General Chat

Well done everyone, I shall try and keep the grids reasonably symmetrical for you Mags and Chrissie, it makes it easier for me as well (says she sitting here with a scrabble board, squared paper and a dictionary) Thanks Mags for explaining the basics of how the grid works, you did it better than I could have There will be another one next week Dee Answers are 1 and 4 Across – Love Me Do 8A – EMI 9A – Stair 10A – Eating 12A – Acorns 16A – Adlib 17A – Eta 18A – Dawn 19A – Dusk 2D – Oliver 3D – I had evict but I notice Mags and Chrissie have both thought of Eject and both happen to fit 4D – Mason 5D – dear 6D – Yesterday 7D – Trafalgar 11D – Assess 13D – Cabin 14D – Round 15D – Flea

Well, it's gone off to teacher now:)))) It had better be symmetrical corner to corner or I've got it wrong LOL:) If I've got it right Mags does that make me super brainy too or just a good pupil LOL:))

Haha! - Bet Dee won't make it symmetrical next time now LOL Btw - the grid isn't symmetrical in the strictest sense. Hehehe.

Oh THANK YOU Mags. Of course, I had forgotten the one vital thing, i.e. that most crosswords are symmetrical. Off to have another go now. *wonders if that Mags woman realises that she will have serious competition next time. Now that she has told us all how to do it* LOL

First, you have to be super brainy! (falls about laughing LOL) It's down to logic really. The first two answers are covered by one clue, 8 letters in all, so I presumed it would be two groups of four because the last two across clues were also two four letter words. The answers to 6 and 7 down were both 9 letter words which would mean that there would need to be a blank square above and below it for it to fit into the grid symetrically - so would have to start down from the second line across. The only position they could be in would be either side of the grid, to give symmetry and to also allow for 1 and 4 across to fit between them. This meant that the top corner squares were blank and 1 across started from the second square. It needed a blank between that and 4 across (otherwise it would have been a one clue number answer) This sets the top line and the bottom line will correspond using clues 18 and 19. All four sides solved - then all there is to do is to hang your answers on according to and using the letters you've already got in. I think! LOL Mags xx P.S. I didn't post the answers on purpose - so I didn't spoil it for those that still want to have a go. Hope I've helped someone with a few clues about the grid though.

Just came back to say - I give in - but I see I'm too late anyway LOL. Would love a few lessons Mags in where to start. I have most of the words but have tried several different line ups but can't seem to fit it all in. PLEASE tell me the secret:))

All done!!!! LOL Will mail Dee with the grid - got to give some people a chance round here LOL

*rushes in, realises that Mags woman has got a head start and wonders if it's worth having a go as she only has 10 mins* LOL:))

*rushes in, looks round quick for that Chrissie woman, grabs the clues and rushes out again* Ner ner na ner ner! Got 'em first! LOL

19a dusk

8A, Apple

5d, Dear

You are doing well folks If you draw up a grid 11x11 and try and fit the answers into the grid it will give you some of the letters in some of the other words Be back later Dee ;-)))

15D. Leech

7d trafalgar

6d, yesterday

18a, Dawn

17A - Gamma

10a ,eating 12a,acorns

12A acorns