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devadolly | 19:15 Sun 21st Jun 2009 | Crosswords
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Good evening EV
N & Cers, I haven't looked at it yet, a treat for later as I have been a very good girl and met my two deadlines, cleaned out the freezers and dairy in prep for the return of the lambs tomorrow, sorted out my order lists and given himself the instructions to wash the dairy floor with hypochlorate tomorrow early. So, was having a sneaky look to see if I could judge the difficulty of this weeks offering (do I need to bake for the DC etc??) and there is no-one there! I know DocHH is galivanting and partying, novalis being important - so where are the rest of you?
PS Don't anybody speak to GingerMog, he has caught a sparrow...nasty cat, no knees for him tonight!
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Hi devadolly!
Not being important at all. Just waiting now for my team to get samples of their work to me so I can check it.
This week's wasn't too bad to say the least. It's one for Physicsgirl ( at least another of her scientific disciplines ). If you concentrate on the definitions rather than the cryptic parts of clues it's fairly straightforward. Sort out the added and subtracted letters and you'll be in your element(s).
Hi Devadolly, Just thought I'd check if anyone had posted. Have glanced at EV but no more than that. Have two students staying with me at present and suddenly I'm a mother of teenagers again. Which basically means a chauffeur. Have just dropped them off to have a swim and will be summoned to collect them later.
Doesn't your heart sink when someone posts "It WASN'T too bad" rather than it doesn't look too bad. Having said that my first glance yielded a couple of answers so will return to it now before I get the expected "Come and get us" phone call
Yes, this one was pretty basic, which, after my travails with "der Zuschauer" this week, seems only fair. I seem to recall that this basic premise was used in a fairly recent Spectator.

A 90-90 day in the midwest today (temperature and humidity). We can go for a swim and don't even need a pool! Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there and Happy Sunday to the rest.
Hi Everyone
Put the baking on hold Devadolly (it sounds as if you need a rest anyway). I'm sure that you'll feel at holme with this week's EV. Has anyone noticed wats on the hints? Very sparse!!
Busy week at work coming up - Johnny Ball is giving a talk to our Year 9s on Wednesday. They are not sure who he is, but "Zoe Ball's Dad" seems to be received well. Will let you know how it goes.
All OK today.....one for the scientists, of whom , I suppose I should count myself. Agree Ringer, the SS are becoming sparser, but then there wasn't really a lot to say this week. Devadolly, I'm so glad you've caught up with yourself again! Novalis, you'll be glad(?) to hear I managed to crack the Speccie with the Daughter's help, but I'd have been in trouble without her.....2 years of German a thousand years ago was just not quite enough.
i have to add that this weeks ev is perhaps the weakest effort in a long while. not only is removing the specified letters from the wordplay a cop out, the setter fails to remove certain ones e.g. 10 down. Not that difficult to think of a clue for that.

after getting 7 down clues and entering the 2 unclued answers, i feel like giving up as i am bored.

shame as we have had a very good run over the last few months
Agree completely, Midazolam. About 1/3 of the way through I wondered why I was spending time on it.
Midazolam, I'm so sorry, I had forgotten to welcome you to the N(attering) C(hattering) and W(ine) cclub that we operate here. You're very welcome, but should understand we quite often veer away from the crossword in question and lapse into much more interesting stuff, like the wine of the day, or the recipe of the season(that would be Devadolly ) and other diversions.. But feel free to keep chatting!


Hello Everyone,
Am back from the great Metropolis after the surprise party for Herself's sister. I've been told that I did enjoy myself!! I agree, this weeks EV wasn't too challenging, but I thought it was quite elegant the way the added or subtracted letters were germane to their clue number, twice in one case!!
Hello again,

We're a funny lot ,aren't we. I was reflecting on how I grumble when presented with the more obscure EV's, and then feel disappointed when one comes along that isn't much of a challenge. As Dr. B says, perhaps providing a little respite after the last Speccie. As he also remarks a little too similar in theme to a recent Spectator offering. For all that I do admire the devious minds of the setters.
Hi all
Christiana - I echo your sentiments entirely, and you too DocHH.
It is very easy to criticise a setter, but I for one couldn't produce a crossword on such a level. Celebrated the early completion by opening a very drinkable Merlot last night.
Not so difficult as some, but no less absorbing for that. But the title ... rather more subtle and perhaps more of a challenge?
pah! Not so challenging? Weak offering? Haven't looked yet but your comments fill me with dread. I just know I'll be in DC on my own this week.

Ringer - we had JB to speak at our school 2 years ago - very manic and entertaining, althoug the staff were more excited about him than the students! Aslo, the "Zoe Ball's dad" didn't work as they are pretty well too young to remember her, too. Which subject do you teach and where in the country?

I'm returning to work in 9 days .... only seems like yesterday that I was large, round, and counting the days to meet mini PG.
Fingers crossed for the weather - we cut our hay on Monday.....
Matydalover, yes, a more subtle title in some ways, in others somewhat more elementary.
Physicsgirl, I understand your feelings. Mine were similar at the start. I dread reading how quickly others have flashed through it. And there are one or two tricky clues, but the top half, particularly, soon yielded.
All the best for your return to the fray and the joys of juggling work and motherhood.
PG - Good luck in your return to work. I hope minipg doesn't miss you too much.
I teach Maths and am based in Cheshire, near Macclesfield. I enjoy my work - most of the time!! I teach from Year 7 right through to A level so at least I never get bored.
It's the big JB day tomorrow. Hope I can get to sleep tonight - I am beside myself with excitement!!!!! Actually I'm probably more interested in the heats of our own school version of Britain's Got Talent which are being held this week as I'm involved with the organisation.
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Hello all. Agree completely Physicsgirl, so demoralising when one thinks it ought to be done within a max of 20 minutes! Mark you, it seems to be all the chaps who have the time to sit down and relax giving it the WHOLE of their attention, no Mini or Himself squawking about something, no, can you just...? Is there a ......? where is the....? Have you got....?
However, managed to get to it last night (finally) and am down to the final few in the bottom LH corner, got the 15 & 43 by plucking out of the air thanks to a few letters and appreciate the thoughtful placing of certain letter/no connections, but , blow me! Can I find any connection to the title? NO!
Will try to get back to it later but still have a freezer full of chops to price up and some big orders to take out later, B***** Lambs!
Recipe of the week if anyone would like it....Elderflower & Orange Cordial, absolutely delicious especially when diluted with Proseccio or other fizz. Like Sloe Gin, always better after a year in the bottle.
Hello Everyone,
Hersrelf and I are just waiting for the taxi to arrive at 13.15 to take us to the airport. Will not be able to get to the next 2 EV challenges, so will see you all on EV871!
Adios for a while!
Bon Voyage, Doc HH. See you in Seatle - or rather in three weeks, N & C ing.
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Just in case you are sneaking a look whilst waiting for the air-ship Doc..........................Bon Voyage, have a lovely time!
JB day today - very funny and definitely manic!!! Has very definite views on such topics as global warming.
Back to EV - Devadolly - try googling the title - no need to put any speech marks in.
DocHH - missing you already lol - enjoy!!

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