Comments on: Independent 7,396 by Dac

By: Colin Blackburn

Colin Blackburn — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 09:16:09 +0000

For me G-o-S is embedded in my psyche and I wouldn’t consider it obscure at all. In the north at least, it’s regarded as a somewhat posh holiday resort. My upbringing meant I was more likely to go to Blackpool or Morecambe than Lytham or Grange. Maybe Dac’s a post northerner!
I guess this is the perennial problem with including this sort of “general knowledge” in puzzles.

By: Scarpia

Scarpia — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 22:58:10 +0000

Thanks Simon.
I have only recently started doing the Indie puzzle on a regular basis and as you say Dac’s puzzles are always a pleasure,this one being no exception.
Some nice misdirections,a few clever anagrams and some literary and musical references.
Had never heard of Grange-over-Sands but I found it quite gettable from the clueing,music being one of my main interests.But taking bamberger’s point @8,it may be a tad unfair to clue an obscure Cumbrian village with a (to the non musical) fairly obscure reference to a composer’s private life – even if we are celebrating the bicentenary of his birth.
Favourite clues 10 and 25 across and 13 down.

By: Wil Ransome

Wil Ransome — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 21:50:04 +0000

All you footballers and rock musicians. It’s perfectly reasonable to know that Chopin had a lover called George Sand, indeed it’s quite well-known. Comes up a lot in crosswords for some reason so remember this Bamberger and you’ll have no trouble.

By: Kathryn's Dad

Kathryn's Dad — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 20:26:11 +0000

Hi bamberger at no 8. That would be me about 18 months ago, struggling to get very far most days, but practice makes perfect and all that, so stick with it. I certainly wouldn’t have got the Chopin lover reference and ‘van’ wordplay back then either, but there’s just a certain crossword vocabulary that you’ll need, which comes to you once you’ve seen it a few times. That’s my experience anyway – hope you keep enjoying the challenges in the Indy!

By: flashling

flashling — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 19:35:14 +0000

Struggled a bit in NE corner until I realised I’d made a mess of 9ac by putting in the answer to a different clue. that’s 5d for you. Otherwise the usual satisfying wednesday Dac.

By: nmsindy

nmsindy — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 19:08:18 +0000

Bamberger (comment #8), DOC is, regarding wine, the Italian equivalent, of the French AC (classifying wine). George Sand and Chopin are pretty well known, she was famous is her own right as a novelist, van = position of leader, like in the vanguard.

By: bamberger

bamberger — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 18:32:27 +0000

I have got to the stage where I can have a reasonable stab at the Times and Telegraph ( I can’t yet complete them) but whenever I try the Indie (about once every two months) I get practically nowhere. Only got 17a,21a 3d,8d and 16d.

Would someone please explain where “doc” comes from in 1a and the reference to Italy.

6d Is it reasonable to be expected to know that Chopin had a lover called G Sands?

22d -where does “van” come form , please?

Thanks

By: nmsindy

nmsindy — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 16:37:10 +0000

Excellent puzzle which I found harder than usual from Dac, with some v well-concealed definitions. Favourite clue AWING.

By: Richard

Richard — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 16:35:54 +0000

I much enjoyed the clue for JUGGED HARE. A really enjoyable puzzle, I thought.

By: Simon Harris

Simon Harris — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 13:04:39 +0000

Well spotted everyone, not sure how I transplanted a plant and a disease there. All corrected now.