ev 869

[devadolly]

Oh NO! It's Mr O, I don't stand a chance - I'm off to my wedding cakes.

Regards

[dr b]

Hi all,

This one was indeed a bit more challenging than last weeks - more obscure words = harder clues, it seems! I had a hard time getting started but once I got a toehold in the lower right the rest eventually followed. Once the grid was populated, I spent too much time taking the title literally but once the "aha!" moment occurred the payoff was very nice. (NB: the preceding paragraph contains no punny hints. Sorry.)

Another bow to the setter; didn't mean to suggest that because last week's was not so tough that it wasn't difficult to create. how he got this one to come together (changing 3 letters in the grid!) is a marvel.

I am ready for a puzzle that does not have extra/missing letters in the wordplay next week!

The heat wave has broken here; after a week in the upper 90s (peaking at 100 yesterday) thunderstorms rolled in dragging "cool" air behind them and today it will "only" be 88! Enjoy your Sunday, everybody.

[MatydaLover]

Could it be just 35 cells not 45, that are to be highlighted?

[dr b]

Looks like 35 to me!

[Speravi]

Agreed - it should be 35 cells. I was lucky enough to guess the event before reading a clue; consequently, the rest followed as easily as last week's. Without that fortuitous breakthrough, it wouldn't have been so smooth. A pleasing final grid, I thought - and a very enjoyable interlude.

[Rollo]

Coincidentally, the same "feat" is the theme of yesterday's Inquisitor crossword in the I ndependent.

[novalis]

Hi everybody!

Just popping in to say "hello" before going back to some work. The first thing I did was look in my dictionary of dates and the rest, as thety say, was history. Agree it's definitely 35 cells to be highlighted. The ingenuity of the compilers never ceases to amaze me.
Devadolly, this is one of Mr. O's kinder offerings. As you are superb at balancing acts you should manage this one...but a Horseshoe might help you.

[Christiana]

Hello all, Just started on the grid. Will pop back later. Devadolly, don't give up. I may well need you to hold my hand in the DC

[gen2]

I too guessed the theme before starting but only just started and haven't yet had time to fill (populate you say) the grid. Will have another look later this evening.

And yes, I found last week's one rather easy - but you need easy ones now and again to get new people into this puzzle, otherwise they would give up and support (entries) would dwindle.

[copelander]

A really good crossword, you'll enjoy it Devadolly. Speravi if you, like I did, tackled yesterday's Inquisitor, you
were already ready for this theme. Great weather here this evening, so a cold ,light Pinot Grigio is the order of the day! Agree 35 squares to be highlighted. All the best to those who haven't yet completed.

[devadolly]

Well, this is a poor do! I haven't time to check up on you and the N & Cing reaches an all time low. DocHH won't be pleased either, just because you have rattled through the EV at a pace (and no I haven't finished it but I have cottoned on to the theme and am 2/3 way through, if I ever get a chance will have another go) does not mean you can disappear.
Won't have any help from the Ginger Mog this week, he got badly beaten up by the local bruiser (mind you, he is a wimp of the first order) and has a nasty abscess forming on his tail, so he is very down-pin and private.

[ringer]

Looks like its only me heading for DC then this week. I've only populated about a quarter and no flashes of inspiration as yet although I've guessed what the theme might be.Hope Ginger Mog cheers up soon.

[devadolly]

Oh - Hello ringer, good to see someone is there. I am probably going to be in DC anyway - so relaxing. Can only offer some marzipan fruits this week - left over sneaked bits from THE wedding cake. Oh yes! There is some strawberry & raspberry jam too, no scones I'm afraid. As to the theme, think New World, cateracts and total stupidity! Must admit I am finding the clues the usual obscure types Mr O tends to throw at one.
The Ginger Mog is somewhat improved, now eating again and managing to purr.

[devadolly]

Forgot to say- welcome to gen2 - load of nutters here who enjoy food, drink and a good natter, please don't feel confined to the EV but witter away about anything!

[Physicsgirl]

Hello all! Have cottoned on but not had much chance so far to fill the grid. Hubby has gone to London to help his sister and brother-in-law move, so am on my own with mini PG. Hot and humid here in the north, not looking forwards to Thursday (1st day back at work!), but mini has just gone down for the night (I hope) so I'm going to indulge myself - homemade pizza, EV, and a bottle of old peculiar. mmmm. Will bring extra to the DC!
Hope ginger mog recovers his dignity - I also have a ginger mog who is clinically obese but loveable!

[Christiana]

Sorry about lack of input but have had an airport run at 7.30 a.m and then a constant stream of visitors right up until an hour ago. Add in that my laptop's hard drive has gone (fortunately I have an elderly desktop machine as well) and the car has broken down (oil pump fault so probably beyond repair!) and this has not been my favourite day. Have finally completed EV but spent the hour since the final visitors disappeared wrestling with an explanation for 37 across and have finally realised why it is what it is. May I make use of DC please Devadolly? I really need somewhere to relax - and to scream, if possible, too.

[devadolly]

Hello Girls! All welcome in the DC and we have a tantrum tree just off the terrace, a splendid Oak with extra padding just above the seat to allow banging of heads after such days as you have just experienced Christina. Have already availed myself of it today as Himself is driving me to murder - after whining about not being able to find any work shorts for three days, and (of course) looked everywhere so I must have thrown them out! Where did I find them? On the pegs underneath his clean work trousers and auction overalls - where they belong. Age old system that has been in force for nigh on 30 years, jeans/heavy overalls to the fore in winter, shorts and thin trousers in the summer - difficult? I think not!
Not had a chance with the EV apart from finding the middle piece of equipment....................have hopes. Maybe will have a sit down this pm with an Elderflower cordial recipe anyone? Shall I put some in the DC?

[Christiana]

Oh yes please, Devadolly. Just what I need. Am facing another fraught day without transport but with many things to do before I go on holiday next week. A tantrum tree - what a wonderful provision for us all. I will certainly make use of it.

[ringer]

Have come home after a fraught day at work only to find whole family think that they are employing a general skivvy (me) to do everything! Not happy. Will definitely enjoy a glass of cordial and make good use of the oak branch. Hoping to get a little time to myself tonight to break the back of EV