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Malone

I`m here anyway - ASSES appeared in the `Skeleton` today along with EEL - they must be two of the most commonly used words in puzzles.

Yes my pike rarely gets a mention - I fear it is about to be cut down to size ( 1 metre ) soon.

Tyke

I don't think of you an Ass ...and not an Eel either. I'd be delighted if your pike got cut down to size as I'd welcome the shorter (social) distance. After all these weeks, we should be experienced enough now not to let anyone get too close for comfort … and safety.

Does anyone else think that 'social distancing' is inaccurate and that 'physical distancing' is the more appropriate phrase? I've found that I'm socially closer to many more people during this period.

Public transport is a major problem I think - I have a car but prefer trains and buses for trips to town or longer journeys - I`m staying close to home until things improve.

Hi, Jamoza

Yes, 'social distancing' is a slightly odd phrase - but I can't come up with an alternative. Your 'physical distancing' doesn't really work for me... in a way, that's basically just 'distancing'. I've got used to SD now, but I found 'lockdown', the word, much harder initially - I wasn't keen on the prison terminology. The connotations of that were even worse - no human contact at all, everyone locked up for an indeterminate period of time … Again, I'm used to it now

Jamoza

Thanks for your post. I am quite happy with social distancing - the phrase and doing it. I am afraid I am the opposite of you. I am socially further apart from everyone. I suppose "social and physical distancing" would have been more accurate, but that would be too long for the "stay home" creators.

Malone

I loved the nappies clue, should the other one have been coarser? I leave that to Jigjag to solve.

malone

I liked the clues and they reminded me that I must ring Ivan Napple. I am sure he will have re-opened but I dont want to go out just yet.

tyke

When you cut your pike in half, I will know it is safe to go out. Glad football is back and enjoyed the Italian masterclass yesterday. As usual the bit of luck is missing. Sorry Rovers did not get the chance of promotion

Grunger,

Glad the (nap)pies satisfied you. Yes, Jigjag's clue should have been 'coarser' - sorry about that!

Maybe we could all be SAPID - Social And Physical In Distancing? I quite like the idea of being 'agreeable' and 'exhilarating'.

It is 3 months since the market closed, but some stalls have re-opened. I rang Ivan Napple and was pleased to find that he was back and delighted that he was doing deliveries.

“I deliver for regulars who are isolating and self-distancing” he said rather confusingly. “I put your order in bags in a box on the doorstep, ring the bell and could you take the bags and leave the box, I need it.”

It sounded straightforward and I placed an order then asked if he had any zucchini.
“Zoo what?” he asked, so I spelled it out for him, literally. “Ah, zoo-chee-ni, those cucumber things, yes I’ve got a few.”

I asked if he had heard about the recent honour Malone had conferred on me, Grand Master with a low salary.

“What, no celery? I’ll put some in”.

It is so difficult on the phone and I can’t wait to get out.

Jigjag,

Our earlier posts crossed. I was relieved that my missing letter didn't stop you solving the clue.

It was lovely - and very interesting - to hear your Ivan Napple story. I feel I've got to know him so well over the last year or so. The celery/salary point reminded me of our ongoing trials and tribulations with homophone clues. There was one of those over the weekend - Tampa and Tamper … a dodgy one for me.