Yes, nice gentle start to the week... although I’ll confess to not knowing the meaning of the phrase in 5d, and also that 16d was a new word. Both eminently gettable via the crossers of course, so all good!
I saw Arlo Guthrie sing this in public for the first time in 1966 at the Philadelphia Folk Festival. He was unknown, star of the show was Judy Collins. He was an instant hit.
I enjoyed Puck too - it was a "proper" prize crossword with lots to get your teeth into. And I'd agree with almostallthere on the number themers, although two of these were generic groups and I think had definitions in their clues. Could be wrong...
I agree with others: a fairly quick solve, but it was very enjoyable along the way, thanks to some concise clues that worked very neatly. Loi 5d took almost as long as the rest put together, which it shouldn't have done (down to my own dim-wittedness). Thanks, Vulcan
Yes, like others have observed, fairly straightforward but hugely enjoyable. A great example that a crossword does not have to be hard to be enjoyable.
No hold ups, I nominate 12d as my favourite.
Thanks Vulcan.
I had some trouble with this puzzle. 1a and half of 23 were unfamiliar to me—I would have used a different first word in 1. I also didn’t know 5a, although it was easy enough to solve. A few smiles, but not much joy for me this morning.
Can't solve 16d presently, even with all the crossers. Hmm, well it's past my bedtime in NZ so will work on the solution in my slumbers - otherwise one of the Guardian's easier crosswords, but a pleasant solve.
Great crossword. This is my favourite type, easy but fun. I don’t really want to spend hours tapping into crossword code arcana, construing some sort of answer from extremely convoluted clues and left with the feeling “oh well, I suppose it could just about be that at a pinch”. But I am fully aware that those are the puzzles that float some boats. The Guardian crossword week supplies something for everyone. Thanks!
Cryptic crossword No 28,298
Comments
I've relished the battle with Puck - some delicious clues - but 24 25 27 (especially 27) & 29 are a-naggin of me still.
10 without a definition, 2 with.
Very pleasant late night quick solve. Marginally easier than the Quiptic in my view but still fun.
Thanks Vulcan
16d eventually yielded, seriously misdirected!!
More a collection of puns than a cryptic crossword.
not heard of 1a,awfy easy,my girlfriend got a couple!
Very easy Monday puzzle - I got it done in about 10 minutes, which must be a record for me. None the worse for that though - thanks Vulcan.
Have a look here
http://www.fifteensquared.net/2020/11/23/guardian-28298-vulcan/
it's the other meaning of refuse as when it rhymes with deaf-goose, not three-ooze
Only started doing the Guardian crossword on Friday after a long hiatus from other broadsheets. Never known one so straightforward
Still don't get 13a at all?
you were not alone
Must admit I'd ever heard of 5d but I had great fun figuring it out. Very quick but good fun.
Yes, nice gentle start to the week... although I’ll confess to not knowing the meaning of the phrase in 5d, and also that 16d was a new word. Both eminently gettable via the crossers of course, so all good!
Wow. Easier than the quip! Nice one Vulcan
A gently humorous one today. Thank you.
I got to see Beyond The Fringe and Flanders and Swann when they came to Broadway.
I saw Arlo Guthrie sing this in public for the first time in 1966 at the Philadelphia Folk Festival. He was unknown, star of the show was Judy Collins. He was an instant hit.
"I went to a really great School, it must have been, it was 24"
You are Lobby Lud & I claim my 5 guineas.
I had a different answer to 22 which then messed up 24. My 22 related to a fishing area.
My first Guardian puzzle for many, many years! I'd forgotten what fun they were. I agree with you, HoofitYouDonkey, 12d definitely my favourite.
I enjoyed Puck too - it was a "proper" prize crossword with lots to get your teeth into. And I'd agree with almostallthere on the number themers, although two of these were generic groups and I think had definitions in their clues. Could be wrong...
That was great fun. Thanks Vulcan.
Lovely steady solve, thanks Vulcan
That was the quickest I've ever solved a Guardian crossword in my life!
I agree with others: a fairly quick solve, but it was very enjoyable along the way, thanks to some concise clues that worked very neatly. Loi 5d took almost as long as the rest put together, which it shouldn't have done (down to my own dim-wittedness). Thanks, Vulcan
Yes, like others have observed, fairly straightforward but hugely enjoyable. A great example that a crossword does not have to be hard to be enjoyable.
No hold ups, I nominate 12d as my favourite.
Thanks Vulcan.
HB2U, Bingy.
I had some trouble with this puzzle. 1a and half of 23 were unfamiliar to me—I would have used a different first word in 1. I also didn’t know 5a, although it was easy enough to solve. A few smiles, but not much joy for me this morning.
It's always the 4 letter ones that take the time! LOI 2d - just had to work through the alphabet, then Doh! Nice one Vulcan.
Thanks Vulcan, esp. 26 which made me chuckle :)
Essential
And Happy Birthday from o and me x
titter
Tfi Monday! Nice easy one, with a good few smiles on the way. Thanks Vulcan.
Too young to have been a former pupil?
Can't solve 16d presently, even with all the crossers. Hmm, well it's past my bedtime in NZ so will work on the solution in my slumbers - otherwise one of the Guardian's easier crosswords, but a pleasant solve.
Nice gentle birthday to start the week, Bingy.
Two rounds of toast and half a cuppa...I think it was far too easy really. I bet the quiptic is more difficult.
Never really understood why some people find this funny.
Totally agree. I like a puzzle that makes me laugh as well.
12
Great crossword. This is my favourite type, easy but fun. I don’t really want to spend hours tapping into crossword code arcana, construing some sort of answer from extremely convoluted clues and left with the feeling “oh well, I suppose it could just about be that at a pinch”. But I am fully aware that those are the puzzles that float some boats. The Guardian crossword week supplies something for everyone. Thanks!
That is not a quibble I have. Seems fine to me. At least it was spelt out which, later in the week, it might not have been.
Thanksgiving still has Alice's Restaurant as a soundtrack. If you don't know it and have twenty minutes to spare, well worth a listen.
Fully agree with the two halves comment. I did finish it in record time though (for me). Thanks Vulcan.
Dare I say, that was the quickest Monday puzzle I can remember. All very clearly clued.
My predictive text decided that this was ballers, ginger.
Relatively easy start to the week. Thank you Vulcan! Favourite was 8d.
Happers, Bingers.
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