“Did anyone else notice that ALBANESE has been the answer to clues in yesterday’s and today’s cryptic crossword?” asks Kerry Giuffre of Daceyville. “Softening up the electorate for an upcoming election? Just a coincidence? Any other suggestions?” Not only did Robert Christie of Cleveland (Qld) notice, he came up with the ideal follow-up: “He first digs uranium to turn on nuclear (6). A: DUTTON.”
The item on exceptional Icelandic public conveniences (C8) reminded Don Nealon of Taree of “the longed for Aussies’ Own Book of Tourists’ Toots, promised by one Bronwyn Bishop. No book yet, not even a loose page, so we’ll just have to keep everything crossed, hoping for the best while expecting the worst.”
“Castle guides in France take obvious delight in telling toilet stories,” says Bob Phillips of Cabarita. “One guide took a group of tourists to view the smallest room in the palace and pointed out that all excrement was poured down the hole. I mentioned that in Australia we would call this a ‘long-drop toilet’. I really wasn’t ready for what happened next. The group erupted in laughter. I was nonplussed. I didn’t think it was the slightest bit funny. However, everyone else did, and they reminded me of the expression at every toilet stop or châteaux from then on.”
Lyn Langtry of East Ryde takes a punt and continues the fledgling faith (C8) chat: “Once, driving past the long gone Rosebery Racecourse, my mother told me that gee-gees lived there. From that time on I always looked for Jesus standing arms outstretched in the stands.”
“Holy Moses!” asserts George Manojlovic of Mangerton. “Not sure if Pontius was the pilot (C8), but the flight into Egypt was with Virgin.”
David Tomlin of Elanora Heights has a possible verdict for Christine Tracey (C8): “I am in my 80s and I think that in the UK a long time ago, Cadbury used to advertise a pint and a half of milk in each bar.”
“Having established there is no dead letter office at Rookwood Cemetery (C8) perhaps we should check with Australia Post to see if it’s located at Gravesend 2401?” ponders Allan Gibson of Cherrybrook.
Kenneth Smith of Orange has a question for the Pennsylvania Business School (C8): “I have heard that one can be rich and miserable or poor and happy. Why can’t I be a bit well off and a little bit grumpy?”
Column8@smh.com.au
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