Comment – Sep-Dec 2009 – Big Dave's Crossword Blog

Comment – Sep-Dec 2009

by Big Dave  

Archived Comments – Sep-Dec 2009

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33 comments on “Comment – Sep-Dec 2009”

  1. Hi,

    I have just recently started using the blog, found it purely by accident by putting the crossword number in to Google, and looking to see if there was anything on the web. Since finding the blog I have used it everyday, and found that I am nearing completion of most of the crosswords, rather than just a few. It is very rare that I complete a mid week crossword, but can often complete the Saturday’s which are relatively less difficult than midweek.
    The explanations are very clear and logical and as consequence great for learning how to solve the crosswords. I know that I am defintely getting better at solving as a result of using the blog.

    1. Hi Alan and welcome to the blog.
      You’re just the sort of solver that we’re trying to help, and it’s great to hear of your progress. Thanks for the comment.

  2. GREAT SITE CAME ACROSS IT BY ACCIDENT WHILE SEARCHING FOR MORE CROSSWORDS .

    IVE BEEN ON CLUED UP FOR ALMOST 12 MONTHS NOW AND JUST WONDERED IF ANYONE ELSE HAD ANY SAVED GAMES THEY CANT REMOVE IN THEIR SAVED GAMES FOLDER.

    YOURS PETE.W

    1. Hi Peter and welcome to the blog.
      I’ve never saved any games, but I hope someone else will be able to help.

    2. Hi Peter, I have been using Cluedup for just under a year, and my profile has shown 2 saved games for over 6months, to my knowledge I have never saved any games, and when I try to remove them/solve them, computer displays ‘link broken etc’. Accordingly I have come to live with the situation and ignore them.

    3. Peter,
      I have the same problem. I have a number of “saved” crosswords that I cannot delete… including an unfinished version of Toughie 14 that I cannot access. Can I suggest that you send CluedUp an email and ask them how you get rid of them, and then report back when you know.

  3. I realise that I am a month behind the rest of the world (here in sunny South Africa) but I wonder if anybody recalls the crossword puzzle which featured an oystercatcher. The oystercatchers on our coastline are indeed the same as the one featured in Gazza’s pic. We even have a restaurant named after them. Next time you’re in Port Elizabeth treat yourself to a delicious seafood meal at the Oystercatcher!

  4. BigDave u have done me a great service.
    Long have I laboured on Daily Telegraph 25964 ( thu 25 JUN 2009 ).
    I had abandoned the project and was about to discard the incomplete grid when I decided to google a bit.
    I GREATLY enjoyed your explanations, even some I got I had not properly analysed.
    PS I came across the xword by chance, probably it was left on a bus and I snaffled it , to see if I could do it. I have been looking at the puzzle on-and-off for about 3 weeks !!!

  5. Yep, Dave, as Arnie said in the movie “I’ll be back”. I’ll also tell a few others of the site.
    I’ve always believed in a bit of “gazza magic”, but that’s another sport. Meanwhile, Gazza has delivered me from what Festinger described as “cognitive dissonance”. You can be rightly proud of your Mighty Organ.

  6. finished quite early today, now i can get the crossword from ‘clued up’ its great, a good one i think for us newbies and members of the clueless club :) – can’t wait to see the blog, cos i’m sure i’ve got 19d wrong

  7. Hi all

    Greetings from Australia. Just finished RayT’s puzzle (number 26,070) in my lunch break. After having had a disaster with his puzzle from two weeks ago, this one was far better for me. I really liked 17 down – great clue with an excellent surface reading. This puzzle represents Ray Terrell in top form – really well-crafted clues. What does everyone else think?

  8. Afternoon all. i have been in self imposed exile this week but still managed to pop in and see how you are doing.

    Two questions before i start saturday’s prize xwrd.

    Firstly to Cephas: What is a Pangram? (DT 26,068)

    Secondly to Tilsit : What is NINA? and what does it stand for? (Toughie 240)

    If anybody else reading this can shed some light i’d be grateful. :smile:

  10. ref: 2508 – good morning everyone – really enjoyed todays – even though i still needed lots of help from Chambers dictionary – got stuck on two 21d and 26a – didn’t like them even when i got the answers – loved 22a, good luck fellow ‘clueless club’ members! :)

  11. 22a had me stumped for a period, but after a couple of ciggies, I finally sorted my head.

  12. What a wonderful blog. It is just what I need to help me get to grips with the Telegraph crossword. I live in NZ and get the weekly expat telegraph which features the cryptic crossword and sometimes the prize crossword from the daily editions. I look forward to exploring the blog.

    Thanks from down under.

  13. Like the Christmas theme though looking at the bottom of the page after a rather nice Christmas lunch, I did wonder if I had overdone the liquid aspect until I realised that there were snowflakes as part of the theme and it was not spots before my eyes!

    1. I wondered whether to put up a post to explain, but thought I’d leave it to you to work it out.

      The theme change is mine, the snow is a WordPress feature that can be turned on/off until Jan 4th.

  14. Have you thought about updating your Introduction page which speaks of passing 250,000 hits rather than approaching 700,000 as you now are.

    You provide such wonderful support to all of us attempting the various Telegraph crosswords.

    When I have time to review the blog I am amazed at how much I learn.

  15. Hi Big Dave – thanks for all the help this year from Paul & Issy. Have a great Christmas! For what it’s worth my clue attempt for Crossword 26119 – 8a is:

    “Holy bed in which I became a sign”

    1. Paul

      Welcome to the blog and thanks for the kind words. I think Tilsit meant as a comment on the post itself, but don’t worry I’ll make sure he sees it.

  16. Big Dave,

    Merry Christmas to you and Gazza, Libellule, Tilsit, Peter, Rishi and Anax and a big thank you for all your contributions and blogs over the past year. Hope that you have a peaceful and joyful Christmas and a very happy New Year.

    Seasons greetings also to all the contributors who make this site such a hit and to the setters for all the fun they have brought to us. Lastly, Merry Christmas to Phil McNeill as crossword editor.

    God bless you all!

  18. I’m a dedicated Telegraph crossword solver and can usually complete the “normal” cryptic puzzle. Recently I’ve started to do the Toughie and only a few days ago I found your website. I have found it a real help, and many thanks to you and everone who contributes to it. A very happy new year to you.

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