EV 1036 - Approximate & Appropriate by Moordon

[Twit-Who]

Surely preamble should state that replacements for parts of answers to 20 clues are forms of 26 across? However an entirely straightforward and unchallenging puzzle a tad on the easy side for an EV.

[DocHH]

Hello Twi-Who, I quite agree, but on the other hand I didn't spot any spelling mistakes or grid enry length errors!

[dr b]

It must be "arcane topic month" at the EV; I'm not sure whether last week's or this week's subject would appeal to a narrower segment of the population. At least last week's had some challenge to it; this one was far too easy for an EV. Perhaps having enumerations refer to grid entries rather than original answers would have made it more interesting.

[Monkmonk]

Twit-Who

The preamble states “Replacements for parts of the answers to 14 clues” but should probably state “14 replacements for parts of the answers”.

You propose 20 clues when it is actually 22 clues that are affected.

DocHH is either careless or making a strange joke with “enry”.

It is easy to criticize as I have just demonstrated…

[Twit-Who]

Yes indeed it should be 22 - I can't count. I must have run out of fingers and toes. Knuckles suitably rapped....

[devadolly]

Good late afternoon to all, clues don't seem too challenging but have yet to see any connection between the across and down 'strangers' other than they seem to follow a pattern within their sector. Such a filthy day here it would depress the most genius of minds let alone my sluggish old thing. Never did work out last week's needs! Ofrf to have Hendrick's as a treat.

[Christiana]

Yes, raced through this, but was pleased to note, like DocHH, that it appeared to be accurate. I didn't recognise the compiler's name (Moordon). Is he new or have I been asleep in class as usual?

[devadolly]

That makes two of us asleep C!!

[kayakamina]

I agree that this was not much of a challenge- more Spectator than EV I thought.

No harm in having an easier one occasionally though.

[devadolly]

The penny finally dropped in the early hours! Thought it a rather boring and plodding EV, didn't seem to grab the imagination and force one to just try another clue.

[Christiana]

Will be off on my travels on Thursday - Isle of Man (family) and Algarve (friends) and not back until late November, so postings may be sporadic, depending on internet connection and whether I can manage EV without the various books at my disposal at home.

DD, I have a new problem in the garden - moles. Always had a few molehills, but now have positive infestation on major part of back lawn, plus various flower beds under attack. Have tried various methods to get rid of them over the last few weeks, without success. Am afraid I'm now resorting to violence, as I have to leave the place able to be mowed.

[devadolly]

Christina, moles (currently) not a problem here, I think it is the wrong sort of soil. Don't know about flower beds but a friend of ours took drastic measures with his lawn. He took all the turf off, dug out 6 inches and laid chicken wire over the whole area then re-laid the soil and the turf..........so far (quite some time) he has a mole free lawn. As to the flower beds...........'fraid I have no suggestions other than sonic repellers.
Have a good holiday, we're off to Cheltenham/Tewkesbury next week and then main hols in October.................please let there be some sun!!!!

[devadolly]

Christina.........if you are still there...............Have just read in the Thompson & Morgan catalogue about mole repellent bulbs that are pushed into the soil and reported to keep moles away for up to two years. May be of some help!

[Shoni70]

I regret I cannot help you about the moles, but I have a more urgent matter in hand. I have completed the puzzle and know what the replacements are , but I am afraid I do not understand this part of the rubric -"Optionally, it may help if you make the replacenents into an approximate and appropriate rounded shape". Can anyone enlighten me please?

[kayakamina]

Draw an ampersand - &

[Christiana]

Thanks for the info Devadolly - may be worth a try. Currently have mole catcher in at great expense, but gather there are risks other moles will move into the empty tunnel, so may try them.