ev 863

[devadolly]

Good Afternoon EV N & C'ers. Haven't yet opened the EV yet but had a notification that there was a further post on last week's! drb is having trouble getting a copy of this week's and wonders if anyone can send him one? Far beyond my megre IT skills but perhaps someone else can.
Speak to you all soon!

Regards

[DocHH]

Hello Devadolly, encore une fois,
I have been told I can talk for the UK, not true! 39ac What are the axes of a graph, alphabetically the first one first, these are the first 2 letters, then a 2 letter poetic word meaning SEE, or behold, followed by a very light wood, that was used for modelling, then being quiet, or a parent.
If you would like any others, am happy to help.

[Physicsgirl]

Hello all! Sorry, been v. busy with mini PG who has a raging cold (as do I!). Have made a start on this week's puzzle and so far so good, but not much time to do it in!

Would have liked to meet in H'gate and drool over handbags, so next time you're this way, do let me know.
Is it OK to use the DC for quiet contemplation until I realise I'm stuck?

[DocHH]

Physicsgirl,
Apologies for absence are accepted, and hope you and minipg are well on the way to recovery. Languishing in the horrendous luxury of the DC is unacceptable, you should be in the real world searching for solutions to EV's grid entries and the EV quirks.

[ringer]

Hello all
Silly season (exams) has kicked in at work and so am having to spend valuable EV hours marking scripts and writing reports. Thank goodness for copy and paste!!
Managed an hour on this week's EV and am making progress though no flashes of inspiration as yet. Don't feel the need for DC but am missing the comfy cushions and B & B pudding.
Sorry to hear about your colds PG and minipg - hope you are feeling better soon.
DocHH - it's my birthday next weekend and I have made very unsubtle hints about the absolute necessity for an electronic Chambers. Am hoping it hasn't fallen on deaf ears!!

[Christiana]

Just reporting in. Have spent day sorting out the chaos from having been away and trying to complete Rainbow Quiz - one of only two charity quizzes I do.
Have now turned to my half completed EV and find that the real world is not looking very comforting. (Gazes longingly at DC) but will press on for a while.

[dr b]

I managed this one with a bit less effort than last week, held up briefly by a careless wrong answer to 36a. Ready to provide hints if needed, or to just go away if requested.

ringer, my semester is over but you have my sympathy.

[Christiana]

Ringer, I, too sympathise/empathise. Have done my fair share of such marking in the past, plus SATS, GCSE etc, for various exam boards.

Don't go, Dr. B - might well need you. Am still making progress though have one or two answers I can't quite work out cryptically. Will seek explanations when/if I finish. How's it going Devadolly - don't disappear - I might need someone to hold hands with in DC

[novalis]

Hi everybody!

Hope you are all well. Seems that there are a few ailments doing the rounds.

After getting soaked in Manchester on Sunday ( friends taking part in the 10K run and staying on to watch Usain Bolt --- blinked and nearly missed it! ) and a day of visits yesterday I finally managed to get round to this earlier today. Have all the answers but have no idea of the theme and, therefore, the letters to be left in/omitted and the name to be highlighted. I'm assuming that the highlighted letetrs are contained within the continuous curve. Ny hints or pointers wouild be appreciated.

Physicsgirl --- When do you go back to the "fray"? Our Harrogate meeting on 6th July is a.m. only so if you fancy meeting for a coffee some time after 12:30 please let me know.

I know the feeling Ringer. I still don't know how I managed to do the examination work in addition to everything else.

[devadolly]

Well at least two of the three mispers have checked in. You deserve a cold Novalis, standing in rain and doing unhealthy things like running! Take the Echinacea for the cold Physicsgirl, really works, leave the minipg to suffer for the good of her immune system (horrid I know but good for the long term). Will certainly mention when next in Harrogate - usually works out at once every ten years! Next planned trip to London for the Proms in mid August. Of course the DC is open for contemplation and ringer it is fully re-stocked with comforts - I pretended to be an MP!
Doc, do you really mean axes? Or are you being mathematical and showing me up again ie axis of graph???? Er?????? Have the last bit and will have to work backwards.

[MatydaLover]

Just enjoyed the first of this year's strawberries and cream.

[Physicsgirl]

Gah! All EV activity suspended for me - have spent the day at doctors then hospital with poorly mini PG. It took a long time for them to actually look at her throat (the GP's concern - second opinion called for, hence hospital) and then prescribe penicillin for suspected tonsillitis (sp?). She is ultra miserable, off her food and I was up all night with her. Hopefully the drugs will kick in shortly..... see you all later!

[dr b]

Novalis - there is one mega-hint which would give the whole game away, but I'll not serve that one up just yet. Finding the hidden name will give you a big advantage in terms of finding the 9 letter word.

[copelander]

devadolly, All your waifs and strays are now accounted for. Sorry to be so late checking in, but we were away at the weekend, so I only got a chance to start EV yesterday. All squares populated (some rather crowded ), but apart from an ovoid shape I can't see any name, nor anything remotely thematic. a bit of staring tonight methinks. PG, what a miserable day you've had, and poor miniPG. Keep her cool and push fluids. Devadolly, are there any other clues you would like a hint for? Just ask!

[Rollo]

I thought it was a bit "sneeky" to have two clashes in 11d - assuming I have solved it correctly.

I now have a full grid with 9 clashes, but if somebody could give me hint as to the wordplay justifying 29d I would be a little happier.

I have not got te name, nor the word, yet - still working on those.

[copelander]

Rollo, a Benedict is a term for a newly married man.

[copelander]

PS, I also have 2 clashes in 11d

[devadolly]

Hello all - oh! poor physicsgirl, how worrying with mini in such a state - the silver lining, it really will give her immunity - comfy cot now in DC!
Haven't had a chance to do any more on the dreaded, the Dad of the dear friends who were coming round for Mah Jong on Sunday had a massive stroke on Sat night and, sadly died early this am. Very sad of course, but as he was 85 and had been as fit as a flea up to Friday night when he went home early from his son's because he was a bit tired, I think that is what I would like. Dr Death seems to be around at the moment as we have had 2 fit calves die quite without reason. Not going to be a good week I feel.
Hate to say it, Tesco have had Kent strawberries in for the past 3 weeks and the are absolutely delicious.
Hello copelander, glad to see you are OK will probably be asking for more clues PDQ

[DocHH]

Hello everyone, got back from an exhausting days work at just about 18.00. Had to cook dinner, a tomatoey, bacony pasta thing, then check in with Herself, now finishing off the Tempranillo. Couldn't resist a peek at the thread before preparing for another days work tomorrow.
Devadolly, as far as 39ac is concerned, axes is not the plural of hatchets, it is the plural of each of the horizontal and vertical axis on a graph, represented by an unknown! So you should now be able to work forwards as well as backwards.

At least tomorrow, the meeting will finish by 14.00, and that includes lunch, and I am only participating not Chairing, which makes life easier.

[copelander]

DocHH, that sounds like 2 full days work....how exhausting!, But, have you finished EV?????. Devadolly, you're right, a good way to go, but devastating for his family. I'm holding off asking for DrB's big hint and am still staring. Chablis again here again this evening.

[Christiana]

Copelander, thanks for explanation of 29d, which was one of the ones for which I had an answer but had circled for explanations of the cryptic part later. Had been desperately trying to make 'bench' fit for the 'court' bit. I also have an answer for 18d but don't understand the 'absent for breakfast' bit..
Had to go out this evening, so now settling down to it once more.
Physics Girl, sorry to hear of Mini PG's indisposition. I hope the medicine's kicking in and mother and child both get a good night's sleep.