Comments on: Financial Times 13,547 / Bradman

By: Thomas99

Thomas99 — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 21:10:59 +0000

bamberger-
For what it’s worth, the avocet (21d) is the symbol of the RSPB. I learnt that about a month ago in a Guardian quiz, otherwise I wouldn’t have heard of it either!

By: bamberger

bamberger — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 06:44:35 +0000

Well and truly defeated by the Don.
On first pass saw only that 25a was an anagram but despite several attempts had to resort to a solver to get it. Ditto 10d
Got 4d ,12a & 23a and that was that.

1a Thought of ab & tar but jack never came to mind
5a This must have been the only 6 letter Indian city I didn’t think of.
27a Hadn’t heard of Galle
2d Clamant a new word for me
21d Again new to me

Ah well the weekend crossword is usually easier

By: scarpia

scarpia — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 23:50:22 +0000

Thanks shuchi.
I found this easier than some of Bradman’s puzzles but very enjoyable nonetheless.Nothing contentious,just sound clueing and a fair sprinkling of wit.
Didn’t know SEA ONION,but it was easily gettable once check letters were in place.

By: shuchi

shuchi — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 21:23:41 +0000

Hi Gaufrid and Tony

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the puzzle – I was beginning to wonder at the lack of comments!

I was thrown by thinking that “dancing” was the anagrind so was looking for a word that meant “all over the shop”

My initial error too and I bet the same happened with many solvers. It’s a cleverly worded anagram!

By: BrigC

BrigC — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 21:19:37 +0000

This was certainly tailored to my tastes. I have never mastered the mystery of different “styles” of crossword, so I don’t know whether this one is more or less difficult than the FT norm. Didn’t see the th&ss around ankle and both blackmail and matchbox foxed me. I think I was looking for something more complicated. However, terpsichorean leapt out at me, as did Malaga.

By: Tony Welsh

Tony Welsh — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 20:31:30 +0000

Thanks, Suchi. Yes, Gaufrid, a good puzzle which I eventually finished with the help of an online dictionary. Terpsichorean indeed! I was thrown by thinking that “dancing” was the anagrind so was looking for a word that meant “all over the shop”. I had never heard of Job’s comforter but it became obvious when I had got most of the rest. Got 22a by default but did not get the word play. Had not heard the word clamant but it was pretty obvious; reminded me of natant in almost the same spot yesterday! (btw, I notice this site’s spell checker does not recognize either word.)

By: Gaufrid

Gaufrid — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 18:12:50 +0000

Hi Shuchi
I am rather surprised to find that so far there have been no comments on this most enjoyable puzzle. I thought Bradman got the balance of ease/difficulty just right for this pleasant amble on a bright sunny morning (at least here).