Spectator 2007 Saturday March 26th 2011

[mintyman99]

http://www.spectator....6809318/crossword.pdf

[Mampara]

Thanks very much mintyman.

[barryjbutler]

ditto Mintyman

[zita-green]

Many thanks, Mintyman

[AHearer]

Thanks again.

[mad max]

many thanks for link

[kayakamina]

Thanks very much for the link mintyman.

A 1d for the enjoyable celebratory puzzle by Doc.

Note that 36d is 5 letters not 4 as shown.

[dr b]

Is it just me, or are there a couple of choices for 28D? Putting 28D into Chambers Word Wizard yields nothing; onelook.com returns 4 possibilities. There seems to be no good reason for choosing between the first 2 - the "celebratory" nature of the puzzle suggests one, the mention of Wales the other.

Still, a nice puzzle, probably a step up in complexity from a typical spec.

[kayakamina]

Hi dr b

I also hesitated with this clue even briefly considering a Haitian character!

I then plumped for the one with a (unintended I'm sure) connection with 31a & Wales.

[mathsman]

Well, Kayakamina, I opted for the Welsh connection, but I am mystified by 31ac's connection. I was happy with my answer to 31 ac, but cannot see any connection to 28 d.

[kayakamina]

I should have said a connection with part of the clue at 31a! - Sorry.

[dr b]

I ultimately went Welsh.

[mathsman]

Kayakamina,

That's clearer, thanks.

[Nical]

Can anyone give me any tips.suggestions for 6 Down?
Sell old game. Not half. (4) -en-
As I'm getting nowhere with this, I wondered if my letters are wrong.

[zita-green]

VEND -sell. Not sure about the old game bit

[PeEm]

Old game = venery. The answer is affected by the rules in the preamble.

[ixion]

thankks for the link mintyman

[AHearer]

I, too, had a brief flirtation with voodoo before returning to druidism.

[cruciverbals]

Is 36 down sides or sided? put off by the 'ed' in showed.


Thanks all

[turnerjmw]

Cruciverbali, I think it must be "sided", sie= german for "they" plus two omissions. "Showed partisanship" is the definition. I too went Welsh at 28dn. Haitian was tempting, but there's no mention of a two word unclued answer in the second paragraph

[cruciverbals]

I still cannot see 37 across. I have got ?ali?. looks like valid. cannot see why?