Comments on: Guardian 25,859 / Brummie

By: Huw Powell

Huw Powell — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 01:25:51 +0000

Michelle and George, you won’t see this since I post so late (print puzzle during day, perhaps solve the next evening and morning and afternoon), but welcome! Especially the “new to crosswords” Michelle. I was new to them myself for 20 years

I brought home a copy of The Nation from The Elvis Room many years ago – it’s a leftist rag here in the US – and looked in wonder and confusion at the puzzle on the last page, coded by the late Frank Lewis. Years later I subscribed, and the internet let him introduce me to this wonderful style of cluing. Which was excellent, since by then the NYT Sunday “puzzle” had turned into a “write as fast as you can” solve.

Oh back to this puzzle. I wrote the correct letter in every square, but had to resort to some assistance from OneLook and such. It was a wavelength thing. I wasn’t on it. But it wasn’t painful, just a good puzzle, really, that used some devices and obfuscations that made it harder for me than perhaps it should be. But that’s the fun, really.

Thanks Brummie for a very interesting adventure, and to Eileen for a great blog – watching you work with the tools and come to your current presentation, including all the clues quoted as well as the parsing, has been one of the nice things about popping in here every few puzzles – and as always also thanks to all of you who post on here and keep it interesting and amusing!

By: Eileen

Eileen — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 09:32:58 +0000

Thank you, george. I wasn’t put out by stiofain’s remark, as bloggers get an email of all comments, so I’d seen your address.

I was simply trying to say it was nice to welcome another woman – we’re rather thin on the ground, as both setters and solvers, and I relly do wonder why. I hope we’ll hear much more from you!

By: george

george — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 09:24:15 +0000

Don’t worry Eileen you did correctly identify me. I admit to being a fan of Enid Blyton when younger and have always liked George as an abbreviation of Georgina, but there I am afraid the resemblance ends.

By: stiofain

stiofain — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 02:03:43 +0000

Come on Eileen, George didnt say if s/he was an Enid Blyton fan or someone in a civil partnership.

By: michelle

michelle — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 01:48:26 +0000

Sorry for late reply due to time zone difference.

Thanks so much for kind words and advice to a beginner. I truly appreciate it, and yes, I am enjoying the puzzles as well as these blogs which are so useful and informative.

By: William

William — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 00:02:12 +0000

RCW @30 Fair enough, and good for you for standing by your principles. Curiously, I buy the paper but print the on-line version – goodness knows why. I stick it onto a pad and prefer the feel of it to the newsprint. Done for ages but not as long ago as 1966!

I think we’re all slightly barmy.

By: Martin P

Martin P — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 23:32:55 +0000

RCWhiting says:

“…The only way to get to this state is by lots of practice…”

===

RCW: I’m sure a great many of us have got into all manner of states, by exactly that means…

No particular grumble on the puzzle, though have had more entertainment from Brummie previously.

By: Brendan (not that one)

Brendan (not that one) — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 22:35:07 +0000

As many others have commented this had all the signs of a difficult solve at first. (I only had 3 across clues in the first pass.) However a combination of an easy grid and some very benign down clues meant that the whole thing just rolled over and gave up without much fight!

Didn’t like the “inept” WARDROBE MISTRESS although she did introduce herself fairly easily with the “S” from REPOSAL.

Overall quite enjoyable but a little disappointing for Brummie!

Thanks to Eileen and Brummie.

By: Eileen

Eileen — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 22:29:10 +0000

Hi again, everyone

I’ve been out since mid-morning, then had my son round for his weekly meal, so it’s a late return to the party, so there will perhaps only be the diehards left to look in.

Stella @8 I’m struggling to find any more clothing, apart from CLOBBER and HOUSECOAT.

Thanks to NeilW and rhotician re GEOMETRIC: you may have noticed that I funked indicating an anagram indicator! I like rhotician’s version [ a perfect definition] – but it leaves ‘out’ hanging, doesn’t it? It could be an anagram indicator but then what about ‘making’?
All I can say is that the clue worked for me when solving.

Hi Wanderer @21
Many thanks for clearing up that little mystery but don’t do yourself down! [I would bet my house that Wanderer is not our Tramp.]

Hi george @28

Welcome! Doubly welcome as you’ve identified yourself as a Famous Five-type George: there are so few of us here – why?!!

By: RCWhiting

RCWhiting — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 18:43:04 +0000

William @25 (and I think Neil yesterday).
Thanks for your kind thoughts.
However, I cannot afford more than one quality paper a day and my choice is definitely The G.
I cannot print off from online versions and just do not like solving online. It is a combination of the actual process which I find very unsatisfying (logical – no?) but also from priciple I like to financially support a paper I enjoy (and help to pay the compilers’ wages). And criticise them when they disappoint me!
If this all sounds hidebound conservatism – it is- I am old and have been solving the paper version since England won the World Cup.

Michelle – there are dozens of little tricks which all the compilers use.
When I read one (eg today Homer, first word in clue,hence upper case =pigeon) I translate it immediately into what the compiler doesn’t want me to think. The only way to get to this state is by lots of practice so good luck (it is good fun along the way).