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Members' Lounge => Hobbies and Interests => Topic started by: squigglev2 on September 29, 2017, 12:22:28 am

Title: Crosswords
Post by: squigglev2 on September 29, 2017, 12:22:28 am
The usual daily ones I try are the Guardian Quick, the Concise in the I and the cryptics in our local EDP.

I also usually (hoping it's Rufus) try the Guardian cryptic on a Monday as well as their Quiptic. And Everyman on Sunday.

I have managed to complete Araucaria (RIP) in the Guardian a couple of times but would usually consider that and plenty of others above my level. I sometimes toy with trying to improve but maybe I'm too lazy or maybe I'm happy as I am...

Anyone else?
Title: Re: Crosswords
Post by: Ian on September 29, 2017, 07:51:21 am
My better half is a crossword addict and does the lot. But I find them either a bit unchallenging or far too obtuse;  there doesn't seem to be a middle course.

Good new topic, this; perhaps we could discuss the tricky cryptic ones?
Title: Re: Crosswords
Post by: Merddin Emrys on September 29, 2017, 08:52:54 am
I know lots of cross words, better not repeat them here!  ;D
Title: Re: Crosswords
Post by: squigglev2 on September 29, 2017, 09:40:36 am
My better half is a crossword addict and does the lot. But I find them either a bit unchallenging or far too obtuse;  there doesn't seem to be a middle course.

Good new topic, this; perhaps we could discuss the tricky cryptic ones?
OK a little on difficulty from my perspective. Of some of the cryptics I try:

I can still  fail on or take a while over the odd clue but allowing for that, I rarely find the local EDP ones take more than 2 or 3 passes. They can turn an odd one up were I get totally stuck but I’d imagine the really serious cryptic solvers would find the far too boring.

Monday’s Guardian cryptic can be regarded by some as the gentle start to the week. Rufus, the usual setter is sometimes suggested as a good introduction to cryptic crosswords. He is very fair and tries to avoid the really obtuse/contrived. Again, some will find it too easy but he provides a nice challenge for my level and can come up it some nice clues that give a chuckle – wish I could think of an example.

I’m not sure were to go from there with the Guardian daily cryptics.  They can turn up ones where I could look at the puzzle for an hour without being able to make a start.  Alternatively, I might get some clues and see a few others just by the definition part of the clue.  I don’t mind too much if that happens a couple of times in a puzzle but it’s no fun if I’m putting a number of answers in where I can’t understand the cryptic part to know why the solution is correct.
Title: Re: Crosswords
Post by: Nemesis on September 29, 2017, 10:21:49 am
I have to admit to an addiction to General Knowledge Crosswords. If I can't finish the large one in the Saturday Telegraph I feel really put out ! :o
Title: Re: Crosswords
Post by: squigglev2 on September 29, 2017, 11:28:39 am
I have to admit to an addiction to General Knowledge Crosswords. If I can't finish the large one in the Saturday Telegraph I feel really put out ! :o
Hmm. I sometimes win or mostly win on one in The Puzzler magazine or some similar publication my mother can pick up but I have to admit my general knowledge is rarely good enough for those ones. The EDP (Eastern Daily Press, I think our region’s sort of equivalent of the Daily Post) does publish one on Saturdays and Mondays but it’s unusual for me to get more than say 10 answers, at least without having to resort to Google or other resources.
Title: Re: Crosswords
Post by: Nemesis on September 29, 2017, 01:08:06 pm
I can usually manage at least 3/4 of the Sat Telegraph, but I could stare at a cryptic one for hours and not get anywhere. Have you tried that strange thing in the Daily Mail which is a mixture of picture clues ( Rebus?) and other types.? Some days I can sail through that and others I can't do more than a couple.
Title: Re: Crosswords
Post by: Fester on September 29, 2017, 01:23:58 pm
I like crosswords.
But I never do any crosswords.
I think I'll go and do a crossword.
Title: Re: Crosswords
Post by: squigglev2 on September 29, 2017, 02:01:25 pm
Have you tried that strange thing in the Daily Mail which is a mixture of picture clues ( Rebus?) and other types.? Some days I can sail through that and others I can't do more than a couple.

I don't know that one. Is there an online example to look at?  Other things I sometimes do are arrow words (I think really a crossword with a different type of grid), word ladders where you have to get from one word to another, changing one letter to make a new word in so many steps and codewords where each letter has a number.  I've not had much joy with the codeword the i in a while...

I  do find the sometimes just do with several things.  Eg. I have had a run of about a week on the Guardian Quick that were more or less straight write ins. I might start thinking (actually experience has taught me otherwise) that I'm getting really good at these and then you hit a couple tat bring you back down to earth... Others like the ladder word, I tend to ind a route fairly quickly or not at all.  Codewords, I can wind up making a guess, often at a vowel - it might work but I can also cross the puzzle out as it's clear I've made a mess....
Title: Re: Crosswords
Post by: squigglev2 on September 29, 2017, 02:18:25 pm
I think cryptics btw, provided the ones you try are within your level and we are not talking about the really tough stuff that only experts tackle, can actually be easier than straight ones. The reasons being that with most clues having a cryptic part and a definition, you have 2 chances and a means of confirming the answer is the right one.
Title: Re: Crosswords
Post by: squigglev2 on September 29, 2017, 03:37:08 pm
perhaps we could discuss the tricky cryptic ones?

As mentioned before, really tricky would be beyond me.  I meant to look up Mondays Rufus but accidentaly clicked on today's Tramp and unusually for me found 2 in the first few accrosses
I  got straight away.  They could be tricky for some and too obvious for others but for the fun of it:

Portion of tandoori cottage cheese (7)
Virgin male getting relief (4)

Title: Re: Crosswords
Post by: squigglev2 on September 29, 2017, 09:27:13 pm
Portion of tandoori cottage cheese (7)
Virgin male getting relief (4)

I'm afraid I've bored everyone with this but having let it go a few hours, just for completion, here are the solutions.

1. "Portion of" indicates the answer may be hidden.  If we look in the text we find tandoori cottage.  Which gives a cheese.

2.  Abbreviation or male is m and relief is aid so the virgin is a maid.
Title: Re: Crosswords
Post by: Fester on September 30, 2017, 12:08:13 am
Now I remember why I don't do crosswords
Title: Re: Crosswords
Post by: Ian on September 30, 2017, 08:07:20 am
Portion of tandoori cottage cheese (7)
Virgin male getting relief (4)

I'm afraid I've bored everyone with this but having let it go a few hours, just for completion, here are the solutions.

Far from it; I suspect my better half will be reading this as I type. But in any case this topic - as new as it is - has already been read 360 times, so please don't assume anyone's bored by it. Those who aren't interested in crosswords simply won't read it, so carry on the good work :-)
Title: Re: Crosswords
Post by: squigglev2 on September 30, 2017, 08:26:39 am
OK a couple more taken from a recent Guardian cryptic. Again chosen as I found these easy to solve.

Bared tum? Could be for a tattoo! 8
Embellish trouble with the navy (5)

I'll also give this link which may be of interest to those considering trying cryptic crosswords. http://bestforpuzzles.com/cryptic-crossword-tutorial/index.html (http://bestforpuzzles.com/cryptic-crossword-tutorial/index.html)

Title: Re: Crosswords
Post by: Nemesis on September 30, 2017, 08:55:59 am
Have you tried that strange thing in the Daily Mail which is a mixture of picture clues ( Rebus?) and other types.? Some days I can sail through that and others I can't do more than a couple.

I don't know that one. Is there an online example to look at?  Other things I sometimes do are arrow words (I think really a crossword with a different type of grid), word ladders where you have to get from one word to another, changing one letter to make a new word in so many steps and codewords where each letter has a number.  I've not had much joy with the codeword the i in a while...

I  do find the sometimes just do with several things.  Eg. I have had a run of about a week on the Guardian Quick that were more or less straight write ins. I might start thinking (actually experience has taught me otherwise) that I'm getting really good at these and then you hit a couple tat bring you back down to earth... Others like the ladder word, I tend to ind a route fairly quickly or not at all.  Codewords, I can wind up making a guess, often at a vowel - it might work but I can also cross the puzzle out as it's clear I've made a mess....

They are called Pitcherwits and are most odd.

30 years ago my father in law and I used to do the Yorkshire Post one between us, but I haven't seen one of those for years. :(

I keep doing word searches if I see one, but after a while think 'This is inane. What am I doing?'
Title: Re: Crosswords
Post by: squigglev2 on September 30, 2017, 09:23:05 am
They are called Pitcherwits and are most odd.

30 years ago my father in law and I used to do the Yorkshire Post one between us, but I haven't seen one of those for years. :(

I keep doing word searches if I see one, but after a while think 'This is inane. What am I doing?'

Thanks. I've not come across them and failed to find one to try on a quick search now.  I'll keep an eye out.

I don't think I've ever enjoyed word searches. I did, many years ago, knock up a simple program that would search for the words though.
Title: Re: Crosswords
Post by: squigglev2 on September 30, 2017, 10:42:25 am
I suspect my better half will be reading this as I type.

I don't know which crosswords are tackled but perhaps your partner would be interested in seeing the whole puzzle  I took the last 2 clues from: https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/27313 (https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/27313)

I have tried this one since posting the clues and actually found it quite approachable. There were one or two clues what I couldn't quite resolve to my satisfaction but my only complete failure was 3d.
Title: Re: Crosswords
Post by: SteveH on September 30, 2017, 11:36:25 am
Fairly sure Drumbeat is the first answer.
Title: Re: Crosswords
Post by: squigglev2 on September 30, 2017, 11:44:57 am
Fairly sure Drumbeat is the first answer.

Yep, that's one solved.  Just to explain it: "Bared tum? Could be for a tattoo!"

The question mark suggests an anagram.  The clue might lead on think of a skin tattoo but the drumbeat goes with a military tattoo.
Title: Re: Crosswords
Post by: SteveH on September 30, 2017, 01:13:59 pm
Adorn ... took awhile, but this sounds right,    ad ... embellish/ navy rn
Title: Re: Crosswords
Post by: squigglev2 on September 30, 2017, 01:21:00 pm
Adorn ... took awhile, but this sounds right,    ad ... embellish/ navy rn
Yep, solved.  I think a bit's got lost above.  Trouble is ado and navy rn.
Title: Re: Crosswords
Post by: DownUnder on October 01, 2017, 10:04:42 am
1 Down "Display a bowl of cereal"  - Brandish
6 Down "Organise change of decoration" - Coordinate (Anagram of decoration)

Will keep at it!
Title: Re: Crosswords
Post by: DownUnder on October 01, 2017, 11:09:37 am
Came across a blog on this crossword with related answers so will opt out.
Title: Re: Crosswords
Post by: squigglev2 on October 01, 2017, 11:21:00 am
Came across a blog on this crossword with related answers so will opt out.
I guess on FifteenSquared http://www.fifteensquared.net/. (http://www.fifteensquared.net/.)  I'd forgotten about that site but it contains solutions with explanations for a number of cryptic crosswords.
Title: Re: Crosswords
Post by: squigglev2 on January 13, 2018, 04:29:35 pm
Just noting that Rufus (Roger Squires https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Squires) retired, I think just before Christmas. As probably said before, I loved his puzzles that were mostly around my level. His output was incredible and I think he will be missed by a few...