Comments on: Guardian Quiptic 631 Nutmeg

By: Nutmeg

Nutmeg — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 08:44:20 +0000

Thank you all for kind comments. As for accommodating Nina in grid, you have to choose the right grid (all fairly short words in this one), it’s fun to do and well worth the effort so long as somebody spots it!
Happy Christmas

By: Derek Lazenby

Derek Lazenby — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 23:30:42 +0000

Hmm yes, a few intricate ones, but getable in the end.

You really do have to wonder, given that creating a grid is non-trivial, just how hard it is to create a grid that fits a Nina like that. Thanks for that Nutmeg.

By: scchua

scchua — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 17:44:50 +0000

Hello again Jan, and nice to hear from you again.

You’re right with the clue connection, and it is Debbie from Blondie. There’s a name for the bits and bobs (Clue: “Hello Dave…”), given in the link that I’ve now added below the picture set. The lawman is a certain strong personality not a million miles from where I am, who got his degree from Cambridge (cf. the other link)

By: Jan

Jan — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 17:25:30 +0000

Thanks, scchua, and it was really lovely to meet you in Derby.

It was a delightful crossword, thanks Nutmeg.

I only recognise Harold Wilson – is that Debbie Harry? – are you relating to the Prince Hal clue? I have no idea who the young lawman is or what the bits and bobs are.

By: Kathryn's Dad

Kathryn's Dad — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 16:12:48 +0000

You weren’t the only one to miss it, scchua! In the time the Quiptic has been blogged here, I can’t ever remember a Nina, so well done and thank you to Nutmeg.

By: scchua

scchua — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 15:02:12 +0000

Thanks Wanderer for spotting it, and thanks again Nutmeg and apologies for not doing it justice. I must remember to tell myself: “Expect the unexpected”! Missed a Nina yet again!

By: Wanderer

Wanderer — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 14:52:17 +0000

I don’t remember seeing a Quiptic with a perimeter Nina before, so thank you to Nutmeg for the kind thought, and to scchua for the blog.

By: Kathryn's Dad

Kathryn's Dad — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 13:24:32 +0000

Thanks, scchua.

A pretty good Quiptic, with only two or three more intricate clues. I liked NOEL for its clever surface, and GILBERT was also clever. I was less keen on CHEETAH, but then I’m always less keen on Spooner-related clues.

Thank you to Nutmeg.