Ev1119: Pacemaker By Ifor

[AHearer]

As usual with this sort of 'fit where they will' crossword, I had to solve about half the clues before I could start filling the grid. The beauty of the filled grid, though, made it all worth while. To Ifor, firstly congratulations for seeing how this construction could work, and secondly thanks for a beautiful puzzle.

[DocHH]

Hello AHearer,
I am not a fan of jigsaw crosswords, so not best pleased when I saw the grid. Like you I had to solve a lot of clues before starting to populate the grid, albeit on a "leap of faith" basis from the NE segment. The words to be written under the grid were revealed much earlier than starting to populate the grid. Having found the group of 5 letters in one clue, it wasn't too difficult to find the other 6 clues. Populating the 2 empty lights needed a web search.
We are finishing off an Australian Red!

[EV_Solver]

I really enjoyed this one. Jigsaws for me offer a good challenge - cold solving that becomes easier the more answers one gets. The puzzle was also educational, which pleased me - I enjoy puzzles that teach me something. Ifor seems to be on a roll in the EV at the moment, so I hope there are more by this setter on the way. And yet another week where the weekend's EV is better than the weekend's Listener! It seems to be going from strength to strength at the moment.

[novalis]

Meeting preparation took most of my time yesterday so I am behind with this. As with DocHH I found the 7 clues and 5 letters early enough and know what needs to be written under the grid. I think/hope I have the N-E corner but of the fourteen clues I still have to solve three give nine letter lights and two give seven letter lights. Those are essential for placing the shorter entries. Will have another look later today.

[DocHH]

Hello All
Just for a bit of fun I tried entering the light numbers. How elegant!!!!!!!!!!!!

[devadolly]

Doc & Novalis, how good to have some of the old N & Cers here, seems to have got very serious in the past few months, with very little 'good craik'. Am so pleased to see words are needed this week, even tho'I am struggling along at my usual plodding pace. I have to admit, I do rather like these "see where it goes" sort of puzzles, sadly though, one has to complete most of the clues which slows things down a bit! Am hunting desperately for the three lettered clues which I am sure will throw light. Have the 'strangers' and what needs to be added, but currently the grid is bare and the title defeats me unless I put Hen!

[jim360]

Once you begin to fit entries into the grid this becomes much more manageable than it first appeared. A very fine piece of setting from Ifor indeed -- wonderful construction.

[DocHH]

Devadolly
If it is any consolation I had solve at least 60% of the clues before I even attempted the jig-saw! You are absolutely correct that the 3 letter entries hold the key to this EV's solution.

[ringer]

Hi All
I too took a long time to sort this one. I'm still not quite certain of some of the word play, but it is certainly worth persevering. Apologies for having missed the N&C for the first three months of this year - an increase in timetable at work has left me attempting Evs about 2 weeks after they first appear. Good job I had yesterday afternoon and this morning free to try this one.