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 giving a hint as to letters when the question is set, unless the answer is relatively 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 are encouraged 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!

Guess twas time for a new thread! Thanks, MxM.

Crazy about poached egg with pieces of chicken (7) one "e"

Day#1 clue: direct on right

Nu(GGE)ts

Keerect...inspired by one of Pandora's!
===[**WCF**]===

Thanks Denis.

Drive copies screens in Windows (6)

Day#1 clue: direct on right

drapes
drive=dr
copies=apes
in windows is direct

Yep...'screens in windows' is direct...

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

Thank you Koala

Being one-dimensional, I approach thing in empty lobby (9)

linearity

empty lobby = ly
I approach thing = I near it
in = container ind.

Enjoy, Sherlock ===[**WCF**]===

Thanks, Manxman!

Rope cannot encircle a hickory tree (5)

pecan

hidden word

Now we're cookin'

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

Thanks very much!

Racetrack reflects boundless taste (4)

Hmmm...Madame LaNoodle is getting "devious"!

racetrack = oval : F lavo(oval) R

Madame LaNoodle?

Well solved, oh Pasta'd One. ===[**WCF**]===

Merci bocups.

Great ending in punch line (5) no "e"

stock
t=end of great
punch=sock
line is direct

line up for your belt: ===[**WCF**]===

Thanks CD

Boozer's body found in squat, covered in refuse (7)

one 'e'

DEN sit Y ?
sit=squat; DENY=refuse

density = boozer's body?

Yes CD. body of a bottle of alcohol is density.

here you go.......===[**WCF**]===

Ahhh...thanks...

These 2 for the belt; d. c. is common direct
d : 8 letters, c : 7 letters

1: Increases by d. c. (3) no e's
2: Agent was with d. c. (5) 2 e's

1. ups
2. fedex
delivery courier (company)

To you by courier Cheryl: ===[**WCF**]===

Thanks, Denis.


Southeastern river is nearing the end of an erosion cycle (6)

senile

se+nile

Yes, manxman!

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

Thank you Sherlock

Instruction no on for minor (4)

Hmmm...if this is it, yer getting "devious" MxM!

less(on) : no "on"

That it CD, but I don't feel devious
===[**WCF**]===

Thanks. Btw, in crypt world, "devious" is a compliment!

That is cold head cheese!(4) one "e"

That is cold head cheese!(4)

That is = ie
cold = Br
head = pos. ind.
cheese = Brie (direct)

Sorry, a bit of cheese on it: ===[**cWCFh**]===

Thank you o'devious one...

Pet fish starts to devour leaves and eggs (6)

...10:34...10:35...10:36!

Cod(fish)d(evour)l(eaves)e(ggs)
"starts to" = indicator

Cute one!

Great solve Denis...Over to you.

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

Mercy K!

The square French Author! (7) 2 e's

"the square" en Francais est "le Carre" who is an author but that would be (2,5)

Whoops; entered lecarre in google and was accepted;
BUT now that I tried again, I see that le carre comes out...
BTW, the Le seemed close to Carre on the book I'm reading: Our Game...!!!
(man oh man, can that bloke write!!)

you got it fair and SQUARE! ===[**WCF**]===

Thanks Denis

Fine rule failing (4)

clue: no 'e'

failing = f(ine)law = rule

Nice one MxM!

Merci Denis ===[**WCF**]===

Merci aussi.

Preserves degree in trees (7) one "e"

e(mba)lms

A good, spooky one!

...I was working in my lab late one night...and out comes ==={**WCF**]===

That sure is an eerie sight!

Bury together, for a start (5)

Inter (double def) = bury, but also together when used as a prefix (for a start)

You buried that one, Lex! ==={**WCF**}===

Thank you m'lady.

Probably dodgy, but:

Hammers and tongs not quite dancing from the lab (7,4)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0thH3qnHTbI

But can't quite see how the "g" in "tongs"
is made to vanish; if "not quite" is intended
to do so.....hmmm: OH Pandora!

Well, he warned us and it IS Halloweeny, if not legal. How about this instead:

Hammers and stone not quite dancing from the lab (7,4)

or: Monster Mash dancing lessons in classroom? (4,7)
for: math sermons !

Correct of course, and I blame Halloween and Denis for any transgression - he was the one who put it in mind!

Here's an accessory to go with the pumpkin
===[**WCF**]===

Thank you, Lex.

Koala, for one, is also French and English! (6)

Aussie

"also" in French = aussi
English = E
Koala, for one = Aussie (Australian)

Well, had it for 21 minutes! ===[**WCF**]===

You're welcome.

Dark spirits aged in barrels (8) no e's

doldrums
aged=old
barrels=drums

That's correct! ===[**WCF**]===

Thank you Pandora

Arab, say, hides a husky (6)

husky = hoarse ; arab = horse (say = indicator)

Good one Denis..===[**WCF**]===

Thanks MxM. Inspired by a dizzy buddy named Mark:

Gradients (oddly) have ups!(5)

Gains = ups - odd/alternate letters of gradients

To up your pants: ===[**WCF**]===

Muchas gracias, amigo!

Turning over when start of update's imminent (8) - one e

uPENDING = turning over
u(pdate)PENDING=imminent

Kewt!

Correct, as a result of which you can have this back on loan:
===[**WCF**]===

Merci M'sieu.

Circle 1st Batallion also (4)

Circle 1st Batallion also (4)

Circle = Band (dir)
1st Batallion = B
also = and

Circle this around yer waste! ===[**WCF**]===

Thank you o'wise one.

Approaching end of examination in good time (6)

nearly
end of examination=n
good time=early
direct=approaching

You're the Man !!!

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

Thanks Koala

After end of sleep got up on edge--there's something in the bed! (8)

clue: one 'e'

Primrose = something in the bed - p (end of sleep) + rose (got up) on rim (edge)

Good one Lex
Air mail to the IoM ===[**WCF**]===

Kewt! Is "on" acting as container indicator?
p RIM rose

Thank you MxM.

Denis, I think "on" simply means "after" in this context.

New thread coming up...