Comments on: Independent 7345 by Nestor – Sat 1st May

By: Polly

Polly — Thu, 27 May 2010 12:05:56 +0000

I’m afraid it has (got a bit of a backlog here, going back to 7339 Tees). Thank heavens for anonymity…

By: eimi

eimi — Thu, 27 May 2010 10:43:18 +0000

I hope it hasn’t taken you 26 days to finish, Polly

My = the defintion for MAN ALIVE

staff = used as a noun in the clue, but actually works as a verb = (to) MAN
+
have = ‘VE

to restrain (containing)

famous boxer = ALI

By: Polly

Polly — Thu, 27 May 2010 09:03:19 +0000

In 17 down, does MAN represent both ‘My’ (exclamation) and ‘staff’ (as in manservant)?

By: walruss

walruss — Mon, 10 May 2010 15:35:06 +0000

You know your Pasquale, you do! Do you keep a shoebox full of old puzzles I wonder!

By: sidey

sidey — Fri, 07 May 2010 23:51:56 +0000

Mayonnaise as a reverse hidden appeared in Guardian 24,628 / Pasquale, Feb 2009. It must be tempting with that ‘annoy’ in it.

Some excellent cluing, most enjoyable.

By: nmsindy

nmsindy — Thu, 06 May 2010 11:41:29 +0000

Yes, tip-top puzzle. Esp liked MENTAL AGE, LONE RANGER, NONEVENT, SHEARWATER, MEAN BUSINESS.

By: Duggie

Duggie — Thu, 06 May 2010 11:33:21 +0000

There were at least a dozen superb clues here, most of them among the Downs. Top marks IMHO go to the amazing 10-letter reversed hidden ‘mayonnaise’. And the last 2 clues of all were also very good, keeping me thinking for ages, then blinking in surprise when the light dawned. Thanks Nestor.

By: Kathryn's Dad

Kathryn's Dad — Thu, 06 May 2010 10:04:56 +0000

Very comprehensive blog, Peter, many thanks. I don’t finish many Saturday puzzles in the Indy, but I did manage this one, with the last few clues going in over Sunday morning coffee. I liked SHRED, with its reference to our friendly ogre; and talking about how the brain works, I couldn’t for ages see why CAVA was the answer to 24 down – and I speak French, for goodness’ sake!

‘E’ for ‘highest of equerries’ and the like? It doesn’t bother me that much as long as it’s reasonably clearly clued, and I suppose it gives setters a bit of leeway with the word concerned to develop a clever surface.

Good challenge, thank you Nestor.