Comments on: Guardian 25,509 / Rufus

By: PeterJohnN

PeterJohnN — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 23:26:15 +0000

Just back from holiday abroad. No papers or crosswords for over two weeks. Bliss! But read “At Swim-Two-Birds” by Flann O’Brien, which featured with his other major works in a brilliant Guardian crossword a few weeks/months ago. Very Irish in many senses, highly recommended. Today’s puzzle was a gentle re-introduction, though with Christmas upon us, I can’t really afford the time. Like many others, couldn’t, and didn’t really want to, remember the name of “Santa’s” reindeer. I much prefer “Father Christmas” to the Americanised version. Bah, humbug!

Thanks Eileen and Rufus.

By: Davy

Davy — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 21:57:32 +0000

Thanks Eileen,

Very entertaining Christmas puzzle from Rufus where even the easiest answers had great surfaces. For some reason, I was particularly amused by Tehran A-Z and also liked NOWHERE, AMASS, ENDOW (so simple yet so effective), ORAL and DECORATE. This was also a Rufus that I finished as usually there are two or three that I can’t bring to mind. It was the SE that caused me the most problems today but none of the clues were difficult once the answer filtered through.

All the best Rufus and long may you continue to entertain us.

By: Eileen

Eileen — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 18:51:51 +0000

19dn: ALMONDS: anagram [cracking] of OLD MAN’S.

Apologies, Tonyc and everyone, for the omission, for which I’m doubly sorry, as I thought it was a cracking clue, with an excellent surface. [Thanks, Headteacher - as you say, typical Rufus.]

[Thanks for the link, Jan.]

By: Robi

Robi — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 18:26:43 +0000

Good, seasonal puzzle from Rufus – by next Monday, it will all be over bar the shouting!

Thanks, Eileen; like Derek @17, I did the top half first and found the SW corner quite challenging. 14 was my last in; Rufus had me thinking too much of Christmas presents – neat clue! I also got ORAL before the penny dropped about the miser. My usual lack of biblical knowledge meant that I didn’t know the Job comforter reference (neither the reindeer,) but, as Derek says, that’s what Wiki is for.

By: Headteacher

Headteacher — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 18:23:07 +0000

ALMONDS. It’s Rufus, it really is that obvious

By: Tonyc

Tonyc — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 18:07:10 +0000

Hi thanks for this. 19D anyone ?
I’ve got blank L blank O blank D blank

By: Jan

Jan — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 17:52:05 +0000

Thanks, Eileen. I didn’t get Rudolph!

I remembered all the reindeer except Comet and Dasher and had happily entered VIXEN (long tail – yes?) until I solved 5d.

But, for the first time ever, I have now read the entire poem which starts, “‘Twas the night before Christmas … ”

A Visit from St. Nicholas

By: Jim

Jim — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 17:22:26 +0000

Can anyone come up with a good acronym for the list of reindeers?

By: Jim

Jim — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 17:19:38 +0000

One of Santa’s reindeer — with a long tail? Could not remember the list either and guessed at Boxer, which had the xmas theme and a tail!

By: StanXYZ

StanXYZ — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 16:12:36 +0000

Thanks, Eileen! As you say, very clever to have all the clues/solutions linked to the same theme!

Hopefully, the rest of this week’s puzzles will be less thematic or have a different theme!

Regards, Scrooge.