frustration

[Physicsgirl]

Enigamtic Variations 768 - managed to complete last week's puzzle but only have 2a, 9d, 6d, 30d, 34d, 36a, 41a, 38d, 41a and maybe 39a this week. Any help much appreciated, thanks.

[cruciverbali]

5 Down
Thin = Lean
Horse's middle = R
Article = The

[Physicsgirl]

thanks very much - this totally contradicts what I thought was 1a, so now I'm really confused! Suppose you've already finished, having a brain the size of a planet and all... how can I solve it one week and get completely stumped the next????

[MatydaLover]

28a. N-(E-U-RONS) erons is snore (bore) backwards

If you have 9d, you'll know how to enter neurons in four spaces.

[mad max]

the answer to 5down does fit with the 'l' of e(pi)glottises which i gave on previous post mm

[Physicsgirl]

Okay, I think I know where I went wrong. I can't count, obviously. Thanks, all.

[crofter]

30d and 41a are two good clues to concentrate on!

They share the word POINT which must be squeezed into one square using 9d!

[cruciverbali]

20 Down
Firm = Co
Fine = F
Teak oddly = ta
Weak = Feeble
Def = Furniture

[Physicsgirl]

not so hopeless after all then. Have managed another 3 clues in addition to those given by you kind people. Cruciverbali, have you been doing EV for a long time? Wondered if it gets easier. Tried a normal one yesterday and only took 20mins to do half! Probably got lucky....

[cruciverbali]

I tend to go through spells of tackling EV on a regular basis - I soon get out of practice and it is certainly the toughest of the weekly barred puzzles at the moment, so you are wise to do a range of puzzles each week. I like to also tackle the puzzles in the Saturday Times and Independent (Listener and Inquisitor) as well as The Spectator. You soon get to know which setters will provide a more challenging puzzle !

Please let us know if you would like any more hints for 768.

Cruciverbalist

[Physicsgirl]

Thanks, us beginners need all the help we can get.
Can you confirm 19a is SCRU?O - I wasn't sure about the U. The right hand side is nearly all done now but have next to nothing in the first column except 21d which I have as ????S?D -possibly a O to start.
Nobody I know does barred crosswords so I have to get my tutorials from helpful people on AB!

[cruciverbali]

Yes, you have the correct letters for 19 across and 21 down starts with N

This site is very useful for checking tricky words in Chambers Dictionary:

http://www.chambersharrap.co.uk/chambers/wordg ames/word_wizards/wwizards.py/main

C

[Physicsgirl]

thanks yet again. As a last resort I sometimes try www.allwords.com - they have a useful crossword solver that suggests words when you fill in the letters you know. However, it's not that useful for EV as the solutions are more tricksy!

[Physicsgirl]

wow! have just tried the site you suggested and it's far better than allwords. Great tip.

[novalis]

31a and 24d share same symbol ( @ ) as do 21d and 33a ( + ) - but you need a second symbol/number in 33a as well --- and 18a and 15d. ( number rather than symbol ).
Symbol in 1d replaces first four letters of answer.

[Physicsgirl]

much appreciated, Novalis. Keep threatening to throw in the towel, but keep coming back. Whoever said they're addictive is right! Think I know 21d and 33a now, will carry on with others

[novalis]

Twas I who said in an earlier posting thatt they are addictive and should carry a health warning. To answer the question you asked Cruciverbalist from my perspective -- I started doing EV just short of 9 years ago and thoroughly enjoy the challenge it sets each week. It's not that it gets "easier" ( because the standard is bound to vary ) but the more you attempt it the more confident you'll become. I'd be the first to admit that I'm not in the same league as Crofter and Cruciverbalist when it comes to crossword-solving but I can usually get there by plugging away. I'm sure that if I can you can as well.

Best wishes and happy solving.

[gen2]

Just keep plugging at it Physicsgirl. There seem to be more and more ABers attempting this puzzle in recent weeks and this one was the first time I had completed it - though I still needed a gentle nudge from crofter part way through.

[Physicsgirl]

With me it feels less a gentle nudge than a giant "this is how to do it!" neon sign with men in bright jackets. This is getting silly, woke up at about 2am with a revelation about this week's EV. I have been so stupid!!!

[MatydaLover]

Not stupid, PhysicsGirl, whatever it is it's not stupidity. Last time I enquired 20,000 people send in Saturday's DT prize crossword. Just 500 send in EV. You're in good, really good company. May I say, "Welcome"?