Comments on: Independent 8180 / Dac

By: SueG

SueG — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 16:12:32 +0000

Duncan, I’m very grateful for your detailed explanations given in the wordplay. I’m new to this type of crossword, and by reading the blogs daily, I have a clearer understanding of how to solve them. I’m in Australia and cannot connect with some of the local references, unless a full explanation has been blogged.

By: Rowland

Rowland — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 13:52:48 +0000

Well, you can be right if it makes you feel better. Do you live at 12 Acacia Avenue I wonder. In Tunbridge Wells!!

By: rhotician

rhotician — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 11:03:20 +0000

Yes really Rowland. Your original comment is not in keeping with points 1 and 3 of Site Policy.

“It is a plain fact that … , but it is my opinion” is plainly contradictory. Really!

By: Rowland

Rowland — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 09:03:08 +0000

Not really Rhotician. It is a plain fact that this puzzle is written well by comparison to the other one, but it is my opinion, I will accept. I just don’t like the untidiness of yesterday’s Guardian one, that’s all, and here in Dac is an example of some really neat clueing.

By: Bertandjoyce

Bertandjoyce — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 22:51:17 +0000

We enjoyed the puzzle in Another Place as well as this offering from Dac. Mind you, we always enjoy a Dac.

Thanks Duncan for the blog and Dac for another great puzzle.

By: rhotician

rhotician — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 18:13:31 +0000

“shows today’s Guardian lad how to write well and simply” is insulting and inappropriate here. Very bad manners.

By: Rowland

Rowland — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 15:37:32 +0000

26A looks okay to me too, no grammar problems there. Great puzzle too, shows today’s Guardian lad how to write well and simply, IMO.

Cheers
Rowly

By: Kathryn's Dad

Kathryn's Dad — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 10:14:14 +0000

Thanks, Duncan. I would count myself in the Clapham Omnibus brigade – ie, your average solver – and I always appreciate Dac’s puzzles. They’re accessible, well-clued, and enjoyable. ASTARTE was the only unfamiliar word this morning.

TRYSTS was my favourite clue – I think Mike’s right about it being a comic strip, and therefore singular.

By: duncanshiell

duncanshiell — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 09:40:41 +0000

MikeC @ 1

Thanks for the much better explanation of 21d – I have updated the blog.

On 26a, you are probably right there as well, but the surface still jars a bit.

By: MikeC

MikeC — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 09:18:16 +0000

Thanks d and D. Agreed, a well-crafted crossword, and helpful blog. For 21d, I thought the penny and the farthing were both coins (bits, as in threepenny bit), hence two-bit. Re 26a, I also paused a moment – but then I thought “Bash Street Kids” is the title of a comic strip (ie, is singular, matching “dates”).