Ev 1151: Contest By Kcit

[DocHH]

Hello All,
I must admit to initially being rather daunted by the grid format, and I didn't find too many "gifts" on the first pass though the clues. Really had to work the clues, but to be honest they were fair. Having solved rows A, C, G and H, and columns 2, 10, 14 and 15, I took a leap of faith and started populating the strange grid. In the event that actually helped solve quite a few more clues. I'd then got a fully populated grid, but had only 6 of the additional letters. Resorting to trying to anagram the remaining columns lead me to the 2 other additional letters. Stared at the grid for ages, then decided to "displace" the additional letters to the side of the grid, this revealed the CONTEST. More grid gazing, then highlighting the additional letters gave me the PDM in respect of their position and the winning side. A definite sense of achievement, and really I should not have been daunted at all, but perhaps it was relaxing in the sun for a couple of weeks that
Time for a pre-prandial!

[DocHH]

Should have added "dulled the brain", it obviously still is dulled.

[devadolly]

Hello DocHH! Welcome back, that wasn't a very long hols?? You may have finished but I am finding the placing of the across clues very confusing, probably because there is rather a lot of unwanted distraction around here at the moment and a nice comfy DC with kind and soothing words from other dunces would be welcomed.....................doesn't happen these days tho' does it??

[djawhufc]

Hi

Enjoyed this one. I got lucky with a few quick answers which helped populate the grid. The only niggling doubt I have is the jumble in column 12. The letters all cross check with the across clues so I'm confident they are right but I can't seem to find an anagram of the letters?

Is it just me?

[DocHH]

Hello djawhufc,
12d is an anagram, Chambers Word Wizard doesn't recognise it but the following link will,

http://anagram-solver.net/