ENIGMATIC VARIATIONS 885

[crucifernz]

A very easy EV this week - on a par with an average Speccie. Why not give it a go?

[DocHH]

Hello crucifernz
Quite agree, the theme was hardly closeted this week.

[novalis]

Totally agree. Roared through it this week and it didn't keep me under a spell.

[DocHH]

Hello Novalis,
Didn't take quite as much pride finishing this week's although I was distracted by my error in entering the Good "B" of the North, and therefore had the 5th letter of 2d wrong until I twigged 18ac. I liked the symmetry of the grid and suspected that it played a part in the Enigma!
On the Tempranillo, washing down a sandwich! Hope everyone else finds us! Listening to some Moody Blues music, saw them once when they were supporting an up and coming group called the Beatles! That ages me!

[devadolly]

DocHH & Novalis - I'm in your gang this week...............................all done and dusted almost before the day was aired! It must have been REALLY easy this week.
Moody Blues were a Rag Week Band at the Establishment, can't remember the year off-hand but still have the ad poster in the attic somewhere, along with other gems like Pentangle, Free, Arthur Brown, Cream, Pink Floyd, Santana, David Bowie, Queen etc............................! Gives one hope when ones 'vinyls' are still being raked through by the twice removed younger generation!!

[DocHH]

Devadolly, I hope I speak for Novalis, you are always in our gang! Herself was really pleased how quickly I finished EV today. She was able to complete the GK on the obverse of EV, before starting to cook lunch. Before you kick off Devadolly, I always cook dinner friday and saturday night. Don't forget she is in the metropolis from sunday evening to friday evening, so we both look after ourselves then!
I saw Free, Arthur Brown and Cream at the Establishment, and also Jethro Tull, but don't remember seeing the others, I decamped to "off campus asap", hated the institutionalised life!

[ringer]

Hello all
Back in the land of relative normality after a hectic week with the G & S Show (Patience). Also had my performance management lesson observation. Finished last week's EV yesterday and then started the current one. Felt almost cheated by the simplicity - I guessed the theme after entering about 4 words on the grid. Would encourage anyone who is normally put off by EV to have a go!
I alas have never seen Moody Blues although I love their music. Saw Barclay James Harvest who were nicknamed the "poor man's Moody Blues" - does that count!

[MLN:RUGBY]

Am I the only one struggling to justify the last letter of 13 across (Chambers 2008)?

[MatydaLover]

I think you're right, the back reference from the "e" spelling satisfies the first meaning, but the second meaning clearly needs an "a". I must have skimmed over it. Thanks for pointing it out. I guess the "e" spelling is the intended entry.

[Christiana]

Hello all. Well all done and dusted very rapidly this week, it seems. Nearly missed the thread, too. Like others I raced through this. Can't remember when I last posted EV on a Monday. I rarely get to look at it until Monday morning anyway, but with all these postal problems and with the extra distance from mainland Europe it's probably just as well.

[DocHH]

Hello Christiana,
How is the relocation going? Not too much stress in the selling process hopefully.

As far as the debate on 13 across is concerned, Chambers 2003 is unequivocal. There is not an entry giving a defintion of "soul" with the later letter in the alphabet! My Yahoo search for the then fully checked 9d, yields an alternative spelling of "A".

[Christiana]

Hi Doc H H. Not too much stress with the relocation so far. I have signed the promissory contract on the small apartment, which should now complete within 90 days. Am now redoubling my efforts to flog off the 2 bedroomed town house (Sounds grand, but together they will just about yield enough to buy a modest home in an inexpensive part of England). Am wondering whether to scrape together all my savings and buy something small in England with the potential to expand rather than wait on the town house selling which might take forever. I've started searching internet sites for suitable property and might come over on a 'recce' next month.

[devadolly]

Christina - do I get the feeling that you are moving back to England? Have you considered the weather girl???????
Good luck whatever you are doing - but, have you considered the weather????????????????????

[cruciverbali]

I'll give it a go crucifernz - could you e-mail me a copy please ?

(cruciverbalist @btinternet.com)

[crucifernz]

HI Cruciverbalist
Have just e-mailed you EV885. 13A needs to end in 'E' to coincide with 9 DOWN.

[crucifernz]

On the other hand, if there is an alt spelling for 9DOWN - 13A with 'E' ending is Old French, so not in Chambers? And there is an alt spelling for Egyptian dancing girl. Oops - so much for it being easy. I guess I won't be winning the prize this week then.

[Christiana]

Hi Devadolly. Yes, I've considered the weather - and intend to be in the Algarve for part of the year, staying in an apartment two of my sons own. Actually it gets very cold here in the winter - not outside which remains pretty warm, even t shirt weather most of the time, but inside because of the traditional concrete construction of most of the houses. They hold water and go cold very rapidly. It often feels colder inside than in England. No central heating, no carpets (too hot in summer) and high electricity charges. It's good during autumn and spring and the cold doesn't really penetrate in the evenings until some time in November, but believe me you need woollies and a fire for November through to March usually speaking. Plus it's a trade-off, as there are lots of things not available here, too.

[devadolly]

Definately the best of both worlds Christina! Whereabouts in England? Near enough to have a real DC?

[Christiana]

Nothing definite as yet, Devadolly but seriously considering Lincolnshire. Affordable housing, nicely rural and we have friends there. Chief drawback is distance from suitable airports for Faro and for the Isle of Man. East Midlands has Isle of Man flights on minute planes with single seats, no loo, no overhead lockers or tables, and no stewardesses. To get to your seat you have to bend double and the Captain crouches down at the front to deliver the safety blurb. I don't really mind as it's a short flight, but my friend/housemate really dislikes travelling like that.

[cruciverbali]

Thank you crucifernz - I hadn't looked at EV for a few weeks and this gave me something to do during tonight's football half-time breaks. Fear not, there is no alternative spelling for 9 down, so I guess Salamanca slipped up with the wordplay for 13 across.