Wow – not written anything for a while – been busy + had a week off last week.

After two weeks of naff enigma’s (1136, 1137) last week’s was good (1138: Pedal Power), although I have little confidence in the answer I eventually got!
This week’s is my favourite type (letters for numbers). Oh yes, and I got 1133: Smile right too.

What a nice weekend. My mum and step-dad came to stay, plus I had Monday and Tuesday off, watched a grand prix, and got to play loads of Tomb Raider IV.

Lots of new words too:
stripling \STRIP-ling\: A youth in the state of adolescence, or just passing from boyhood to manhood.
inveterate \in-VEH-tuh-rut\: Firmly established by long persistence; habitual.
nudnik \NOOD-nik (“OO” as in “good”)\: A person who is a bore or nuisance.
abusage \uh-BYOO-sij\: Improper or incorrect use of language.
descry \dih-SKRYE\: To catch sight of; find out, discover.

H’mm – two tricky Enigma’s on the trot -both a bits too mathsy for my liking. I did get 1130 right tho. 🙂

New Word: victoria \vik-TOUR-ee-ah\ A low, light four-wheeled carriage for two with a folding top and an elevated driver’s seat in front.

New(ish) Word: propitiate \pro-PISH-ee-ayt\ To render favorably inclined; to appease.

Hah – got Enigma 1129 (Minimal Change) right.
Also Monaco GP this weekend. Qual 11.30 – 13.15 Saturday, race 12.30-15.20 Sunday, on ITV.

New Word: bibelot \BEE-buh-loh\ A small decorative object without practical utility; a trinket.

Fun enigma this week (1134 Luck be a lady) – took about 20 minutes. I sadly got 1128 (Daffodils) wrong, which I thought I might. I reckon I might have got 1129 wrong as well.

New word: marplot \MAHR-plaht\: one who frustrates or ruins a plan or undertaking by meddling.

Don’t forget – Austrian Grand Prix this weekend. Qualifying 11.55-13.10 on Saturday, race 12.30-15.10 on Sunday (on ITV).

Good enigma this week, most enjoyable.

Spent the long weekend sanding and painting – tiring, but satisfying. Will be well worth it when the windows and doors are all looking nice.

Also got a couple of new words: longueur \long-GUR\: A dull and tedious passage or section (of a book), and apotheosis \uh-pah-thee-OH-sis\: Elevation to divine rank; A model of excellence of perfection of a kind.
Incidently, the words now have their own page – check out the link in the green navigation bar.

Got Enigma 1127 (Lights Out) right. (phew)
This week’s is good – my favourite type (haven’t done it yet!)

Tricky enigma (1132: Phone Back) – took blooming ages, but quite satisfying.

Also found out yesterday that I’ve had a paper accepted for a conference!