Comments on: DT 26083

By: gnomethang

gnomethang — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:21:22 +0000

Hola from Spain.
I have left my brain at home and the Telegraph costs €3.20!
so not buying every day.
Liked this, missed 3 of them but loved 15d.

By: mary

mary — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:20:58 +0000

Thanks Tilsit, I have now ordered this book for my brother for Christmas

By: Barrie

Barrie — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:04:04 +0000

Superb puzzle today, finished it before starting filimg. Some very clever clues but always fair. Loved it!

By: Jane

Jane — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:08:58 +0000

Straight forward puzzle today. Thanks for the explanation for 17a, I got it right but didn’t see where the girl was in the solution. Should have done though!

By: Giovanni

Giovanni — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:35:26 +0000

As it happened I solved today’s puzzle. I romped through it very quickly, but then I should, shoudn’t I? I Since I’ve been asked, I had no problem whatever with the clue to BASIL!

By: Claire

Claire — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:00:06 +0000

Franny I’m with you here – a great puzzle and many clues I liked 3d, 9a, 20d amongst others. Would love one like this each week – it would make me feel less of a dolt!

By: nanaglugglug

nanaglugglug — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:57:00 +0000

Very nice puzzle – except for 2d which we just didn’t get!

By: Prolixic

Prolixic — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:49:21 +0000

Thanks for the pointer to the puzzle by Nadnerb (1 down 17) – it was great fun and, once the interplay between the clues was cracked, not too difficult. I agree with you that it was a special treat.

In relation to 1d , as you have to get to the anagram indirectly from the clue, I’m happy to give the setter some leeway on the initial arrangement.

By: Little Dave

Little Dave — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:02:41 +0000

After yesterday’s toil this was a gentle jog. I was beginning to think my abilities to solve were going in reverse.

By: Toby

Toby — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:47:25 +0000

and mine – perfect!

By: tilsit

tilsit — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:33:54 +0000

Hi Liz

There are a few female setters around.

One of them all set today’s Toughie. The Daily Telegraph used to have two female setters AnnTait who sets for the Yorkshire Post as well. The Friday slot used to be occupied by the wonderful Ruth Crisp, who has quite a life story which can be read in Val Gilbert’s book A Dsiplay of Lights, which also features our Monday Maestro.

I’d forgotten about this photo: -

http://www.crossword.org.uk/valgilbert.htm

You can see some of our whizzkids there.

I’ll reply to you privately about others if that’s ok.

By: Prolixic

Prolixic — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:27:36 +0000

Excalibur, who set today’s Toughie, is female. She used to set the Sunday Telegraph cryptic. I’m sure that there must be others but cannot point to them!!

By: Kram

Kram — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:25:24 +0000

Couldn’t decided which was the worst answer, gap of yesterday or basil of today, in the end it had to be yesterdays ‘gap’, sorry Ray. Apart from the mentioned 17a, a lovely and well thought out crossword, sorry for you re the cricket one Mary, but loved the other sport clue in 15d.

By: andy B

andy B — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:23:26 +0000

Toby,

Agree about rugby and cricket although the missus got ‘short leg’ before I did! I was too busy thinking of things ending in ‘off’

The Twickenham clue was very neat in that ‘ground’ was both part of the definition and the anagram indicator.

By: Terry

Terry — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:06:24 +0000

When I immediately got the first 4 across clues I thought this was the crossword for me and I would whip through it! Not to be – finished all but 29a (of which I have never heard) I finished with a guess but put the ‘u’ in the wrong place. 14a and 17d were my favourites., Most enjoyable.

By: Lizwhiz

Lizwhiz — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:02:57 +0000

Out of interest, are there any female cryptic crossword setters? or is it a male only thing?
I enjoyed todays even if it was simple. Not sure I lked 5d? Oh well helped fill the lunch break!

By: sarumite

sarumite — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:38:07 +0000

Yes, both cricket and rugby today Toby, my two favourite sports … what more can we ask!?

By: Toby

Toby — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:19:47 +0000

Hi Mary – agree with you on 5d – sorry- just left a comment about it below before seeing your comment.

By: Toby

Toby — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:17:13 +0000

Enjoyed this puzzle and whizzed through it! Where are you Barrie? I thought there were some very clever clues but agree with comments re christian names. However there couldn’t be many words that would fit in 17a, given the crossing letters- perhaps a reference to herbs rather than a reliance on christian names would have been better.
I thought 22a was contrived to say the least! I didn’t care for 5d – “crow” is a verb and whilst I realize that the answer could be a verb if “in” is put after it, to me it is a noun!
(I am sure some of you will disagree on this!)
Having been critical on these small points I did enjoy the puzzle as a whole. I liked all the anagrams, particularly 15d which seemed very clever (and involved rugby!). If every day was as good as this I would have no complaints!

By: Alasdair

Alasdair — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:04:31 +0000

I really enjoyed today’s puzzle. Having never managed to complete a whole crossword without help before it’s great to have one to really sink your teeth into. Unfortunately I’ll have to wait for another chance to complete one on my own as 17a and 28a had me stumped. 28 as I had “Minimal” instead of “minimum” thinking that “mother” was “MA” and that “points” referred to “L(EFT)”. In my eagerness I managed to overlook the fact that “points” is plural. Next time…