Comments on: Independent 7,539/Mordred

By: Mordred

Mordred — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 13:47:31 +0000

My motivation for a Nina is to add a bit of spice and perhaps help solvers who do spot it. The puzzle should, however, be solvable without reference to it – therefore it doesn’t always point to a theme, although RAICH’s recent ELVIS did so very well. With this one the grid completion was difficult enough without getting relevant answers in. So pleased it was generally appreciated.

By: Ali

Ali — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 00:31:49 +0000

Thanks as ever for all the corrections and pointers. Good to see that I wasn’t alone in finding this tricky. I’m still very impressed by the Nina as you’d think that the grid would throw up some fairly awful words to fit everything in, but there’s nothing too nasty here at all.

By: scarpia

scarpia — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 00:11:39 +0000

Thanks Ali.
I have mixed thoughts on this one,some very good clues,inc.the CD at 24 across,but 2 or 3 which I thought were pretty weak – 28 across,8 and 25 down.
I guessed GREEN BEAN but couldn’t parse it(thanks bertandjoyce).
Pleased to say I did spot the Nina,but only after completing the puzzle – I’ve learned to look out for these things in the Indy.

By: Kathryn's Dad

Kathryn's Dad — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 23:56:01 +0000

Usually in the Land of Nod by now (and I’m not even staying up for the cricket) but yes, well done BertandJoyce for an excellent spot. I too wondered what the motivation for the (very well disguised) Nina was.

By: flashling

flashling — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 23:46:34 +0000

BJ @9 that’s a fantasic spot, thank you. An even trickier clue than anyone else has seen. Spent quite a while about the baggy greens and their travails and where TU worked. Agree btw about 8d & 24a when I saw it. Nina seems odd with no obvious link to clues or answers. Hope Mordred will pipe up at some stage.

By: BertandJoyce

BertandJoyce — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 23:04:42 +0000

The clue should be read as Oz TU embargo around ‘e’. The Green ban info can be found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_ban

Very impressed with the Nina. Totally missed it but really liked 24A but not impressed by 8D. Overall a good solve. Thanks to Mordred and Ali.

By: pennes

pennes — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 22:44:13 +0000

“Green” and “oz tu” have me baffled. any offers?

By: walruss

walruss — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 16:50:44 +0000

Very good, as despite the Nina the words clued are pretty straightforward. A trademark of Brian Greer (?) whom I miss as an Indy writer..

By: Kathryn's Dad

Kathryn's Dad — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 16:30:50 +0000

Thank you Ali, and others for explanations, several of which I needed today (although I did finish it). Nina? You’re asking the wrong person, though it is very clever indeed.

I liked it but found it hard; however eimi was gentle with us yesterday, so fair enough. I loved NO FLY ZONE and the punning KIDDING. ‘To’ for ‘against’? Hmmm. As Eileen said the other day, there just has to be one definition in one dictionary to validate it (and there no doubt is) but still hmmm. However, a small quibble in a fine, entertaining puzzle.

By: nmsindy

nmsindy — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 16:17:19 +0000

Yes, this was a very tough one, seeing the Nina (one expects them from Mordred) helped me to finish. I think NO-FLY ZONE is a cryptic definition, if a rather unusual one. I esp liked that and also AIRSICK, KIDDING, SADDLED. Thanks for the blog, Ali, and Mordred for the puzzle.