EV 852 Growth

[DocHH]

Another fairly straightforward EV this week. Populated the clued lights quite quickly, but probably spent a similar amount of time on the 2 sets of unclued lights! Ended up working backwards, SHRINKING rather than GROWING! So this is just to start an N&C!
Off to Gnome City on thursday for a couple of days.

[DocHH]

Devadolly,
We are your "ethereal" friends, it matters not what we are, or what we do, or even how you perceive our intelligence. Our aim is to help each other conquer that demon who appears each weekend in the Sunday Telegraph to challenge us, aka as Enigmatic Variations! You are one of the Founder Solvers!!
I fully understand the difficulties of the Farming Community, I worked with people whose partners who were very involved with that industry, but many said they would prefer their life than the one I lived while I was working full time.
What you really need to remember is it that it you who has got us N&Cing! Hopefully your other ethereal friends will echo this sentiment, so get back to the more important issue of solving this EV!!

[Christiana]

My problem is that I retired, theoretically, but allowed myself to get involved in what is almost a full-time job only without any pay. Result: all around me are people having leisurely times, whilst I seem to be 'on the run'. I tell myself it's keeping my brain active but I can't think very successfully later on in the day, so I think you do very well, Devadolly. Oh and I usually have my mouth hanging open at these people who finish EV within an hour or two. It often takes me several days -so just hang in there

[Christiana]

And, yes, thanks for restarting the EV chats. They often keep me going when I'm about to throw in the towel - and a lovely bunch of people too.

[devadolly]

Oh goodness - you will have me in tears! How kind you all are. So glad I suggested the N & C'ing - said some time ago that we had a very superior 'chat room' going on here! You have all proved it! Thank you.
You will all be rather proud of me as (with Himself out practising Elijah) ginger Mog and I retired to bed with a cup of Black Chai and the paper and thanks to your excellent hints, rattled through the whole thing - apart from 26a that is.
I agree Christina, 30a - very odd. Strangely, didn't have any trouble with 17a nor 20d, but that one might have been because Pa-in-law was a bee-keeper.
As to the NE corner, do you think it matters which word we begin with as they all dove-tail at 6d? Also very pleased that you get bogged down too...................
Still fancy some foreign trips and some 'sleaze' to alleviate the tedium!

Regards

[novalis]

Hi Devadolly!

Glad you persevered and got there in the end. That NE corner is rather intriguing and it will be interesting to see what the solution is when it appears. It's unlike any EV compiler to create a trilemma of that nature.
Hope you enjoy your weekend in Harrogate. Are you staying at The Old Swan Hotel ( the one of Agatha Christie "disappearance" fame )? It's where we had our meetings last year. Hope to have completed EV by the time you return ( fingers crossed! ) in order to give you any clues should you need them.

Doc HH! --- Have a good trip!!!

[devadolly]

Hello Novalis
Yes - the Old Swan, what is it like now, haven't been for about 20 years?
Juat as a matter of interest, has anyone read the web-site re the Agatha Christie bit? Well, unless they have changed it, spot the mistake!

Have a good trip DocHH - can you send post cards to AB?

[DocHH]

Hello everyone,
I'll try and enjoy myself! Thanks for the good wishes. I'll toast you with a preprandial drink.

[DocHH]

Did Physicsgirl solve quickly and not feel the need to N&C? Unforgiveable not to N&C, or perhaps too preoccupied with mini-PG?! Suddenly struck me, am I expected to start a thread for EV on sunday? Happy to do so!! Is 16.00ish OK, but quite happy to be pre-empted!

[novalis]

Hi everybody!

Think I have solved pea-sea-sel trilemma.
Tucked away as a minor secondary meaning of "pea" is "roe" which is the first word of the other group of six.

Devadolly!
I enjoyed the stay at The Old Swan --- food was good and room comfortable enough.

[DocHH]

Hello Novalis,
I think your tenacity has prevailed! I have just checked it in Chambers. There had to be link, EV is too enigmatic to allow dilemmas, let alone trilemmas! Hope you managed to delay your posting in time to permit the new entry. This might increase your odds of winning.
Last time I went to Harrogate, for an Exhibition had to stay at a Hotel on Ilkley Moor!!

[novalis]

Hi DocHH!

Unfortunately it's already in the post .....but I'll see my neighbour tomorrow. It can go in cousin Jessica's name. I've promised her the pen next time I'm lucky enough to win one.
Hope you had suitable headgear for Ilkley Moor ( which is an area I like!! )

[DocHH]

Mais oui, toujours sans chapeau! I have to confess that area is a bit too far north for me!!

[Christiana]

Hi again - By all means start us off on Sundays DocHH. I rarely manage to look at the EV until Monday morning, but that won't matter - I'll know where to find you!
I sent my EV off today and, fortunately, went with Pea - no real reason, but glad now I did - though I don't really need another pen, either. Mind you I haven't had the Crossword Companion notebook they now include with it, so better keep on trying.

[devadolly]

I sent it off with 'pea' as well. Didn't realise they were now offering a companion notebook too! Does their generosity know no bounds? Another pen would be nice as a spare, though rumour has it that they are not the Spanish steel ones anymore, however, a notebook.................................that will kleep my nose to the grindstone!
I suspect that Physicsgirl is currently somewhat exhausted by mini PG and if she has got the energy to EV has little left to N & C I'm sure she will turn up eventually.

Regards

[copelander]

Hello again to all the "ethereal" friends. I spend so much time at work on Mondays and Tuesdays I rarely have time to look at AB until Wed afternoon, but the week gets a lot less busy from here on.Novalis, delighted to hear your research favours PEA PALE etc. I wonder though...your argument for SEL seemed more convincing. Ah well wait and see. Devadolly, a murder mystery sounds wonderful. Enjoy!!. Ciao to all

[novalis]

Hi Copelander!

Think pea-pale route is more likely given the secondary meaning of pea. Sel is, perhaps, a little too obscure. We'll find out two weeks on Sunday. I think sea-sale is a non-starter.

Devadolly ---- Don't become a victim!! Enjoy your weekend!!