Crossword Help Forum
Forum Rules

Good morning, Elle!
Good news about your daughter and family!
Yes, I am sure she tell you all about it!
And there will be videos on YouTube of Wookey Hole, too?
I am just heading out, still fairly dark here.
The skiing is back on EuroSport this weekend.
First races of the season.
I'm looking forward to it!
See you later!

Good morning, Rusty!
Another beautiful day here!
But getting very much colder in the early mornings.
it is still dark when I get up, but light by the time I go out at 8 o'clock.
Yes, I am sure there will be pictures of Wookey Hole Caves on YouTube...but daughter's photos have the added advantage of containing my grandsons!!
That is my main interest!
She has sent some excellent pics that I have just been looking at!
You will be pleased to have the skiing to watch....
Needless to say, I still cannot access EuroSport Player!
A quiet day ahead, I think.......

Hello, Elle!
Yes, the skiing is good, but there is a strong crosswind near the bottom of the run which is causing problems for the racers.
Exciting, though!
I am ahead of the game today, I have finished my puzzle!
22a, is my personal "clue of the week"!
I laughed out loud at it!
Still have two to parse, though.

All parsed now, Elle!
Now I wonder if I can spot a swift horse at Doncaster today!

Hi, Rusty!
I have finished my crossword, too.
Four parsings still to do though!
I shall give them some thought on and off over the afternoon!
Yes, "Puss in Boots" was amusing!
I had a chuckle , too!
I thought today's puzzle was a nice one....not just because I could do it, but because I appreciated the various nuances.
So you have horse-racing, as well, today?

Well done, Elle!
7d, is a smashing clue, too.
My last two to parse were 5d and 24d.
Think I tied my brain in knots with 24d, but I got there!
Yes, a good puzzle today.
Hope you manage your parses.
Just one horse at Doncaster.
Verbal Dexterity is the horse. Just for fun!

Hi, Rusty!
Yes, " So USA"!
Whoever compiled today's crossword certainly has a sense of humour!
Now 5d, I took as being
"aforementioned " = already introduced def)
Actioned - dealt with
The "c" then being replaced with "foremen" - team leaders
giving "a foremen tioned"
I think this is right?
I am now down to two left to parse...so making progress!
I shall have to abandon further thought for now, as we are about to go out........
The sun is shining, the dog is eager.....
Fingers crossed for Verbal Dexterity!
(I love the name)
Catch up when I get back!

Hello, Elle!
Yes, your parse is correct. Well done!
That was one of the two that I was ages nailing.
"So USA" was a great clue. Well done, setter!
Poor old Verbal Dexterity!
Not good enough!
Though the winner, Saxon Warrior, helped to break a world record for his trainer, Aidan O'Brien.
He has won 26 Group One races this season, beating the late Bobby Frankel's record.
Quite windy here!

Hi, Rusty!
Back home again!
A good walk.......
We drove out to the Country Park as we thought it might be quieter.
I am sorry that Verbal Dexterity did not do better!
Light has not dawned on my two remaining parses.
20a: I beat Elsie (6)
I have "Tanner", purely because the clue mentions "Elsie" and I know she was a Coronation Street character of that name
And a beating could be a tanning?
But otherwise "tanner" to me is someone who treats animal hides?
An the other one I can't do is 24d.
I'm on stronger ground here in that I know the answer is "schwa" = "indistinct sound"
but cannot parse beyond this?
Is your wind causing any Bridge restrictions?

Good evening, Elle!
Oh, Verbal Dexterity ran a good race, but others ran better.
That's racing!
I agree with "tanner" and your parse.
I can not think of anything else!
Yes "schwa" is what I have.
My parse is, "S" for "South", "ch" is abbreviation for "check" in chess, and the Australian state is "WA" for Western Australia.
What is your opinion of that parse?
It took me ages, and why was "Australian" in the clue?