Good grid, thanks. Minor comment - gardening leave is probably the more common phrase.

@sdg83. yes, I agree, but then it loses its RH status for the birthday group, so I get why they did it that way. Nice grid, nothing too obscure.

Really good grid.
Plenty of crossovers and RHs without being too difficult.

Whats gardening leave? And pox party? Are they local things?

@Shane, Gardening leave is a common expression across Europe (and I thought the US as well?) for when someone is on their notice period ( they are going to leave their employment, but have to wait the month or three months as per contract before they start their new jobs) but is not required to actually do any work in that period. Not unusual when someone's being "let go" in less than friendly circumstances. A Pox Party is a misguided attempt by some parents to get their children infected with chicken pox early in life (cos they think it's less serious for children, or something) by bringing a group together when one of them has caught it.

Nice grid!

@Shane - gardening leave is what someone goes on when they are suspended. So if under investigation or similar.

nic eone!

Outstanding grid! Perfect balance between challenging and satisfying!