EV 994

[AndrewG-S]

Am I the first one to post on this - or have I missed the thread? By no means an easy EV this week, with clashes and misprints complicating matters. But definitely worth pressing on with as there is an impressive endgame and a clear resolution to the choice. Many thanks Chalicea and congratulations on multiple puzzles this weekend (IQ as well).

[devadolly]

Hello Andrew GS, have nearly finished the grid but am having my usual trouble with the enigma, I suspect I have a couple of the 9 letters wrong as nothing makes sense with the clashes, will have another go after I have got supper, a large G & T might help activate the brain.

[slaney]

Good evening all.
The penny has just dropped for me - I was restricting myself too much with the clashes.
Very enjoyable solve with some ingenious clues; always my choice as well.
Thanks Chalicea.

[x_word_fan]

Echo Andrew re. Inquisitor and this - well done - last step took a while though. Don

[haggis58]

Yes a satisfying outcome after a bit of a slog resolving the clashes. However, despite completing the grid and highlighting the 'alternative' to 8d, the original answer for 52ac still puzzles me: ?ur

[x_word_fan]

haggis58 - re. 52a it is ?UT

[novalis]

Good evening everybody!

Managed to get behind again with EVs and Spectator. I've completed this and Speccie 2040 but am struggling with EV 993, having solved only 30 of the 49 clues. Dr. B's initial posting is most helpful towards the end-game but I've only 3 ( those beginning E, L and S ) of the 5 long answers. Any pointers to the others would be most welcome. I'm just going to have another look at it.

[kayakamina]

Hi novalis

Plant ....Anag (shift) HEAR THE + synonym for 'ring'

Flower ....BEARS (stands) + dry/withered

[kayakamina]

Sorry the clue was Tolerate (singular) so BEAR.

[dr b]

Hi all,

The endgame on this one flummoxed me totally; I had Slaney's problem but never got past it. I had to rely on some outside help to see the light. I would like to blame the preamble for not being clear enough but that's probably sour grapes. Oh well.

Thanksgiving this week in the U S of A, so lots of cooking and housecleaning to get ready for guests/returning children. Since most of you probably don't celebrate it I will just say "have a happy Thursday."

[AndrewG-S]

Happy thanksgiving Drb, I will do my best to enjoy Thursday.

[novalis]

Many thankss for your help with 993 Kayakamina. Grid now complete.

Happy Thanksgiving Dr. B.

[Shoni70]

Having a few problems at the moment since i can only find one version of an alternative to 8 down, and since the clashes in 35 d0wn and 49 across do not seem to fit the alternative I am stumped.
I have also failed to solve the following clues 21, 30 and 57 accross and 3, 16 and 23 down. ANY HELP WOULD BE MUCH APPRECIATED. THANKS.

[Shoni70]

With regards to my previous call for help, I now have only 21 ac to solve. Could it be seros - I have never heard of a fish named this. I cannot also find anywhere that confirms my versio of an alternative to 8d

[Mampara]

Hi shoni.

I was also looking for 30 & 57a , & 3 , 16 , 23 D.
Now that you have solved them could you please help me?
Thanks .

[Shoni70]

57a corn(s)ed
3d untied ( untried with centre out)
30a scul ( old name for school)
16d Sura(l)
23d Tooled

[Mampara]

Thanks Shoni

[Christiana]

Good evening everyone. Have not been on an EV thread for ages. I was away on holiday for four weeks. I returned to chaos - the previous owner of our house had bent a water pipe over at the end instead of capping it off properly and it had started leaking. Bad enough but the pipe was inside a wall and plastered over. Have just finished the rounds of assessors etc., and redecorating, with the considerable help of friends.
I've looked at the EVs but not had time to finish any - except this week's offering, which is now complete, apart from a vague unrest re. 8d. I'm hoping it is less complicated than I first thought. Otherwise pretty straightforward except for several obscure words.
I must say I particularly enjoyed 57a, totally new to me, and one I will remember (I hope).

[devadolly]

Happy Thanksgiving for tomorrow drb, do you give presents at TG?
Help please.........somewhere I have gone wrong with my choice of letters for the nine, I have words but they are maeningless. Also having trouble with SE corner aka. 35d,38a,40d & 52a, as for the 8d totally lost, heavy hob-nailed hints would be much appreciated. Have to say, I love some of the new (to me) words and meanings this compiler has come up with.......if only I could remember them, or even better where I have annotaed them!

[Christiana]

Hi Devadolly. 35d Initial letter of "hole" + word for salamanders (found, I think, in Bradfords)
38a. Not just criminal enterprises but any paid employment, plus usual first letter for a certain drug of recent use.
40d, surprisingly, is one of the clashes and requires an Egyptian God to be removed.
Will come back later to see how you're progressing.

[dr b]

Hi dd, no presents tomorrow, just turkey and football. Christmas shopping starts in earnest, however; many stores now opening at midnight on Thursday/Friday morning. Crazy!