Comments on: Independent 7933/Quixote

By: Rorschach

Rorschach — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 23:05:46 +0000

Weirdly, I got to 17 ac by L=pupil UP IN S=school… and was thinking it was just a bad clue…

By: Dormouse

Dormouse — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 19:10:55 +0000

For years I thought the course in Italian restaurants was “antipasta”, something to counteract the effects of too much pasta. When I discovered to derivation, I subconciously spelled it “antepasto”, so ANTEPAST wasn’t too difficult to guess. Didn’t know “thole” – got the answer but couldn’t see how to parse it.

By: Bertandjoyce

Bertandjoyce — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 18:48:18 +0000

We also needed to check ‘thole’ but otherwise a straightforward, enjoyable solve. No stand-out clues but all fair and a good start to the week.
Thanks Quixote and Pierre.

By: Pierre

Pierre — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 17:01:31 +0000

With reference to 27ac, and in a case of serendipity, I’m sure, the Indy i today reveals that Dennis the Menace and the Beano are featured in a new set of themed stamps issued today by the soon to be privatised Royal Mail.

Thanks to Pelham for clearing up how GANGES works.

By: Cumbrian

Cumbrian — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 15:00:47 +0000

THOLE was new to me, as was ANTEPAST, but both available from either the clue or crossing letters. I haven’t come across a Sanderling before; that was my last one in after a bit of head scratching (note to self – “smoother” doesn’t always suggest an iron, press or similar laundry implement!)

Many thanks for an enjoyable puzzle and an excellent blog.

By: flashling

flashling — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 14:58:48 +0000

Didn’t know but guessed THOLE, it had to be, very quick solve apart from that, thanks Pierre and the Q.

By: Quixote

Quixote — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 14:46:01 +0000

Surprised NMS didn’t know THOLE — a word I learnt early on from my dear Ulster wife ( who tholes things better than I do sometimes!)

By: nmsindy

nmsindy — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 14:29:37 +0000

Thanks, Pierre and Quixote. Just in case some of those ‘novice’ solvers might be discouraged, I found this a little trickier than some of the comments above suggest but I got there in the end, understanding everything. THOLE and ANTEPAST were new to me.

By: Pelham Barton

Pelham Barton — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 12:35:28 +0000

Thanks Quixote for a pleasant puzzle and Pierre for the blog.

15ac: I took “getting across” as the insertion indicator – I cannot see anything else that could be. Then “swirling” applies to the whole of S(EG)NAG.

By: Allan_C

Allan_C — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 11:42:26 +0000

Yes, an excellent introduction for the novice cryptic solver – yet one or two clues, e.g 19a, that were a bit challenging to the experienced solver, so thanks, Pierre, for the blog. And thanks to Quixote for a gentle Monday morning workout.