ev 863

[devadolly]

Good Afternoon EV N & C'ers. Haven't yet opened the EV yet but had a notification that there was a further post on last week's! drb is having trouble getting a copy of this week's and wonders if anyone can send him one? Far beyond my megre IT skills but perhaps someone else can.
Speak to you all soon!

Regards

[midazolam]

whats the email?

[turnerjmw]

Midazolam, apologies for hijacking this EV thread, but you mentioned Schadenfreude's Inquisitor offering on the Listener thread. I imagine you've polished it off, (and very good fun it was too), but could you possibly let me know if you're happy about the anagram at the end of the fifth Thematic clue? The intention's clear, but Iit's neither of the two common spellings, I can't find it in Chambers, and can find nothing definitive on Google. The compiler is so accurate everywhere else that a mistake seems unlikely.

[dr b]

Anyone with a pdf of EV 863 who could forward it to bbetker-at-gmail-dot-com will earn a special place on my Christmas list. Thanks!

[DocHH]

Hello Devadolly, dr b and welcome Listenerophiles,
Sorry dr b, I am staring at a hard copy of an overpopulated grid, rather than electronic, you'll understand what I mean by that when you get this weeks EV and read the rubric. I have yet to connect to the Enigma.

[turnerjmw]

Pdf duly emailed, dr b

[slaney]

Hi dr b - I have just yesterday set up a new printer /scanner - so a copy should be on its way to you.

And turnerjmw - I have the same problem with that particular anagram in yesterday's Inquisitor.

[slaney]

Sorry ..didn't refresh to see you had already a copy.
Too many buttons on this new machine to confuse me!

[midazolam]

in reply to your question turnerjmw - the common spelling should be 8 letters "ie". strictly with just an "i" this does not relate to the theme, and just with an "e" does not exist. I think this must be a mistake, but luckily it is not required for completion.

How is everyone getting on with the EV today?

[Christiana]

Hello everyone, came back to Portugal last night after pleasant time in England with various very welcoming relatives. Didn't attempt EV whilst away - really couldn't face it without my trusty Chambers - but managed to keep up with the Speccie, more or less. Just the latest to do.
Have just run off this week's EV so will no doubt be back later.

[devadolly]

Hello again - well, I am pleased to know you are having difficulties DocHH, gives me HOPE! My grid isn't overpopulated by any means, the ones I have done all seemed very easy.............why aren't the others? Have no idea about the theme of course and DC will be open for visitors (including you if you would like Doc!) unfortunately the B & B pudding offered at the end of last week's thread has all been eaten.
drb - trust you are now sorted out with 37 different copies of this week's epistle?
Are we all going to get dragged into the Listener too............Oh, please don't make me............................................

[dr b]

puzzle received - thanks (i think....)

[devadolly]

drb.........quite!

[DocHH]

Don't worry Devadolly, just hold this sensitive Establishment Techies hand and I'll keep you from being dragged into Listener-land! Have taken a break from staring at the grid, to prepare for a busy week.
Don't forget I've submitted apologies for absence for monday, tuesday, wednesday, thursday pm and friday, this week! It now looks as if I have to submit apologies for absence for EV 865, apparently it is mandatory that I attend Herself''s brother's surprise 60th birthday party, in London on the sunday afternoon! Despite the fact we have been together for over 30 yeas, she just doesn't understand it is necessary to attack EV!!
Hope ginger mog is now on the mend and will soon be in purrrrrrrrfect health. He sounds like a real ratter!
Doubtless dr b will be furnished with this weeks challenge quite soon.

[devadolly]

Thank you Doc HH, it's 864 next week, don't leave us for two weeks or that DC will be like a penthouse at the Dorchester! I am pretty sure you will be sneaking away to a corner somewhere after the initial "Surprise, Surprise" and fishing out a crumpled EV to be filled in by the light of a torch in a dim hallway..........
Thank you, GM does seem to be improving, in fact he is back to his usual unbearably bossy self by refusing to use either of his special (very superior) cushions, this means they need washing!!!!!! So, I have spent 1/2 an hour washing them and they are now hanging up to dry,,,,,,,,,,,,meanwhile HE feels it is his right to occupy Himself's place on the sofa! Cats, don't you just love 'em?
Welcome back Christina, we were missing your imput on the best Port to purchase for the DC - Copelander is treating as she has had another win on the Speccie!!!!

[turnerjmw]

Thanks for your thoughts on Inquisitor, midazolam and slaney. I agree it's not necessary for competion, and I'm glad you share my sentiments.

I enjoyed this EV. The last clue stubbornly failed to drop, until I had a PDM about the theme, and all fell into place. Most entertaining.

[Christiana]

Oh dear - afraid that whilst I enjoy drinking Port I'm not a connoisseur - with me it's any Port in a storm (or out of it for that matter). Portugal being the home of port, the local ones are more than acceptable.
Congratulations on your 'another' win on the Speccie Copelander - I haven't managed that one yet.
Cats! - Mine is doing the 'ignore her, she's been away' routine at present, but will no doubt come round by tomorrow.

[DocHH]

The problem, Devadolly, is how to smuggle Chambers and EV up to the surprise party on the train, the former just won't fit into any pocket, without an obvious bulge. I have also been told "I will enjoy myself"!
I'll have another look at this week's EV biefly tomorrow morning.
Adios till later in the week.

[devadolly]

HHHHMMMMMM! Yes Doc, and if you are anything like Himself when in that situation, Herself is not going to be best pleased when she gets you back on the train home! A request for a small electronic machine would seem to be a must for the next birthday pressy.
Christina, I'm sure you will make an excellent choice. Have done quite a few more but no blinding flashes of light re theme...............where's Novalis, Physicsgirl and Copelander?

[DocHH]

Hello Devadolly, have been sooooo busy today, 3 Telegraph Crosswords, plus mowing lawns, and having to do things after I found out my Uncle had nominated me as co-executor, plus sort out work stuff for tuesday and wednesday, and now cooking dinner, it is such that I haven't had a chance to get back to EV at all.
When I looked again at this thread, this sensitive Establishment Techie felt you might feel you were being ignored, so have penned(?) this. Those Listener people aren't very N &Cey are they! I'd certainly echo your thoughts about the absence of Novalis, Copelander and Physicsgirl! Where on earth, or ether are they?

As well as Chairing tomorrows meeting, I have to make a speech and presentation to the outgoing Secretary, perhaps even welcome the new Secretary. On wednesday I just sit and listen, if you believe that I'm a Chatty Listenerophile!
After the party in a week or so I head South, Herself North, so just retribution by, ignorable text until next phone call!! She knows me well enough, so no problems, she is also a CRUXIVERBOPHILE, but mainly GK ones and the Telegraph Quick.
Ciao

[devadolly]

Doc - Herself still won't be pleased if you don't enter (completely) into the spirit of it all.............after all it is her Bro! I do all the GK ones as well + the DT Sat cryptic since 1967!!!!! Was introduced to it by a room-mate when I started at The Establishment, do it most weeks and have never won a B thing!
I reckon we can N & C for everyone else! Have got 3/4 of the grid finished and some of the crossed letters but it isn't meaning a thing cryptically. Any clues on 39a it is driving me demented! in fact any clues at all would be good...........where are they all?