Listener 4170: Aristocat by Mango

[midazolam]

Last puzzle of the year and it is Mango. 2008 was the last time we saw them with the excellent City Tour. This was not as good, but an enjoyable challenge. Shame the whole theme was got very early from a good stab at 24A. The cluing was tricky and the gimmick was cleverly concealed in places. I do think 42A should be two words. Happy New Year to you all.

[contendo]

Stumbled on the second quote. A great guy but he was wrong.

[sunny-dave]

All done - cracking puzzle & some very cute clues :)

Now for a snooze in front of the wood-burner before venturing out to The Bull - Happy New Year to one and all

dave

[TheBear69]

In addition to the appropriate colour, I think we should have had to add one or two additional characters to each cell in an appropriate location.

[Walterloo]

Now have both quotes plus 24a and the grid is filling nicely. I'm now waiting to see what TheBear and others are talking about in regards to some issues, especially the highlighting queries.

The clues have been first rate in my opinion. The Mango team have utilised the added gimmick to the extreme.

See you all next year.

[pushmi-pullyu]

All done but I've got to admit that I don't get the highlighting. Happy solving to all in 2012!

[cruciverbali]

Wishing all Answerbankers a safe and successful 2012 - Happy New Year !!

Cruciverbalist

[AndrewG-S]

Happy new year to everyone, may 2012 bring us some easier puzzles - at least to begin with...

[IainGrace]

Making steady progress. Got the first quote, 24 across and about two thirds of the grid. Onward and upward - motto for 2012 perhaps. Happy New Year to all when it comes.

[cluelessJoe]

Yes a Happy New Year to all - and here's to the anticipated good dollop of Olympics / Titanics / Captain Scotts etc. lined up for us. Cheers, and thanks for your company during 2011, cJ

[Alan7777]

It's clear that most of you are finding this a lot easier than I am! Will soldier on and hope that I find some inspiration. Happy New Year to all.

[bobbycollins]

New Year's greetings to all.

Don't see the wordplay at 7a. Tricky but enjoyable puzzle.

[bobbycollins]

doh! got it now

[IainGrace]

Finished. Agree with previous comments - some clever clues, neat highlighting, and the number of words in 42 across should be specified, as in 1 across.

In answer to AndrewG-S, we have no ambition to achieve 100 per cent submission rate, as we don't do numerics and the odd one or two where the preamble doesn't fire our enthusiasm. Our tally this year may be a bit more than 45 submissions, though, which will be due in no small part to the helpful nudges from companions on AB so thanks again for that in 2011.

[trux]

Perhaps rather than highlighting we should have had the seven clues in a set order and worked out the total(s) achieved - would be impressive - though grid would need to be a couple of squares bigger then, I suppose...

[emcee]

Happy New Year to one and all.

I've finished but found it incredibly difficult. I like to fully understand every clue before submitting but there are a few clues here which seem to me to be pushing it a bit!

Well done to those who finished so quickly - amazing stuff.

[emcee]

Andrew G-S,

I've submitted them all this year but know I have at least one and, more probably, two wrong. Then there's all the ones with transcription errors etc. etc.

[floaker]

Still not quite there and I seem to be having a problem counting as well as distinguishing left from right. Pleasant not to have to draw the grid out before starting. Off to watch Sherlock now. Happy New Year!

[aldanna]

Plodding slowly yesterday morning, all finished by the afternoon (plus making Nigella's chocolate brownie bowls). It all slotted into place, and I too thought it was very clever clueing. I haven't considered the highlighting yet, as no time, but feel sure the grid is correct.

[JackDeCrow]

Enjoyed this one (even with the extra challenge of trying to fit 42a into the wrong place based on a more promising set of brackets!) and thought it was a great use of a theme. If the highlighting served no other puprose than to draw attention to how thoroughly the theme had been implemented then I'd say it was worth it. Happy New Year to all.

[SethMould]

Glad you guys enjoyed it. Attached is my YouTube video all about Mango. I've retired now. Best Wishes for 2012.

SM Media URL: http://youtu.be/AD-EUS7reyY
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