Jumbo 1347

[stevenj]

Wow, what a weekend. Friday, the usual session with His Nibs at the local.Very pleasant but not exceptional. Saturday was absolutely amazing. The sun shone all day and he had a home game so, as usual, I went to watch. To watch him if I am honest. He played really well. We then had a great afternoon enjoying the sun and an evening in. Bliss. But I paid for it on Sunday. The weather here was vile. Rain, rain, rain. Colder as well. His mother took him off somewhere. I struggled with the crossword and didn't finish it until now. And there's still a clue where I am confident of the answer but I don't know why.
The clue is "bath for one in a state" I have S*a*n so the answer seems to be Spain, a state. But bath . Dunno.
Oh and "One rarely seen on course, wandering bird" The answer must be albatross but what is the reference to a course please?

As always, I'd be grateful for advice

steven

[roslyn251254]

albatross ... golfing term ... 3 strokes under par

[mallyh]

spa in?

[Buenchico]

Bath = spa + in

[roslyn251254]

spa is a bath + in

[Mamyalynne]

Is a Spa a bath for one, or am I reading the clue wrong?

[stevenj]

I don't play golf so that term was new to me (and, even if I did, I can't imagine getting three under par EVER). But now I know. No doubt useful for future crosswords.
And I ambushing at my stupidity with spa= bath.

Thank you to all three of you
steven

[mallyh]

I read it as bath with one' in' x

[Neveracrossword]

Mamya, I read it that Bath (capitalised, the place) is a Spa...

[Mamyalynne]

Got my Monday head on.

[Neveracrossword]

Mamya, it wasn't a great clue anyway - but I liked 'Bath' at the beginning, ambiguous!

[stevenj]

Well, I was going to settle for the previous explanation but I like reading little discussions like that one between Mamyalynne (how are you , Mamyalynne? Well I hope. Was your weather equally horrible?).
And while I am on, there is (as usual) another clue where I know the answer and part of the reasoning but not all of it. The clue is "separate, hopping away" The answer is ( I am sort of confident) "out on a limb" which is the operate part but where does the "hopping away " fit in please?
steven

[stevenj]

And the discussion, of course, was between Mamyalynne and another great helper Neveracrossword. Sorry sir
steven

[Mamyalynne]

A double def, Steven - separate and if you are out hopping you are on one leg (limb)

[Mamyalynne]

I'm fine ta, just been a frustrating day that's all.

Be well.x

[Neveracrossword]

Thanks for that, Steven - and if anything, I'm a 'miss' or 'madam' rather than a 'sir'. I agree with Mamya about the double definition involved in 'out on a limb'.

[stevenj]

Whoops! How sexist of me. Sorry Ma'am!

And thank you both for the response. Again, I am blushing to have not seen that second definition. But I am still learning....
steven

[Mamyalynne]

We never stop learning, that's the joy of it Steven.

[stevenj]

Well I think I have more to learn than you and the others who help me so generously.
Sorry that you have had a frustrating day, Mamyalynne. As I said at the beginning, Sunday was that sort of day for me. And the contrast with Saturday could hardly have been greater. The difference His Nibs makes is phenomenal. Well the weather helped...

[Neveracrossword]

Thanks, Steven. PS Feel free to use NAC - it involves less typing!