Comments on: Guardian 25,650 / Tramp

By: Ste

Ste — Sun, 17 Jun 2012 07:11:07 +0000

Work deadlines prevented me from having a proper crack at my brother’s latest for a week after publication. The first shot produced a meagre 5 results. Then a spare evening (starting 10.30 pm)gave me a window to put my mind to a puzzle Neil had guaranteed me I would love. Anticipating references to 80s music, Peter Kaye quotations, Everton greats (would have had to be a Bank Holiday double grid though) I twigged the theme after Daniel CRAIG at 10.45. Five minutes later came DORIS Day followed by random search for all WALKER relatives. Not the conventional method of crossword solving but I am usually the last to finish Tramp’s puzzles and post a message here. 1.30 am and 95% of the grid completed I called it a day and retired a tad deflated not only at failing to see the tribute to my dad but also with my search in vein (but perhaps vain!) for my own name. The following morning I spotted the hidden name STEPHEN and instantly texted my brother in delight. I discover he’d been in the USA when I was having my first crack at the puzzle (more guilt). I finally complete the crucial top left hand corner with Neil’s advice and, thanks to some friends who ask about my dad’s name, finally see the tribute. This puzzle is getting framed and hung proudly in my house. Mum also wants one. A joy, honour and privilege Neil. From us all. Ste x

By: PeeDee

PeeDee — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 07:36:28 +0000

Very late solving this puzzle, but what a treat!

I didn’t have any problems with the grid, seemed just fine to me. I like ‘unsightly grids’ in the same away that I like to see knobbly vegetables and spots on my apples. The real world is like that.

It is a shame that the (silent) personal theme ended up so much in the spotlight. In general the editing at the Guardian seem a bit of a shambles at the moment.

Thanks to Derek L for the fascinating explanation of triples/trebles, though I don’t see a problem with words ending up in the dictionary because so many people use them mistakenly. The ‘new’ meanings do become real, the dictionary reflects the actual usages in the real world.

Thank you Eileen and thank you Tramp.

By: Tramp

Tramp — Sun, 03 Jun 2012 11:07:39 +0000

Fallowfield

This puzzle was a theme for my family. I intended it to be a latent theme and to not mention it to the general solving public. There was a mix up earlier in the month and I panicked that my tribute wouldn’t get published so I explained over on the crossword blog what had happened, thereby exposing the theme. This puzzle had a ghost theme; you didn’t need to know anything about the theme to solve the puzzle.

Qu = Question (Chambers 12th Edition p1272)
A = Answer (Chambers 12th Edition p1)

I am extremely sorry to hear about your solving partner. I realise my puzzle is a little self-indulgent and I don’t for one minute think I’m the only person in the world who hasn’t suffered a loss.

By: brucew_aus

brucew_aus — Sun, 03 Jun 2012 10:10:23 +0000

Thanks Tramp for a great puzzle and Eileen for the blog.

This took much longer than normal – struggled with a lot of the local knowledge required with the products … yet ashamedly I missed the correct parsing of 14d which involved the DINGO !!

Also missed POD and had spent too much time looking for an English school naming system that involved PCD or PBD or similar – finally gave up this morning and was mortified to see it was a simple school of whales !!

Excellent clues with outstanding surfaces – couldn’t think of a better tribute to your Dad.

By: Fallowfield

Fallowfield — Sat, 02 Jun 2012 22:42:23 +0000

Aquafresh – there’s one to remember for future tramps in the country. Question/answer = qu/a? Where? Another puzzle crucified on a theme – in this case one impossible to detect.

As it turns out, its to do with bereavement. Well, my partner and I used to do the Guardian crossword every morning in bed with tea and toast until cancer took her away last year. Anyone want to hear about it?

By: nametab

nametab — Sat, 02 Jun 2012 20:30:16 +0000

Have been out of circulation, so was unable to do Tramp’s poignant puzzle.
Thanks to Eileen and all bloggers for a good read here of the enjoyment it has given.
Condolences and best wishes to you Tramp.
Hope to tackle your next one.

By: Gordon Elliott

Gordon Elliott — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 11:32:59 +0000

Thankyou Tramp and Eileen for great puzzle and explanation.

It was a bit difficult for me and took up time that should have been spent more productive things. Ihpoe that RCWhiting @19′scomment is not taken too literally, there are a great number of us out there that struggle with the present standard of difficulty. It would have been great for a Saturday offering though.
Had trouble with the trade names but finally had to accept them.

By: nmsindy

nmsindy — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 09:40:01 +0000

Thanks, Tramp, for this puzzle and sympathies for the loss which led to the puzzle’s creation. Quite difficult, I thought, and I’d to go for help for the actors and (sorry, Roger at #40), I never thought of that toothpaste – now that it’s explained I see it’s an excellent clue. Many thanks for the blog, Eileen, and nice to see you again at the S&B and to have this puzzle to do on my way back from it.

By: Rorschach

Rorschach — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 09:30:36 +0000

Lovely cluing!

Loved the toothpaste one – although the surface was a little bit stretchy. And Simon and Grafunkel juxtaposition was nice too.

Thanks both.

Also – great to get to meet some of you a couple of days ago – great fun!

By: Roger

Roger — Thu, 31 May 2012 21:48:16 +0000

Great puzzle today. Featured a beautiful clue involving our brand ,Aquafresh (GSK), and also the name of my boss., Emma. Gave me goosebumps! I can assure everyone no sponsorship involved.