By way of reminder, the object of this game is to solve (and briefly explain) 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 too far 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!

For those unfamiliar with crossword clues who want to give it a try, there is plenty of guidance online and a quite entertaining and instructive book (not just for beginners) available from amazon http://www.amazon.com/The-Times-Crack-Cryptic-Crosswords/dp/0007546521/ref=dp_ob_image_bk and no doubt elsewhere, and for those who like British Crosswords you may like to try these (which are free): http://www.theguardian.com/crosswords.

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 18 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 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 should 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 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! :happydance12:

Next clue to follow shortly.

Thank you Pandora

A morsel on a vessel (5)

a ort a

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

Thanks, manxman

Compress ring time (7)

band age

Looks good, Denis. Compress yer gut and band this around it! ===[**WCF**]===

Mercy Cue!

Nothing in present state provides relief (5) no e

Direct = provides relief, vvcvc

nothing = o ; o---- ; ---- = in present state

O as is

You get this as is: ===[**WCF**]===

Thanks Den...

Leaves - or doesn't leave (7)

Remains (almost deserves a penalty for being a Brexit reference!)

Not my answer, sorry Lex.

resigns? re-signs

I'll 'leave' this to you Sherlock.

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

Thank you, Koala!

Rod's hint: Don't move (3,5) 1 e

Direct on left. 3 vowels total.

cvv ccvcc

cue stick !! Nice ClUE !!

cue = tip, stick = don't move.

Don't move while you wear this, Denis! ===[**WCF**]===

Thanks Cheryl.

First monk hat worn by Hindu monks (4) no e

Direct on right, 2 indicators

m--- (first monk); worn = anagram indicator

Maybe you mean math?

The monks will whistle seeing you wearing this ===[**WCF**]===

Dictionary.com:
math
[muhth]
noun
1:an order of Hindu monks.

Thanks, Denis!

Spanish excursion going in a jet? (8) no e's

Direct on right. No indicators. 3 vowels total.

sp outing


spout
(verb)
3to discharge,as a liquid,in a jet or continuous stream

Now, don't go spouting off about wearing this belt, Denis! ===[**WCF**]===

Thanks Cheryl...hope you sent it by jet!

Bunch of foxes move in a furtive manner (5) no e

Double def, ccvcc

skulk

Here ya go FOXy Lady ===[**WCF**]===

Thank you, Denis!

Those who put forward paid pugilists? (11) 1 e

Direct on left. 4 vowels total, 2 of which are the same.

I think that this must start pro..., but I cannot think of an appropriate word in that letter count...

pro pounders ; thanks Lex!!

You're welcome, I was stuck on protagonists...

Propounders it is, Denis! ===[**WCF**]===

Merci Madame.

Drive bad? Practice! (5) no e

Whoopsee...forgot...generous clues:
ccvcc, direct on right, 1st 2 letters = drive

dr/ill

Practice your drive while wearing this ===[**WCF**]===

Thank you, Denis!

Born and died in want (4)

Need = want - nee (born) + d (died)

I imagine you want this, Lex! ===[**WCF**]===

Thank you: I certainly do, although I was tempted not to interrupt your rally with Denis!

Drunk trembled, wine causing confusion (12)

bewilderment : anagram "trembled wine", drunk = indicator

Love them anagrams!!

Right you are my boy!
===[**WCF**]===

Merci Lex.

Answer BOTH for the belt:

Quietly added to superior quality meal (6) 1 e

Superior quality quietly removed from meal (5) 1 e

sup(p)er

supper - p = super

Super solves! ===[**WCF**]===

Thanks, Denis.

Nothing caught by stargazer, oddly (4)

zero contained word

There's nothing wrong with that answer, manxman. ===[**WCF**]===

Thank you Pandie

In cauldron, dump half of rice mixture (9)

pot pour ri ; nice one!!

Correct CD ===[**WCF**]===

Merci M'sieu.

Two French words for bird (6)no e

parrot?? by=par, burp=rot

Nope; good try!

MotMot

Keerect! Delivered via a Giant Motmot ===[***WCF***]===

Merci muchly Den.

Roll up and hide at first light (4)

fur/l

Unfurl this around yourself Sherlock.

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

Thank you, Koala!

Fear ruby will be misplaced around Valentine's Day (8)

February

Here's your Valentine, Denis! ===[**WCF**]===

Thanks dahlin' !

"Mothered cheese jug mixture" said Samuel Davis (4,5,3,5) 5 e's

mixture = indicator

Changing it a bit:
"Mothered cheese jug mixture" : Samuel Davis saying (4,5,3,5) 5 e's

Got to be an anagram of mothered cheese jug with just likely to be the first word...

1st word not just.

Samuel Davis = Sammy Davis Jr. !

Here comes the judge

Ya get da belt bro ===[**HCTJ**]===

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hIcKkKID8k

It’s machine-washable, but won’t go on the couch? (6, 9) 1 e

Never knew Sammy Davis took that one over: this was the one I remember.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRS62nccwmw

On behalf of Remi (has computer problems):
double def
s----- r--------

Remi still unable to sign on...his next clue:

s----k r-------t

1st word: 1 vowel
2nd word: 3 vowels including the e

shrink resistant

To you from curly: ===[**WCF**]===

Remi wants to know if it's fully legal...

Thanks for the belt! I think that one was fully legal. I love it when there's a fun twist.

Jazz musician's job leads to one musical (4)

Gig i

You'll hit the right note in this belt, Cue. ===[**WCF**]===

Thanks, Pandora

Eleven toxins initially found in universal beauty treatment (8)

cosm-ET-ic

Here's a beauty of a belt for you, Rog! ===[**WCF**]===

Many thanks, Cue!


Girl is having small drink, letter from Greece and flower (11) - no Es

Apologies for the lateness of the hints - only just got home. Extra hints as a penance...

Direct on the right
4 vowels, all the same
Wordplay 4+2+3+2

MISS is SIP pi (river is a "flower"!)

Uno, due, tre, quattro
Oh what did Missi sip boy
What did Missi sip
What did Missi sip boy
Through her pretty lips

She sipped a mini soda, she sipped a mini soda....

One belt flowing your way, Denis! ===[**WCF**]===

Merci M'sieu.

Crazy dancing is cool (4) no e

loco

....being forwarded to Minn. by LOCOmotive ===[**WCF**]===

Thanks, Denis, but it might take a little while to get through all the snow we got today. I'll wait.....

Agent he negotiated with at that time (4) 1 e

A classic Sherlock hidden word then!

Here's your belt then, Lex! ===[**WCF**]===

Thank you now!

These two for the belt, just because I could not make up my mind:

1. Career he soon abandoned - it offers little competition (3-5,4)

2. What's bust it? An iceberg's fragment (7)

1. One-horse race (anag)
2. Titanic (embedded clue, also an &lit?) - like that one

Glad you enjoyed it: now you can enjoy this:
===[**WCF**]===

Cheers, squire!

Sack has evidence that's non-combustible (9) - one e

fire/proof

Thanks, Cheryl - saved me having to come up with a hint! ===[**WCF**]===

Anything I can do to help, Rog!

Wavering badly in the holidays (11) no e's

VAC ill ATION

The belt is on its way to you by dogsled. It's about the only way to get around right now! ===[**WCF**]===

Thanks Cheryl...lotsa white stuff here also!

Serious one makes funny face (7) 1 e

Direct on right, vowels = a,e,i (not in that order!)

Grimace = funny face - grim (serious) + ace (one)

Nothing grim about wearing this ===[**WCF**]===

I am mirg to receive it.

Two for the Belt to test your zoology with a total of seven vowels between them but made up of only two different vowels:

1. Beast Adam learns about (10)

2. Asian animal's sweep blocking return of viper (3,5)

1. salamander (anag. of adam learns)
2. Red Panda (pan in adder reversed)

No need to pander to you!
===[**WCF**]===

Next clue on new thread please.