Your Letters
16:00 UK time, Tuesday, 17 January 2012
Monitor: These letters were not posted on Tuesday because of technical problems.
I must confess, Monitorites, that I cannot fathom out the answer to the easier clue in today's Paper Monitor piece on cryptic crosswords. I got the Times' clue straight away. Perhaps I'm just not thinking simply enough. Someone please put me out of my misery.
Ross, London
Yesterday certainly was Blue Monday for me. Started by losing my season ticket, missing my train and my salary being paid late. And finished with huge delays on the trains meaning a 3.5 hour journey home. I'm very glad it's Tuesday now!
Sarah, London, UK
Liam (Monday's letters), I am afraid I am like you and cannot see why Ricky Gervais is funny either. I know that I am not alone as this subject has come up in conversation with friends many times, with similar opinions expressed by all. Maybe the question should be "Is there anyone who isn't a ´óÏó´«Ã½ commissioning editor who finds Ricky Gervais funny?" While we are on the subject, Reeves & Mortimer anyone?
Sharon, Sutton
Liam (Mondays letters), can I ask what prompted this unprovoked attack on Ricky Gervais? Much as I wouldn't count myself as his biggest fan, I think you may have been a little harsh.
Ed, Wakefield
As Wikipedia is going to go down on Wednesday, I think now is a good time to back it up. I'll print it out in case anything happens to my computer.
Andrew, Malvern, UK
Liam - it's one of life's mysteries, like how does the man who drives the snowplough get to work.
Martin, Here
Nigel, (Monday Letters) I'm addicted to Dihydrogen Monoxide. Evil stuff, but since the withdrawal can be fatal I'm stuck with that one for life.
Caroline Brown, Rochester, UK
Nigel (Monday's letters) - I'm addicted to blood. If I don't have several pints of the stuff in my veins at all times I go into serious withdrawal. That and not being mauled by tigers (it'd let the blood out).
Matthew, Glenrothes
Nigel - Oxygen! Wow, me too! But gravity? Depends on my mood. I can do without on lighter days. I'll get my float.
Graham, Hayle, Cornwall
The way to avoid wasting food following a protracted session of salad bar stacking is to allow unlimited visits to the bar, but to charge by the weight of food not consumed. No sharing, and no doggy bags.
OG Nash, Doha, Qatar
Sorry Nigel, but I always find gravity gets me down.
Paul Greggor, London
Sorry Paper Monitor, you're exactly wrong. Albatrosses are good luck. The bad luck associated with the Ancient Mariner was because he shot one, thereby removing the ship's luck, and he was forced to wear its body round his neck as penitence and to make sure that it was only he who suffered any bad luck as a result. Given that they weigh about 60lb and can be several feet in length, this would have been bad luck by itself...
Colin Edwards, Exeter, UK
Martin (Monday's letters), you're right that the ostrich, not the wandering albatross, is the world's largest bird. But the wandering albatross does have the largest wingspan, at up to 3.5m (11.5ft), compared to about 2m (6.5ft) for an ostrich.
David Richerby, Liverpool, UK
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