Crossword Help Forum
Forum Rules

Good morning, Elle!
Fine morning here.
The athletics was great viewing.
But, I switched channels because of the "aren't we wonderful" aspects of the BBC show that takes place in the studio.
Makes me cringe.
Eurosport is better for watching "sport".
I thought Bren had retired?
Just off now to buy my paper.

Good morning, Rusty!
A lovely morning here!
I hope it stays this way for the athletics, but the forecast is not good for later.
I actually enjoy the studio presentation by Gabby Logan.
I agree that she herself can sometimes be a bit irritating, but on the whole I think she does a good job.
And I like listening to the input from such as Michael Johnson, Denise Lewis, Colin Jackson, and Paula Radcliffe
And yesterday we had Jess Ennis-Hill!
Yes, Bren has retired, but seems to be coming back for "guest star" appearances!
Right...I am only just back from the park...and desperately need a coffee....!

Hello, Elle!
It is the World Championships, not a chat show, but I take your point.
I do like Gabby, Denise, Michael, Jess, etc, with the exception of Paula Radcliffe.
Anyway it is top class athletics and very enjoyable!
Puzzle quite good today, though I needed Chambers.
One was a guess, though it is an anagram.
And one where I cannot see the parse...yet!
Must try harder!

Aha, Elle!
I finally see the parse.
Glad I persevered.
Turned out to be a lot simpler than I thought!

Hi, Rusty!
Well done!
You have obviously done better than I!
Coming back to the puzzle off and on, I have finally finished it, bar three parsings.
I shall "worry" at them for a while......
Which was the one that initially gave you trouble?
( don't tell me the answer, though, in case it one I am puzzling over!)
I liked 9 across - I have never heard of the term but got the answer from the parsing!
I haven't looked in on the Athletics coverage this morning.....
I figured that it would be too much viewing if I wanted to watch this evening.
Have you been watching?
Anything worth reporting?

Hello, Elle!
It was 11a that I could not parse, then it struck me!
I had heard, or seen, 9a, before, but would not know its meaning.
Could have been a pasta dish for all I knew!
Also 27across was a problem.
Did not know the "before Christ" bit, and when I checked Chambers for what I had, it was there.
But again it was I phrase I had heard, but did not know what it applied to.
It is a good puzzle, but in 28a, the Scottish League bit is out of date, but should not affect things.
I have watched a bit of the athletics.
All going to plan for Elaine Thompson and Dafne Schippers etc, so far.
I have switched to golf just now.
Yes, it is a long day's viewing!
You are wise!

Hi, Rusty!
Ah, Snap!
It was 11a that was my bete noir!
(Sorry, I cannot do the accents)
I have "mirror-writing", but couldn't parse it for ages , until at last I realised that "bid" laterally inverted would still read the same!
I am still struggling with the parsing of 6d: palliate and 15a: advertiser?
We have a thunderstorm here.... the rain is not all that heavy, but the thunder is very loud and has driven the dog "underground".......
I shall have to go and look for her......she will have jammed herself into the smallest darkest place she can find!
I had planned a second walk...but I very much doubt that she will want to come!
Are you going out?
Or is the sport too interesting to leave?

Hello, Elle!
Yes, "bid" would look the same in a mirror.
Took me quite a while to twig that!
6d, A picket can be a "pale" (check Anne Bradford), a fence pole.
Around "tail" for "rear" reversed,
15, Anag of "sedative + r&r"
Advertiser.
A "hyper" could be someone who "puffs/hypes" something up that he may be trying to sell.
An "advertiser" could be a "hyper".
How's that?
I am dipping in and out of the golf.
The leaders have not started yet.

Hello, Elle.
Meant to say, in 27, I struggled with "Before Christ"
I had "prece"
I did not know that CE stood for Common Era.
Which appears to be the same as "AD".
But Chambers did!

And I presume Timon of Athens did a bit of moaning?
I know the name of the play but that's all.