Comments on: Guardian 25,592 / Araucaria

By: mhl

mhl — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 18:22:16 +0000

I meant to mention that there was a story about the sad history of Nauru on This American Life, which I think is worth listening to if you otherwise didn't know about it: Episode 253 - The Middle of Nowhere.

By: RCWhiting

RCWhiting — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 16:06:12 +0000

Everything is tough on someone or vice versa.
I wrote in Nauru almost immediately but unlike most of you I have been there. It was only a three hour stop-over and I spent most of it in a dental surgery but I saw what a sad desolate place it is.
There must be a lesson for mankind somewhere in Nauru but I doubt we shall ever learn it.

By: mhl

mhl — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 13:25:17 +0000

Miche: indeed, I seem to be very much in a minority about those clues given the comments here! I just tend to prefer stricter definition parts, where the definition could be reasonably substituted for the answer if it were to appear in a sentence. I did think “shortened as pages” was fun, just that it would be tough on newer solvers…

By: NeilW

NeilW — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 09:37:38 +0000

Mitch @13 and RCW @11 – this, March 24th’s, prize crossword you may remember was, to start with, an Orlando meant for the following Monday and those of us in the GMT++ longitudes all had to do this A crossword on the Monday, (no complaints.) I had a sneaking suspicion that the same intern was still in charge when I saw a (very typical) Gordius this week and have gone back several times to check if it’s been removed but no… Does it have something to do with today’s date?

Back on topic, thanks mhl. Nothing to add to the other comments above or your excellent blog.

By: Miche

Miche — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 03:53:38 +0000

Thanks, mhl.

I needed the internet’s help with 2d. I’d never heard of either place. Two of the definitions you disliked—”shortened as pages” and “over sisters”—were the ones I’d noted as especially pleasing.

By: nametab

nametab — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 20:06:15 +0000

As with Wanderer @6, it was solving BERMUDA that revealed the ‘T’. Had got integral and eternal earlier, but couldn’t imagine any commonality, then saw 5d triple anagram was very neatly parsed.
Definition for MONASTERIES at 1a so obvious (a bit feeble really) – went in at first glance. 24d definition for SNOWING rather forced in order to suit parsing. Favourite was 16a. Rather taken with 8d. Never knew of Bermuda rig, but wikipedia did.
Agree with others that Prize puzzles are generally easier now, but always look forward to Auracaria.

By: chas

chas — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 15:10:24 +0000

Thanks to mhl for the blog. I had PIANISSIMO but quite failed to justify it.

I have heard of Bermuda Triangle but Bermuda rig is new to me so thanks again to mhl.

By: Mitch

Mitch — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 15:08:35 +0000

RCWhiting@11

Agree with you about today’s. When a Saturday prize cross word is finished before the end of breakfast …

By: r_c_a_d

r_c_a_d — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 13:59:56 +0000

Thanks for the blog. I found this quite straightforward, finishing before tea on Saturday, which is unusual for me. Almost completed an Araucaria without reference material … but my geography fell short on NAURU.

Favourite was PIANISSIMO.

By: RCWhiting

RCWhiting — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 13:49:11 +0000

Not as easy as today’s, sadly.