Comments on: Independent 7924 / Klingsor

By: Graham Pellen

Graham Pellen — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 03:39:19 +0000

Missing from the blog in 6D and not commented on by contributors is the “v” in “tax haven” – villa at first.

By: Klingsor

Klingsor — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 13:08:54 +0000

A belated thanks for the excellent blog and the supportive comments. I wish you all a pleasant weekend.

By: Cumbrian

Cumbrian — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 10:59:56 +0000

Thanks for the suggestion nmsindy – I’ll look out for the book. I’ve read one in the past (can’t remember what it was) but there’s no substitute for learning “on the job” (on the solve I suppose) and an instant explanation for something I’m struggling with is ideal. As an example, I doubt I’d ever have recognised “gam” as a school without having it explained here – since when I’ve seen it lots of times, given a knowing and smug little smile, and solved the clue! A bit like the reference to Ulster in this puzzle – I was trying to fit NI into the answer, and it wasn’t until I checked the blog that the alternative use of coat hit me. Yes, I knew it, but I hadn’t thought of it. Every time something like that occurs, I can shift my lateral thinking box a little bit more.

By: nmsindy

nmsindy — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 09:34:39 +0000

Cumbrian, I’d suggest you have a look at one of the ‘how to solve’ books eg Don Manley’s Crossword Manual or others. These explain all the clueing devices used (with examples).

By: Cumbrian

Cumbrian — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 09:25:45 +0000

I was dipping into this one at various times yesterday, and found it quite hard going; this morning I made much use of the reveal button. Absolutely nothing to complain about – the puzzle required more from me than dipping in and out, and I simply wasn’t on the right wavelength. When I revealed some of the ones I’d been stuck on, my reaction was generally appreciation of a very clever clue, fair if convoluted! One or two I couldn’t see, so many thanks for the blog.

Re blogs, it’s the quality of the blogging that is so useful for an improver. Since finding this site, my solving ability has leapt forward, simply because I now recognise certain devices and usage that I’ve probably been staring at for years but never seen explained. I bet there’s a raft of people out there who find it equally useful, but don’t really feel they have anything to contribute to the forum. So many thanks to all the bloggers on behalf of the (relatively) silent mob out there!

By: Wil Ransome

Wil Ransome — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 22:54:24 +0000

Very nice crossword, lots of good clues. I’d have thought that with a little jiggling it could have been a pangram, for what that’s worth nowadays with everyone seeming to do it. 25ac could have been QUIP, 14dn COMPOSURE, then 18ac AMEN SOCKS. Or something. Perhaps Klingsor tried and failed.

By: nmsindy

nmsindy — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 22:28:49 +0000

Re flashling at #7, as one involved in the site from the start, it’s just that’s it’s grown steadily over the years as more have discovered the site. In the early days also, there was a policy of not giving all answers as newspapers had premium rate lines you could phone for them. This became less relevant as the answers became available on their websites.

It was a huge day when a blog attracted 20 comments for the first time, with the editor (Gaudfrid’s predecessor) making the comment to bring up the total.

By: flashling

flashling — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 21:52:25 +0000

Re Allan_C’s comment I’ve viewed a few of the older blogs and am surprised at how sparse they were, these days it’s all answers, full explanations and commenters who can fill in any gaps we have. Not sure where the change happened though.

By: Allan_C

Allan_C — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 18:34:34 +0000

K’s D: In support of flashling, I recall BOONDOCKS cropping up in a crossword not too long ago. Can’t remember where or when; it might have been in Another Newspaper.

Btw anyone baffled by 6d in yesterday’s i cryptic can find the blog for its original Indy appearance at http://fifteensquared.net/2007/03/01/323/

By: flashling

flashling — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 16:06:11 +0000

No huge pile of comments alas, rather easier I felt than most Thursdays, perhaps after Tuesday Eimi is being a little kind. Boondocks is certainly American, first encountered by me here in an Indy puzzle.

I know Klingsor lives in the Czech republic now so had a moment of dread thinking are we expected to know Czech artists now. Nice little diversion, thanks Klingsor and Marge&Homer (Sorry private joke between us).