By way of reminder, the object of this game is to solve the clue presented by the previous poster and then set your own clue.

Anything from the (worldwide) crossword arena is acceptable by way of clue style, but if you stray from the pure path beware the scourge of... ...Pandora's WET NOODLE!

The puzzle could be an old favourite or something of your own making. Don't be shy: this is for everyone, not just the old hands!

There is nothing to prevent (say) a couple of related clues if offering a single clue cramps your style.

If there are multiple answers involved, there is no restriction against one person solving all and the solver of the final clue/part is the one who goes next.

Obviously you need to await confirmation of a correct answer before posting your own puzzle, but please then do so reasonably promptly: if having answered correctly you are not going to be able to set a follow-up clue within about the next 24 hours, please pass your turn to someone else so that the game does not stall.

To save the poor demented solvers from excessive brain damage , you should consider revealing one letter of the answer (in any position) when the question is set, unless the answer is very short/easy so that provision of a letter hint at the outset would spoil the sport!

If no-one is biting within about 24 hours you probably need to start dropping additional hints.

To try to give everyone a fair crack of the whip, the immediately previous setter is asked not to post a solution to the current clue within the first 24 hours.

The weighty trophy to be passed to whoever successfully solves your clue is the jewel-encrusted World Clue Federation championship belt
===[**WCF**]===

Constructive criticism and cheerful badinage are to be expected, not to mention a certain amount of national rivalry, but above all, have a bit of fun!

A brace of clues (not connected) for the Belt this time:

1. Unable to tell a plum from an apricot (6-5)

2. Strain after naughty child gets hurt (6)

- no e in either answer

1. colour-blind
2. impair (imp+air)

Spot on: another successful IOM transfer!

Here you go: ===[**WCF**]===

1. Unable to tell a plum from an apricot (6-5)

How does "colour-blind" work: I see only a single definition...

Single definitions don't stop us Brits!

Thank you Lex..

Pole surrounded by purple fruits and vegetables (7)

p(rod)uce

a well earned... ===[**WCF**]===

Thank you!

Is wrong about joining quick trips (7) no p's

Errands? - errs (is wrong) containing (about) and (joining) = quick trips.

Nicely solved, Sir! Here's your belt: ===[**WCF**]===

Thank you M'lady!

He imposes on unfortunate confrere (8)

enforcer (anag.)

... and here you go again: ===[**WCF**]===

Gura mie ayd.

Date girl at Uni--funny, earthy, with outstanding degree (7,3,5)

hint: one 'e'

JAN(girl)U(niversity)ARY THE(funny earthy) THIRD(degree)

Wonder if Pandora will give you the 3rd degree on that one

Phew!!! Talk about brain strain. I couldn't get the girl's name, but I did have "the first", as in "first degree". I'm now curious to what the answer is.

Ouch!

Sorry, should have made my solution clearer:
direct = date = January the third
Jan = girl ; I think "girl's name" required; Jan not synonym of girl
u = u(ni) ; can't see why university is not in full
ary the = earthy (funny = indicator)
third = degree (third degree); not sure why "outstanding" is there

...still have a headache!!

Agree with Cheryl, think it's "first" but for a different reason (An outstanding degree is a "first")

Ahhh...I see...
Only "degree" that was automatic to me was
"the 3rd degree" ... the one my mother-in-law
gave me before I was to make her daughter suffer!

I do have a problem with outstanding = first;
1: 1000
2: 999
3: 500
...
Like, the 1st and 2nd are both outstanding!
Perhaps "top degree" would be better?

I'm glad that this crypt gave you guys something to think about and discuss

January the first

Who gets the belt??? ===[**WCF**]===

Shylock!

Not me, I couldn't even get the month right!!

But Manxman will never send it to me, now that I've given
him the 3rd degree!

So ok, I'll take it...thanks Sherlock!

And an easy one:

She did regret harsh treatments! (5,7)

CD the belt remains in Ontario

Third degrees

anag. of "She did regret"

True...and cheap delivery cost: just give it to a Tim Horton Supply Truck driver
on his way to Ottawa; tell him to leave it at the St.Laurent Blvd.-Donald St. branch!

She did regret harsh treatments! (5,7)

Third Degrees (anag. She did regret)

Correct Sherlock and Koalate...
so Sherlock gets it: ===[***WCF***]===

Thanks, Denis!

Satanic vessel is filled with wickedness (8)

Devilish - "evil" in "dish"

Well done, Rog!

Here's your belt. ===[***WCF***]===

Many thanks!

That woman's deity affected genetics (8)

heredity

her+deity(anag.)

Picking on Mrs. Worrier again?

Indeedy, manxman!

One jewel-encrusted belt winging its way to Ontario (would think that it could do it on autopilot by now ) ===[***WCF***]===

Can't think what you mean, Denis...

Thank you Mr. Worrier. Must have been sent by super-sonic air mail....

Lead in play falls into bed for a smoke (7)

C hero OT

Lady singer loves Thailand cigar!

And the belt remains in Ont again....
===[**WCF**]===

Merci M'sieu.

Will turn to a tear jerker! (7) no "e"

Day#1 clue: direct not at beginning !

Day2 clue: turn to = ot

shallot? shall + ot

YA M'am! shallot = onion = tear jerker! ===[***WCF***]===

Thank you, sir!

Shaft containing a vapor (5)

Steam (vapour) - "stem" containing "a"

Of course, Rog!
And here you go... ===[***WCF***]===

Thanks Cheryl

I had gone ahead and wasted time (5) - one "e"

idled

I had = I'd
gone ahead = led
wasted time = direct

Good one, Cue!

Express delivery to the Outer Limits: ===[***WCF***]===

Wow, what a quick service!

House and Howser say it's an impossibility (7)

paradox = impossibility; sounds like "pair o' Docs"!

I never wear this thing very long...
Here ya go Denis! ===[**WCF**]===

Merci Cue.

See you made a sound purchase (7) 1 "e"

For my noodling protection:
One word in there performs double duty; not sure if legal!

Well, I feel "guilty", so slight re-clue:

See you made a fine, sound purchase (7)

Goodbye = see you - sounds like good buy (fine purchase)

I'll buy dat! ===[***WCF***]===

I originally meant for "sound" to be both
indicator and part of charade...illegal?

I don't think you could get away with the double use of "sound," but an interesting idea!

Next clue:

Fellow phoned Lisa, exercising informal language (9)

Franglais
f+rang+lisa(anag.)

An Isle of Man handover with a difference as I'm in France at the moment! Here you go:
===[**WCF**]===

Merci Lex. Hope you are enjoying your visit (Paris?)

Symbol representing abnormal movement in earth satellite (8)

Well, just in case: symbol = E pig rap H
EH = EartH satellite
pig = abormal and rap = movement unlikely (but some definitions are "within grasp"!

sorry CD but not my answer

1st clue
direct is symbol

Another clue
One 'e', at the beginning of the answer

one of answers:

e MO tic ON

Kinda cute one; I like:
Symbol for "income" to change (8)

It's yours..===[**WCF**]===

Merci M'sieu.

Message sent bit by bit (5)

Is it as straightforward as email - the reference to bit being to internet data transfer?

Yepper! To: Lex@===[***WCF***]===.com

Merci m'sieur, appropriately enough from Gascony!

Openness of parent: Son's algebra is going backwards! (8)

passions

parent=pa
is backwards si
in son's

direct is openness

I'm afraid not! What about the algebra?

However, by way of first day hint, openness is the direct.

glasnost: (paren)t: Son's alg(ebra)

Faked me out of my shorts for a while!

CD

Also had us confused for a while!

Here you go: ===[**WCF**]===

Merci.

Blowers of Exchange gossips? (5,5) 1 "e" ; comme ci: ----e -----

Blowers of Exchange gossips? (5,5)

Blowers = Trade winds (dir)
Exchange = Trade
gossips? = winds?

Thassa one K! ===[***WCF***]===

Merci muchly CD.

Here's a unusual one that I came across...

"D" is what winner of argument usually has (4,4)

last word

D is the last of word?

Ahhhh....looks good, Manxman!

I was trying it using "D" as Derivative,
and "argument" as a mathematical argument,
which contains "Data"...but was getting
nowhere fast!!

You win the argument Manxman.

===[**WCF**]===



(Thoughts/comments on this one anybody?)

thank you Koala.

After a loss, relative is to get rid of bonds (5)

In case you're depressed due to no "attempts(!)"

Don't think this is it, but worth a try:
nex(t)(co)us(in) = nexus = bonds
after = next (loss of the t)
relative = cousin (can't explain!)

CD, that is imaginative and creative but not my answer. And thank you for your concern re my depression

Hint: one "e"

(a)untie !! auntie lost her head!

And for keeping yours, CD you get this.....===[**WCF**]===

Thanks Manxman. T'was kinda difficult because we're
so use to position indicators; like, for yours:
Relative lost head...
I really like your "deviousness" on this one!

Broke a donut with feathers! (4,3,3)

down and out

Not sure about this one. Feathers is down. And "a donut" anagrams to "and out". But, I don't see an anagram indicator.

Keerect Shylock; "broke" both direct and anagram indicator!
===[***WCF***]===

Got it! Thanks, Denis.

Peculiar green end produce (8)

Peculiar green end produce (8)

Peculiar = Anag ind.
green end = Engender = produce (dir)

You got it, Koala. And, you get this, too... ===[***WCF***]===

Many thanks Sherlock.

Person who attacks assistant travelling in luxury car (6)

R aide R

Keerrrect...

===[**WCF**]===

Merci M'sieu.

The guys gather around 10, for old movie (3,7)

Day#1 clue: 10 = x

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Manxman

"The Manxman" it is!! ===[***WCF***]===

Got me CD. I even have the movie too. Very creative of you.

Good solve Koala. I mulled over this one forever and it never dawned on me. And all the time it was literally staring me in the face.

The pleasure is all mine!!

Of course it is, Denis!

Thanks y'all...

Cover for one contemplating retirement that is available after delay (8)

lingerie

linger+ie

I see you know your lingerie Manxman.

===[**WCF**]===

Especially today Koala

Long to support cold store (5)

cache

long - ache
cold - c
store - direct

That's it Cue Here you are..===[**WCF**]===

Thanks manxman!

Take heed! Put composite inside! (7)

CA ptu RE ; l'indicateur de l'anagramme est "composite"

Mais oui, monsieur! ===[**WCF**]===

Merci Monsieur Baton de Billiard.

Quiet long delivery (5)

pitch

quiet = p
long = itch

And our noodle-wielder gets the belt: ===[***WCF***]=== !

A slurpy thanks!

Van operator carrying wrought iron, in a song (4,5) 1 e