Hopes raised, hopes dashed. I started reasonably well, with most of the top half going in quite quickly, but made heavy weather of several clues in the bottom half that were really quite simple, like 12dn (Short trousers = BREECHES) where I was trying to think of another word for what I'd worn as a young boy. Strangely the answer I felt most doubtful about was 21ac (Good-bye (Italian) = ADDIO), which I vaguely remembered - though I was worried that I might simply be thinking of the Spanish adiós - but have never actually heard anyone use. Not really my kind of puzzle.

Congratulations to hjseidman and Jackie, who continued where they left off on Saturday. With another podium finish for Vicky, and with oughamh achieving her highest placing so far this year, this was another good day for the ladies. Commiserations then to lickert who just failed to join the others in the top 10.

Fastest time: 2:08 (hjseidman)
Slowest scoring time: 3:38 (mistigris)
Fastest non-scoring time: 2:43 (lickert)
My time: 4:28 (18th)
First to finish: MarkW (12:06 a.m.)
Number of entries: 39

Here are today's top 20.

1	hjseidman	2:08		11	lickert	3:43
2	enileucaj (Jackie)	2:09		12	andyw123	3:56
3	vneale (Vicky)	2:31		13	StephenRice	4:04
4	oughamh	2:39		14	mark.bambi (MarkW)	4:04
5	john24a (John Young)	2:42		15	shshab1 (Shane)	4:05
6	rvong	2:59		16	Timcsmith	4:10
7	jamesj (Jason)	3:08		17	? (Michael)	4:13
8	gormlessgracie	3:11		18	tonysever	4:28
9	PeterBiddlecombe	3:18		19	jon88	4:30
10	mistigris	3:38		20	? (Simon)	4:44

Nina (credited to jon88, whom I quote): initial letters of across entries spell BANK HOLIDAYS

Music: another old favourite to lift the spirits

Current Location: Ealing
Current Mood: despondent
Current Music: Rachmaninov: Symphonic Dances