Crossword Help Forum
Forum Rules

Hi, Rusty!
Ah, thank you, I would never have got that in a month of Sundays!
No, I have looked up both "sister " and "feminist" in Chambers and in Bradfords, but neither gives a connection between the two words.
I am sure you have it right, though, and that is what the setter means.
Thank you for explaining it to me.
My brain - and the rest of me - is becoming tired!
I think I need a (strong) coffee......

Hello, Elle!
It is maybe more of an American term.
Feminists being the sisterhood?
I can't find anything else to explain it better.
That is, if my interpretation is correct, and it may not be!
A wee bit late for a strong coffee!

Hi, Rusty!
I have ordered some more books!
You remember the book that I told you I was reading by Peter May?
One of "The Enzo Files" series?
Well, I have just treated myself to the remainder of the series!
My justification...?
It will spur me on to finish my clearing out of 'surplus' books, in order to make room!
And on that undeniably logical note, I will say G'night, as I am dreadfully tired!
I am away to my bed......

Hello, Elle!
So....to help you with clearing your bookshelves you are buying more books?
Really?
I think that strong coffee you had, has bewitched you!
I am sure you will enjoy your new books, though.
I have some money in my Amazon account from gift cards, but am not sure what to buy.
I don't really need anything.
I investigated a book that Lyn MacDonald co-wrote with several others.
"At the Going Down of the Sun".
But, I can not find it on Amazon.
A mystery!

Bump

Good morning, Rusty!
It is a lovely day here...but very cold!
Only 4C. So a brisk walk !
Ah that reference to my books was but "tongue in cheek", Rusty........
An ironic remark?!
I have looked up "At the Going Down of the Sun".
Now Wikipedia says that the book is co-written by Ian Connerty, Sir Martin Gilbert, Peter Hart, Lyn MacDonald and Nigel Steel.
See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyn_MacDonald
But Google came up with three more, individual authors, all apparently for "At the Going Down of the Sun!!!
Elizabeth Darell, Graham Bound, and R.G, Gladding.
All working independently .......
The plot thickens.......this is all very strange?
Is it not plagiarism to use an existing title?
You will be off out soon......
What time are the girls collecting you?

Good morning, Elle!
A beautiful frosty morning here!
Aha, "tongue in cheek", and here's me thinking it was "feminine logic"!
I noticed there are several versions of "At The Going Down Of The Sun".
I think I'll just leave it.
If it was a book by Lyn MacDonald alone, I would buy it, though.
I like her style, and her previous books have been, for me, excellent.
I think I am being collected at 11, but I have not heard from the girls so far.
I thought the puzzle was on the easy side today.
A wee bit disappointing.
8d and 12a were new to me.
12 is a street in London, the setter expects us to know! Grr!

Hello Elle

You would be horrified if your Cockney friends said they had found some "mice in the kitchen". Until you would realised they meant the spice not rodents!

Do they ever ask you to get a "daily piper" for them? The Queen Mother had one, but she also had a "daily paper", the Racing Post I believe.
There may have been confusion over them. She was our Vice-Chancellor and presented the graduation certificates. I cant recall her speaking Cockney though.

It is not too difficult to qualify for the Times final. There are 3 puzzles in the summer, slightly easier than the normal Times ones, and there are 2 heats of 100. The best 12 in each go into the Grand Final. No references are allowed. Just a pen and pencil.

Hello Rusty
Thanks for the references to Mr Rogan - very interesting.

Hi, Rusty!
I thought I would answer quickly before you go out with the girls!
I haven't really started my crossword as yet, as I have been doing various jobs.....but out of curiosity I just took a look at 12 across......
Now, normally I would agree with you.....
But, in all fairness to the setter, for once I think this is reasonable?
Many non- Londoners will have played "Monopoly", surely?
Pall Mall is one of the purplish group......together with Whitehall and Northumberland Avenue!
And doesn't it parse beautifully?
Have a great time at the Pine Cone!

Hello, Elle!
I have not heard of Pall Mall before, and that's fine by me, but surely there are many other cities the setters can use for streets?
And your suggestion of Monopoly reminds me of Mr Rogan suggesting to me that I should buy a diary because all the London Underground stations are named in a wee map at the back.
You are both missing the point.
If the puzzles were less parochial we would not need to buy diaries or play Monopoly.
Rant over!
We had a ball at the Pine Cone!
The girls have a friend who is pregnant and were discussing girls' names for the baby!
I discovered some names are completely unsuitable because they are "Mum" names, and others are unsuitable because they are "Granny" names.
It was an education, I can tell you!
The bacon rolls were lovely, though!