Toughie 1843

16 comments on “Toughie 1843”

1. And the real Elkamere returns – aided and abetted by the ‘four crosswords’ grid

   I took 5* time to sort all this out – including invoking Gnome’s Law – but did enjoy myself greatly while muttering and groaning at the splendid d’oh moments.

   Thanks to Elkamere for the lovely properly Tough Toughie

2. I thought that Elkamere had upped the difficulty quite a bit from his last few Toughies – I had to work hard at this one but the struggle was immensely enjoyable. Thanks to him and to Dutch. I had to verify both the astronomer and the old President. I awarded my ticks to 8a, 11a and 26a.
   I still don’t really understand 4d – surely the answer is supported by a single guy?

   1. I probably should have chosen an illustration of a circus tightrope where the apparatus is stabilised by a set of support ropes

   2. I too have difficulty in justifying the answer – I only put it in ‘cos it fitted

   3. The supporting rope is stabilised with guys; the big rope is referred to as the ‘main’, which is usually tensioned with block and tackles in conjunction with a fulcrum such as a pole.

3. Great blog as per, Dutch – lots of thanks.

   I’ve noticed on Twitter that a handful are going to be at the Snowgoose from around 4pm. Sorry I can’t be there that early – will be closer to 6pm for me – but, to compensate, you will then be able to meet my beautiful daughter Xana. She’ll be there for the evening and, recently 18, she can now drink!

   Back to the puzzle. The ‘guy’ reference was pointing to a guy rope (which is typically rather thin) not being substantial enough to support. Not that I’d know, to be fair.

   1. Glad to hear you’re not into tightroping! I can also only get to the snow goose by six or so, so I trust earlier arrivals will find a way to entertain themselves. I’m really looking forward to seeing everyone.

4. Very tough, but also very enjoyable; I needed a lie down after this one (not that the lunchtime alcohol had anything to do with that…)

   Many thanks to Elkamere and to Dutch.

5. Beaten by 9a as I wrote “shot ups” in 7d and never imagined that I could be wrong.
   24a also remained empty but was going to bung in “hallmark” just to fill the gaps.
   Thanks to Dutch for explaining everything and to Elkamere for a proper toughie.

6. We didn’t finish this before the pub beckoned, but, once we were rehydrated, completed it apart from the two obscure people. Can’t be bothered to google these answers, just let Dutch tell us if we were right.
   Planning on popping along tomorrow and looking forward to meeting whoever.

7. A great way to end the week. It would have been 3*/4* here, but we didn’t get 24a right (we had hallmark as a bung-in), so it has to be 4*/4*.

   Considered joining y’all in Macclesfield but no. 1 (and only) daughter is visiting tomorrow. Do you do Macclesfield every year? It’s reasonably handy.

   Favourite clue has to be 1d.

   Thanks Dutch and Elkamere.

8. 26a was the clue that gave us most strife. We were pretty sure we had the right answer from definition and checkers. We identified all the elements of the wordplay but were doubtful about TRACE=RAY and then the ER and BET seemed a bit ‘samey’. Looks like we did have it right after all. Certainly a significant challenge for us and very satisfying to get it all sorted.
   Thanks Elkamere and Dutch.

9. Too hard for me I’m afraid. I got the SW corner and a smattering of others scattered over the rest of the puzzle, although nothing in the NW corner. Of the ones I was missing, I certainly should have had some, some I would never have thought of, and others I had never heard of. On balance I think that I should have been able to get farther than I did. Many thanks to all, and my admiration for those were able to sort all this out.

10. Toughest Toughie for a long time. Needed lots of help, so thanks for the hints.

11. Off topic, I know, but in the absence a separate thread for it I just want to say a huge THANK YOU to all who attended the S&B in Macclesfield this weekend. The Q&A idea always felt risky – simply because it was new – but it was superb. A great range of questions, intriguing responses and, I hope, a real insight for all into this weird world we inhabit. I really hope the idea will be taken up for future events. It was more than just interesting – it brought everyone together in a way I haven’t seen before.
    All of you were stars and turned it into what was – for me – the most fulfilling S&B I’ve ever been part of. Thanks a million, friends.

12. Firstly, thanks to Dean for organising this weekend’s event – and what was a great success it was too. It was hard to drag myself away – which you will know by the simple fact that I was the last to leave!

    Anyway, this seemed like the right puzzle to tackle on the train back. I had actually made a bit of a start on it on the way up but not got very far at all (just a few in the NE I think, plus the president, which I trusted from the wordplay). The tightrope walker and Monsieur Laplace were mentioned more than once this weekend, so I had a boost to get me going again. I really needed that – I don’t think I’d have got the former, and I think of Laplace as a mathematician cum physics person: his is not a name I’d be likely to think of when coming up with astronomers.

    With the extra leg up from these, I managed the rest (the 6d tree was another where I had to rely on the wordplay), but still found it pretty stiff. Satisfying though, so worth it. Weirdly, I had completed the entire western half before anything at all went in elsewhere. My biggest laughs were in the SW (21a comes to mind), and I ended up in the SE (nicely mirroring my geographical destination).

    Sorry – I’ve rambled, probably because I am too tired to write a shorter comment. (As to whether I am emotional as well as tired, I shall not be drawn … ) I’ll shut up now and get ready for some much needed shut-eye.

    Many thanks again to Dean and Dutch.

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