Comments on: Independent 7,263 by Virgilius

By: NealH

NealH — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 13:52:34 +0000

Also, I don’t think a zebu is technically a cross. It’s a separate animal not related to zebra.

By: nmsindy

nmsindy — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 12:38:39 +0000

Wil, re 9, I think those z words might be more appropriate to barred grid puzzles rather than the daily cryptic and re ‘cutting down’ don’t forget the phrasal verbs EFL students spend hours looking at.

By: Allan_C

Allan_C — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 08:14:44 +0000

KO’d by KAYO but otherwise great!

By: Brian Harris

Brian Harris — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 22:48:12 +0000

Fabulous puzzle. Paul in the Grauniad, and Virgilius in the Indie. A great day for the crossword enthusiast. A beautifully crafted crossword of the very highest order.

By: Wil Ransome

Wil Ransome — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 21:49:32 +0000

walruss I don’t think there’s much doubt (not for me anyway) who’s the greater, Araucaria or Virgilius. As usual a masterpiece, but I was surprised that he didn’t use the zebu/mule/zebrinny etc sense of a cross. In 17dn I felt that things can hardly droop up, so that ‘down’ seemed superfluous, and in 24dn I was also unsure — in this context — of the difference between cutting down and simply cutting.

By: NealH

NealH — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 18:34:35 +0000

I seem to remember something about him having to cut down the number of puzzles he produces because of work commitments, so possibly not !

By: walruss

walruss — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 16:05:53 +0000

I agree, another very fine puzzle. I wonder if the gentleman has a lot of spare time?! Could he be a candidate for the New Araucaria! Anyway, very enjoyable.

By: nmsindy

nmsindy — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 11:46:35 +0000

Another incredible puzzle from the master, how does he do it? Across and down in every clue and the two 15-letter entries. As you say, not too difficult, great fun. BTW, WAXY is in Collins as ‘irritable, bad-tempered, angry’. Like Simon, I got it from the wordplay.

By: Simon Harris

Simon Harris — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 11:39:51 +0000

Aha, now I see it, thanks. Well, you live and learn – and it didn’t prevent the clue being solved so no complaints here.

By: IanN14

IanN14 — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 11:34:07 +0000

Sorry Simon, I've just checked the (non-subscribe) online version and "waxy" isn't there as such. WAX is though (def:3), and waxy is in the print version, and my iPhone app.