Comments on: Guardian Cryptic 25827 Rufus

By: scchua

scchua — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 18:39:28 +0000

Gasman jack, you're right, blog corrected - what was I thinking of? [[ToniL and HKColin, correct. That's Peter Falk and Alan Arkin in the original "The IN-LAWS"; Harvey Korman (pre- Blazing Saddles) and Tim Conway, 2 stalwarts of the CAROL Burnett Show; Albert Brooks and Michael Douglas in the remake (sort of) of "The IN-LAWS". I've added a link for pic#1, the HK connection.]] [[P.S. Apologies, I initially put in a wrong link.]]

By: Apple Granny

Apple Granny — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 16:41:07 +0000

This was a quick one for us – even for a Monday Rufus. Everything worked first time, though we left 27d “Beer” until last and failed to connect with Beersheba. Just assumed it must be right – which is why I came on the blog to check. I didn’t pick up the connection of the photos at the bottom, until I read the speculations above. Happy Christmas to all Guardian crossword addicts and compilers.

By: Gasman jack

Gasman jack — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 14:14:44 +0000

19 a Sorry to nit-pick but C is Roman numeral for 100, L being 50

By: Neill91

Neill91 — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 13:44:18 +0000

Went wrong with METEORITE for 15d, which I thought was a rather good clue!

By: Robi

Robi — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 13:40:06 +0000

Thanks Rufus and scchua. Happy Festive Season to all. Flagrant=crying seemed to be a bit strange but I guess it is in the sense of a crying shame. [[Not sure I can add much here, except the HK harbour; is it 'from China' or as it is Victoria Harbour is it related to the 'Victoria nativity' or a BEELINE across the bay?? - didn't think so!]]

By: tupu

tupu — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 12:48:23 +0000

Thanks scchua and Rufus and a Merry Xmas to all

Some write-ins and some trickier bits in this good-natured Christmas puzzle.

By: nesciolatine

nesciolatine — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 12:31:04 +0000

Several rather nice anagrams I thought. A gentle festive puzzle. Thanks to Rufus and to scchua for the blog.

[[I seem to remember reading somewhere the New Year lights/Fireworks in Victoria Harbour are in the Guinness Book of Records? or is that too tenuous?]]

By: brucew_aus

brucew_aus — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 12:13:50 +0000

Thanks Rufus and scchua

This one took a little longer than normal Rufus – got held up a little in SW with ABASH and BEELINE the last in. Made a bit of a mess with spelling of APOCRYPHAL which slowed down that corner a little as well.

Santa’s just about to arrive down under, so Merry Christmas to all and all of the best with the New Year.

By: HKColin

HKColin — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 11:09:41 +0000

Thanks scchua and Rufus. The puzzle was pleasant but unremarkable I thought.

[[What prompted me to reappear after lurking for several months was the first photo. After 12 years in Tokyo I recently returned to Hong Kong and that is a photo of the Star Ferry crossing Hong Kong harbour taken from the Kowloon side, i.e., looking away from the China mainland. The only possible connection I can see is to the anagram fodder, China. But I must say it still doesn't feel like China.

The final photo must be from the remake of The In-laws with Michael Douglas and Albert Brooks.]]

By: Trailman

Trailman — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 11:08:54 +0000

A nice bit of Christmas fun. Thanks scchua for your blog and Rufus for an appropriate puzzle.

Dallied with ‘abuse’ for ABASH but decided that this would not have been in the spirit of the season. Didn’t know the sense of ‘bee’ in 18d either. But it’s good to learn new thing, even on Xmas Eve!