So it's A,B,H,C,D,E,F,G ... how sensible is that ? Anyway, I don't think a Xwd compiler who used "note" to mean the letter H would be very popular with his subscribers somehow.

I guess it is Seraphim and Cherubim ? Being an anagram of "punish harm I embraced".

[Bb] It is indeed - I don't think you really had to ask did you - it was unlikely to be an anagram by accident ! I was actually thinking of them the other way round (simply coz. that's the way they are more usually said) but there is nothing in the clue to suuggest the order, so spot on, and *** for getting it so quickly - I thought as anagrams go it was quite tricky - but I seem to remember from the Cryptic Stations games that you have an aptitude for them. wd.

[Blob] Thanks, once I spotted cherub (more by accident), it fell into place. If I can get my brain in gear, I'd supply a clue. I seem to have lost touch with cryptics just lately. Haven't done a crossword in months.

Is everyone ignoring my last clue on purpose??

[Darren] I don't think so. I've just looked it up.
Punctuation, endlessly one group (9)

That'll be COMMUNITY = COMM(A) + UNITY or I'll pawn my shawl.

OK, time for another rude one folks.

Flatulence might raise the temperature when receiving head from call-girl -- coat! (11)

More a windcheater methinks - (explanation : Flautlence = wind, raise temp = heater, receiving head (first letter) of call girl = C, inserted wind-c-heater)

That was quick. Too easy, clearly...

[Blob] It's MACHIAVELLIAN (MAN surrounding A CHILLI, all surrounding AVE).

[Raak] Are you refereing to Io, a moon of Jupiter?

[Darren] It sure is - well done. I presume the pod rather gave it away, but I couldn't think of a reasonable alternative.
I'm beginning to wonder if the use of <font="white"> is really necessary - coz. once they're solved we're moving onto the next one. What does everyone think ?

[Blob] I don't mind either way. Here's one I made up last night:
Sound out the swimmer after a very soft introduction. (8)

Well, I don't mind if we leave off the <font color=white> business either. But until we get a majority decision either way... [Raak] It's PHOBOS.

[Blob] Btw, regarding your clue, it was actually the "man outside" bit which was the giveaway for me. That, with the scheming part, clinched it.

Here's another opportunity to get one's coat... Risk manipulating a turd, even (9)

[Darren] Close...

[Darren] ADVENTURE.

DEIMOS - Phobos being Fear rather than Terror. Nice dogs those.

[Raak] That's the spirit. Not in the right frame of mind at the mo, tho. Too many stochastic functions.

[Raak] I think there is a theme to your clues . . . . I know what the answers are but not sure how I get the answer from the Shower us . . . clue (unless it's a double sound-a-like).

[Boolbar] The BBC-approved pronunciation puts the stress on the first syllable, to avoid the er, assonance of stressing the second.

[Raak] OK - someone has to do this and it may as well be me - URANUS - and, like Boolbar, I would also quite like to know how the 'URAN' bit works. I, do, however, have a hunch, that you may be referring to the practice of the 'golden shower' [which I'm not unfamiliar with] which points to the 'soundalike' that Bb hinted at, ie. 'urine' sounding like 'uran'. It is at this juncture, that I feel it may be best to continue with the 'hidden text' feature!

It's PLUTO of course, which everyone probably has got by now.

Have to say I'm a bit pissed off with this week's Everyman. Bird, girl and river clues aplenty... Also it seems that crosswords can sometimes be like bridges - if you get certain key solutions then the rest fits in around out. If you don't, the whole thing falls over. Maybe I'm just grumpy cos I can't finish it.

Well, I'm stuck here at the desk for a couple of days doing tedious accounts work. My brain needs teasing. Is everybody on holiday or exceptionally busy or somefink?

First one's flummox.