Crossword Help Forum
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Hello, Elle!
No, the lad had no name on his bib, like all the elite runners do, just his number.
He was leading the race with about four miles to go.
Hope this works!

https://www.runnersworld.com/news/a29550773/nyc-marathon-results-men/

Everything in the whole wide world is on YouTube!

Hi, Rusty!
I have been talking to my cousin for the past hour......she was very late in phoning, as she had been visiting her daughter.
All is well with everyone up there.
But they , like us, have been inundated with fireworks being let off here, there, and everywhere!
Fireworks should be banned for private sales.
Thank you for the Marathon link......it is good to be able to put faces to names!
It is now raining here....

Good day, Elle!
Rain been hammering down since daylight!
And it is pretty windy, too.
I have been out, but am home now, and I'm not for moving!
Good your cousin and family are fine!
This rain may dampen the ardour of the firework letters off?
I found the puzzle quite tricky today.
And it took me ages to notice I had spelled Ceasar wrongly, so that did not help!

Hi, Rusty!
We had a lovely beginning to the day.
This morning's walk took place in bright sunshine, with a blue sky over head.
But it is now raining...and looks set for the reminder of the day!
I can but hope this might deter the fireworks freaks....but Saturday's downpour didn't!
I haven't had a lot of time to spend on the crossword this morning, as a friend dropped round, and he has only just left.......
But so far I am struggling with the puzzle.......I think it may well prove to be above my level of ability!
However, I may perhaps win some brownie points for "trying"?
Time for a coffee, I think ......

Hello, Elle!
Lot of flooding here.
I've texted the girls and my grandson to be very careful driving home!
Yes, I found today's puzzle a bit testing!
That's the kind I like, Elle.
Just do your best with it.
Remember to have a break away from it.
That's usually quite helpful!

Good evening, Rusty!
It is still wet here, too.
I spoke to my daughter as usual on her way home from work...she was earlier today as she was picking up the boys from After School Club and nursery.
Yes, today's crossword was hard.....certainly for me.
I have managed to do about two-thirds of it!
I liked 2d: relay race; 5d: vulgar fraction ; 17d: thumb nail; and 16a: frantic.
I may yet manage a few more before nightfall!
I hope your grandson and the girls get home from work safely.
Does the flooding involve the Road Bridge being closed?

Hello, Elle!
Still heavy rain here!
No, flooding does not affect the actual Road Bridge, but approach roads to the Bridge can be affected..
Double decked buses are not being allowed to cross just now because of the wind, though.
The wind can close the bridge, but more often than not, it is some distressed soul in need of help, that causes a closure.
Traffic is stopped at either end of the Bridge and the emergency services are deployed, including the lifeboats.
Yes, you may finish your puzzle.
Give it another go!
I presume everyone is safely home!
My grandson will be heading over the Bridge to Fife where he plays in the five-a-sides football on Monday evenings.

Hi, Rusty!
Thankfully, we seem to be having a quiet evening, in that there
are no fireworks to be heard!
This no doubt is just "the lull before the storm", though.......as tomorrow is of course the official "Guy Fawkes Day" and many folk will be letting off fireworks then!!
I have now officially given up the crossword...... still seven to go unsolved .....
But may I just ask for the parsing on 21d, though, please?
I have (I think) successfully parsed all those other clues for which I have answers, but this one remains obdurate.
21d: Lack of enthusiasm for one heading off around track (6)
I have "apathy" = lack of enthusiasm (def)
path - track
but cannot see how to account for the "a" and the "y"?
Strong coffee has not helped!

Hello, Elle!
Think the rain is easing a bit!
No fireworks tonight, so that's a comfort!
Now, 21, I hope I can explain it understandably.
Apathy is correct.
The track is a path.
Now the tricky bit!
"For one heading off" is where we will find the next bit.
"For one" means "for example", "e.g." or "say".
So we shall choose "say" and remove the heading "s", leaving "ay".
Put "ay" around "path" for apathy.
Hope I have explained it satisfactorily?

Hi, Rusty!
Thank you so much for your help.
I would never have thought of "for one" as meaning "eg " or "say".......
I would still be struggling with that, until the proverbial cows come home!
Yes, I can follow your explanation........you have explained it very well.
I can now put the puzzle to bed....the remainder of the unsolved clues can remain a 'mystery' !
I may do better with tomorrow's puzzle!
I shall now watch "Eggheads" which I recorded earlier........