22ac I guessed but have only just parsed now in the pedantic pillock paddock anyone want to join me? It was as ever worth it. The plot was worth the carrot.
After not finishing the Prize (two clues in the NW quarter) I'm reassured. 5 was new to me (but clear from the wordplay) and I was held up by falling for the misdirection in 22, but otherwise, good Monday fare. There is nothing wrong with my brain; it's the setters who are the problem.
Held up by SE but then several pennies dropped and all fell into place. LOI 22 which had me going through myriad of possibilities before settling on the right one. Favourites 15, 23 and first one in 1d. Thanks.
One for the marketing team: Why is the Guardian app being advertised above as an improved puzzle experience? It most definitely is not. The layout in the app looks awful as though coded by a school kid and there are fewer tools to help solvers. The sudoku puzzles aren’t included in the digital offering as they were in the Puzzle app. I used to pay a Guardian subscription and Puzzle app for iOS. I’ve been encouraged to switch to the Guardian App instead by the closure of the Puzzle app and a lure of 3 free month trial. Since it is an inferior experience why on earth would I want to pay for the Guardian app? Letters to the puzzle team about this are not answered. What is going on?
gave up and revealed them... I would not have got 22 as it is a particular blind spot that I was steadfastly ignoring (but shold have known better in a crossword). I do feel I should have got 10 and 12 and suspect it was my frustration setting in that prevented me getting there.
I got 26 but not the parsing and having checked it on 225 I feel it was a bit unfair as I can't get it to work - I accept this may be my issue though
Three reveals this morning, I just had a sense that I wasn't going to get any further with them, and the answers confirmed that. But overall this was great fun, leaning towards the challenging side of things but still feeling accessible.
Pleasant start to the week with some elegant clueing. I've often thought that the trickiest part of compiling a cryptic is creating good surfaces, while still providing a satisfying level of difficulty. I often find that the more difficult the puzzle is, the less elegant the clues tend to be.
Thanks Vulcan.
5d The torn skin, my LOI, caused me some angst. I guessed it had to be the correct answer and was astonished to find confirmation.
A very engaging Cryptic with nice touches of humour and horseplay.. 1d is a cracker.
Most enjoyable. Many clues needed quite a bit of thought but I was carried along by the wit.
5d was a new word. So many clues to love including 1, 4, 17 down and 22, 25, 26, 27 across.
Thanks Vulcan
Cryptic crossword No 29,387
Comments
15d a belter. Enjoyable puzzle. Fell 2 shy of completion. Thanks Vulcan.
Thank goodness the clues are correctly punctuated.
15d Very clever!
Very diverting.
Nice Monday stroll.
I absolutely agree that 15D is a corker! Thanks!
Arghhhhhh! Got it immediately but only just parsed ��
1 a project left unfinished. Didn't get 24. Right guess at 22 though. 5 new to me but guessable. Good Monday outing.
Yes, but the term is new to me.
We often share a LOI.
Enjoyed this. Thank you!
Thank you very much. Most kind. Has the weather have anything to do with it? Does parsley like rain?
15d – priceless!
15d LOI and a corker. Thanks V.
Easy for a Vulcan would have meant a write-in not long ago. I am finding this tricky.
Agreed
Completely agree, codeword also disappeared
22ac I guessed but have only just parsed now in the pedantic pillock paddock anyone want to join me? It was as ever worth it. The plot was worth the carrot.
But it is monday morons club two wrong guesses got correct second time but pedantic perfection no. Oh well. And I have just noticed 22a is missing.
Liked 14 and 15, got the wrong end of 22, and didn’t know 5. Otherwise an entertaining puzzle. Thanks, Vulcan.
After not finishing the Prize (two clues in the NW quarter) I'm reassured. 5 was new to me (but clear from the wordplay) and I was held up by falling for the misdirection in 22, but otherwise, good Monday fare. There is nothing wrong with my brain; it's the setters who are the problem.
Held up by SE but then several pennies dropped and all fell into place. LOI 22 which had me going through myriad of possibilities before settling on the right one. Favourites 15, 23 and first one in 1d. Thanks.
Lots of very good misdirection today.
me too.
One for the marketing team: Why is the Guardian app being advertised above as an improved puzzle experience? It most definitely is not. The layout in the app looks awful as though coded by a school kid and there are fewer tools to help solvers. The sudoku puzzles aren’t included in the digital offering as they were in the Puzzle app. I used to pay a Guardian subscription and Puzzle app for iOS. I’ve been encouraged to switch to the Guardian App instead by the closure of the Puzzle app and a lure of 3 free month trial. Since it is an inferior experience why on earth would I want to pay for the Guardian app? Letters to the puzzle team about this are not answered. What is going on?
Last in was 24ac which I totally misparsed --- thanks for a fun solve, Vulcan.
gave up and revealed them... I would not have got 22 as it is a particular blind spot that I was steadfastly ignoring (but shold have known better in a crossword). I do feel I should have got 10 and 12 and suspect it was my frustration setting in that prevented me getting there.
I got 26 but not the parsing and having checked it on 225 I feel it was a bit unfair as I can't get it to work - I accept this may be my issue though
A bit of a struggle today and I still have 10, 12 and 22 to go.
Keep the seeds in your pocket for a week and pour boiling water over them when you have sown them, before you cover them up.
Interesting Gila in the Indy.
More likes - 6, 14, 16.
Good fun from Vulcan. I may have seen 15 before, but it was nice to be reminded of it.
Three reveals this morning, I just had a sense that I wasn't going to get any further with them, and the answers confirmed that. But overall this was great fun, leaning towards the challenging side of things but still feeling accessible.
I can think of answers but it's always the wrong words.
Anyway, thanks Vulcan. Live long and phosphor.
6d is a well-crafted clue.
Don't know why, but I found that the most difficult Vulcan I can remember. Very nice puzzle, with my favourite being the easy one 22 - made me laugh.
Pleasant start to the week with some elegant clueing. I've often thought that the trickiest part of compiling a cryptic is creating good surfaces, while still providing a satisfying level of difficulty. I often find that the more difficult the puzzle is, the less elegant the clues tend to be.
Thanks Vulcan.
Spicy? 14a, perhaps, of infamous memory.
"Carried along by the wit." Nicely put, Sue. It's what makes crosswords so entertaining l.
A tad off topic, but does anyone have any tips for growing parsley?
5d The torn skin, my LOI, caused me some angst. I guessed it had to be the correct answer and was astonished to find confirmation.
A very engaging Cryptic with nice touches of humour and horseplay.. 1d is a cracker.
4d clever. Had to reveal. 22a also reveal and kicking myself I couldn’t see it. Managed the rest so not a bad start to the week,
Well!, that was a bit tricky but enjoyable. My favourite was 14a. Thank you, Vulcan.
me too.
My parents always used the longer version of the word. This one reminds me of shoelaces.
Had to consult a list for that one. Not my specialist subject.
Fairly gentle start to the week, with just enough challenge to get the little grey cells ticking over. Thanks Vulcan
Sharp and enjoyable. Favourite was 1. Thank you Vulcan.
Most enjoyable. Many clues needed quite a bit of thought but I was carried along by the wit.
5d was a new word. So many clues to love including 1, 4, 17 down and 22, 25, 26, 27 across.
Thanks Vulcan
Re. 22, requires some GK that may not be well-known where you are
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