S & B Nottingham – puzzle 2 by Alan

8 comments on “S & B Nottingham – puzzle 2 by Alan”

1. Just to say that my comments on Alan’s ‘Puzzle 1’ [you got the numbers the wrong way round, Sil, but it doesn’t matter at all: I can’t see that the order of solving makes any difference – except that solving the shorter one first, as I did, should get folk hooked, I think] cover this one, too.

2. One of the puzzles I left to try later, this proved to be a delightful (and quick) solve. There are moans sometimes on fifteensquared about setters who refer to other setters and to some extent the moans are justified in that newbie solvers can’t be expected to know the references. But no cause to moan here because this (and its companion puzzle) are clearly for aficionados.

   Not sure I can nominate a CoD from so many good clues, but I liked IMOGEN and the way it was worked into IRONMONGER. And the clue reference for the latter to ‘Ron’ and ‘hardware store’ hinted at ‘Open All hours’ (fork handles, anybody?)

   Thanks, Alan, for the double pleasure of meeting you yesterday and of solving your puzzle. And thanks, Sil, for the blog.

   PS: Eileen@1: I haven’t tackled the other puzzle or read the blog yet, so apologies if I’ve duplicated any of your comments.

3. Thank you, Eileen and allan_c, for your kind comments.

   allan_c, I agree with what you say about ‘aficionados’ and “newbie solvers can’t be expected to know the references”. This crossword, like my other one, was indeed made for the occasion, but I did try to ensure that they were not dependent on the theme. The notes to the solution support that view, I believe, although there is one place where they might not: I did not know HOLT was Otterden’s real name – I knew it only as the den of an otter.

   My test solvers convinced me that the puzzles were at least passable, so I confidently submitted them!

4. Thanks to Alan and Sil van den Hoek. I did not get BARK but much enjoyed the rest. As another Alan (same spelling), I look forward to tackling No. 2.

5. Very nice puzzle, Alan. So clever to work in so many setters. I look forward to trying the jumbo too. The only quibble I might think of raising would be “story” for GEN (16d), but it gave such a great surface it hardly seems worth mentioning (and you didn’t need to know IMOGEN is a setter to get it). HOLT was LOI, a new word for me. Favourite clue: 1d, FLEES.

   Nicely blogged, too, Sil. (Hello, btw — met you at the London S&B on Wed. Sorry you left so early. In fact there were plenty of people still there till well after 7pm). Would it have been worth mentioning that (15d) SINGING and “squealing” are both slang terms for informing to the authorities?

6. Tony @5

   Thank you for your comment – all understood and appreciated.

   ‘story’ for GEN is possibly a bit loose, but (1) I wanted it for the surface (obviously) and (2) I found it in a dictionary (being anxious to get a bit of backing for it!).

   Of course, you are right about SINGING. This was the weakest clue here in my opinion, and I’m not too proud of it.

   I’m pleased you enjoyed the puzzle. Thanks again.

7. A bit late in the day, but Bert has only just had an opportunity to add his congratulations to Alan for two excellent puzzles for the Nottingham event.
   Many thanks – most enjoyable!

8. Bertandjoyce @7
   I thought this blog had effectively expired, but it’s nice to read your ‘late’ comment, and here I am two days later to thank you for your kind words.
   It was an enjoyable first S&B event for me – well hosted, and the crosswords expertly published and blogged.

Comments are closed.