EV 964 COMPLEMENT BY SHARK

[bellabee]

i've struggled with this [pretty tough clues generally i found] - now i'm looking for the 8 letters and all i can see is an interesting 7 letter word. if i add the letter at the front it loosely gives me something that relates to one of the 'ways'. if i add the letter on the end it gives me something [when applied to 6dn] that suggests programming/communications and maybe [ v loosely] something you might hunt for today.the other 'way' i just can't tie in to anything! any help out there?

[DocHH]

Sorry, forgot to add that i agree with dr b, hints only please on the EV thread! I'm looking forward to Star Wars day, May the Fourth be with you!

[bellabee]

thanks for sharing DocHH. probably cost as much to make as the real thing.

[AndrewG-S]

Docc HH , what a great idea, I shall be using that one. I thought this was a fabulous offering, great cluing and entertaining thematic elements. A fun Easter Sunday work out. Thanks Shark. Whether intentional or not the double entendre on 14a was very funny (apologies in advance for offending anyone). Weather has been utterly amazing, we often head for IOW for easter and I never recall such a glorious three days - hope it holds for Royal Wedding when we have 40 people over for lunch in the garden...I painted the greenhouse today, lack of rain made it the perfect activity as the wood was dry.

[devadolly]

Have given up the idea of hanging myself, Himself confiscated the rope complaining that lunch would be late! So, it looks as tho' I will be confining myself to N & Cing to retain my sanity because I just can't see this week's EV going anywhere except over the shoulder!
Yes the same said No 1 niece DocHH, No 1 Nephew-in-Law (known as NIL) has suggested they would like another one for their 5th anniversary, having eaten the top tier at their 1st. My reply was colourful to say the least and included a negative response in various ways. Sadly, also had a visitation from No 2 niece who was asking questions about confectionary so I am very suspicious, nothing has been declared yet but I suspect a new hat (plus 2 months of panic) might be the order of the day in the not too distant.

[novalis]

Have just returned to this for the first time since Monday. Am still staring at it because 23 down and 32 down are perplexing me greatly although it is obvious what the unchecked letter is in the latter. Beyond that the 8 letters to be highlighted are not exactly jumping out at me.

On a lighter niote I spent Monday doing this, Speccie 2011 ( first chance I've had to look at either since time immemorial )and a local quiz for a friend of mine. As with this EV I've juddered to a halt on that as well. All the answers are surnames of famous Britons with no answer length indicated. "Reverse point and turn between eyes" is the first of them and "05050" is the second. Any heavy hints for EV and those two would be most welcome.

[DocHH]

Hello Novalis,
23d is one of the ways, it needs a particular letter removed 3 times before entry, on the other hand i always thought it started as KER. 32d is of the other way, think of a southern american breakfast dish as the boiled dish! Try diagonally for the word to be highlighted!
I have a completed grid for Speccie 2011, but not sure what help you need1
Good to see my fellow punner back!

[novalis]

Hi DocHH!

Many thanks for that. The removal of the letter 3 times + the unusual spelling threw me. Despite that and your kind help re diagonals I still can't see what needs to be highlighted.
As far as the Speccie is concerned there were no problems there. What I'm still pondering over are the two questions from my friend's "Famous Britons" quiz. With luck I'll be able to look at the next two EVs in between phoning my team of examiners but I can forget the one on 15th May because that is the weekend I'll be monitoring their standardisation marking and giving guidance where necessary.

[DocHH]

Novalis, start from the furthermost NW square, then head diagonally for 8 squares! Not a particularly obvious word, but it does mean you need to exclude things!
Look forward to seeing you over the next few EVs!

[novalis]

Many thanks for that Doc HH. That is a completely new word to me but an obvious one given the last seven letters and the crossword's theme.

[haggis58]

Get a life Dr B