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Rusty, 'petrichor' isn't in any of my dictionaries, but when I researched online I read that the word is in the Oxford dictionaries.

OK, Malone!
The Oxford dictionaries are fine by me!

Update, Malone.
"Petrichor" is in Collins English Dictionary on-line.
I've heard folks say that it is an excellent dictionary.

Hi, Rusty!
Ah, thank you...
I only know Ascot as a place in Berkshire!
I had no idea that when used with a small "a", it becomes a tie!
Now re 3d......Is there some significance in "whisky" being spelt with an "e" in the clue?
Or is it just a variant spelling?

I've not seen the clue, but "whisky" I think is exclusively Scottish (or "Scotch"); Irish and Americans make "whiskey". I don't know how Japan (and Wales - Penderyn is a great whisk(e)y!) spell it.

Hello, Elle!
I have came across "ascot" once or twice in crosswords before.
3d, Yes, there is significance in the spelling of "whiskey" in the clue.
The clue would not work with "whisky".
In the phonetic alphabet "whiskey" is the word for "w".
That is where the setter was sending you with that spelling of "whiskey" to get the "w" to start off the answer "wisecrack".
My limited knowledge is that it is Scotch Whisky and Irish Whiskey.
Is that what you mean by variant spelling?

Hi, Rusty!
Oops! Thank you for explaining that.
I didn't even know that "whisky" could be spelt with an "e" .......
Yes, that is what I meant by variant spelling.
Nor did I know that it was a different brand of whisky / whiskey according to the spelling!
I understand the "w" for "whiskEy" in the phonetic alphabet now.
But the "e" - ecstasy presumably? - for drugs... that has nothing to do then with the "e" in "whiskey"?
I am overthinking this, aren't I?



Thank you, Chris!
I've just got myself in a muddle with a clue!
And I didn't know that whisky could be spelt with an "e"!

Hello, Elle!
No, the "e" for drug/ecstasy has no connection with the "e" in Whiskey.
And "crack" is some kind of drug, too.
It is quite a straightforward methodical clue, but not everyone would link whiskey to the phonetic alphabet.
I used the phonetic alphabet for years when I was working, so it jumped out at me fairly quickly.
I thought "tinny" was a good one.
I learned about "tinny" in the same book where I learned "Hill's Hoist" and "arvo"!
Yes, slightly overthinking, Elle!
No harm in that, and I find I am always learning with crossword puzzles.
You will be likewise, I'm sure!
You learned a little bit today!

Hi, Rusty!
I do like to have all the "i"s dotted and the "t"s crossed, as it were!
A crossword puzzle is not "solved" until all is accounted for!
Yes, I am gradually learning as I go along.......
I am tired..... an accumulation of lack of sleep ......
Hopefully, this nice cool atmosphere will be conducive to a good night's sleep tonight!
I wonder how the wedding went in rainy Clacton?
I have not heard from my daughter this evening.....
I will report in on the cat shortly, and maybe will learn how it all went!

Hello, Elle!
Weather is wild here!
Very stormy.
Yes, I agree about solving and parsing everything.
I think, too, that the setters do a very good job.
I appreciate their efforts.
I am sure the Clacton wedding went off very well!