Mm And Km Links May 2014 Week [3]

[gen2]

It has been a beautiful day in the shrubbery, though a little windy. Butterflies have been flitting around looking for mates. I have seen small whites, green-veined whites, orange-tips, small tortoiseshells AND (wait for it) . . . A Comma! If you are not from Scotland, you may wonder what the fuss is about, but after an absence of 180 years, the first modern-day sighting in Fife was in 2003 and observations remain scarce. Today's sighting was my third in Fife.

On the games front, wee ar at the mid-point of the month so still too early to predict any outcome.

In the MM Game, 'King Cliffyg' will be back with a fresh set of challenges that I predict will not be as difficult as those last weekend.
Watch out for his introduction in Q&P at 08:45 tomorrow with the important bit appearing on the same thread at 9:00 precisely. Early play will give you the best chance of bonus points but play anytime before the game closes at 7pm on Sunday.

Our sister game of the KM Links is overseen by Seekeerz from Australia but it runs in UK time from early on Saturday to midnight Sunday. That version is based on The Daily Telegraph GK Crosswords and you have to guess what Saturday's shaded clues are going to be paired with in Monday's 'Herculis' crossword. Equal chance of points all weekend. Game closes midnight Sunday. Results posted by seekeerz early Monday morning.
Seekeerz will post the 4 clues (and answers) in Q&P soon after they become available on the Telegraph website.


Last weekend I suggested that I may retire from this post of overseeing the MM Links Game and that decision is now definite with effect from the end of June. Thank you to everyone who has left their comments and thanks. The input each week from the setters is also greatly appreciated.

As far as I am aware, Seekeerz is still carrying on managing the ever-popular KM Game so you will still be able to get your 'fix' every Saturday.


This thread, affectionately known as 'The Shrubbery' to seasoned players, is now now available for socialising. 'Happy Hour' was from 7 - 8 pm so I'm afraid you've just missed it but plenty of drinking time left before 'Sad Hour' (closing time).

Be sure to tune in to Q&P in the morning.

Until then,
Happy Linking,
gen2

[pixie373]

Looking for mates? How very dare you:-)

[pixie373]

Is anyone taking over, gen?

[gen2]

Not yet Pixie - looks like the end of the road for this version. Number of players has dropped from 50 to 35 so it has probably run its course.

[pixie373]

That's a shame. Apart from my natural incompetence, I'm either working or asleep on a Saturday morning (same for Sunday, really...). I hope someone comes forward. Thank you xx

[tearinghair]

May I make a suggestion, gen2? If there really is no-one willing to take over, and so MM is coming to an end, why don't you become the final setter for June? I'm sure whoever wins the May links would be happy for that to happen, and maybe you could bamboozle the lot of us?

[pixie373]

Ha! Great idea!

[elliemay1]

Sounds like a plan, though maybe someone will come forward yet to keep it going.

[BigMac]

gen2, end of an era (but three letter words are not allowed, so maybe end of an epoch?).

I second tearinghair; the fitting way for the curtain to be drawn is with the unsung hero from behind the scenes coming to the fore. And at least you know the rules and won't make faux pas, as I did the first time I set the quiz/guessing game.

I'd like formally to raise raise a glass and toast your commitment over the years, your assistance to the setters and above all your geniality and generosity in dealing with us all.

The sands of time eventually run out and if no-one turns over the glass, there they stay. Sad, but having gone to too many funerals recently, when time has run its course, it's over.

SINCERE AND GRATEFUL THANKS TO YOU.

BigMac

[pixie373]

Well said bigmac.

[BigMac]

Oh, forgot - I've a four-pack of Guinness and some crisps, for old times' sake

[boxtops]

Tearinghair, what a great idea - what do you think, gen2?