ev 877

[devadolly]

Good afternoon everyone. Just having a look to see if there was anyone there and I found a post from a prospective new member of the N & Cing club dr b has already extended a welcome, which I endorse, do come and join us mahonia. We tend not to give direct answers to the EV as with other threads, just hints. However, we do have an excellent Dunces Corner for those of us who (for various reasons) don't finish in 6 and a quarter minutes!!
As to this week's, have rattled along suprisingly well with the usual leaps of faith, but am finding the NW corner rather a trial.
Welcome back drb.

[wantok]

Dunces corner awaits. Filled in the whole crossword and fail to see what to highlight. Failed to get the persons name as well, so as I said, the Dunces Corner awaits. Is there anyone out there who can take pity on me?

[Speravi]

Greetings to all N & Cers. I'm rather looking forward to hearing with which top class tipple the reclamation of the Ashes will be celebrated.

However, to ev 877: same here, wantok. It may be a red herring, but the rubric doesn't specify that the name is that of a person...

[dr b]

...not a real person, anyway. But it's in Chambers, and a quick Google will then provide the name of the 'device.'

I assumed that the device was of more than one word, which seem to be in multiple locations in the grid. Did others also come to that conclusion?

[copelander]

Get ready for a busy DC, Devadolly. I,too, have populated the grid with 2 so far empty squares and have stared and stared but can't see a "device" and with 2 missing letters can't rearrange the letters into anything sensible. Oh dear maybe the Italian sun and wine has addled the grey cells.1ac, Devadolly is one of the adjusted answers.

[devadolly]

Oh Goody, whilst DocHH is busy with his rug rats, let's all leap into DC and relax!!!! Have been given an excellent bottle of Hendrick's Gin and am willing to share half the bottle (only half mind) with fellow dunces! Am slicing the cucumber (has to be cuc with H) as we speak.
What did you google drb? Device???????? Welcome to DC speravi and wantok, show them round would you copelander, I must check the spuds for supper, newly dug Vales Emerald.
TRhanks for the clue copelander, I am presuming it is a case of + & - for the adjustment, as I said earlier, lots of leaps of faith and straw clutching with little logic!

[devadolly]

Oh dear, forgot to say (having not seen TV etc) have we got the ashes back? Great, but I should think so after such an appalling show in the Headingley test, should have been all sewn up then! Am now rummaging in the cellar for a bottle of rather nice Cava, also care of the b/d.

[copelander]

Yes it's + & - in equal numbers. May I bring a lime for my share of the bottle? And yes we (sorry, England ) reclaimed the Ashes today.

[MatydaLover]

I see just one occurrence of the device ... of not very many letters. That makes me wonder if I have the right device?

[dr b]

I understood the device to be of more than one word; all of the words can be found, well hidden, in the grid.

[Christiana]

Have only started on EV a short time ago but so far not finding populating the grid as easy as the rest of you, never mind all those devices, so guess this nominates me for guest of honour in the DC - what bliss!

[devadolly]

Of course lime is acceptable copelander, but do try it with cuc as well. Don't worry Christina, I thought I was getting no-where and then most of them sort of swum into view. Don't have the device though and am still a couple of clues short and I have every confidence that they are the key to everything! Where's the grid map drb?
Oh, Christina, if you have rain in the IOM today and tomorrow, could you please blow it N &/or W and not let it across the Irish Sea, Himself is in the middle of mowing another 30 acres - quite difficult with all fingers and toes crossed!

[Christiana]

Have given the weather a good talking to,
Devadolly. Yesterday was disgusting, so told it to go elsewhere, but today is lovely so hope it's been the same for you. I have only returned to EV an hour or so ago and finding the bottom half much more user friendly. Haven't attempted device or anything yet.

[AHearer]

Hmm. Finding this one trickier than usual -- unscrambling the name is not helped by the fact that I seem to have six rather than five adjustments of the negative type. Dusting off my conical headgear.

[crofter]

I seem to have had similar problems.

The NW corner was the last to be filled (as with devadolly)

I can spot one short word which could be the device (as with MatydaLover)

Taking the advice of dr d, I shall "Go Ogle" on!

[dr b]

I suppose the device could be said to consist of one short word, but in Googling the unscrambled name, the short name of the device seemed to always be preceded by the same adjective. I was able to find this adjective in a different part of the grid, hidden word-search style.

[ringer]

Hi all
Just reporting in after a fantastic week in Norway - although dry in the alcoholic sense! Actually the weather was OK as well - better than here (not very difficult). Managed to start (and finish) EV876 today - rather nice to be mentioned! Haven't looked at this week's as yet. Good to see one or two new members - welcome to all!

[turnerjmw]

I'm not sure one can be definitive about the highlighting. I think dr b's addition to MatydaLover's short word would be worth including if one was sending it in, though. It certainly shouldn't be disqualified - it's just a shame it lacks any symmetry

[devadolly]

Welcome back ringer and turnerjmw. AQm all complete apart from the 36's and am unsure of why I have the answers I have for 24d & 32a. Also am getting absolutely NOWHERE with the device

[turnerjmw]

Hi, devadolly. 32ac gives you one of your removals. Look for the double letter finish in Chambers, if you have it. The 36s give you two more of them. Think of Italy for your river. As for 24dn, the last word gives the answer, (known for its oil) but more commonly thought of as a drink

[suilven]

Got all the 'adjustment' answers but perplexedby extra letters given in clues to 16a, 14d, and 39a. Have they anything to do with the denouement? And still finding it impossible to unravel anagram and thus the device(s). Hints as ever welcome.