Enigmatic Variations No 1198 Cobblers By Shark

[Ruthrobin]

We are wondering where that lively crowd of EV threaders has disappeared to. I think that as setters and solvers we used to really enjoy this thread. Where are you all? Please come back. We are finding this Shark quite tough because of ambiguous clue lengths but know it will be a rewarding solve if and when we complete it.

[AHearer]

Yes, it's strange how that convivial band seems to have gone quiet. I quite enjoyed this one, and catching the significance of the title early helped a lot. I certainly learned a few new facts, but I'm still stuck on the very last step. There were some very clever choices of words to make the grid work neatly. Thanks to Shark.

[Ruthrobin]

We've only just seen the significance of the title and are also learning new facts. Nice one, Shark.

[devadolly]

Hello RR, how lovely to see one of the old crowd back on the thread. As ever, I am way behind all the clever-cloggsis and doing my usual impression of swimming in mud, seems to be the way of my attempts in the last couple of weeks.....I think the warmth of sunnier climes has rotted what bit of grey matter there is. Help me out of Dunces Corner with a few heavy hints please people........Ginger Mog is being totally useless this week! Is Shark in league with Mr O & Kcit I ask myself.

[jim360]

Lately I've lacked the energy to be able to tackle more than the one crossword a week, after going mental trying to solve just about everything last year. I look at but don't usually attempt EVs currently. Ah well, roll on 2016 maybe.

[Ruthrobin]

Jim360, it is really well worth including this one in your 'one a week' - there is so much in it, though with typical Shark cunning, some of the misprints are difficult to spot. Keep at it Devadolly, we are counting on you to win yet another of those Telegraph pens! Lovely to see you back and an on-line stroke for Ginger Mog.

[EV_Solver]

Yes, this is a good one (of difficult) - and very educational! Interesting link between things, although I had to look up things on Wikipedia (which also explained the title).

[DocHH]

Hello All,
I left the "convivial band" as the whole thing got rather too serious, very little "Nattering and Chattering"! Am happy to come back if we can reintroduce some levity!
I am at the same stage as A Hearer. Never did and never will like "grid gazing". I have been looking on the basis that the cryptic representation (5 contiguous cells) are effectively a 4 word split of the grid entry that has been rearranged!
Sitting here finishing off the Australian red that washed down the sunday left over beef!
Devadolly, has Ginger Mog got an apprentice yet?

[devadolly]

Hello to Jim360 and welcome back DocHH, I do agree, that the site had got very weary and tedious..........thank you to RR for poking us with a stick! Am trying my hardest and plodding very slowly but will persevere.
Ginger Mog has got an apprentice Doc but he hates him! He is a young semi-feral cat who has adopted the farm.. .He is black and white, comes and goes as he pleases and has been variously named......Felix; Felix-Oliver; Big Ears and Keith, he answers to all names and is fully aware of where the cat-meat is kept!

[Cloverjo]

I'm finding this tough. I didn't often join in the N and C ing, but enjoyed reading the threads. Nice to see it back.
RuthRobin, I'm confused by your remark about ambiguous clue lengths. Am I wrong in thinking that the initial grid-fill leaves the middle row empty with the spanning down answers having a gap? Or have I missed something important?

[AHearer]

No, Cloverjo, you're not on the wrong track -- that's exactly how it works.

[Cloverjo]

Thanks, AHearer.

[DocHH]

Here we go again, dead serious! Just a little additional quip makes the thread so much more interesting!

[devadolly]

Have had massive hints from an outside influence which does make all much clearer, tho' the relevance of the title still evades me. Wouldn't have thought of it all in a month of Sundays. The fitting of the 25a does make sense when the interlocking downs are adjusted Cloverjo.
You will be happy to know Doc, that G Mog is still up to his old tricks and has had to be evicted for too much begging ....... I am making casseroles for the freezer!

[AHearer]

If you were a currier rather than a casseroler, devadolly, you would join the title under the influence of 25a.

[devadolly]

Oh Lord! Got there re the title.......at last! Sometimes, I do wonder at myself.

[DocHH]

Devadolly, it certainly is becoming casserole weather! Steak and Kidney with dumplings and thickish gravy, beautiful! I had no idea of thee relevance of the title, but Herself did.

[AHearer]

Mmmm... We have a slight problem here in that I am only allowed offal (known in the house as "something revolting from Michael", Michael being our local Real Meat Company butcher) when I'm cooking for myself, so I can't do steak and kidney for the family. I can usually get away with suet for decent dumplings, though - mere proximity to the dreaded kidneys seems not to be enough to condemn it.

[DocHH]

When the meat sticks to the underside of the dumplings, rather than floating around the gravy is just right! It has to be proper beef suet, not vegetable suet! A Hearer, I have the same problem with Herself and offal, even with liver and bacon, always a must with thick gravy in my opinion! As for roasted stuffed lambs hearts, I definitely have to be on my own, she would not entertain that at all! I do however draw the personal line at tripe and onions!

[devadolly]

Yesterday's casseroles were indeed steak & kidney, beef & onions, spicy sausage and lamb & tomato. Himself likes liver & kidney but only from our own beasts, I draw the line at cooking anything else offally! Today was fruit-cake making to get rid of some eggs.