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Hi, Rusty!
Re 28a: "Noah" and "knower" didn't worry me too much, considering the really dreadful 'supposed' homophones that we sometimes get!
Oh, and I forgot that I didn't know the third meaning of "chafer"....being a kind of saucepan!
Did you know that?
I am just taking a break halfway through watching the penultimate episode of my serial, "Strangers", recorded on Monday.
I still have no idea who did what!



Hello, Ros!
Thank you for the recommendation.
I will certainly look the book up on Goodreads.......but on the face of it, it doesn't sound very much like my sort of book?

Hi elle and rusty
I've just come across this site - do you know it?
https://times-xwd-times.livejournal.com/
It's like "fifteensquared" for the Times - it gives answers and parsings.

Hello, Elle!
No, I did not know that about "chafer", too...but Anne Bradford did!
We are learning quite a bit this week!
I do not like the "homothingys", but there are few enough of them, so not a problem.
I enjoyed today's crossword, especially "doodah"!

Hello, Chris,
No, I do not know that site.
This is the one I sometimes use, on YouTube.
But it is not on every day.
The lad solving it is the Times Crossword Champion.
Good to watch a champ in action! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnSN7HqFEko

Update, Elle!
I watched Mark on YouTube solve today's cryptic.
He did not know "chafer/saucepan", too.
And.... he thought the "Noah" homothingy clue was unfair unless you live in the South of England.
My thoughts exactly!
And it took him a while to get "doodah"!

Hi, Rusty!
I have just been listening to your link of Mark Thingummy explaining his parsings of today's crossword.....
A bit like Perry Mason explaining to Della?
Funnily enough, I found "doodah " to be one of the easier clues!
I had a lot of trouble with many of the other clues!
Now I am puzzled as to why "Noah " and "knower" only work in a "Southern" accent?
Is there any other way to pronounce them other than the way that Mark did?
I've lived in both the North and the South of England, and have never said either word any differently?
I didn't like the "grey area " allusion to the elderly people!!
I shall dye my hair bright blue (or maybe green?) and wear a lurid orange , when I finally consider myself to be "old"!



Hello, Chris!
No, I don't know of that site.....but I don't think I want to look......
I'd rather ask for help on an isolated clue....... than risk seeing all the answers.

Hi elle
I look at fifteensquared after I've finished (or given up!)

Picaroon today. Not as hard as the Arachne, but lots of fun!

Good morning, Elle!
A bit chillier today!
Mark "Goodliffe".
He has been Times Champion every year for yonks!
I think he's the Sudoku champion, too.
Seems to be the "Kevin Ashman" of the crossword world!
He was determined to get "howdah" instead of "doodah"!
Possibly, in the South the "r" is silent in "knower", and remember it is only his opinion, Elle, not holy writ.
I agree with him, though.
His target each day is to complete the puzzle in less than five minutes!
I take a lot, lot, longer than that, doing it on and off!
Speed is of no interest to me, but it is to these champs!
I could not parse "big", so I am in good company!
Must get going, things to do today!

Good morning, Rusty!
A lovely day here, cold as yet...
I wore gloves this morning on my walk!
Speaking of Kevin.....Jeremy was asking him whether he has a kitchen since he moved from house to new flat.
Kevin replied that not only does he now have a kitchen , but also a cooker.....
He says it is useful for storing magazines! Uhm....
I'd rather passed over "Big" in yesterday's puzzle...
I'd thought "B" for "British", and "G" is the Gravitation Constant...
Maybe the "i" is "current"?
Don't know........?
So what are you up to today?

Hello, Elle!
Fine day here.
Not quite glove weather yet!
I like Kevin, an ordinary guy!
I have forgotten the clue for "big".
Current is "i" often in puzzles.
You are on your own, Elle, with "Gravitation Constant", whatever it is !!
Way over my head!
I am just home.
I had a hospital appointment.
Time for a coffee and oatcakes!