No 10618A, Wednesday 14 Nov 12, Arden

Another good round from Arden winds up today.

ACROSS

1   The nuances of fine neckwear (8) NICETIES {NICE}{TIES}

5   Boats, that are used for winding back (6) SLOOPS <=

10 Letter keeps record on tiles laid out (7) EPISTLE {EP}{TILES*}

11 Can rule out this source of energy (7) NUCLEAR*

12 Haven’t started to look at the weapon (5) LANCE gLANCE

13 Surpass with article on science in style (9) TRANSCEND {TR{AN}{SC}END}

14 Go crazy dealing with a section (12) DEPARTMENTAL {DEPART}{MENTAL}

18 A hard concise design pertaining to a large congregation (12) ARCHDIOCESAN*

21 Perhaps a chart ripped out by the villain from Hamelin (4,5) PIED PIPER {PIE}{D PIPER*}

23 May be steer over the rim, for a flower (5) OXLIP {OX}{LIP}

24 Huge semi-convertible for those working inside (7) IMMENSE {IM{MENS}SE*}

25 A barrel of foam is all baloney (7) BLATHER {B}{LATHER}

26 No fool will come back for fish (6) TARPON {TARP}{ON}<=

27 Perhaps detain setter inside? It’s utter madness (8) DEMENTIA {DE{ME}NTIA*}

DOWN

1   Want the French to be sharp (6) NEEDLE {NEED}{LE}

2   He patronises right inside court (6) CLIENT {C{LIEN}T}

3   Up river chasing bird in front, one gets possession (5,4) TITLE DEED {TIT}{L ED}{EED<=}

4   Making treacle is not simple subject for shrink (7,7) ELECTRA COMPLEX {TREACLE*} {COMPLEX}

6   They are often tied initially with local services (5) LACES {L}{ACES}

7   Where a cockney lives is rented, say with some food (8) OMELETTE {'OME}{LETTE}(~let)

8   With legs apart making odd turn in seat (8) STRADDLE {S{TuRn}ADDLE}

9   Rent if rentable — accommodation for a spoilt kid (6,8) ENFANT TERRIBLE*

15 Cobble up and talk, before it will become all gas (9) EVAPORATE {EVAP<=}{ORATE}

16 Twist is not what some bravely put on before attack (3,5) WAR PAINT {WAR P}{A'INT}

17 Self-contained tool makes the headlines (8) SCREAMER {S}{C}{REAMER}

19 It is commonplace to see a bowler, say, who has retired from the game (3-3) OLD-HAT {OLD}-{HAT}

20 Old city as it is painted in spring (6) SPARTA Anno pending (Addendum - {SP{ART}A} - See comments)

22 Measure hoop for a horse (5) PINTO {PINT}{O}

BLANK GRID

S & B Meet Chennai 08 Aug 10

Here are the photographs of the S & B Meet at Chennai

Bhargav opening the wine at Chaturvasi's residence

Discussing how to sideline NJ

From L to R Gita Iyer, S Muthaiah, Chaturvasi, Mrs Chaturvasu, Vijay (VJ), Dr Sreenivasan's nephew, Bhargav, Dr D Sreenivasan and Self after polishing off the wine and enroute for the lunch

At the lunch venue ie Rasam restaurant

From L to R are Self, Gita, Dr Pankajam, Dr Sumitra, Chaturvasi, Dr Sreenivasan, Dr Pankajam's colleague, Vijay (VJ) and Muthaiah

 Hungry S&B'rs waiting for their 'saapad'

 Mrs Vijay and Vijay (our crossword finisher from the Orkut group)

Gita, Divya Kumar ex Hindu, Divya's husband, Dr DS's nephew & Mrs Vijay

still waiting and admiring Dr DS's display below

Dr DS displaying his copy of the 8 ft long crossword!!

Vijay telling us about himself

Bhargav enjoys a joke

Muthaiah listens in

Dr DS & Chaturvasi in a serious discussion

Gita too enjoying the joke

Divya prepares to take our cribs to The HINDU while her husband Shyam and Dr DS's nephew look on

Chaturvasi our CCE from the Orkut group posing for a photograph

Dispersal now that it's all over

Au revoir till the next meet. 

Gita wants the next meet at Granite Bay, CA, USA hmmmmm.....