Sunday Telegraph Enigmatic Variations EV 977 Sunday July 24th 2011

[haggis58]

A relatively easy offering this week by Kruger. Athough I have completed the grid, I still cannot work out the original answers to 20ac and 38ac.

[doorbell]

slip, pound

[kayakamina]

An undemanding EV after a run of challenging ones the last few weeks.

I'm not sure I found it all that satisfying but it didn't distract from the Test Match Special commentary.

[AndrewG-S]

Got to this rather slowly as was distracted by TMS. Great result!

[AndrewG-S]

Very poor turn out on the EV this week, I suppose everyone is on holiday. I should have said thanks Kruger an enjoyable solve. I thought the thematic element was well put together.

[Christiana]

I haven't 'turned out' yet, because I am still struggling with the red and white associations. So far haven't twigged what they are so can't fill in the last few letters on the grid. I fear it might turn out to be sport, which I am not at all knowledgeable on. I also fear it's something blindingly obvious that I am totally missing. Can guess most of them but a couple have more than one possibility.

[devadolly]

So sorry AndrewG-S, a bit taken up with trying to get the next lot of haylage with Himself still suffering quite badly with his ribs, all seems to be progressing nicely and then the Twit does something extreme. Currently driving the tractor with an old pillow padding him out.
Have worked out the R & W's......I think but am having trouble with the word-play and have to say I am not finding it satisfying.
Hesitate to ask Christina, but how's the fruit? Have just got all the red & blackcurrants away and the bushes pruned when I find the James Grieve apples are ready so it's out with the juicer and thank goodness for tonic water bottles! I notice the sloes are ripening very early so I imagine I will have the promised 20 tons of damsons to sell for a friend.
We were going to try and get to at least one first class cricket match this year but I just don't think it is going to happen.

[AndrewG-S]

Ah, there you all are - I should have thought that we were heading into the busy part of the year from the vegetable/fruit/hay etc. perspective. Christiana if you put a lot of red a white berries into a bowl and mashed them together you should have a think about what they might look like!

[devadolly]

The basis for a syllabub or a posh pud of some variety!!!! That has confirmed my assumption is correct for the R & W but it's somewhat dubious in my view and I am still having trouble with the word-play.

[dr b]

Hola to all; only getting around to posting due to sloth and indolence. I thought this was just OK - biggest quibble is that there's no need to even solve the 8 replaced clues except for one's own satisfaction. I had a complete grid with only one of them solved; the endgame should certify that you solved them somehow.

leaving tomorrow on my annual Sierras trek so will miss the next 2 EVs; see you all for 980!

[novalis]

Managed to look at this for the first time today and echo the various comments already posted.

[devadolly]

Have a good holiday drb!

[Shoni70]

Nearly completed this EV but have one to do 36 d... Take in Capuchin's garment. Could the answer be sari, but if so can you please explain why. Thank you in advance.

[DocHH]

OK, I'm checking in late too, apologies. I guess this EV would be better placed in the FT, or it's more familiar name.
AndrewG-S, my initial thoughts were that you'd appreciate 32d's association!
Devadolly, pleased to hear Himself is recovering, but you really must stop him doing more than he should!
Dr b, enjoy your Sierra holiday, pics?
Christiana, if this were sport related I'd be struggling too!
I'm wondering what EV 1000 will throw at us

[copelander]

shoni, A sai is a capuchin monkey, so if the word contains take (r) it becomes sari.

[Christiana]

Thanks AndrewG-S - I suspected some such because of the obvious answer to 13d, but wasn't confident enough to try and make it work with the rest. Will have another look.
Devadolly, have all my raspberries and blackcurrants in and have even pruned the raspberry bushes, but am gazing in horror at the apple trees as they are looking both overloaded and almost ready - I note your James Grieve are ready. I think one of mine is a Discovery and it is considerably more advanced than last year. One of my two plum trees is laden, but, alas, there was a sudden crack and around half of the tree has split and is lying across the peas and strawberries. I'm told they will ripen anyway, but not sure what to do about the damage to the tree - remember this is all very new to me. Oh and I actually have a crop of peaches, not yet ready to harvest but coming on. (I bet you wish you hadn't asked!)
Somewhat out of action briefly, following minor ops. to my two big toe nails but hobbling around as needs must. Sorry to hear about the setback to the "twit's" ribs.

[novalis]

Hi DocHH!

I've also been wondering about EV 1000 for a while now.

[AndrewG-S]

Has anyone been doing these since No.1? Would be an impressive record

[devadolly]

Yes! The first one had composers as its theme if I remember correctly......how's that for showing one's age? Started doing it to amuse a friend who was bed-ridden awaiting a back operation. Think my brain was in better order in those days.

[Christiana]

That really is impressive, Devadolly.

Finally got to grips with the red and the whites, endgame - should have checked in the BRB before

[AndrewG-S]

DD, remind me to congratulate you when you get to 1000! A great record.