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Regular visitors to the Blog will remember Rishi, our friend from Madras, India. Recently he published a great tutorial on grid design for cryptic crosswords. Starting from today, I am using his principles for the layout of the WEB puzzles. Thank you, Rishi!
As we've just started the month of November, I've reset the degree of difficulty to 1/5. I hope it's not a walkover!
And a reminder ... the Sunday slot is still open for anyone who wants to post his or her own, original crossword. Just contact me and I will help you with the mechanics of compiling and posting.
Across
1 I see there's a turnaround in the pace, and now it's heating up there, sadly (3,3)
4 All ready cut down ahead of time (8)
10 Approves of the wild antics by my crazy son (9)
11 It's ecstasy being in rags for the fireworks (5)
12 They ruin your chances so you don't get the lift (8)
14 The letters BNT are used for playful remarks (6)
16 He gives a tip, now wary about the horse and jockey (9)
17 The first payment gets you only half of 3-down (4)
20 Readied every second one for the attack (4)
21 Shall! Won't! ... (wild words heard where we had the city meetings?) (4,5)
24 Ards makes money for Arabs? (6)
25 A) smell B) touch C) sight ... E) hearing (8)
27 Appears to take the manuscript to the lav (5)
28 Sure as can be that the first three made the guarantee (9)
30 <--- TERM INUS ---> (5,3)
31 Rioted? Rioted as it was led by her (6)
Down
1 Claim it in the south first (6)
2 Einstein's one Irish flight to the North (3)
3 That beast? Alone with my pet? Crazy! (8)
5 Are you the last of the English north of Dublin? (4)
6 The way in is to the left of Alan (6)
7 Use these large things to make them stick straight out (5,6)
8 What Diana gave the waiter led to much confusion (8)
9 My Lord! Is that where you play indoor tennis? (9)
13 When you ask questions, I hear Lech Walesa has something to say! (7,4)
15 I'm extravagant, but I 'ear 'e owes a grand! (9)
18 We're all for cooking up some grand puzzles! (8)
19 It's all ragged, so I made lace to wrap around the queen (8)
22 It's already fixed for Ms. McAleese, and it's in French (6)
23 Meet Pooh's pal, say, for some hot rock! (6)
26 It's wet, but not at the front of the train (4)
29 How Ian is different than Tina, and it's negative (3)
Here is each clue alongside its answer, with an explanation of the link between clue and answer. I hope it all makes sense! As always, I welcome feedback via comment and/or email. I’m particularly interested in hearing about clues that were too obvious or easy, and clues that were annoying or perhaps caused frustration. But, I’ll listen to all suggestions on how to make my puzzles more challenging and more fun!
Across
1 I see there's a turnaround in the pace, and now it's heating up there, sadly (3,3)
IC-E CAP
I see (IC) there's a turnaround in the pace (ECAP) = ICE CAP: and now it's heating up there, sadly.
4 All ready cut down ahead of time (8)
PRE-PARED
Ahead of time (PRE-) cut down (PARED) = PREPARED: all ready.
10 Approves of the wild antics by my crazy son (9)
SANCTI-ONS
The wild antics (SANCTI) by my crazy son (ONS) = SANCTIONS: approves of.
11 It's ecstasy being in rags for the fireworks (5)
RAG(E)S
Being in rags (RAG-S) it's ecstasy (E) = RAGES: for the fireworks.
12 They ruin your chances so you don't get the lift (8)
SPOILERS
So you don't get the lift, on a car or airplane wing, you have SPOILERS: they ruin your chances.
14 The letters BNT are used for playful remarks (6)
BANTER
An anagram ... the letters "BNT are" used for BANTER: playful remarks.
16 He gives a tip, now wary about the horse and jockey (9)
TIPPER-ARY
He gives a tip (TIPPER) no-w in w-ary (ARY) = TIPPERARY: about (the) Horse and Jockey, the village.
17 The first payment gets you only half of 3-down (4)
ANTE
Only half of ANTE-LOPE = ANTE: the first payment (in a card game).
20 Readied every second one for the attack (4)
RAID
Every second letter of R-e-A-d-I-e-D = RAID: for the attack.
21 Shall! Won't! ... (wild words heard where we had the city meetings?) (4,5)
TOWN HALLS
Wild words, an anagram of "shall" and "won't" = TOWN HALLS: where we had the city meetings.
24 Ards makes money for Arabs? (6)
D-IN-ARS
"Ards" is made up of the letter D in AR-S (D IN ARS) = DINARS: money for Arabs.
25 A) smell B) touch C) sight ... E) hearing (8)
DISTASTE
In this list of the senses we're missing D) taste (D IS TASTE) = DISTASTE.
27 Appears to take the manuscript to the lav (5)
LOO-MS
To the lav (LOO) take the manuscript (MS) = LOOMS: appears.
28 Sure as can be that the first three made the guarantee (9)
ASSURANCE
Be that the first three (words) "sure as can" made ASSURANCE: the guarantee.
30 <--- TERM INUS ---> (5,3)
SPLIT END
Pull apart (SPLIT) the TERM-INUS (END) = SPLIT END.
31 Rioted? Rioted as it was led by her (6)
EDITOR
"Rioted" rioted, an anagram = EDITOR: as the Irish Times ("IT") was led by her.
Down
1 Claim it in the south first (6)
IN-S-IST
In (IN) the South (S) first (IST) = INSIST: claim it.
2 Einstein's one Irish flight to the North (3)
EIN
Irish flight, on Aer Lingus (EI) to the North (N) = EIN: Einstein's "one".
3 That beast? Alone with my pet? Crazy! (8)
ANTELOPE
"Alone" with my "pet" crazy, an anagram = ANTELOPE: that beast.
5 Are you the last of the English north of Dublin? (4)
RU-SH
Are you (RU) the last of the Engli-sh (SH) = RUSH: north of Dublin.
6 The way in is to the left of Alan (6)
PORT-AL
Is to the left (PORT) of Alan (AL) = PORTAL: the way in.
7 Use these large things to make them stick straight out (5,6)
RIGHT ANGLES
Use these "large things" to make RIGHT ANGLES: them stick straight out.
8 What Diana gave the waiter led to much confusion (8)
DI'S-ORDER
What Diana gave the waiter (DI'S ORDER) led to = DISORDER: much confusion.
9 My Lord! Is that where you play indoor tennis? (9)
COURTROOM
My Lord (the judge) might play indoor tennis in his COURTROOM!
13 When you ask questions, I hear Lech Walesa has something to say! (7,4)
OPINION POLL
Has something to say (OPINION) Lech Walesa, a Pole, I hear as (POLL) = OPINION POLL: when you ask questions.
15 I'm extravagant, but I 'ear 'e owes a grand! (9)
GRANDIOSE
A "grand 'e owes", I 'ear as GRANDIOSE: I'm extravagant.
18 We're all for cooking up some grand puzzles! (8)
G-RIDDLES
Some grand (G) puzzles (RIDDLES) = GRIDDLES: we're all for cooking up.
19 It's all ragged, so I made lace to wrap around the queen (8)
TATT(ER)ED
So I made laced (TATT-ED) to wrap around the queen (ER) = TATTERED: it's all ragged.
22 It's already fixed for Ms. McAleese, and it's in French (6)
PRES-ET
For Ms. McAleese (PRES) "and" it's in French (ET) = PRESET: it's already fixed.
23 Meet Pooh's pal, say, for some hot rock! (6)
METEOR
Meet Pooh's pal, Eeyore (MEET EEYORE) say for = METEOR: some hot rock.
26 It's wet, but not at the front of the train (4)
RAIN
But no-t at the front of the t-RAIN = RAIN: it's wet.
29 How Ian is different than Tina, and it's negative (3)
NO-T
How "Ian" is different than "T-ina", there's no "T" in Ian (NO T) = NOT: and it's negative.
13 comments:
Hey bill,
Just ha a quick glance over the clues . 1/5 u sure lol :( I was out last night supping atthur and until he leaves my organs then I will give your a good seeing to. cant wait.
Oh Mark,
There a ton of gimmes in there ... honestly!
That mus of being a coincidence then bill. still going through it a staedy pace
Hi Bill and Mark
No Arthur G. on board here but it still took a while to tease out the last few...maybe it's the fact that I started it at 1am. I'm never fast at the best of times but definitely always slower in the MCC zone!
...but I did make it home with a tantara... phew...only a 1/5!!
I puzzled over RIGHT ANGLES...spotted it from across clues coupled with 'stick straight out'...but couldn't figure what the LARGE THINGS were...it was the last one I filled, and as I did so, realised it was an anagram!
Clue of the Day for me was METEOR! I'd been through all the characters... Eyeore, Piglet, Tigger, Roo etc...but no joy...so moved on...and when I went back to it I had my 'aha' moment...MEET-EYEORE!! Lovely!
Really liked the clues for EIN, DISTASTE, RUSH, PREPARED, LOOMS and COURTROOM! Oh, and ANTELOPE!!
In fact, looking at it again to write this comment, it was a fair 1/5...remind self NOT to do puzzles at 1 or 2 or 3am!!
Thanks Bill
Liz
Hi Liz,
Looking back, with my 20-20 hindsight, I probably would have thrown in a few more "gimmes" to make it an easier start. I also would have eased off on some of the clue. For example, RIGHT ANGLES might have had a more overt signal for an anagram.
But, you got your tantara, and that's the main thing. I hope Mark manages to as well. I just live for the sounds of trumpet calls.
So you like a cute clue, eh, like EEYORE? I will have to throw in some more cute and cuddly ones in future. Personally I liked EIN and DISTASTE best, I'd say, and SPLIT END. They were just a tad different, which gives me a bit of a lift.
So, maybe it was leaning towards a 2/5. But, I am so grateful for your feedback, Liz. Thanks for taking the time!
Hi Mark, Liz & Bill,
No Arthur for me....it was dirty aul foreign beer that did for me last night and I could only solve about 2 clues so decided to leave it till today...brain still slightly befuddled but eventually got through it...lotsa gimmes alright Bill...but well hidden gimmes!!!
If that's a 1/5 I can't wait to see a 5/5...lol!...will need to get in training and stay off the sauce!
You're certainly developing a distinctive style and flavour to your puzzles...great way to unwind on a Sun evening!!
Nice mix of clues.
also took a while to get 'right angles' but realised that it was an anagram..it was the sticking out straight bit that got me!!!
Cheers, Moley
Cheers, Moley
Ah Bill,
You'd have to be very hardhearted not to love Pooh, Eeyore and Co.!!
And forgot to compliment you earlier on your TATTERED clue...really showing off our handicrafts prowess now, aren't we?!!
Liz
Hi Moley,
Sounds like you had a good time last night. I am very honored that folks would have a go at a WEB puzzle, despite being a little "thirsty" :o)
I think I need to get better at grading my puzzles in terms of difficulty. But the main thing, is that solved it!
Oh, and I notice from the calendar that I will get the chance this month to come up with a 5/5. I can't wait :o)
The RIGHT ANGLES anagram signal was perhaps a tad too subtle, but it was there, I promise! And yes, sticking out and RIGHT ANGLE was perhaps a little "loose". I'll remember that next time!
But, thank you for sticking with it, and I'm glad you had fun.
Liz,
I'm glad you liked my TATTING. M. Crosaire has taught me a lot if such useful skills :o)
I will definitely have to find ways to sneak in some more cuddly toys in upcoming puzzles ...
Hi Bill,
Back from my travels and ready for an easy start to the month with your 1/5 rating but you made me work for my tantara! Got there in the end but a few took a while to surface. DISORDER was my last as I got DISARRAY into my head and that seemed to slow my thought process - I even looked up the disctionary to see if there was such a word as DISERVES!!. TATTERED was also a long time coming before tatting/lace making floated out from the depths of the brain cells. For 12a I thought you were using pliers to lift things (so pliers anagram) as I had no idea of the function of spoilers - thought boy races just used them to make their cars look flash:)
Favourites were DISTASTE, SPLIT EN, COURTROOM, OPINION POLL and METEOR. Yet again, a very enjoyable puzzle. Thanks!
Martina
Hi Martina,
Welcome back! We have indeed missed you on the Blog for the past week or so. I hope you had a great break.
Yes, I am definitely getting the message that my grading of puzzles is still a little off kilter. All I can say is, I am working on it!
I was a tad worried about SPOILERS as the reference was a little technical, but went for it as SPOILERS are at least pretty common. I'll bet a lot of boy racers have no idea about the "lift" effect :o)
I'm working on a puzzle for next week that somehow has ties in with M. Crosaire's upcoming birthday. I also trying hard to hit a solid 2/5 difficulty rating ... but who knows??!!
Good to see you back, Martina.
Hi Bill, I finally got a bit of time to have a good go at this puzzle.
I accept the rating now of 1/5, my head was in the wrong place when I first commented. It was nice to start this month with this one as it psyches me up for the rest.
I got through most of the clues within half an hour but like Liz, I also had a struggle with RIGHT ANGLES but eventually got it.
Clue of the day was SPOILERS. A nice double definition clue.
When I first saw 30A, I was intrigued, because I like those type of clues but it took me ages to get it.
Anyway I completed it and that is what counts.
As Moley said, you have developed your distinctive style and it is a puzzle that I look forward to each week. Only a meer 13,972 more until you catch up with Derek but ill be there all the way :)
Great job.
Mark
Hi Mark,
Thanks for flushing all that Guinness out of your system and coming back to the puzzle :o)
Congrats on your tantara. That's the sound i do like to hear. I think the RIGHT ANGLES clue wasn't that great, in hindsight, so a lesson learned by me.
Glad you liked SPLIT END. I was kind of proud of that one. It added a bit of variety to the puzzle.
Yes, can you imagine having to compile 14,000 crosswords? 28 were tough enough! Anyway, thanks for the feedback. It's very helpful.
Oh, and thanks for leaving such a nice message for Derek's birthday. I appreciate it, as I am sure will he.
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