Comments on: Guardian Prize No 25,586 by Paul

By: Chris C

Chris C — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 22:59:19 +0000

I thoroughly enjoyed this – I’d have Paul do the prize puzzle *at least* every second week.

By the way, I rather fancy that the author Eliot in 22,26 was GEORGE rather than TS, who was more of a poet.

By: RCWhiting

RCWhiting — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 13:32:19 +0000

That reminds me of Azed’s annoying habit.In his ‘solution and notes’
he selects which answers to explain which frequently means the omission of the one I was puzzled by.

By: Giovanna

Giovanna — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 13:29:02 +0000

Thank ew, Paul, for a witty and clever puzzle and bridgesong for the explanations.

Like others, I expected Red Rum and groaned at thank you! Kew did not readily spring to mind but with the crossing letters it was likely to be thank and then you fell into place.

Emeer was quite gettable but like bridgesong, I am more used to emir or ameer from a poem.

22/26 all you naughty boys out there Put it down!!

Giovanna x

By: bridgesong

bridgesong — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 13:27:59 +0000

Tupu @17: yes, you’re right, that is more precise. As NeilW surmises, I perhaps didn’t feel the need to spend too much time explaining such a relatively easy clue.

By: RCWhiting

RCWhiting — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 13:16:18 +0000

Thanks all
Last in and a favourite was ‘remained’.
I liked the ‘Hirst’ = ‘pickler’ for vagueness.
Another one I liked was ‘attempt’.
My obvious difference of opinion to the majority on this MB is nicely summed up by rrc@20. To me ‘a great puzzle’ can never be reconciled with ‘over far too quickly’.

By: rrc

rrc — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 11:46:39 +0000

As already said a great puzzle but over far too quickly – too many clues to highlight although I think fiat was perhaps by favourite

By: r_c_a_d

r_c_a_d — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 10:11:02 +0000

Thanks bridgesong. Good to see I wasn’t the only one left scratching my head with REMAINED or RETAINED pencilled in – seems so obvious now you point it out.

I always find Paul quite tough, which is probably why he has become my favourite setter.

Lots to like here – slightly embarrassed to admit that TOILET SEAT was my winner.

By: tupu

tupu — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 10:10:07 +0000

Sorry NeilW
We crossed

By: tupu

tupu — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 10:09:00 +0000

Hi bridgesong

FWIW isn’t 15a most accurately A + P(iano) + PL-EP-IE?

By: Greg S

Greg S — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 10:06:17 +0000

re Drago’s comment at 5.

I parsed ‘cut free’ = EMPT as Bridgesong does: EMPTY meaning ‘free’ with the Y ‘cut’.

First time post but a regular reader, always in need of help with the last few each week.

Many thanks