Comments on: Independent 7,610/Punk

By: Allan_C

Allan_C — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 08:21:27 +0000

Interesting to see which of the NI towns different solvers got first before 26a. In my case it was Dungannon (nice clueing there, could one call it cheeky?). And how many little Englanders were misled into looking for somewhere on the European mainland, I wonder?
And thanks, Ali, for the explanation of 19a.

By: Scarpia

Scarpia — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 23:41:38 +0000

Thanks Ali.
Very enjoyable puzzle.I was surprised that I knew all the towns mentioned,probably,as flashling says,due to mentions in the news.
Favourite clues for me 14 and 20 down and 29 across – very ‘Pauline’!

By: ele

ele — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 22:58:08 +0000

Didn’t have too much trouble with the NI towns – Antrim was the first in and then it was reasonably plain sailing – but took ages to get the last couple of non-thematics like 2d and 23ac. Had to resort to the word finder when I got home for 2d in exasperation! Liked synonym and square meal in particular. Thanks to Punk and to Ali for the blog – especially for explaining Ouse, which I got but couldn’t see why.

By: flashling

flashling — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 22:00:39 +0000

Never been to the north, Eire yes but knew all the towns, maybe just my memory of troubles in these places, am I the only one to have trouble telling the audible difference between omagh and armagh? I know several of our setters/commenters are from Ireland but only NMS seems to have come here so far.

By: nmsindy

nmsindy — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 21:59:57 +0000

I think it’s probably meant to be read, Jake, as zero use.

By: Jake

Jake — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 21:21:50 +0000

Good puzzle.

I did need an atlas of NI to finish.

Good xwd. But, still not understand the wordplay of 13A (n) O use ? Still managed it though with no indicator?

By: flashling

flashling — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 18:45:49 +0000

A lot easier than feared when I saw Punk and the geography based clues, monotony and synonym were fine lean as others have noted a bit weak. Somehow got all the towns and completed this on the train. A fine puzzle, thanks Ali/PunK

By: Kathryn's Dad

Kathryn's Dad — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 17:25:06 +0000

I didn’t find this too difficult, although I only got BELFAST after solving a couple of the other towns. I was pleased not to have to resort to the atlas or the internet: I’ve only visited NI a couple of times, but most of the names were familiar to me.

I too liked the ‘DUNG’ reference in DUNGANNON, and MONOTONY also raised a smile.

Thanks Ali for the blog.

By: walruss

walruss — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 16:04:13 +0000

Some dodgy ones, but also some quite good ones. I like the DUNG, which sort of gag is expected from this compiler. An okay puzzle.

By: Lostboy

Lostboy — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 15:39:10 +0000

I couldn’t agree more about 23- I had “Lent”, as in a period of rest from something and no profit for something lent to someone….. , which meant I couldn’t get “Monotony”