Comments on: Toughie 245

By: gnomethang

gnomethang — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:32:09 +0000

You make a very good point in the last para. I have often been slaving over a couple of final clues over a cold drink or two in my local when a friend will walk up and immediately give the answer – sometimes just recognising the letter pattern is enough without looking at the wordplay.
We have had the Sports (Cricket!)/Boyband/Science vs Literature debates recently and the relative fairness for people who are not so well versed but I tend to think that it is pretty much Swings and Roundabouts from one day to the next (with the exception of Cricket – but given that this is de riguer for most crosswords it should be easy to pick up!)

By: Touchwood

Touchwood — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:24:40 +0000

Thanks for the welcome. I shall indeed be a regular visitor henceforth; though maybe not every day – my work pattern is variable and I often don’t get time to do the crossword.

With regard to variable difficulty, I’ve always believed that the grading of any particular grid is quite subjective – whereas in overall terms crosswords can be assessed for relative difficulty, the difference between individual’s thought processes, vocabulary, background etc. can contribute greatly to the perceived ease or otherwise of solving particular clues. How often have we experienced the scenario where one person cannot get the last answer, but another, with no better general ability, will come rapidly to the solution?

By: Big Dave

Big Dave — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:33:54 +0000

As gnomethang has discovered, although you can post hyperlinks and youtube links in comments for some inexplicable reason you can’t post pictures.

I have added his picture to 27a above.

By: gnomethang

gnomethang — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:23:09 +0000

gazza

Please allow me!:

I just don’t know what she sees in him!

By: Prolixic

Prolixic — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:15:38 +0000

Agree with all of the comments above. A lot easier than Elgar’s puzzle. My favourites were 5 d, 11d and 17d.

By: gazza

gazza — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:07:22 +0000

Hi Rupert – welcome to the blog.

By: Rupert

Rupert — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:02:02 +0000

Valkyries is a truly atrocious piece of music. But unique as much of Wagner is and still remains. Honest Xword with no memorable clues. 27a made me smile.

By: gazza

gazza — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:47:19 +0000

Touchwood
The Toughie is supposed to be, and to be fair normally is, harder than the Cryptic. But both vary quite a bit, and occasionally, as today, we get a relatively easy Toughie and a harder-than-usual Cryptic.

By: Big Dave

Big Dave — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:24:37 +0000

Welcome to the blog Touchwood

Now that you have found us, I hope you will come back every day!

By: Touchwood

Touchwood — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:15:57 +0000

New to this site – have been a fan of the DT cryptic for years but usually don’t even open the paper so wasn’t even aware of the existence of the “Toughie”

I did indeed find it easier (and better) than the cryptic today – from other comments I take it that isn’t usually the case.

By: mary

mary — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:49:46 +0000

Agree Gazza, the toughie was almost like a session of relaxation after todays cryptic, not that I could finish it all without your help, liked 9a, the cryptic today was really hard work

By: Kram

Kram — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:40:03 +0000

What a change to yesterdays offering, almost looks like the Editor has mixed uptoday’s Cryptic and the Toughie puzzles. Some super clues, hard to pick the best, maybe 4d!

By: gnomethang

gnomethang — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:00:36 +0000

Ithangyow!

By: nanaglugglug

nanaglugglug — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:44:49 +0000

Settle down, boys!! Absolutely loved this puzzle, some of favourites were 5d & 8d. Stuck in waiting for repair man so getting very grouchy !

By: Big Boab

Big Boab — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:37:15 +0000

I found this easier than the cryptic by a long way, enjoyable too. loved 3d and 14d.

By: gazza

gazza — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:31:10 +0000

gnomethang
I did find an illustration for 27a, but was fearful of raising too many blood pressures!

By: Big Dave

Big Dave — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:25:23 +0000

gnomethang

I’ll see if I can find a suitable embellishment!

By: gnomethang

gnomethang — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:23:17 +0000

Agreed on the DT being harder gazza. Also you would have found a suitable illustration for 20a were you to have been reviewing!

I enjoyed this despite it being farly straightforward.
Caves for me were 5d, 15a and 7d