Comments on: Everyman No. 3410 (12th February)

By: Robert

Robert — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 15:06:13 +0000

Dear Lorraine,

Yes, funny about the Cross of Lorraine, though perhaps not entirely coincidental.

Anyway, this is my first visit to your blog, and may I say it is excellent!

It’s one thing to get all the answers (which I didn’t), quite another to explain them all so clearly and concisely.

You’re a star!

Robert

By: Robi

Robi — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 16:58:23 +0000

Thanks Everyman; the usual smooth surfaces.

Thanks, DOUBLE-CROSS; I had to look that one up (and SPECIE,) although I did manage to remember STOGIE. It took a little while for the penny to drop for TO THE LETTER; amazing how the brain sometimes refuses to break down the obvious meaning.

Slightly more challenging than average, I thought.

By: Davy

Davy — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 10:04:43 +0000

Thanks Lorraine,

I thought this was mainly very easy but got stuck on the last two. I thought of species but had never heard of specie for money. I have never heard anyone ever use this expression. Also, I didn’t know OBELI so when you have O_E__, the answer could be anything. So it’s the first Everyman that I haven’t finished in a long long time. I did like TO THE LETTER and OASIS.
Thanks Everyman.

By: Kathryn's Dad

Kathryn's Dad — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 09:45:43 +0000

Many thanks, Lorraine. You’ve been Everyman’s faithful blogger for so long now that you’re even getting a name-check!

I too couldn’t parse SPARKS, so thanks for that. Perhaps we don’t comment enough on how Everyman manages such good surfaces and still produces an accessible puzzle. For me, 13ac and 5dn were excellent examples.

BATES reminded me of my favourite novel of his – Fair Stood the Wind for France. It’s beautifully written and very moving.

By: Bamberger

Bamberger — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 09:16:45 +0000

I have encountered easier
9a Had to check that there was such a person as bates.
8d Didn’t know specie as coined money
17d With ?t?g?e had pt be stogie but had to google that.
23a I knew Petersham as being a place next door to Richmond but g?e?t?o?t didn’t get me home.
18d I got sparks very early but a week later I hadn’t worked out the wordplay

By: crosser

crosser — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 06:46:59 +0000

Very enjoyable puzzle. I couldn’t understand “sparks” in 18d so thanks, Lorraine, for your explanation. You sounded a bit tentative but I’m sure you’re right.