Comments on: Guardian 24,602 – Paul

By: KG

KG — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 18:36:50 +0000

A little historical note re 16thC survivors – Anne of Cleves survived Henry too, by ten years.

And a tribute site? Get working on your pseudonyms! Would Harry Karajan be acceptable?

The tribute bands have some excellent names like the Illegal Eagles, but my favourite is the Aussie ABBA band – Bjorn Again. So what will you call the site? In the spirit of cooperation may I suggest ‘Never A Cross Word’?

By: mark

mark — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 14:37:24 +0000

Hated it. Puzzles like this are imposible for a mere mortal like me to get anywhere near completing whilst commuting. Even with the answers I need a computer to look up the references or unusual words.

Never seen kit up before either….kit OUT yes, gear up….

And todays looks even harder
Sigh

By: Tom Hutton

Tom Hutton — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 22:26:50 +0000

I think “ur” should mean original rather than ancient

By: Ian Stark

Ian Stark — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 22:20:40 +0000

Regretfuly, 15d was irresistable, once I had it in my head! Many thanks for giving it a whirl, Stiofain_X.

By: stiofain_x

stiofain_x — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 21:33:55 +0000

Pretty good Ian
solving time 14mins for number 1 but I had to use letter check for 12ac.
Some very nice surface readings I especially liked 15dn but I am maybe reading too much toilet humour into it.

Another great puzzle from Paul today 4dn was the best hidden word clue Ive seen in a while, Im usually not a fan of these.

Congrats on the cryptica recognition Eileen and Smutchin.

Stiofain

By: Ian Stark

Ian Stark — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 19:06:49 +0000

Smutchin . . . [giggle] click on my name above and you’ll find my earliest efforts.

By: Eileen

Eileen — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 19:06:24 +0000

Well, best of luck with that, then, Smutchin – so long as you make your website interactive! I’ve been quite disappointed that, so far, the Cryptica site has not proved to be the ‘place to meet for all fans of the cryptic crossword’, giving ’setters a chance to really meet and get to know everyone with a love of the cryptic clue’, as it was billed. For instance, I tried, without success, to get the error in my clue corrected. The only way for solvers to contribute is to submit a clue and no way for them to communicate with others. Give me Fifteensquared any day – and three cheers again for those setters who take the time to contribute.

By: smutchin

smutchin — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 18:46:55 +0000

More a pipe dream than a career plan, Eileen!

Ian, re #31 – Oo-er! Sounds like an offer I can’t refuse! I’m going to put my efforts on a website soon – when I get round to it…

By: Ian Stark

Ian Stark — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 17:23:10 +0000

I thought it was delightful, Eileen, and beautifully complemented by the other topical clue!

Maybe we should start a daily fan-compiled crossword site for the wannabees and have-a-goes? A Guardian Tribute Crossword, perhaps! I’d be happy to contribute.

By: Eileen

Eileen — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 17:05:39 +0000

Hi Ian: no competition likely from me! That anagram came to me last week and it was topical , so I thought it was worth a try – only because several people from here had had a go. I’d no idea you were that serious, though! Best of luck with the career plan, Smutchin!