Comments on: Guardian 24962 – Rover

By: ernie

ernie — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 07:03:50 +0000

Do some clues deliberately suggest others? 9a ‘Nepalese’ suggests the ‘nep’ in 10a ‘inept’. 4d ‘assembly’ almost answers 2a ‘assemble’. Maybe I’m paranoid. And #25 – I can’t even find the stairs!

By: ernie

ernie — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 06:30:31 +0000

Thanks Andrew and others. Got it finished by fair means and foul. Got stuck in the mountains with Nepalese (Everester?) at first. Some interest but a bit run-of-the-mill.

By: Eileen

Eileen — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 10:33:44 +0000

Hi Dave E

Many thanks for clearing that up.

I was out all day, so didn’t even look at the Indy, which I do if I have time. There have been several ‘defections’ that way lately, so it’s good to know that you’re staying this side – but you shouldn’t make rash promises, when there isn’t a ‘withdraw’ button. I’m certainly with you in wishing there were!

And, Kathryn’s Dad, I know what you mean about those trips upstairs!

By: Dave Ellison

Dave Ellison — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 23:31:19 +0000

Eileen @24 and Kathryn’s Dad @ 25. It was I who made the comments to which you refer (and for which I later apologised, as I regretted it was rather rude as soon as I posted it – I’d still like a button to be able to withdraw a posting). My observation now is that, in general, the earlier commentators (who are clearly independent thinkers) tend to concur, and only later do those with contrary views arrive.

Since I finished this Rover on the way in I tried the Indi on the way back – I saw not a single smile in that crossword, and I promise I shan’t stray again.

By: uncle-herman

uncle-herman — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 23:17:53 +0000

ANDREW you said about not liking gaff as an answerheres my train wreck of thought
gaff a low slang term for some hidden trick or gimmick used as a cheating device in gambling.
so my thinking is the scam is over because some one has told
in this case the foreman or card dealer has called some one on useing a gaff so scam is over

please note this is the same train of thought that has go about 20 answers all week

By: uncle-herman

uncle-herman — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 23:02:42 +0000

and two of those were wrong so six right then

By: uncle-herman

uncle-herman — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 22:56:33 +0000

ive only got 8 answers but ive only been doing cryptic for about 2 weeks so im chuffed

By: Alex

Alex — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 21:23:27 +0000

Agreed that this wasn’t too challenging, but after a hectic week that was actually quite welcome. Some decent clues. It would be good if the senator/treason of 15a were given a rest for a bit.

By: Sil van den Hoek

Sil van den Hoek — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 20:56:27 +0000

To start with a fundamental question:
Why does everyone think that a Friday crossword should be more challenging than a Monday or Tuesday one?
[I work five days a week and don't feel any different on different days]
Would this crossword be OK when published on a Monday?

We thought – like most of you – that this was pretty lightweight fare.
But was is bad, dull or whatever? Don’t think so.
Yes, of course, it is easy compared to the magistral Paul puzzle and The Other Two,
but in our opinion well clued.

We have hardly complaints about the precision or fairness of the crossword itself. Whether one likes a cd or dd or not, is another matter.
Even if you get 1d right away “from the enumeration” (like Andrew w/thx), it doesn’t mean it is a poor clue. In fact I think, it’s a very nice one.
And there were more nice ones, although people don’t want to see them in a Rover [BTW, we are nót Rover adepts].
Like 22ac, with a fine (appropriate) hidden answer indicator.
And good surfaces in, for example, 23ac, 4d and 5d.
Neat construction in HECUBA (7d).

Bit naughty to use King Edward for ER. Yes, it is legitimate, but one tends to think of Ed or something with a K in it (at least we did), while ER is more like the obligatory Queen (probably Rover thought there were already too many Queens in da house (23ac,7d)).
We raised our eyebrows at 6d (CIRCULAR): ‘around’ (adverb) is not really ‘circular’ (adjective) – ’round’ would have been better, but reads not as well as it does now.

So, not the Highlight of the Week (which was undoubtedly Paul), but not bad either.
In fact, just as good as, say, a Gordius or a Rufus on an average (Mon)day.

By: Kathryn's Dad

Kathryn's Dad — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 19:07:07 +0000

Eileen at #24, sorry if I misquoted you; I just remember the discussion taking place and you contributing something to it over a Rover puzzle. But sometimes I get to the top of the stairs and can’t remember what I went up there for. So I am happy to concur that Grauniad solvers are independent thinkers – which is no bad thing and makes this blog enjoyable and educational for solvers at my level.

Happy weekend to all setters, bloggers and contributors.