Comments on: Guardian 25,497 – Rufus

By: Giovanna

Giovanna — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 13:15:42 +0000

Thanks, dunsscotus.

It was an echo of childhood, as my father was keen on church music from different denominations.That makes the clue even better.

Giovanna

By: dunsscotus

dunsscotus — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 12:26:56 +0000

Choral Choral Evensong: Radio 3 wednesdays 3.30 ish. Been running for years. Cho

By: Alexlotl

Alexlotl — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 23:59:30 +0000

@stumped – I actually find Rufus more stressful than some other setters, as his grids tend to be heavy on cryptics and double defs; I’m more at home with an anagram/construct/inclusion etc, as it feels like you have “proof” to back up your hunches. I guess I just don’t have the confidence as yet.

Did dreadfully at this one. Spent too long trying to rearrange DAPHNE into a type of headgear (I was also ignorant of George Du Maurier, and took “novel” as an Anagrind – probably exactly what Rufus planned). Also didn’t know that Ness meant head, and Pet for Sulk must be not-my-regional.

1d, 5d, 22d and 23d are all very good. One day, Rufus, one day.

By: Giovanna

Giovanna — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 23:23:19 +0000

Stumped @12. I’m not sure but it was the service of Evensong from different churches around the country and was broadcast at around 4-4.40pm. No doubt one of the Revs could help. I remember that some of the services were described as Choral Evensong.

Giovanna

By: Mr Beaver

Mr Beaver — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 22:11:47 +0000

Like Tupu, the NW corner was last for us. Several solutions (2d, 3d, 16d) were penciled in as I was only partly convinced they were right. Other setters may be harder but Rufus’s clues often lack the satisfactory ‘aha’ moment when you’re certain you’ve cracked them.
On the plus side, 4d was crafty

By: Sil van den Hoek

Sil van den Hoek — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 22:06:15 +0000

Yes, this is exceptional – 12+ comments so far.
On the other hand, there’s not much that might be seen as controversial in this crossword. So perhaps, thát’s the reason.
Unlike you, manehi (thank you for the blog), we didn’t like 2d that much.
But in our opinion EVENSONG (13ac) is a fantastic clue.
Simple, neat, splendid surface, only three words.
In fact, the one reason I wanted to post a comment tonight.

By: stumped

stumped — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 21:15:06 +0000

Giovanna @10 – wasn’t it called “Songs of Praise”?

Morpheus @9 – Rufus may to ‘too easy’ for the jaded set, but there are plenty of folk out here who are glad of something that accustoms us to cryptics. I, for one, would give up completely if there was a Paul or Enigmatist every day.

By: stumped

stumped — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 21:10:46 +0000

Many thanks to Rufus for a nicely crafted puzzle and to manehi for the blog. Cruised along for most of it. Got 22ac despite never having heard of George du M, it was the only hat that fit. Took a while to get 9ac, didn’t know Ness = Head. Got held up in SW corner.

Last in 24sc, eventually figured out Lea = Pasture (from childhood fondness for Dairylea, a cheese-like substance) decided ‘quickly’ gave ‘p’ for presto (I know, totally wrong) and stuck in ‘T’, just because. Took ‘exercise’ as a sort of anagrind. ‘PT’ was something I was double-plus ungood at, so mental block there.

Just goes to show how wrong one can be and still get to the solution.

By: Giovanna

Giovanna — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 21:10:24 +0000

Thanks Rufus for an enjoyably gentle start to the week and Manehi for the parsing.

I particularly enjoyed 13a and Evensong used to be broadcast regularly “on air”, which led me to the solution.

Giovanna

By: morpheus

morpheus — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 21:09:21 +0000

only 8 responses at 9pm! what is happening? did I miss a bank holiday? time to stir up the Rufus is too easy debate?