grid running crookedly upwards.

But following Matydalover's post I can see an alternative in the NW quadrant of the grid running diagonally upwards, which I agree is the appropiatre place.

[copelander]

yes I've now seen the north west one and agree it'smore appropriate. Well spotted matydelover and Rollo.

[devadolly]

Oh Lord! I am setting up residence in DC, I haven't even got enough in either the NE or NW to formulate even a guess. As to my lovey copelander, I can fit the said person in 343 & 7d but the other two unclued do not fit with my assumed secret charactor. 17d, one of the 'nasties' I want to be the name of the city of my forefathers but cannot see how one adjusts any other part of it - try as I might I just can't get Redruth in anywhere!!!!!!
Physicsgirl, we seem to be at one here - have just made a batch of Black & Redcurrant jam, do you (and ringer) fancy toast or crumpets?

[Physicsgirl]

crumpets please! I only had the first 2 letters in the NW corner of the grid and made a leap of faith that seemed to tie in, but no further progress.....