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Subtractive anag:

travel out of "big Brest naval"

Just to say "thank you" jolan. I was really under par today. Excellent clues as always. Off to tea now.

Hi also to Les 40 and Jazzy (x). Well done, all! Andy, all but GK's 'offers'. Wonder where ab is today? I'll append my working. Hope you enjoyed 'em this week. Bless. John

1. Greek character = theta; Chinese time = Ming; anag(rough) of “show the ref” =oftheshrew; THE TAMING OF THE SHREW = play.

2. Domineering older woman = Battle-axe; closes = blocks; BATTLE-AXE BLOCKS = plots of land without street frontages in Oz (or NZ - Chambers Dict.)

3. kills = offs; hesitation = er; OFFERS = advances

4. subtractive anag (from & building) of “big Brest naval” – “travel” = BIN-BAGS = liners.

5. stitching = sewing; around “a” = SEA WING = a sail.

Thanks Jolan, great as always and had me going all day. I looked at offers, had a feeling about "er" for hesitation....but was, once again, outfoxed.

Andy

Super Andy. Very glad to hear they exercise the old brain power. I was thinking they were all solved rapidly. Nice to know that's not so.

I'm off to have my VERY TINY din-din (see my earlier diet plan !!!). I'm shipping the usual box-fulls over to Ari (if he's finished breakfast by now LOL). I'll take a peek in later, if my strength holds up. John

"To off" was new to me, too! Great fun as always!

Just got back. Is "off" in that sense really an Americanism? I suppose it sounds like one, and I didn't have to look it up. :) Got them all, Jolan, and now I'm waiting for my treats, with paws raised.

I apologise if this is a silly question but why is Chinese
in brackets?
Wouldn't the clue work without them?

Cheers Andy and Jolan for theexlanations

Hio there Rosie and welcome. I've just come home.

Not a silly question at all.

Chinese was not really completely necessary but was included as an additional 'hint'; MING (noun) = a Chinese dynasty and MING (adjective) = refers to the time of the dynasty. (Chambers D)

I suspect the "Jolan Group" would not have been happy bunnies had I just put "time".

Bless

J