Listener 4255 - On The Rocks By Dipper

[olichant]

I think I got (unusually) lucky with the gridfill on this, but even so, it was not quite as intimidating as the preamble led me to fear. A fun and fair workout with some entertaining clues. Thanks, Dipper.

[jim360]

Probably the same as olichant, really. Lucky that my initial guesses for the longer clue answers were correct, and that I had a fair few of the grid entries around them so that I could see what was going on. Then it was just a case of filling in the gaps with a reasonable expectation of what shapes the remaining rocks might take.

After a couple of puzzles that have been a bit of a grind at the end (especially Dilwitch's), this was a very pleasant change and makes for a colourful and potentially very arty final grid. Thanks Dipper!

[jockie]

I always enjoy carte blanches, and this one's no exception. Apart from the need to do artwork this was a nice stroll. Didn't quite finish with Mo, but not long after. Thanks, Dipper.

[aldanna]

Lots of nice easy clues (suits me) and some jigsawing (suits Himself) so an early finish this week. Only doubt is that so far I haven't found any relevance in the added word. I thought people said it would be really hard and full of Russian this week? Mind you, the threat of the artwork hangs over us. Now, there's a challenge.

[dr b]

Pretty straightforward clues, then a brief hangup until I realized how I was misinterpreting the instructions. I think the misprints were tossed in just to make it a little harder. Numbers next week?

[Ruthrobin]

Yes, even with a houseful of visitors and dinner to cook this one has been a pleasant exercise and, indeed, the gridfill helped solve the final clues. Very entertaining to make yet another visit to Dipper's garden - thanks, Dipper.

[Simplex]

I got the sixth rock after only three misprints, which helped to solve all the clues before I even attempted the gridfill. I too misinterpreted what was supposed to be going on. Led completely up the garden path, so to speak. Thanks, Dipper.

[Alekhine]

Yawn.

Z- Cup, please.

[grace_slick]

Sorry, can't help you with that Alekhine. Mine are only C-cups

[dr b]

Schwwwwwwwing!!! Perhaps since Zabadak doesn't post much anymore we can just rename it the Disappointed Cup.

[Alekhine]

'Disappointed' works for me, dr b.

12x12 grid ... not fully filled by intersecting words, so the remaining voids become 'rocks', subsequently justified by finding seven misprints which can be re-arranged to form another rock.

Hmm.

And, please ... let us not degenerate into the 'Sol Campbell is a better player than you'll ever be' argument to justify selection of mediocre players for the England football team.

[Mesnilpat]

Being a bear of very little brain, I am thoroughly enjoying this puzzle. I'm really sorry if it doesn't suit the Marvins of this world but, in my humble opinion it's good to have a mix of difficulty level otherwise I, for one, would get dispirited and just stop trying. Thank you Dipper.

[Cloverjo]

Hear hear, Mesnilpat. After the last few Listeners, which I found impossible, it is good to have one I can get into. I have solved most of the clues, but have no idea where to start with fitting them in the grid.

[starwalker]

Standard fare from Dipper and his/her garden. What next I wonder - let's install a water feature ? Thanks Dipper.

[trux]

A pleasant stroll through the garden which I much enjoyed and ideally suited lack of time available thanks to guests being present. Not wishing to start sounding like Z, but memo to self not to invite people on a Friday night, though this time they sort of invited themselves. Many thanks to Dipper.

[flocker]

I've just picked up the Times in Hamburg only to find that last week's Listener has been printed again, not this week's. Does this just affect the international edition?

[starwalker]

@flocker - it must just be the international edition. The UK paper is OK.

[Ruthrobin]

Flocker, email [email protected]

[tilbee]

As ever the long answers the key to a quick gridfill on a carte blanche. All fitted together very nicely this afternoon, but still now need to contemplate whether there is more to the "rocks" than initially meets the eye and whether there is some final step yet to discover. Not too difficult but enjoyable enough so thanks to Dipper.

[AnFearBeag]

Hi Ruthrobin. First time poster here from Ireland. Would it be ok if I e-mailed you also, as I too am faced with Political Corectness Gone Wrong for the second week in a row.

[s_pugh]

I quite enjoy carte blanches, and managed to cold solve all bar one of the clues before attempting to fill the grid, with which I seemed to get lucky at once and soon had all my answers checked off and the missing one soon back solved. However now facing the dilemma of what to portray as nothing obvious leaps out - a bit like the dreaded word search ones, it's so annoying to get the solution but then fall at the final hurdle. Not one of my favourites and next week is a non-starter if as I suspect it's one for the mathematicians amongst you.