Comments on: Guardian 24,650 – Shed

By: Shed

Shed — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 18:25:42 +0000

Thanks to Mick H and Agentzero for figuring out the intended working of SPECIAL and DEBAUCH, and to Ciaran for the blog. I rather regret ‘Bohemian’ for ‘Mimi’ on reflection – perhaps a bit too much general knowledge. But I’m pleased to see there are other Martinu enthusiasts among the readership.

By: Brendan

Brendan — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 08:04:46 +0000

Perhaps the group in 12A is not REM but CREME, the supergroup which featured Aric Clepton.

By: Agentzero

Agentzero — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 19:33:32 +0000

John,

I think the clue is not only fair but clever. Shed is making use of the fact that the phrase “on the rocks” means “with ICE in it.”

So, he’s using ICE in the literal sense, i.e., cubes of frozen H2O (I can’t do superscript any better than the Grauniad can).

By: John

John — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 19:15:04 +0000

Just one point re 16 ac “High quality drinks on the rocks served up”.
Is it fair to use one slang term (rocks) to indicate another (ice), both of which I take to refer to diamonds?
And are the LAPS strictly speaking ON the ICE, or are they not rather AROUND or OVER them?

By: steven

steven — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 17:19:09 +0000

I found this very difficult and gave up half way through. Had to do it on screen today, which didn’t help as I normally get the rag. If it wasn’t for the blog and comments , I’d still be none the wiser as to how several clues were solved. Lessons have been learnt!!!

I really liked 9a.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 16:33:57 +0000

Re #22 – just to be picky, Mimi is a starving (and frozen-tiny-handed) seamstress, not an artist.

By: Fletch

Fletch — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 16:33:27 +0000

Delighted to see Shed today after Taupi yesterday. Two of my favourites, we’re being spoilt this week!

By: Derek Lazenby

Derek Lazenby — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 16:02:57 +0000

Yeah listen to Martinu and enjoy.

There was another problem with the on-line version. It wanted TEBAUCH and NOTICAL. Come on guys, it’s just using your eyes!

A deceptive puzzle I thought, in so far as I thought I’d never get it at first, but I did eventually. I suppose that is a good thing.

By: smutchin

smutchin — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 15:50:01 +0000

OK, fair point about 10a. I withdraw my complaint.

By: Mick h

Mick h — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 15:40:21 +0000

Smutchin, it’s not actually an indirect anagram, because HCUBED is all there, but in reverse order. Very clever.
Loved the calamine lotion anag, and you could certainly still get it 10 years ago when I was applying it to the (chicken) poxy kids.