Missing Letters By Conto @ Crossword Centre

[Matakari]

www.crossword.org.uk/missing.html

For each clue, one apposite letter is absent from the wordplay. Clues are listed alphabetically by answer. Answers should be fitted into the numbered grid. Chambers Dictionary is recommended but does not give one commonly used entry.

Final query, I hope, to take me out of this quandary. Verification and answers for the following, please!

Come to be cuddling a special seal (6) : G?S?E? GASKET
That man sung songs (5) :?E?N? KEANE
Socialist’s repeatedly taken drugs, thus declines (7) : ?E?E?E? RECEDES
Broken toy, buckets, bottles and locks one’s gathered (9) : ?o?e?a?t? MOLECASTS
One key number that is imaginary or unknown (5) : ?V?R?

[Neveracrossword]

Gasket
Hymns
Recedes
Ponytails

I hope this has helped you out of your 'quandary' - ie finishing the puzzle foryou!

[Neveracrossword]

Sorry, I missed out Ivory, one key number...

I hope you fare better with the Sunday crosswords!

[Matakari]

Thanks immensely, NACW, for this amazing trip through the labyrinth! The final straw and I hope it does not break the camel's back! I'm left with 6 (D) which I assume must be the following clue:

Fish used to provide these, cryptically – roe upon sea’s surface (9): ?O?E?A?T?
( FORECAST )?

Happy now to shift to Mephisto and the Sunday Times offerings which I look forwrd to!

Thanks again for seeing me through this one!

[Neveracrossword]

Matakari, Forecasts was given earlier - yesterday, I think. It probably got lost amongst the multitude. We didn't 'see you through' this one -
I think AB solved about 90% of it for you!

I am sure Mephisto and the Sunday Times will be more successful for you.

[Matakari]

Yes, NACW, FORECASTS was given earlier, but I got lost in the maze. Mephisto and the Sunday Times should be more soothing! Thanks again and enjoy the rest of the week-end!

[Neveracrossword]

Thanks, Matakari. I stopped doing the Sunday Times Cryptic and Mephisto when I learned that ALL the answers are available first thing on Sunday mornings! That just put me off, made it less of a challenge.
There's a new puzzle (new to me as I get the Telegraph only on Sundays) in the Sunday Telegraph. It's cryptic, is called the Toughie - and is good.

[Matakari]

Good morning, NACW, thanks for the information concerning Mephisto and the Sunday Times Crosswords. I admit that the challenge is lost with the given answers, but I use it as a learning tool to check how one arrives at these answers.
I would like to have a shot at the Sunday Telegraph Cryptics, but if they are like the Cryptic Connections Puzzles that appear occasionally on Mondays, I might be way out of my league.
As soon as I am free, I'll be having a look Big Dave's offerings for this month.
Have a great puzzling day!

[Neveracrossword]

Matakari, thanks. The ordinary/small Cryptic puzzle in the Sunday Telegraph is much easier than Mephisto or the Sunday Times cryptic. I'm sure you'd have no problems with it at all. The Toughie puzzle is a little trickier, but still easier than, say, many of the Spectator puzzles.

[bobbinwales]

Agree with you neveracrossword. I like the crosswords matakari posts... even the ones with extra instructions seem very doable for me.... nothing too taxing....wherehas when I look at Mephisto I can't even start and don't see where the answers come from

[mallyh]

one key note etc ...ivory

[Neveracrossword]

Yes, Mally - I think you missed the post at 12.11 yesterday!

[Matakari]

Thanks again, NACW, how do we get the Sunday Telegraph? Is there a subscription process to go through?

[mallyh]

yes i did sorry x

[Neveracrossword]

I buy the paper copy of the Sunday Telegraph, other people have subscriptions. (And I think you can subscribe to just the puzzles.) I don't think it's one of those puzzles that are available, free, online.

[Matakari]

Thanks,NACW!