REVIEW:
"A Gentleman in Moscow immerses us in another elegantly drawn era with the story of Count Alexander Rostov.
When, in 1922, he is deemed an unrepentant aristocrat by a Bolshevik tribunal, the count is sentenced to house arrest in the Metropol, a grand hotel across the street from the Kremlin.
Rostov, an indomitable man of erudition and wit, has never worked a day in his life, and must now live in an attic room …"
AUTHOR: Amor Towles
Fine writing that draws you directly into a different world a hundred years ago.
Joss @Joss Malden
Malden
One day...
Badges Earned
- 5 Friends
- 178 Posts
- 3395 Comments
- 1450 Reactions
- 4702 Points
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See 41 comments...McDonalds runs out of milkshakes amid disruption to supply chain. When the milk, tea or spuds run out is time to worry? What would you miss most from your shopping list?
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See 5 comments...More than half of Covid hospitalisations are patients who only tested positive after admission, leaked data reveal.... The newspapers are full of headlines to distrust data...over a year late. What do you think, and who do you believe? Journalists or politicians?
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See 73 comments...Below are nine letters - from those make as many words as you can of four letters or more:- "E" MUST appear in every word. P I O V L L T U are the other 8 letters you can use. Tip - put the eight letters in a circle round "E". There is definitely a nine letter word to be found. TARGET 25 or more words. [ this target includes place and river names ] Please enter one word in turn with other players. Definitions of unusual words are most welcome - likewise obscure locations! GAME ENDS IN 48 HOURS APPROX.
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See 46 comments...Below are nine letters - from those make as many words as you can of four letters or more:- "U" MUST appear in every word. E A D T I P L T are the other 8 letters you can use. Tip - put the eight letters in a circle round "U" There is definitely a nine letter word to be found. TARGET 25 or more words. [ this target includes place and river names ] Please enter one word in turn with other players. Definitions of unusual words are most welcome - likewise obscure locations! GAME ENDS IN 48 Hours. [ so only two sleepless nights ahead ]
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See 15 comments...Critics have voiced concerns over the NHS Digital plans, which would put the medical histories of more than 55 million patients into a database available to academic and commercial third parties for research and planning purposes. Privacy campaigners have already spoken out against the proposals, which include sharing anonymised mental and sexual health data, criminal records, and more sensitive information. The records would be scraped from every patient in England registered to a GP clinic by NHS Digital, which runs the country’s healthcare IT systems. SOURCES: various newspaper reports from all politcal viewpoints.
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See 56 comments...Below are nine letters - from those make as many words as you can of four letters or more:- "P" MUST appear in every word. R C S I S O O B are the other 8 letters you can use. Tip - put the eight letters in a circle round "P" There is definitely a nine letter word to be found. TARGET 36 or more words. [ this target includes place and river names ] Please enter one word in turn with other players. Definitions of unusual words are most welcome - likewise obscure locations! GAME ENDS MONDAY. [ just when you thought it was a Bank Holiday ]
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See 14 comments...Would you admire and support a politician who admits they were wrong? Any examples gratefully received.
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See 21 comments...The BBC's has a grim struggle to cover up it's appalling management record, after the recently uncovered the Bashir scandal. Who was responsible for the decision to hound the innocent Cliff Richard for example? Did heads roll? What do you think is the Beeb's role in the future?
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See 74 comments...Below are nine letters - from those make as many words as you can of four letters or more:- "C" MUST appear in every word. R A E T R F A E are the other 8 letters you can use. Tip - put the eight letters in a circle round "C" There is definitely a nine letter word to be found. TARGET 35 or more words. [ this target includes place and river names ] Please enter one word in turn with other players. Definitions of unusual words are most welcome - likewise obscure locations! GAME ENDS MONDAY. [ish] (less)
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See 37 comments...Below are nine letters - from those make as many words as you can of four letters or more:- "T" MUST appear in every word. E X D P E E R C are the other 8 letters you can use. Tip - put the eight letters in a circle round "T" There is definitely a nine letter word to be found. TARGET 30 or more words. [ this target includes place and river names ] Please enter one word in turn with other players. Definitions of unusual words are most welcome - likewise obscure locations! GAME ENDS SUNDAY. [ish]
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See 30 comments..."Charity shops are the ultimate place to bag a bargain sustainably and a new online marketplace, Thriftify, is hoping to make this easier by “connecting” well-known retailers with consumers. The company, which has just launched in the UK, lets shopaholics browse second-hand products online, meaning they can enjoy some retail therapy and save the planet at the same time. Users can buy books, music, games, gifts and accessories via the platform, which boasts partnerships with stores including Oxfam, St Vincent De Paul, Sue Ryder and Wessex Cancer Trust. Bosses of the social enterprise, which was founded in Ireland in 2018, said it is also integrated into eBay, Google Shopping, Facebook Marketplace and Amazon, giving charities “access to millions of shoppers across the world”. Announcing the UK launch, founder Rónán Ó Dálaigh said: “Fashion is the second most polluting industry after oil but thankfully, consumers are becoming aware of the damaging effects of ‘fast fashion’ on our planet and are looking for alternatives. “Instead of buying new, we can lower our impact significantly by opting for used items, making the most of products already out there and discouraging further unnecessary manufacturing.” Info found in "THE BIG ISSUE" Hope this is of interest.
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See 4 comments...Look up "Bookfinder" on the net. It's free and easy to use and let's you see what that item is selling for on Amazon, eBay, and bookshops all over the place. A Giles Annual #2 is in good nick, and worth well over £100. An older "Strube" annual is valued at over £60. My beloved "Second Century of Detective Stories" and Eagle Annual #1 held pleasant surprises too.
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See 67 comments...Below are nine letters - from those make as many words as you can of four letters or more:- "E" MUST appear in every word. U L E N I N G F are the other 8 letters you can use. Tip - put the eight letters in a circle round "E" There is definitely a nine letter word to be found! TARGET 30 or more words. [ this target includes place names ] Please enter one word in turn with other players. Definitions of unusual words are most welcome! ## PLACE NAMES ARE ALLOWED IN THIS PUZZLE, please give location if obscure! GAME ENDS TUESDAY.
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See 55 comments...Below are nine letters - from those make as many words as you can of four letters or more:- "A" MUST appear in every word. U M N D E E D N are the other 8 letters you can use. Tip - put the eight letters in a circle round "A" There is definitely a nine letter word to be found! TARGET 45 or more words. [ this target includes place names ] Please enter one word in turn with other players. Definitions of unusual words are most welcome! ## PLACE NAMES ARE ALLOWED IN THIS PUZZLE, please give location if obscure! GAME ENDS FRIDAY.
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See 50 comments..."In the EU referendum and again in 2017 age was a new dividing line in British politics. The data indicates that little has changed on this front over the past two years, with Labour still winning a majority of younger voters and the Conservatives miles ahead among older Britons. In fact, for every 10 years older a voter is, their chance of voting Tory increases by around nine points, and the chance of them voting Labour decreases by eight points. The tipping point - the age at which a voter is more likely to have voted Conservative than Labour - is now 39, down from 47 at the last election." SOURCE > YOUGOV POLL. Are you infected, diseased or don't care? What about the Lib-Dems, Greens and Plaid and SNP?
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See 16 comments...Swiss women can now vote in federal elections and stand for parliament after a national referendum. The official result shows 621,403 of the all-male electorate supported the vote for women and 323,596 were against. The poll was almost a complete reversal of a previous referendum, when women were refused the federal vote by a 2-1 majority. 'Children, Church and Kitchen' This time round, political pundits were expecting a repeat performance with the rural and traditionally more conservative German-speaking cantons resisting the proposal. Even one women's group had argued against change. The Swiss Women Against Voting Rights Association campaigned on the grounds that women's responsibilities lie in the household." Guess the year, and any comments welcome!
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See 63 comments...Below are nine letters - from those make as many words as you can of four letters or more:- "Y" MUST appear in every word. S L G C A T O O are the other 8 letters you can use. Tip - put the eight letters in a circle round "Y" There is definitely a nine letter word to be found! TARGET 30 or more words. [ this target includes place names ] Please enter one word in turn with other players. Definitions of unusual words are most welcome! ## PLACE NAMES ARE ALLOWED IN THIS PUZZLE, please give location if obscure! GAME ENDS MONDAY.
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See 47 comments...Below are nine letters - from those make as many words as you can of four letters or more:- "L" MUST appear in every word. O G O M U E N O are the other 8 letters you can use. Tip - put the eight letters in a circle round "L" There is definitely a nine letter word to be found! TARGET 40 or more words. [ this target includes place names ] Please enter one word in turn with other players. Definitions of unusual words are most welcome! ## PLACE NAMES ARE ALLOWED IN THIS PUZZLE, please give location if obscure! GAME ENDS MONDAY.
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See 54 comments...Below are nine letters - from those make as many words as you can of four letters or more:- "H" MUST appear in every word. S E E T W A V A are the other 8 letters you can use. Tip - put the eight letters in a circle round "H" There is definitely a nine letter word to be found!. TARGET 45 or more words. [ this target includes place names ] Please enter one word in turn with other players. Definitions of unusual words are most welcome! ## PLACE NAMES ARE ALLOWED IN THIS PUZZLE, please give location if obscure! GAME ENDS FRIDAY.
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See 11 comments...http://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/poem/i-opened-book/ Hope the link works!
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See 63 comments...Below are nine letters - from those make as many words as you can of four letters or more:- "N" MUST appear in every word. O C T E M P N O are the other 8 letters you can use. Tip - put the eight letters in a circle round "JN" There is definitely a nine letter word to be found!. TARGET 42 or more words. [ this target includes place names ] Please enter one word in turn with other players. Definitions of unusual words are most welcome! ## PLACE NAMES ARE ALLOWED IN THIS PUZZLE, please give location if obscure! GAME ENDS MONDAY.
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See 10 comments...If press reports are accurate, EU politicians have approached Russia for potential vaccine supply? Would you like a shot in the arm from there?
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See 3 comments..."Today marks the start of the whaling season in Norway, one of the world’s richest countries and often championed for its political correctness. And yet again this oil and gas rich nation will ignore its growing number of critics worldwide to hunt and kill hundreds of minke whales" In case you are looking at the calendar, please check the truth.
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See 27 comments...From Daily Mail "Abattoirs across France will undergo emergency inspections after latest shocking secret footage shows workers throwing sheep against a wall and quartering one while it is still alive. Hidden camera caught abattoir abusing animals in south west France. Footage filmed just before Easter sees cow's throats cut while still alive." Also please note: "It is an offence to sell or to supply to another person, meat that has not been slaughtered and health marked in a licensed abattoir. The owner of an animal may slaughter his animal on-farm, but it is an offence to supply the meat to any other person." Isn't it common practice in rural communities for "home-killed" meat to be readily available? Your views and information please.
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See 61 comments...Below are nine letters - from those nine make as many words as you can of four letters or more:- "L" MUST appear in every word. E E F R E Z A B are the other 8 letters you can use. Tip - put the eight letters in a circle round "L" There is definitely a nine letter word to be found!. TARGET 45 or more words. [ this target includes place names ] Please enter one word in turn with other players. Definitions of unusual words are most welcome! ## PLACE NAMES ARE ALLOWED IN THIS PUZZLE, please give location if obscure! GAME ENDS THURSDAY.
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See 10 comments...This was a thread a little while ago, and having written to those in power to review the concerns of SL members, here is the political response. Grant Shapps, our transport minister hasn't replied, as yet. Ed Davey of the LibDems is my local MP and has sent his thoughts, so please read on. Dear Jocelyn, Thank you for your email. I am sceptical about the safety of smart motorways – and believe you raise some valid points. I raised my concerns about smart motorways with the Transport Secretary, Grant Schapps, last year. I have copied my letter to Grant Schapps below and attach a copy of his response as a PDF. As you may be aware, the Government commissioned a review of the evidence regarding smart motorways which you can view here https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/936811/smart-motorway-safety-evidence-stocktake-and-action-plan.pdf The review made a number of recommendations to improve public confidence and safety and my party has been pressing the Government about the progress towards implementing these recommendations. I believe these recommendations are a step forward – but I’m concerned that they still may leave people vulnerable in certain circumstances. My party and I will continue to scrutinise the Government on this. Yours sincerely, Ed Davey Rt Hon Sir Edward Davey MP Kingston & Surbiton (Liberal Democrats) House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA Dear Grant, I have been contacted by a number of my constituents who are extremely concerned at the safety implications of introducing smart motorways without a hard shoulder. I have held back on sending this e mail due to the priority which it has been necessary to give to dealing with the coronavirus pandemic, but feel that I cannot leave this matter any longer. I appreciate that you had already announced a review into driver safety on smart motorways last October as concerns had already been raised then, and that you said then that none of the smart motorways currently proposed would be rolled out until that review had taken place. Now that the action plan to boost smart motorway safety has been published, I should be grateful for your clarification on a number of points. 1) As I understand it, there are currently around 200 miles of smart motorway currently in operation which continued to be in use while the review was in progress. Very few of the proposals set out in the review appear to have timescales set and, where they are, they appear to be unacceptably lengthy. For example, whilst the installation of signs within emergency areas giving information on what to do in an emergency "by the end of spring 2020" is helpful, a period of 36 months to install “stopped vehicle detection” technology is simply too long - we cannot have another three years of unsafe operation and the Government should return these stretches of road to hard shoulders again until radar is installed. Will the "end of spring 2020" deadline be met? Please explain what immediate steps you are taking to ensure the safety of drivers using the sections of smart motorway currently in operation. 2) My understanding is that safety lay-bys were originally envisaged to be every 600 metres, but you are now saying that they will be up to a maximum of one mile apart. Please explain the change in thinking on this. 3) A number of the commitments in the action plan are vague in the extreme; please would you clarify, for example, what actual action is to be taken when you say you are "considering a national programme", "investigating M6 Bromford viaduct …. we will look to make changes". 4) Please confirm that any new sections of smart motorway will only be rolled out after the targeted communication campaigns that you identify as being necessary have taken place and that these new sections will incorporate all the safety features identified in your action plan from the start. 5) At a time when we are increasingly looking to turn to electric cars as the cleaner option, what allowance is being made for the way in which they operate? In particular, as my colleague Baroness Randerson, Liberal Democrat transport spokesperson in the Lords pointed out in debate earlier this year: "when an electric vehicle ceases to function, it stops; it does not coast in the way that other vehicles do. Smart motorways are supposed to be the future, but the future is electric. Those vehicles stop very suddenly. They also cannot be towed; they have to be put on a low-loader, which is a much more complex and longer process that will put rescue teams in greater danger." You state that "Overall, what the evidence shows is that in most ways, smart motorways are as safe as, or safer than, the conventional ones. But not in every way" and I am sure that you will have been aware of the allegations made in the Paronama programme at the end of January and the subsequent report by the all-party parliamentary group on roadside rescue and recovery, led by the former roads minister Mike Penning in preparing your action plan. That report accused Highways England of “casually ignoring commitments” on safety and failing to implement the Stopped Vehicle Detection system. I and my constituents are alarmed at the failings there have been and I should like your assurance that you will personally be ensuring that Highways England will be required to take full account of the Panorama allegations and the all-party parliamentary group's findings in executing your action plan. Steps need to be taken as a matter of urgency to ensure that no more lives are endangered on the existing smart motorways and that no more sections of motorway will be opened until the problems there have been have been fully resolved and the public can be completely satisfied that the removal of the hard shoulder is not creating any danger to road users. I look forward to hearing from you. Yours sincerely, Ed Sent: 16 March 2021 10:37 To: DAVEY, Edward Subject: Smart Motorways Dear Mr. Davey, please advise your thoughts on "Smart Motorways". From what I can find, it appears they are marginally safer than the motorways they are replacing. This is hard to believe. I'd invite any MP to park on the inside lane of the M3, 2miles south of the M25 junction. The night will be dark, wet and windy, and that section is unlit. Any pet travelling with the driver must be left inside the vehicle, as instructed. Then he/she driver will stand behind the crash barrier, for their own safety and observe what happens. In which instance the common sense policy will swiftly become apparent. Would it be more sensible for Motorways to retain a hard shoulder, and the maximum speed limit to be reduced to 60mph. it that means slower journeys and more congestion, so be it. Please note the following statement. Transport Minister Baroness Vere said that she was ‘astonished’ to learn that electric cars slow to a stop comparatively quickly, rather than coasting to a stop like a normal car. There are also concerns that electric cars are more difficult, and therefore slower, to remove. Smart motorways are supposed to be the future, but the future is electric. Those vehicles stop very suddenly. They also cannot be towed; they have to be put on a low-loader, which is a much more complex and longer process that will put rescue teams in greater danger." I look forward to your reply.
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See 89 comments...The corrupt military have taken power back into their own hands, They have vested interests in controlling the country and economy. They protect this by the massacre of anyone who protests. [we can see it, however hard they try to prevent it] What should the free world be doing to end this barbarism?
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See 62 comments...Below are nine letters - from those nine make as many words as you can of four letters or more:- "A" MUST appear in every word. R E E K B G O R are the other 8 letters you can use. Tip - put the eight letters in a circle round "A" There is definitely a nine letter word to be found!. TARGET 30 or more words. Please enter one word in turn with other players. Definitions of unusual words are most welcome! GAME ENDS FRIDAY.
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See 12 comments...What is woke? If you know please advise, and offer your thoughts on wokefulness.
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See 3 comments...Came across this only because there was an obituary for NORTON JUSTER in the weekend press. I'd never heard of him or this book before, but it has been a consistent top seller [for children of all ages!] since 1961. Have you read it? Just started and it is wonderful. Hope you'll be tempted...either in stock, or free to order at your local library [probably].
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See 58 comments...Below are nine letters - from those nine make as many words as you can of four letters or more:- "F" MUST appear in every word. I B E S S N E R are the other 8 letters you can use. Tip - put the eight letters in a circle round "F" There is definitely a nine letter word to be found!. TARGET 41 or more words. Please enter one word in turn with other players. Definitions of unusual words are most welcome! GAME ENDS SUNDAY.
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See 12 comments...24/7 media drives our daily lives and many topics that appear on Scooploop. Can you contribute a headline that has dominated our lives? for at least two days... And what is your most trusted source of news?
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See 77 comments...Below are nine letters - from those nine make as many words as you can of four letters or more:- "G" MUST appear in every word. D I U E M N R H are the other 8 letters you can use. Tip - put the eight letters in a circle round "G" There is definitely a nine letter word to be found!. TARGET 34 or more words. Please enter one word in turn with other players. Definitions of unusual words are most welcome! GAME ENDS THURSDAY.
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See 90 comments...If a health warning is needed:- "One in four people worldwide are dying from conditions caused by thrombosis, making it a leading global cause of death and disability. When a blood clot forms in an artery or vein, it can lead to heart attack, stroke, or a life-threatening clot in the lungs or leg." Actually it's puzzling that the EU countries have discovered so few cases that coincide with having a flu jab.
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See 32 comments...Below are nine letters - from those nine make as many words as you can of four letters or more:- "I" MUST appear in every word. N I J S C E S U are the other 8 letters you can use. Tip - put the eight letters in a circle round "I" There is definitely a nine letter word to be found!. OVERALL TARGET 29 or more words. Please enter one word in turn with other players. Definitions of unusual words are most welcome! GAME ENDS SUNDAY MORNING.
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See 60 comments...Please enter one at a time, and to start off... The 39 Steps, John Buchan.
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See 124 comments...Fed up to the back teeth - make that the toenails - with the spew of 24/7 news and low grade TV offerings? Please share your fondest memories of the best TV programmes and real personalities that you treasure. Brought on by remembering Captain Kremmen, created by Kenny Everett. ALL in the Best Possible Taste!
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See 47 comments...Below are nine letters - from those nine make as many words as you can of four letters or more:- "E" MUST appear in every word. N R A R A G R E are the other 8 letters you can use. Tip - put the eight letters in a circle round "E" There is definitely a nine letter word to be found!. OVERALL TARGET 25 or more words. Please enter one word in turn with other players. Definitions of unusual words are most welcome! GAME ENDS WEDNESDAY MORNING.
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See 25 comments...Lady And The Tramp was a favourite childhood film, the first I ever saw in The Odeon Barking. Sources tell me that the film is disturbing to those who "woke up" recently. The Siamese cats, German Dogs, Mexican pooches and overweight Italian chefs are all in the worst possible taste. Please offer your thoughts on Disney cartoons like Snow White, Dumbo, Bambi and any others that have corrupted a whole generation please?
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See 61 comments...Below are nine letters - from those nine make as many words as you can of four letters or more:- "C" MUST appear in every word. H U E K L N E B are the other 8 letters you can use. Tip - put the eight letters in a circle round "C" There is definitely a nine letter word to be found!. OVERALL TARGET 30 or more words. Please enter one word in turn with other players. Definitions of unusual words are most welcome! GAME ENDS THURSDAY MORNING.
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See 47 comments...Below are nine letters - from those nine make as many words as you can of four letters or more:- "D" MUST appear in every word. M C E I L A A C are the other 8 letters you can use. Tip - put the eight letters in a circle round "D" There is definitely one nine letter word to be found! OVERALL TARGET 50 or more words. Please enter one word in turn with other players. GAME ENDS WEDNESDAY MORNING.
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See 3 comments...Play by J.B. Priestley . This is easily found to view for free. It was first performed in 1945, and stands the test of time. If you've seen it before, it's worth watching again. If you've never seen it, it is one of the best. Your thoughts?
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See 3 comments..."The law locks up the man or woman Who steals the goose from off the common But leaves the greater villain loose Who steals the common from off the goose." Are we better off in the UK with an elite class ruling us, or has Russia got a much simpler but similar manifesto?
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See 33 comments...Below are nine letters - from those nine make as many words as you can of four letters or more:- "V" MUST appear in every word. S E A H I S H Y are the other 8 letters you can use. Tip - put the eight letters in a circle round "V" There is definitely one nine letter word to be found! OVERALL TARGET 25 or more words. Please enter one word in turn with other players. GAME ENDS THURSDAY MORNING. It really is difficult, so no peeking, and all will be revealed at dawn on Thursday...so only two sleepless nights for you.
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See 61 comments...Below are nine letters - from those nine make as many words as you can of four letters or more:- "U" MUST appear in every word. E N N D O R G E are the other 8 letters you can use. Tip - put the eight letters in a circle round "U" There is definitely one nine letter word to be found! OVERALL TARGET 30 or more words. Please enter one word in turn with other players. GAME ENDS FRIDAY EVENING.
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See 35 comments...Below are nine letters - from those nine make as many words as you can of four letters or more:- "T" MUST appear in every word. U A M A R I T C are the other 8 letters you can use. Tip - put the eight letters in a circle round "T" There is definitely one nine letter word to be found! OVERALL TARGET 29 or more words. Please enter one word in turn with other players. GAME ENDS SATURDAY EVENING.
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See 3 comments...As a child there was a whole collection of my deceased grandfather's books in the house, including one called "A Century of Short Stories". Re-reading these now, and here is a great favourite, Tobermory, by H.H.Munro. https://doyleandmacdonald.com/l_tober.htm Hope you enjoy!
