EV 895

[devadolly]

Help! SOS! Mayday, Mayday! To all EV N & C'ers. Only half a paper in my papershop today and the bit that is missing is LIFE, hence no EV. Can anyone supply on of those clever link things (as I'm not a member of the Xword club) that are totally beyond me? Many thanks
In such a panic, it's also on the Quizzes bit..........................................
...............

[novalis]

Many apologies Devadolly! Have just this minute put it in its envelope ready for posting. I'm sure somebody will be able to help you. Hope you had a good Christmas.

[DocHH]

Apologies from me too Devadolly, only have paper copy, which is fully populated and appropriately shaded, so I couldn't even e-mail it to you. I saw in Q&P that gen2 has given you a link however. Apparently the Telegraph do a 7day trial of their crossword site "Clued Up", so you could have retrieved it from there.

[turnerjmw]

Let's see if this works:

http://www.clueduppuz...ng/tmp/1261930335.pdf

[devadolly]

Thank you Turnerjmw, have printed a copy and now all I have to do is to solve it! Also had help from Gen2 in the Q & P section. Many thanks all

[copelander]

Glad you got it sorted, Devadolly. I know how frustrating it can be, to be without the most important section of the paper. Unfortunately I was in the same boat as Novalis and was too late to help.

[novalis]

To all you gave me valuable hints for last week's --- many thanks. I did post on last week's thread albeit belatedly.

[devadolly]

Good Heavens! Have you all found it so easy you have 'done and dusted' already???!!! Haven't looked at newly aquired EV (usually looked at first thing before the day is aired) but have it settled near the Hotty for later when I trot up the wooden hill - have complete set of Chambers early ed ref works at the side of the bed, drives Himself potty as I can't rest without my nightly perusal!!

[DocHH]

Devadolly, there are lots of gifts! Had trouble with the abbreviation, but got there eventually! Glad you have recovered sufficiently from the Christmas demands to be able to attack EV today!

[Christiana]

Hello all,

Am just now going up the wooden hill myself, but doubt I will be able to concentrate on EV - my youngest son arrived here with horrible cough, cold etc., and generously shared it with me! Result: muzzy head, sore throat, and loss of voice. This is one gift I didn't want to find in my stocking! Hopefully normal service will be resumed tomorrow.

[ringer]

Hi Every one
Christiana - I empathise with you - my son arrived home from uni and gave me a head cold which started on Christmas Eve. Aren't they soooo generous to us poor mums!
Have managed this week's EV,only by searching one keyword from the extra letters in ODQ - otherwise I would have been completely stuck.
I know it's a bit early, but can I be the first to wish every EVer a very happy and prosperous new year, and many thanks for all the hints and encouragement given to me in 2009.

[DocHH]

Hello everyone,
Spotted a letter in today's Telegraph which was germane! No wonder Hypnos used that theme! My subsidiary question, as a politician would ask, is however, was Hypnos aware of the letter before compiling EV 895!!!
I'll echo Ringer's early, but most welcome New Year greetings, may 2010 be happy, peaceful and prosperous for all EV N&C Wine Clubbers.
I'm just having a pre-prandial Talsiker! Probably to steel myself for yet another Turkey based dinner, curry tonight!

[dr b]

Hola, N&Cers. Back from Xmas travels, too many of which involved driving on snow packed roads. Having filled the fridge and emptied the dirty clothes hampers, I was able to look at the EV; I have a full grid (save for 29D's first letter) and no clue whatsoever as to what to do next (not helped by the fact that I'm missing several extra letters). I have a good guess as to the person referred to by the 4 unclued lights, no ideas yet as to the subject of the puzzle!

No hints needed as I will not be back till I've cracked the case! Which may not be till 2010, so I'll join the chorus of Happy New Year's wishes now just in case.

[dr b]

Well, that didn't take long at all. Why does it always happen that way?

Happy New Year, anyhow!

[devadolly]

Have got myself into a similar position to drb but am having no flashes of inspiration. On a complete loser as far as the ODQ goes as only have (what usually proves to be useless) revised edition of the 4th which seems to have omission as its middle name.
Himself & I are off to Ambleside for the festivities and won't be back until Sat, will take it with me but don't have 'hopes' so will check in at the w/e.

Am now off to pour a nice Plymouth and tonic to aid the packing and wish you all a very Happy New year.

[DocHH]

Devadolly, both grids do not require recognition of the middle name. Himself can pack and you can apply yourself to EV!!
Doubt if that will happen, but have a really Happy New Year. Herself bought me Brewers for Xmas! She has finally started to understand me!

[novalis]

Hi Devadolly!

Hope you enjoy your break. Echo Doc HH's sentiments. The last two redundant letters are the giveaway. Think C 19th and you'll soon climb this particular greasy pole.

[Jogler]

Very best wishes for a Happy New Year to everyone. Many thanks for all your hints, tips and general chat - may your brains and pencils remain as sharp in the coming year!

[Christiana]

Well, still have the dreaded lurgy, spending most of the day sleeping, head like cotton wool and no voice, but have sort of crawled through EV in between times. Have identified the person, his abbreviation and its position in the grid, and the rival, but can't make any sense of the four unclued lights. I have what are likely to be the answers but as they don't suggest the rival to me I am not too happy about banking on them. Also puzzled by 24d for which again I have an answer involving the 'censor in action' and the 'note, but failing to make the connection with what I assume is the definition part of the clue.
Any guidance? If that's not possible without giving too much away will e-mail someone.

[novalis]

Christiana,

It's an anagrame of censor + e ( musical note ). Hope you are soon 100%.

[Christiana]

Novalis, thanks but I already did that to get the answer I have but couldn't see the connection with the rest of the clue. It's probably just me as I'm not thinking very straight at the moment. Thanks for your good wishes - I'm afraid I don't make a very 'patient' patient. It's the lack of energy/interest in anything that's really getting me down, but I shouldn't be making a fuss, as it's nothing serious and will pass in due course.