Comments on: Independent 7,428/Phi

By: Allan_C

Allan_C — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 06:24:07 +0000

Yes, a nice easy Phi to start the weekend. I found most of the long anagrams quickly unravelled themselves from just a few checking letters.

NealH@1 – I think the idea a helicopter as a surveillance device comes from its association with the police and makes a good surface for the clue. On the A6 in Derbyshire there is a sign somewhere that reads “Police – Helicopter Traffic Control” or words to that effect. Definitely a surveillance device in that instance.

By: flashling

flashling — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 18:56:47 +0000

@beermagnet nearly made that mistake on p(l)uck but some spidery sense stopped me for some lucky reason. All in all a fair decent crossword about a pint.

Re rossini must admist I didn’t really check the clue I had all the crossing letters, saw rossini in my mind and a quick glance at the subsiduary parts and my brain just said that’s it. A tad easier than punk’s yesterday methinks.

So tomorrow? a Bannsider give up and go home crossword?

By: Scarpia

Scarpia — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 18:11:33 +0000

Thanks Ali.
Another very good puzzle from Phi.
As usual no controversy,which must be a sign of a well clued puzzle.
I was another who entered ACCURATE at first and also had to look up TORPID.
I thought 5 down was brilliant,the sort of anagram I love,the fodder giving a hint of the solution.
25 across was another neat anagram.
Nice to see a mention for J.K. Galbraith – should be mandatory reading for finance ministers worldwide!

By: Myrvin

Myrvin — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 17:50:01 +0000

Tried to cut & paste this one to take away to do.
Missed off the last 2 across clues.
Guessed Omagh, but had to do a dict search when I came home for 25a. Annoying, since I have been interested in the subject for decades.
MAde more difficult by choosing ACCURATE over ACCURACY.

By: Petero

Petero — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 15:19:02 +0000

I agree with the other comments on ROSSINI.
14A LA FONTAINE is (national f[abl]e)*

By: nmsindy

nmsindy — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 15:13:06 +0000

Thanks for the blog, Ali. Guess most got ROSSINI from definition before wordplay. Agree that it’s IS SOR(e) all reversed about I N (one note). Enjoyable puzzle, which I too found straightforward. The wordplay in 3D led v clearly to TORPID, but the only meanings I knew were totally different. So looked it up – it’s in Chambers, a second boat at Oxford – always nice to learn something new.

By: beermagnet

beermagnet — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 12:18:37 +0000

I now see why I didn’t get CHICANERY – which I should’ve.
Early on I put PERI for 22D from PERI[l] and didn’t doubt it when I couldn’t think of anything to fit 24A. I agree PLUCK is nearer DARING than PERIL, but (daring/danger/peril) isn’t far off.

And now I’ve seen Neal’s #1 (I must re-blink before posting) I agree with his decoding of ROSSINI – “about” is most likely an inclusion indicator rather than a reversal ind.

By: NealH

NealH — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 12:18:14 +0000

I don’t think you need the 1 n reversed and the clue indicates it’s just the “is sor[e]” that’s backwards – is mostly aggrieved, upset, about one note.

By: beermagnet

beermagnet — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 12:12:12 +0000

I parsed 7D as: (IS SOR[e])< (1 N)<
SORE rather than CROSS for aggrieved, and tricky to decypher due to the serial double reversal (IYSWIM)

By: Kathryn's Dad

Kathryn's Dad — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 12:10:44 +0000

Thanks, Ali. Agree with you entirely – gentle but well-clued end to the working week. Didn’t understand ROSSINI either, but someone will put us right, no doubt.