Comments on: Independent 7980 (Saturday Prize Crossword (12/05/12)

By: Bertandjoyce

Bertandjoyce — Sat, 19 May 2012 15:58:17 +0000

Thanks Wanderer! We think you are right with 4d. We try and write the blog for new solvers and tend to avoid using ‘&lit’ but we should have been clearer that the definition involved all three parts!

By: Wanderer

Wanderer — Sat, 19 May 2012 15:53:18 +0000

Thanks B&J and Radian, very enjoyable puzzle.

Surely 4d is a lovely &lit rather than a cryptic definition? A custard pie is a sort of pud thrown in anger (ie while heckling a politician), thus accounting for pud, cast and ire. My favourite clue.

By: sidey

sidey — Sat, 19 May 2012 14:43:53 +0000

re 18 ‘They go straight to bed’ is the definition of what plumb lines do when measuring the depth of (sounding) a body of water. Added fun facts: the lead (Lat plumbum) weight has to be swung ahead of a moving boat in order for it to be at right angles when it touches the bed, a highly skilled job. The base of the lead would be coated with tallow to provide an indication of the sea bed’s composition.

By: mc_rapper67

mc_rapper67 — Sat, 19 May 2012 08:32:42 +0000

A beautifully crafted puzzle – and great blog, with some fascinating background/research – real added value, thanks B&J.

Happy memories for me, as my wife’s sister recited ‘The Owl & the Pussycat’ as a reading at our wedding, 11 years ago and counting, for ‘…too long had we tarried…’ (7 years).

Although the registrar wasn’t too happy with the line ‘…and were married next day, by the turkey who lives on the hill.’ (;+>)

By: Dormouse

Dormouse — Sat, 19 May 2012 08:28:31 +0000

This proved a pleasant accompaniment to a trip to Brighton last week. Got a couple of answers (but not the theme) when I first glanced at it on the way down before putting it aside to finish reading the paper. Re-started it on the train back, and to my surprise finished it before I got to Gatwick, which is exceedingly fast for me.

Radio 3 that morning had alerted me to the Lear birthday. I’m not an expert but knew enough of his work to get many of the themed clues once I got the theme. (I didn’t know about the epilepsy, though.)

By: Eileen

Eileen — Sat, 19 May 2012 07:46:17 +0000

Excellent blog [thanks, B and J] of an excellent puzzle [thanks, Radian]!

For those unfamiliar with the poem, there’s another lovely reference to ‘The owl and the Pussycat’ in 17dn:

‘O let us be married! too long we have tarried:
But what shall we do for a ring?’

By: Bertandjoyce

Bertandjoyce — Sat, 19 May 2012 07:07:33 +0000

Thanks nmsindy. As far as LONELY is concerned, that’s what we meant but your explanation is clearer!

By: nmsindy

nmsindy — Sat, 19 May 2012 06:55:50 +0000

Though totally unfamiliar with the works of EL, I was able to solve this, checking the references after. V enjoyable. I think LONELY is just L ONE L Y with one = i in lily. Thanks B&J and Radian.