Comments on: Independent 8,033 / Phi

By: RatkojaRiku

RatkojaRiku — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 11:15:37 +0000

Thanks for the comments on the parsing, Pelham Barton: I have amended 10 accordingly, although I am not convinced of the need to add “all” in 2, since the “w” is not necessarily reversed, as I see it.

By: Phi

Phi — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 20:03:41 +0000

Ah, yes – ANIMADVERSION. I wondered if anyone would spot the recurrence. I came across it a while ago, put it on my list of words to kick off filling blank grids, used it in a grid, forgot to delete it from the list, used it again. If it had been published in the order the grids were filled, there’d have been only a couple of weeks between appearances, but I rejigged the order I sent them to Eimi, and I think the further reordering occasioned by the asymmetrical puzzle may have given a further week’s grace.

By: NealH

NealH — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 17:46:39 +0000

I thought this rounded off the week nicely. The puzzles have been of a reasonable uniform standard this week, with Monday’s being probably the easiest and the other four being of a fairly similar level of difficulty. Thankfully, there were no Nimrods or Bannsiders, so I was able to get a nice clean sweep.

By: Dormouse

Dormouse — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 17:38:43 +0000

Yeah, not too difficult today. Finished most of it at lunchtime with only two clues left to do – 3dn and 16dn. Came back to it just now and they suddenly came to me. Didn’t know 10ac but guessed it must start “avi-” and end “-al” so I just opened Chambers and looked at the entry for “Aves”.

Couldn’t see how 5dn worked but it I now realise it was glaringly obvious.

We had a Gigi connection in the Saturday prize crossword just a couple of weeks ago.

By: Kathryn's Dad

Kathryn's Dad — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 14:57:25 +0000

Nice blog, thanks.

Another fine Friday puzzle from Phi – no bells and whistles, but a very pleasing solve. No stand-out clues (although I did like the surface for PRENUPTIAL) but plenty to enjoy. For those who do the puzzle in Another Place, there is a really spooky coincidence with one of the unusual words clued here.

Thanks to Phi.

By: Pelham Barton

Pelham Barton — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 11:48:21 +0000

Thanks Phi for a thoroughly enjoyable puzzle and RR for the blog. I too finished on 3dn/10ac.

Favourite clue 7dn: a nice device clearly indicated.

A couple of small points about the parsing:

10ac: This is just FAUN in [A + VIAL], or possibly A + [FAUN in VIAL]. The “a” in the middle of the clue is part of the indication for FAUN.

2dn: You have identified the reversal indicator but (as I write this) have not actually said “all reversed” in the parsing.

By: nmsindy

nmsindy — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 10:16:09 +0000

Thanks, RR, and Phi. I got two of the long entries very quickly (24A and 8D) but the other two took very much longer. Like you I esp liked RUCKSACK – also LITTER LOUT. Not too difficult a puzzle overall.