Ev 1070

[x_word_fan]

Nothing contentious here - the link between the extra letters and the perimeter was just tenuous enough to make me think for a while. Thanks the setter.

[DocHH]

Hello x_word_fan,
Populated the clued areas of the grid quite slowly, but a key word in the quote helped enormously with filling the perimeter.

[Twit-Who]

All very straightforward but it took me longer than it should have for some reason. Just back from a holiday in Portugal but I can hardly claim jet lag. A gentle easing back into crossword mode.

[DocHH]

Hello Twit-Who,
Hope you had a good holiday in Portugal. We've never been there for a holiday, we did fly into Faro once, but then travelled east across the border to spend the holiday in Spain, in Isla Canella, very pleasant. We tend to avoid euro-land these days. Off to Tunisia on the 16th of next month. I did once spend a week in Lisbon on a business trip. Time for a tipple or two!

[kayakamina]

I found this a straightforward grid fill & had enough of the extra letters to complete the perimeter.
Like DocHH I will be away from next week visiting my daughter & family in Italy
where I hope the sun is shining & the wine flowing.

[ringer]

Agree that this was a pleasant enough EV, although I did ponder over 18D (an incorrect plural on my part - my Latin teacher would despair!). I also was trying to bring in the paternal connection to the quotation in the perimeter, to no avail!
No sunny climes for me this year - unless you can count Cornwall in August. Have been sat in front of a fire wearing an extra jumper this afternoon - brrr!

[Christiana]

I, too, am off at the end of this week, (also heading for Portugal) and have been too busy trying (and failing) to get the garden and various small seed-grown plants ready to plant, to give much time to EV. Finally had a go today when the rain struck, and still have one, possibly two words to get in the left hand perimeter, plus 17a which I have ideas for, but doesn't seem to be in my BRB

[Christiana]

Perimeter now filled, but still trying to confirm 17a

[DocHH]

Hello Christiana,
As far as 17a is concerned, the 4th and 5th letter spell a word meaning working. The other letters including the extra letter describe discusting trade, or how you would describe the trail left by a slug or snail!
Hope you enjoy the warmer climes in Portugal, we have a few weeks yet before decamping to Tunisia!

[Christiana]

Thanks DocHH - I had the word, but couldn't quite make the components fit before. I'm looking forward to the somewhat warmer weather, though I gather from friends that it has only just become warmer there. All the weather seems topsy turvey these days.
Isla Canella isn't that far from where I'm going in the Algarve. Have you been to Tunisia before?

[Twit-Who]

Great holiday thanks, DocHH which included my 6 month old grandson - I'm still in besotted grandmother mode. Wonderful weather too, Christiana, do have a wonderful holiday. I have been to Portugal often and love the Atlantic breezes. I also once flew to Faro and crossed into Spain for a birdwatching holiday which I loved as a one off.

[DocHH]

Christiana, we have been twice before, first to Djerba, then to near Hammamet. This time we are going to Mahdia.
Twit-Who, you have every right to be in besotted grandmother mode, I understand it lasts a long time!!

[devadolly]

Good Afternoon All. haven't even opened the paper (yet again) so far but thought I would have a look and see what was thought. Wow! The weather seems to be doing very funny things, we (muih to Himself's disgust) have been in the garden in shorts (admittedly not a pretty sight) attacking the shed and the weather has been glorious, so unlike the Nw to be better than anywhere else......... won't last.
Portugal sounds lovely, hate to admit I've never been, yet. It and many other places in Europe have been put on hold until we feel we just can't deal with long-haul flights anymore, probably next year!
Ginger Mog and I will attack the EV after supper.