Comments on: Guardian 25204 Chifonie … Of Castro, Cricket and Curates

By: William

William — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 10:26:36 +0000

Thanks, Uncle, for the blog and in particular for the interesting background to the General Burnside thing.

I’m one of those who has had to become resigned to feeling slightly crestfallen to read fellow bloggers report that they needed only 7.4 minutes to complete a particular grid. I generally use the Guardian crossword to aid the onset of sleep but found myself still wide awake with a completed grid last night. I even nudged the memsahib to share the triumph, but it elicited only a muttered, “Well done, dear”, before moving on with her novel.

Hey-ho, all the best for 2011 and thank you for all your excellent posts through the year.

By: Bob

Bob — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 07:00:05 +0000

In addition to those already pointed out, I dare say Chifonie has upset sex workers (11a), their clients (26a’s indulging in 18d-ity), PhDs (25a), PhD candidates who supplement their income in unconventional ways (all the foregoing), dockers (14d, why shouldn’t they have some fun?), and 18a-ed old men who get irritated by 21a-ical 20d’s.
Perhaps the Guardian should drop the crossword altogether, just to avoid causing distress to the sensitive.

By: Carrots

Carrots — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 19:58:16 +0000

Hi Davy…..from one happy infidel to another. I don`t know what Swukker was going on about with “inaccurate” or “insult to heathens”…it seemed a perfectly clear, simple and innocuous clue/solution to me.

As a dedicated heathen, I find it almost impossible to be offended by any reference to it….even by the silken-suited Jehovah`s Witnesses who very occasionally (and equally foolishly) turn up uninvited on my doorstep.

By: Mr Beaver

Mr Beaver — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 19:41:07 +0000

Davy, there’s no call to be quite so personal about Swukker, though as an indifferent solver, I do agree that it’s irritating when more gifted brethren complain about a puzzle being too easy. Some of us are just grateful to be able to finish!

By: Davy

Davy — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 18:16:16 +0000

Thanks Uncle Yap,

Yes this was relatively easy but let’s give credit for some great clues. I thought “Worker’s first wife died in shop” was brilliant. I’ve never heard of Lilith but despise religion in all its manifestations. Religion equals wealth acquisition, pomposity and hypocrisy.
I also liked OUTRE, DOCTORATE, ASCOT, SOAP OPERA and INERT.
Thanks Chifonie for an entertaining puzzle and don’t listen to Swukker even though his name sounds like what he really is.

By: Carrots

Carrots — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 16:41:23 +0000

No matter how much I dawdled, I couldn`t make this stretch to a second pinta.

Tupu….you might already know that, before their takeover by ITG many years ago, Howard Johnson Hotels were known in some circles as “Hot Sheet Hostels”…quite appropriate for Trevor & Celia`s shenanigans don`t cha think?!?!

Roll on the Araucaria….these over-easy puzzles are getting me down.

By: Kathryn's Dad

Kathryn's Dad — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 15:57:51 +0000

Thank you, Uncle Yap. I am completely confused about which crossword is which, but enjoyed this gentle offering from Chifonie. And of course am made up about the goings on in Melbourne, so will nominate 17dn as my CoD.

By: Stella

Stella — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 15:56:28 +0000

Thanks Uncle Yap, I like your blog titles, but I must agree with tupu that they may sometimes be a bit of a giveaway for those of us who check up on the comments to the previous day’s puzzle before tackling today’s.

On the other hand, tupu, I don’t think UY made things any easier for you at 18d, did he? I think he’s usually quite careful in his choice of words.

As has been commented, a relatively easy and entertaining puzzle from Chifonie today. No doubt with the Christmas mix-up I could access tomorrow’s, too, but then what would I do tomorrow? I prefer my daily fix

To Bryan@3, regarding your comment about the mastiff, I doubt Chifonie had any idea of the incident you describe when compiling the puzzle. Anyway, I never blame the dog, much less the breed, but rather irresponsible owners. Mastiffs particularly, though large and powerful, are generally even-tempered and excellent with children, for example.

By: Scarpia

Scarpia — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 15:02:45 +0000

Thanks uncle Yap.
Pretty straightforward stuff from Chifonie,no quibbles,no questions.
BTW tomorrow’s Araucaria is a cracker!

By: Robii

Robii — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 13:28:50 +0000

Thanks Chifonie and UY for a nice puzzle and blog.

I particularly liked 11a; perhaps just what was required by 26a.