Comments on: Independent 7351 (Sat 8 May) by Raich

By: Raich

Raich — Sun, 16 May 2010 19:36:30 +0000

Many thanks for the excellent blog and to all for the comments which are very much appreciated.
Re FREESTONE, as the blog indicates the definition is ‘fruit’ with ‘quality’ = TONE being part of the wordplay. Collins and COED also give the NOMEN ‘second name’ definition.

By: NeilW

NeilW — Sat, 15 May 2010 11:51:27 +0000

Thanks Beermagnet – it was SHAPE that got me too. Chambers gives NOMEN – a Roman’s second name as in Gaius “Julius” Caesar.

By: sidey

sidey — Sat, 15 May 2010 02:34:56 +0000

Very good although the quibbler in me wonders whether ‘quality fruit’ means the same as ‘a quality of [some] fruit’.

By: Bannsider

Bannsider — Fri, 14 May 2010 13:13:05 +0000

A very good puzzle indeed, which I thoroughly enjoyed despite missing VERA LYNN and not getting SHAPE either, which I should have done.

I don’t know why on earth people think some of the Saturday puzzles are quite hard (!!)

By: Jake

Jake — Fri, 14 May 2010 11:25:25 +0000

My first Raich puzzle.

Yes not as tricky as some Sat puzzles but brilliant stuff.

By: Kathryn's Dad

Kathryn's Dad — Fri, 14 May 2010 08:51:49 +0000

Thanks, beermagnet. Agree that it wasn’t as tricky as some Saturday puzzles, evidenced by that fact that I finished it (bar one clue), but it was very enjoyable with a clever theme throughout the crossword, as Ian says. SHAPE was the only one I couldn’t get, but if I’d taken the trouble to go on line I’m sure I could have found the acronym.

There were many good clues, but I especially liked LIE TO, ALARM and MOTORCADE. I agree with your parsing of 26dn.

Thank you, Raich.

By: IanN14

IanN14 — Fri, 14 May 2010 07:48:55 +0000

I thought this was terrific.
A very comprehensive and appropriate theme using both clues and answers.
And the singer herself appeared as a proper nina in the middle…
Nice one Raich.