Can First Class Stamps Be Traced
ChatterBank1 min ago
ev 871
30 Answers
Three weeks ago, I saw a number of comments here complaining that ev 868 was too easy. I hate to imagine what they will be saying about today's ev 871.
For the first time ever, I completed it before lunch and now I am in the unfamiliar position of having the choice of when to submit the entry. Does anyone know what strategy optimises the chance of a win? An early post? or a last-minute post?
(Though with the masses of entrants this week, I imagine the chances will be very slim anyway.)
For the first time ever, I completed it before lunch and now I am in the unfamiliar position of having the choice of when to submit the entry. Does anyone know what strategy optimises the chance of a win? An early post? or a last-minute post?
(Though with the masses of entrants this week, I imagine the chances will be very slim anyway.)
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Hello Gen2,
I hope you celebrate your speedy solving with something appropriate to one of the reciprocally related shaded 4 squares!
I populated the grid, with the exception of the 3 barred squares, quite quickly, but took a while to twig what else was going on, although I had already treated the 6 indicated lights appropriately. Certainly no emergency this week! AND no Solving Strategy either in the hard copy version.
I have no idea of the best strategy for posting, I don't send them off anymore. There may be some more entrants this week, but the odds are still better than sending off any of the saturday or sunday cryptics and GKs!
I hope you celebrate your speedy solving with something appropriate to one of the reciprocally related shaded 4 squares!
I populated the grid, with the exception of the 3 barred squares, quite quickly, but took a while to twig what else was going on, although I had already treated the 6 indicated lights appropriately. Certainly no emergency this week! AND no Solving Strategy either in the hard copy version.
I have no idea of the best strategy for posting, I don't send them off anymore. There may be some more entrants this week, but the odds are still better than sending off any of the saturday or sunday cryptics and GKs!
Good Hol DocHH? Welcome Gen2.
Have had great trouble with a lack of N & Cing whilst you have been away Doc - please crack the whip!
I'm not sure about easy..........................finished the grid (apart from the obvious) in double quick time but haven't a clue about the Enigma. Hope to have another look after have finished this deadline chaser but as the plumber has just called to say he is coming to start the bathroom tomorrow am I suspect the rest of thye day is going to be removing all the 'junk' out so he can get started. Himself is digging spuds and trimming the hedge so can'y commendeer him.
Have had great trouble with a lack of N & Cing whilst you have been away Doc - please crack the whip!
I'm not sure about easy..........................finished the grid (apart from the obvious) in double quick time but haven't a clue about the Enigma. Hope to have another look after have finished this deadline chaser but as the plumber has just called to say he is coming to start the bathroom tomorrow am I suspect the rest of thye day is going to be removing all the 'junk' out so he can get started. Himself is digging spuds and trimming the hedge so can'y commendeer him.
Hello Devadolly,
Holiday was most enjoyable, although some of the people who were at the same Hotel were grumbling about things that we thought were OK. Were we even at the same Hotel?!? My main "grouse" was the local whisky was nothing like home "grouse". so had to switch to G&T before lunch, then experiment for a pre-dinner drink. Going through G&T, Pastis and Tonic, finally deciding on Gin and white Vermouth! Another minor moan was that post dinner brandies were little more than a wet glass, soon got that resolved with the co-operation of a friendly bar-person. A glass of Bucks Fizz at brekkie would hav gone down well!
Managed to keep brain active, last year Herself bought me the Telegraph book of 240 Brain Storming Crosswords! I did about 80 of them this time, just 40 to go! It was difficult at times, perspiration made pages wet!! (Too much information?)
Consider whip cracked, let's hope Gen2 realises what has potentially been initiated by starting a thread on EV871.
I'll hold off giving a heavy hint for a while, but focus on those 3 squares you haven't populated, and 13 squares is also germane!
Hope the plumber actually starts tomorrow rather than turn up and issue a sharp intake of breath, and leave to get some bits and pieces, and not return for weeks!
Holiday was most enjoyable, although some of the people who were at the same Hotel were grumbling about things that we thought were OK. Were we even at the same Hotel?!? My main "grouse" was the local whisky was nothing like home "grouse". so had to switch to G&T before lunch, then experiment for a pre-dinner drink. Going through G&T, Pastis and Tonic, finally deciding on Gin and white Vermouth! Another minor moan was that post dinner brandies were little more than a wet glass, soon got that resolved with the co-operation of a friendly bar-person. A glass of Bucks Fizz at brekkie would hav gone down well!
Managed to keep brain active, last year Herself bought me the Telegraph book of 240 Brain Storming Crosswords! I did about 80 of them this time, just 40 to go! It was difficult at times, perspiration made pages wet!! (Too much information?)
Consider whip cracked, let's hope Gen2 realises what has potentially been initiated by starting a thread on EV871.
I'll hold off giving a heavy hint for a while, but focus on those 3 squares you haven't populated, and 13 squares is also germane!
Hope the plumber actually starts tomorrow rather than turn up and issue a sharp intake of breath, and leave to get some bits and pieces, and not return for weeks!
DocH, I know there is usually (always?) an EV thread on here but I don't always look so I didn't know if you have a fixed time and person to start it.
I too paused for a while after populating the grid, but cracked it over a fresh cup of tea - too early in the day for anything alcoholic though there is a bottle of the appropriate stuff in the cupboard (received as a Christmas present and as yet unopened).
(I've never found their Solving Strategies of much help, so the lack of any this week went unnoticed.)
I'll follow your lead and let Devadolly ponder it a bit more.
I too paused for a while after populating the grid, but cracked it over a fresh cup of tea - too early in the day for anything alcoholic though there is a bottle of the appropriate stuff in the cupboard (received as a Christmas present and as yet unopened).
(I've never found their Solving Strategies of much help, so the lack of any this week went unnoticed.)
I'll follow your lead and let Devadolly ponder it a bit more.
Hello Gen2,
No fixed time or person to start an EV thread!
In the dim and distant past, Midazolam used to post a link to the Telegraph Clued-Up EV site, but ST closed that.
Devadolly then challenged us to start a Nattering and Chattering thread for EV, it then sort of evolved to include a Wine Club thing, with rambling comments on food and drink. She said "first up posts", but at the end of the day as long as someone starts the thread and we can N&C and include libation, glug, who cares! It has been said we are a strange bunch, but if you can commune with that, then welcome!
I just wonder where Novalis, Ringer, Copelander, Dr B, Physicsgirl et al are lurking! Conspicuous by their absence!!
No fixed time or person to start an EV thread!
In the dim and distant past, Midazolam used to post a link to the Telegraph Clued-Up EV site, but ST closed that.
Devadolly then challenged us to start a Nattering and Chattering thread for EV, it then sort of evolved to include a Wine Club thing, with rambling comments on food and drink. She said "first up posts", but at the end of the day as long as someone starts the thread and we can N&C and include libation, glug, who cares! It has been said we are a strange bunch, but if you can commune with that, then welcome!
I just wonder where Novalis, Ringer, Copelander, Dr B, Physicsgirl et al are lurking! Conspicuous by their absence!!
Been there since Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Gen2, you are going to have to do better than that - we will all be rendered speechless.
Have just come on line to send the 'Oh my God, I've managed it by 5 minutes' deadline, not quite but it goes to press tomorrow am, and of course I cannot resist a peek............
No Doc, plumber won't let me down, a Master of his trade who has done all my plumbing since 1972! He and his men clean the place better than me when they have finished.
Oh dear, Himself has just gone charging out as there is a Magpie eating the mealy worms that are put out for HIS pet one legged blackbird I had better go and calm him down!
Have just come on line to send the 'Oh my God, I've managed it by 5 minutes' deadline, not quite but it goes to press tomorrow am, and of course I cannot resist a peek............
No Doc, plumber won't let me down, a Master of his trade who has done all my plumbing since 1972! He and his men clean the place better than me when they have finished.
Oh dear, Himself has just gone charging out as there is a Magpie eating the mealy worms that are put out for HIS pet one legged blackbird I had better go and calm him down!
Yes, devadolly, since Christmas. - Not one of my favourite tipples - Wine or whisky would have stood no chance of lasting that long. Mrs gen2 likes this from time to time but for medical reasons has had to avoid alcohol. She is now post operative and on the mend so it could very well get opened in a fortnight on our silver wedding anniversary.
Spent yesterday in Birmingham ( city of my birth ) at the athletics. Have looked at EV but I'm banging my head against a brick wall trying to solve 25d. Any hints would be most welcome please.
As for submitting entries it's the luck of the draw ....and of course there's the postal system to contend with as well.
Have a little matter of a couple of bottles of a rather potent S. African red to be addressed but it's certainly too soon at the moment. The sun is not yet over the yardarm.
As for submitting entries it's the luck of the draw ....and of course there's the postal system to contend with as well.
Have a little matter of a couple of bottles of a rather potent S. African red to be addressed but it's certainly too soon at the moment. The sun is not yet over the yardarm.
Hi all, just found the thread - somehow missed it yesterday. Like everyone else I found the grid pretty easy this week - got it done Saturday night in record time, but didn't have time to ponder the 3 blanks and am just now getting back to it.
So, my question is - how necessary is Chambers to getting this thing done? If it's essential to have access to the index or some such, I'll just recycle it now. If not I will take a closer look.
So, my question is - how necessary is Chambers to getting this thing done? If it's essential to have access to the index or some such, I'll just recycle it now. If not I will take a closer look.
Hello Novalis and dr. b,
I suspected you were both off doing things and unable to connect to the EV thread generated by Gen2. The enigma obviously involves the 3 barred squares, and as the rubric says the phrase involves 5 words, the cryptic representation in the grid uses 1 of those words to make it cryptic! My first post mentioned an emergency, and now I'll add "where would a sailor go then"?
Dr. b, Chambers is useful, but not entirely essential, it does however confirm the definition (after the treament, as indicated by the cryptically phrase) of the 6 indicated lights, plus the 2 reciprocal symmetrically ones. Certainly no worse than the Idioms in French and German encountered in Speccie!
Time for a G&T on the sunny patio,
Ciao
I suspected you were both off doing things and unable to connect to the EV thread generated by Gen2. The enigma obviously involves the 3 barred squares, and as the rubric says the phrase involves 5 words, the cryptic representation in the grid uses 1 of those words to make it cryptic! My first post mentioned an emergency, and now I'll add "where would a sailor go then"?
Dr. b, Chambers is useful, but not entirely essential, it does however confirm the definition (after the treament, as indicated by the cryptically phrase) of the 6 indicated lights, plus the 2 reciprocal symmetrically ones. Certainly no worse than the Idioms in French and German encountered in Speccie!
Time for a G&T on the sunny patio,
Ciao
Hello all. Had another quick look and it really does mean nothing to me - looks very silly with 3 empty squares! Plumber gone and left the place spotless as always but as usual there is all the putting away of all the junk that had to be moved to let him get in there in the first place. At least that is one hassle I can cross off my nervous breakdown list.
Sorry Gen2 (& Mrs Gen2 of course) cakes is off! Having not long got rid of THE wedding cakes + the 12lbs of almond paste to go with them, I need a break, though I am happy to report that the 'left overs' from each mix are being fought over, so it has to be reasonable. That in itself is a great relief as No 1 Niece is is planning a very superior 'Do'. Also have a massive order for pots of jam so have to get that underway, not to mention picking the fruit to go in it - as we have just had a torrential downpour, not looking good.
Heavy hints from you clever clogsis chaps re the enigma would be good.
Regards
Sorry Gen2 (& Mrs Gen2 of course) cakes is off! Having not long got rid of THE wedding cakes + the 12lbs of almond paste to go with them, I need a break, though I am happy to report that the 'left overs' from each mix are being fought over, so it has to be reasonable. That in itself is a great relief as No 1 Niece is is planning a very superior 'Do'. Also have a massive order for pots of jam so have to get that underway, not to mention picking the fruit to go in it - as we have just had a torrential downpour, not looking good.
Heavy hints from you clever clogsis chaps re the enigma would be good.
Regards
Devadolly, I thought my last post was a really heavy hint! However, the weather here is super, no sign of rain or even a thunder"thingy"! Just sitting on the garden bench after dinner with a glass of Tempranillo, in the setting sunshine. Have spoken to herself, and she was envious, as she is in the Metropolis and working all week! My next work days are 2nd and 3rd September!
I really think you should reconsider baking a cake for Gen2, what did he let himself into by starting an EV thread!
I really think you should reconsider baking a cake for Gen2, what did he let himself into by starting an EV thread!
I'll tell you how I cracked it. Maybe it will help others if stuck.
Realising that the two reciprocally related (symmetrically placed) groups of 4 letters were anagrams of each other, I put the other 6 indicated words through an anagram solver and that gave me the key word. Your phrase is well known and includes that word. I thought the title 'NEEDS' was misleading and delayed me finding the phrase cryptically written across the puzzle.
Chambers was only necessary for confirmation.
Also, although it said Chambers 2008 was recommended, I found everything I needed in my 1998 copy.
Devadolly, the cake was DocHH's idea. In view of the recent op. celebrations will be very low-key. We'll have a bigger bash at some later date.
Realising that the two reciprocally related (symmetrically placed) groups of 4 letters were anagrams of each other, I put the other 6 indicated words through an anagram solver and that gave me the key word. Your phrase is well known and includes that word. I thought the title 'NEEDS' was misleading and delayed me finding the phrase cryptically written across the puzzle.
Chambers was only necessary for confirmation.
Also, although it said Chambers 2008 was recommended, I found everything I needed in my 1998 copy.
Devadolly, the cake was DocHH's idea. In view of the recent op. celebrations will be very low-key. We'll have a bigger bash at some later date.
Well, that clears it all up. I'm not sure how long to would have taken me to try anagramming the unclued answers, but once you do.... so, good for gen2 for catching on to that.
There may be little or no EVing, Ning or Cing for me for a month, as I will be first in New York visiting my daughter (with some access to a computer but no time), and then on top of a mountain in California, with no access to any modern convenience whatsoever. (Unless you define a sleeping bag, tent and propane stove as modern conveniences, in which case I salute your pioneer spirit).
I may get next week's done before I leave but not likely, so I will say see you for EV 876!
There may be little or no EVing, Ning or Cing for me for a month, as I will be first in New York visiting my daughter (with some access to a computer but no time), and then on top of a mountain in California, with no access to any modern convenience whatsoever. (Unless you define a sleeping bag, tent and propane stove as modern conveniences, in which case I salute your pioneer spirit).
I may get next week's done before I leave but not likely, so I will say see you for EV 876!
No, I'm not making a cake - I'm sick and tired of baking and cooking!
My IQ must suddenly have dropped at least 80 points as I haven't the faintest idea what any of you mean (apart from do some anagrams of course), you all sound like a council committee in full flow trying to confuse! What related four squares, they all look the same to me and what the blue blazes have the three blank squares got to do with anything? Even the preamble sounds like psychobable to me- over the shoulder it goes!
I'm off to pick redcurrants.
My IQ must suddenly have dropped at least 80 points as I haven't the faintest idea what any of you mean (apart from do some anagrams of course), you all sound like a council committee in full flow trying to confuse! What related four squares, they all look the same to me and what the blue blazes have the three blank squares got to do with anything? Even the preamble sounds like psychobable to me- over the shoulder it goes!
I'm off to pick redcurrants.
Devadolly,
You have to complete those 3 blank squares so that the 13 squares across the centre reads as a cryptic representation of the 5-word phrase. (You could also think of the 13-character line as being a Dingbat.)
There are 4 adjacent squares in the bottom-left quadrant that are an anagram of 4 adjacent squares in a symmetrical position in the top-right quadrant.
Those, together with the 6 listed clues, when anagrammed, will match each of the 8 definitions in Chambers for one of the key words in the phrase.
When you get the phrase, you will understand why they are anagrammed. 14a and 23d should be enough to give you the key word.
You have to complete those 3 blank squares so that the 13 squares across the centre reads as a cryptic representation of the 5-word phrase. (You could also think of the 13-character line as being a Dingbat.)
There are 4 adjacent squares in the bottom-left quadrant that are an anagram of 4 adjacent squares in a symmetrical position in the top-right quadrant.
Those, together with the 6 listed clues, when anagrammed, will match each of the 8 definitions in Chambers for one of the key words in the phrase.
When you get the phrase, you will understand why they are anagrammed. 14a and 23d should be enough to give you the key word.
Well that little plan went astray didn't it! Managed to water the tomatoes and get half the raspberry canes picked when the sun went in and a raging thunderstorm developed, only lasted an hour but everything is far too wet to pick now so have reverted to task no 35 re-laying the bathroom floor, only got 3 tiles down and realised there were two lots of notes that had to be sent (don't do electrical in storms) so have done them instead.
Oh dear, I do feel guilty Gen2, you are being so patient you deserve a cake! Have taken EV out of the bin and had another look - am I right in thinking Bling in Manchester? for the two 'in the grid'? As far as the anagrams go would I prefer it in a post-prandial glass? The across containing the blanks - is that jumbled? There are too many letters in the phrase (15) to fit and what has the post- prandial tipple gort to do with bling in M/c??????
Oh dear, I do feel guilty Gen2, you are being so patient you deserve a cake! Have taken EV out of the bin and had another look - am I right in thinking Bling in Manchester? for the two 'in the grid'? As far as the anagrams go would I prefer it in a post-prandial glass? The across containing the blanks - is that jumbled? There are too many letters in the phrase (15) to fit and what has the post- prandial tipple gort to do with bling in M/c??????
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