Comments on: Independent 8123 / Phi

By: Bertandjoyce

Bertandjoyce — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 21:56:57 +0000

Thanks Phi and Duncan! Another good end to the week.

Can we claim our Dunmow Flitch belatedly?

By: Dormouse

Dormouse — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 18:12:15 +0000

I remember seeing a fifties British comedy film on TV when I was young which had the Dunmow flitch as its subject. Thought it was called that, but a search of Wikipedia suggest it might be the 1952 film Made in Heaven.

The Dervish House by the British author Ian McDonald is dedicated “to Enid” who I think is the author’s wife. I’ve met McDonald, and he was in the company of a woman at the time who I believe was his wife, so I guess I’ve met an Enid.

“Organogram” got me in the end. I guessed it started organ- and looked in Chambers but failed to see it. Needed a word search.

By: Polly

Polly — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 17:46:32 +0000

I’ve never met an Enid either, but most people have surely heard of Enid Blyton – or do you have to be over 40… 50… 60…?

By: flashling

flashling — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 16:30:45 +0000

I did think that Enid as a gitl’s name is unlikely, never met one. Seen DEAN=DALE used here or the other place quite recently.

Thanks Duncan as ever and Phi.

By: Kathryn's Dad

Kathryn's Dad — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 16:09:54 +0000

Dean as a ‘valley’ was a new one for me, (is that why it comes up in place names like ROTTINGDEAN?) but otherwise all clearly signposted as usual with Phi. Difficult to pick a favourite clue, since it was all good. DUNMOW FLITCH does seem to come up regularly – I guess it’s attractive to setters because it can be clued in various ways.

Super blog, Duncan, and thanks to Phi too for the puzzle.

By: allan_c

allan_c — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 15:35:34 +0000

Thanks, Phi, for a challenging yet not too obscure puzzle, and Duncan for the usual superb blog.

nmsindy @2: I think you’re right about DUNMOW FLITCH featuring before in a puzzle; I seem to remember it from fairly recently. Not sure where; could have been in another place or maybe one of the i’s recycled indy puzzles.

By: nmsindy

nmsindy — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 13:07:40 +0000

Thanks, Phi, and Duncan – excellent puzzle, everything clear. Was lucky to have heard of DUNMOW FLITCH from before (possibly from featuring in a puzzle) – also pleased to get HERTFORD COLLEGE from the wordplay after flirting with HEREFORD COLLEGE but unable to justify it. Favourite clue MIDDLEBROW.

By: crypticsue

crypticsue — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 07:53:44 +0000

I agree with everything Duncan says about this very nice Friday puzzle. Thanks to Phi and Duncan too.