Comments on: Independent 7,265/Tyrus

By: 4across

4across — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 20:51:03 +0000

5A dipstick could also relate to dips – takes and tick – second ??

By: NealH

NealH — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 20:42:32 +0000

I managed to finish this apart from the SE corner, which I just couldn’t get anywhere with (apart from chandelier). I’m not entirely sure why heroin is “hard to take” (why are there so many addicts then ?) or is it something to do with both heroin and hard being abbreviated to an H ? I probably would have got that with a slightly less cryptic def, since I had heard of Grace Darling.

By: Derrick Knight

Derrick Knight — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 18:28:23 +0000

I, too,found this very hard. The clues are all fair but many are difficult. I found it a satisfying crossword to complete. Not too up to date with my Geography so only got CHENNAI from the wordplay, which does lead those of us who spent our teenage years sharing Leonard Cohen’s misery to the solution. I think IanN is right about 15D

By: walruss

walruss — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 15:32:52 +0000

I also resorted to ‘reveal’, but although I found it very hard, the way the clues are put together is quite fascinating. I expect Tyrus is a ‘special treat’ for the connoissuers.

By: Mick H

Mick H — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 15:32:22 +0000

I was held up all morning by SWORDFISH and HEROIN, and would have given up had the blog been up by then, but I got there in the end. Unfortunately, by the time I saw the theme (at DIPSTICK) there wasn’t much more thematic material to add, so I just wasted time looking for somewhere to put ‘trotters’, ‘lovely jubbly’ etc.
I can only sum this puzzle up in this scene from OFAH:
Del Boy: One of my most favouritest meals is Duck à l’Orange, but I don’t know how to say that in French.
Rodney: It’s canard.
Del Boy: You can say that again bruv!

By: nmsindy

nmsindy — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 15:04:50 +0000

Very tough indeed with some very intricate wordplay but all stacked up in the end.
Favourite clue, CHARADE. I missed the Fools and Horses connections of the answers in the top and bottom rows which was a nice idea.

By: Kathryn's Dad

Kathryn's Dad — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 14:28:55 +0000

Glad in one way to see all the previous comments from experienced solvers. In terms of difficulty, this wasn’t so much over my horizon as on another planet entirely. But hey, it’s only a crossword, other important stuff is happening in the world, and there’s always tomorrow’s puzzle to look forward to.

By: IanN14

IanN14 — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 14:14:45 +0000

Wow, this was difficult.
I had to use the reveal letter option here.
I’d NEVER have got TANAGRA, CHENNAI or GEORGICS without.
I did spot “cushty” as a nina, but nothing else

Well done though, Ali. The hardest daily I can ever remember…

Here are some thoughts:
9ac. See HERE.
(Sorry Gaufrid, but I’d already made the link…).
15d. Is it maybe that swordfish is a type of “game” (as in venison, say), on the end of a line?

Sorry just checked before sending, and edited out ones already mentioned…

By: Jake

Jake — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 14:05:08 +0000

Good old Tyrus!

I’m glad you blogged Ali. I’d of had no chance with this even if my
life depended on it. I actually find Azed easier.

This puzzle made me laugh in insane madness for being so tough.

By: UncleAda

UncleAda — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 13:59:34 +0000

25dn Bo(oz)y. But if ‘boy’ is an exclamation, anything could be.

12dn see:- http://www.irishtourist.com/meath/towns/tara/

I gave up..