Comments on: Independent 8107 by Tyrus

By: Pelham Barton

Pelham Barton — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 12:58:37 +0000

Thanks Tyrus for dropping in. Further to comments on 8dn, on re-reading my original comment @5, I see that it did not come out as clearly as intended as airing a possible objection in order to dismiss it.

By: flashling

flashling — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 01:45:06 +0000

Hehe Eimi, I thought you were Independent, my views on Osbourne, well, this is a crossword forum, but yes this was fine stuff, if stiff for a Monday morning. Roll on the morning.

By: eimi

eimi — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 00:52:59 +0000

I’m with Conrad Cork @2. With the Conservative Party conference on, I think a lot of us need cheering up and Tyrus always brings a smile to my face.

By: Tyrus

Tyrus — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 22:42:06 +0000

Many thanks for the blog and comments.

Re 8dn, I think the Paris Metro is largely underground.

By: Dormouse

Dormouse — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 21:11:52 +0000

Definitely harder than the usual Monday puzzle, I thought. Didn’t think I was going to finish it, and I suppose I didn’t, actually, as I rejected “oboe” for 12ac. 8dn and 26ac I got only with word searches, and I guessed 20ac but had to look it up to confirm the bird meaning.

By: nmsindy

nmsindy — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 18:31:45 +0000

Re the query at #9, I’ve expanded the introduction to the blog to give more detail on the theme.

By: Kathryn's Dad

Kathryn's Dad — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 15:51:10 +0000

Definitely a toughie for a Monday in my opinion. Didn’t understand it all, so thanks for the blog, nms. I liked SCOT FREE.

And I am being dim here, but what is the theme and what are the ‘thematic clues’?

By: flashling

flashling — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 15:44:06 +0000

Re Oboe, I seem to remember the same conversation on one of my first blogs, cor this was a bit of a toughie to break into but rather enjoyable as the PDM happened.

Thanks NMS/Tyrus.

By: nmsindy

nmsindy — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 15:36:46 +0000

Two brief ‘comments on the comments’. Re #4, dicts confirm ‘oboe’ can be someone playing the oboe in an orchestra.

I think the ‘underground’ discussion may be taking it somewhat too literally. The London Underground has been calling itself that for a long time, I think, tho it is all not literally underground. IMHO the terms ‘metro’ and ‘underground’ are pretty much interchangeable for railway systems.

By: Pelham Barton

Pelham Barton — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 15:00:12 +0000

Further to 5 re 8dn: I neglected to say that I thought the idea behind the clue was really neat.