Ev 1069 Greetings...farewell By Rustic

[NickorWan]

I didn’t see this puzzle first time around so it was a pleasure to solve it now. It was very gentle without clue gimmicks and set no doubt as an introduction for solvers not used to barred puzzles. It had a lovely array of clues.

I have a lot to thank James for as he gave me my first break in national press and was always helpful. It is very sad and the crossword world will miss him both as an editor and as a setter, I certainly will.

Wan

[jim360]

I have similar sentiments -- my first, and hopefully by no means last, puzzle was in the EV series. I'm not sure I ever did thank James Leonard properly for accepting my first submission, but I will have him to thank for encouraging me in the future.

Many thanks to Rustic, then, for his work in setting the EV series and in welcoming new setters to the fold.

[kayakamina]

What sad news.

I have been an EV addict since day one & I can hardly believe that it is over twenty years since this first one.
James & his team of setters have given me many hours of enjoyment
( & plenty of frustration) & I wish the new editor well.
With Wan & Jim in the stable the traditions of EV are safe.

This was a gentle solve & I was amused to note that the clueing of 31a
was no different 20 years as it is now.

[devadolly]

I can't really believe it is so long since the EV began. My thanks to Rustic for introducing me to barred puzzles. I did this one oh, so long ago, not that that helped in any way as the memory isn't what it was so I enjoyed doing it again.

[dr b]

Easy does it this week; I certainly arrived at the EV long after puzzle #1 was published. I'm curious to see more early puzzles to see if they are more like #1 or more like what we get on a weekly basis these days.

[novalis]

A very sad loss to the world of cruciverbalism. It is very rare that I have the chance to look at EV these days but I have always looked forward to Rustic's challenges.

On a lighter note the winner of EV 1066 is a very dear friend of mine and as she is facing an operation on Wednesday the win will really cheer her up.

[devadolly]

What a pity you don't get a chance to do the EV, let alone N & C Novalis, it was you who first offered help when I found the AB site. All crosswording good wishes to your friend for Wednesday and congrats on the win.

[DocHH]

Hello all,
Finished this weeks offering in rapid time, primarily because the rubric was too informative. I echo the sentiments regarding Rustic, particularly K's regarding frustration. Rustic's clue-ing however was always fair.
I cannot remember when I started attempting EVs. I think the first one I completed involved highlighting GRAND UNION CANAL from the top NW corner to the bottom SE corner in a route that reflected the route of the canal, anyone remember which EV that was?
What a shame Novalis you don't just drop in for a bit of N&Cing, have spotted you from time to time in other threads, but don't like to hi-jack them for a chat! I echo DevaDolly's best wishes to your friend for both the win and operation.
Weather today has been very pleasant, and we enjoyed a long walk along the seafront, taking in the Magnificent Motor event and an International Market event!

[devadolly]

Can someone tell me how I change my avatar please? All instructions as tho' to a 3 year old please!

[factor-fiction]

deadolly- just go back onto www.Gravatar.com (which is where you set up your avatar initially) and add a new picture on there. You are then given a choice as to which you want to use. Make your choice and wait 15 minutes or so and it will change on AB

[bibblebub]

devadolly - just to add to that ^ make sure that you rate it as a G for it to be displayed on AB.

[Christiana]

I've only been done EV's for two or three years, so this was entirely new to me. Nevertheless it was quite long enough to appreciate Rustic and know I will miss his input.
As others have said, a gentle stroll of a crossword, with, for the most part, precisely worded clueing, which made it a pleasure to do. I was amused by the recommended reference book being Chambers 1988.
Do give my congratulations to your friend, Novalis. I wish her well, in every sense of the word, following her operation next week.

[novalis]

Off to a two day meeting in a few minutes but thank you for the good wishes and congratulations for my friend. She is touched by "the kindness of strangers"

[gen2]

I am visiting my mother at present so I thought access to a 1988 Chambers would be no problem. Actually though, her BRB is the 1972 edition and didn't contain 2 of the answers (30a and 21d).

It is always sad when a great setter dies - this is the second this year that I know of (Araucaria in January) but I am sure there will be plenty of young hopefuls rising through the ranks to take their places.

[NickorWan]

Araucaria is still very much with us gen2 and we hope for some time to come. He announced in January in one of his puzzles in the Guardian that he had cancer and we wish him all the best with his fight.

[ringer]

What a pleasant afternoon, sitting in the sunshine solving this EV. Thank you, Rustic, for all the wonderfully complex puzzling you have given us over the years.

[gen2]

I must apologise Wan, especially to Araucaria - I had mis-remembered the announcement.

[devadolly]

Thank you for the Avatar info, will get around to it eventually!