Guardian Prize

[kayakamina]

Last one,

5d With a heather on board one might get fires (8) I have reasoned that this is S W ALING S but i am only familiar with the verb Sweal - any thoughts?

[JoolsTwo]

Well Ling is Heather If that helps Kayakmina.

[kayakamina]

Thanks Jim but I already had that in my answer. ALING

[JoolsTwo]

I'm not too good at cryptic clues. But as you said you were only familiar with the verb Sweal - did not know if you realised Ling was a heather, as heather is in the clue.

[bobobalde111]

what is the breakdown of letters

[kayakamina]

Jim I probably didn't explain myself properly. I am very confident that my answer of Swalings is correct as it covers all elements of the clue. There is SS _ for on board , ling for heather and W for with. My problem is that whereas Swealing is to burn or scorch my answer is without an E and with double S

Thanks for your interest

[bobobalde111]

swaling is controlled burning of olderheather during winter months

[kayakamina]

Thanks Bobo Which dictionary did you use for that? Mine only show Sweal.

Why aren't you getting ready to go out instead of still being on line?

[dzug]

There's a fair number of entries for swale/sweal variants in the OED, including swealeings as a noun for fires.

So I guess it's a valid alternative spelling, particularly as it's an obsolete word for which there probably was no fixed spelling when it was in use.

I found a site that says it's in Chambers - but it's not in the on-line version.

I think you are right in your reasoning.

[Argee]

It is in Chamber's, but it just says swale, swaling, see sweal, which of course gives the definition to scorch, to singe, ......etc.

I liked 17 across!

[kayakamina]

Hi Argee I liked 17 as well ! Thanks for your take on Swale Sweal it has stirred a bit of interest.