Posted by neildubya on 27th August 2007
I’ve only got time to say a few general comments on this puzzle so if anyone is stuck on any of the clues please leave a comment and I’ll do my best to help. If any of the bloggers wants to do a full review of it, please feel free.
Posted in Independent | 25 Comments »
Posted by beermagnet on 26th August 2007
NORWICH is an acronym for “kNickers Off Ready When I Come Home” as used by WWII soldiers when writing to their loved one to avoid the censors. Basically SWALK for the randy. Did anyone really write NORWICH on the backs of envelopes, or is this apocryphal?
And why do we know nothing about possible retorts? We might even get an acronym that works (N for Knickers I ask you! Why can’t it stand for Nightie). For example, IPSWICH: “I Prefer Sex With Intelligent Cuddly Hunks”. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Private Eye/Cyclops | 2 Comments »
Posted by linxit on 26th August 2007
Solving time 31:34, but Chambers and Bradford’s used throughout. Either they’re getting easier, or I’m improving! Azed always used to take me at least an hour, even with all the solving aids. Maybe it was something to do with the environment – I solved this yesterday afternoon, sat out in the garden with a bottle of wine and a pile of crosswords. This week’s Araucaria double puzzle (which I found very tough and had to go and get ODQ), Times Cryptic and Jumbo and this month’s Guardian Genius, plus the Independent Cryptic and half the Inquisitor all succumbed before it started getting dark!
Posted in Azed | 2 Comments »
Posted by ilancaron on 26th August 2007
Last regular Everyman blog…
Lots of dogs and a cat or two. None of whom hailed from Scotland as far as I could tell.
Posted in Everyman | 4 Comments »
Posted by rightback on 25th August 2007
Solving time: 11:50
Having seen the thematic cross-referencing I looked at, and solved, 17ac (TUBING) straight away, so should really have been quicker than this; slowness on two of the three long thematic answers was one reason, though these might also have caused trouble for anyone not familiar with the London Underground. One new word for me (FELDGRAU at 4dn).
Posted in Guardian | 3 Comments »
Posted by loonapick on 24th August 2007
This was quite tough, and I had to give up after I’d done about 75% of it. When I got home from work, I attaked the NW corner, and eventually finished after more than 45 minutes’ effort. Some of the delay relates to trying to find the significance of the “1 across” in 16 ac. Generally, the puzzle was fair, but I’d like a bit of explanation for 16 across if anyone else can provide it.
Posted in Guardian | 13 Comments »
Posted by tilsit on 24th August 2007
Solving Time: 23 minutes
The usual demonstration from Phi that simple clear clue writing can be elegant and humorous – and a delight to solve.
Posted in Independent | 3 Comments »
Posted by petebiddlecombe on 24th August 2007
Solving time: c. 45 mins, no books, but one mistake found on checking answers
Posted in Inquisitor | 2 Comments »
Posted by neildubya on 24th August 2007
Another very entertaining puzzle in a series that I’m already mightily impressed with, even though this is only the third one I’ve solved. Couple of queries: 5D and 22D, which I’m sure are right but I don’t understand all of the wordplay for them. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Beelzebub | 1 Comment »
Posted by neildubya on 24th August 2007
This was a very quick solve for me (8:47, since you asked) so I didn’t spot the (subtly done) theme until I had 2 or 3 answers to go in. I’ve mentioned all the thematic answers in the explanations below. Nice puzzle though, and a pleasant change from the tough stuff we usually get on a Saturday. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Independent | 3 Comments »
Posted by linxit on 23rd August 2007
Solving time 5:44
That was probably the easiest crossword I’ve ever done in the Guardian. Probably the only tricky word was 19ac, but it was an expression I knew from somewhere, so no problem there.
Posted in Guardian | 13 Comments »
Posted by Colin Blackburn on 23rd August 2007
The football theme stands out from the clues if not the grid entries, only 9a is a footballing term. I thought that was it then I noticed the letters in the first and final columns: NINA NINA NINA NINA. Is there even more hidden that I’m not seeing? The grid blocking show rugby posts rather than football ones.
Posted in Independent | 16 Comments »
Posted by nmsindy on 23rd August 2007
As indicated eslewhere, the first of a shorter blog on Quixote puzzles. Will try to concentrate on a small number of clues focussing on the trickier ones and those I liked the most. Happy to explain others if asked.
Posted in Independent | No Comments »
Posted by neildubya on 23rd August 2007
A nice enough puzzle but a few too many cryptic definitions for my liking. Lots for new solvers to get their 5As stuck into though. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in FT | 1 Comment »
Posted by neildubya on 23rd August 2007
I’m indebted to one of our regular commenters – stan – for this blog as we had a bit of a mix up this week and I assigned a puzzle to a blogger who was away. Normal service should resume today.
Posted in Guardian | 1 Comment »